Load Balancer for Multi-Interface Traffic Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
User devices, such as cellular telephones, often rely on a single network interface for data transmission, which can lead to suboptimal performance due to limitations in throughput and latency, as they do not effectively utilize multiple available network interfaces with different capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A load balancer system that identifies characteristics of various network interfaces, such as throughput and latency, and segments data to transmit via multiple interfaces, including 3G, 4G, and WiFi, to optimize traffic distribution based on available capacity, thereby enhancing application performance without requiring modifications to existing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single network interface is used for data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but network throughput and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different data units and transmits them through multiple network interfaces simultaneously. The load balancer divides the data stream and routes portions through different interfaces (e.g., WiFi, cellular) based on their current capacity and characteristics, thereby achieving aggregate throughput greater than any single interface could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a load balancer as an intermediary component that manages traffic distribution across multiple network interfaces. This intermediary monitors interface characteristics, makes routing decisions, and balances the load, thereby enabling multi-interface utilization without requiring application-level complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple network interfaces are utilized simultaneously, then network throughput increases, but traffic distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancer autonomously monitors network interface characteristics and automatically adjusts traffic distribution without external intervention. It continuously evaluates interface capacity, latency, and other metrics, then dynamically routes traffic accordingly, enabling the system to self-optimize performance based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the load balancer continuously monitors network interface performance metrics and uses this information to adjust traffic routing decisions. This closed-loop control ensures that traffic is always distributed through the most effective interfaces, maximizing application performance while simplifying management.
3Speed
If network interfaces are selected based on real-time characteristics, then transmission efficiency improves, but measurement and monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancer performs preliminary measurements and characterizations of network interfaces before actual data transmission begins. By pre-evaluating interface capacity, latency, and other critical metrics, the system can make informed routing decisions without requiring complex real-time monitoring during active transmission, thereby reducing measurement complexity while maintaining high transmission speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may be configured to receive data. The system may be associated with a plurality of network interfaces that each correspond to a different radio access technology associated with one or more cellular networks. The system may identify one or more measures of load associated with each of the plurality of network interfaces; and output, based on the identified measures of load, a different portion of the received data to each network interface, of the group of network interfaces.