Media Gateway Controller Congestion Control via Call Push-Back
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet-based telephony networks lack call push-back capabilities and adequate control processes to handle mass calling events, leading to potential network failures and congestion, unlike legacy networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a media gateway controller with an interface to receive call requests, determine end point states, and generate control messages, including push-back instructions, to manage network capacity and prevent congestion, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for communication between network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet based telephony networks process all incoming call requests during mass calling events, then call connectivity is maintained, but network elements overload and cause network failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary congestion detection and call push-back mechanisms that activate before network elements become overloaded. The media gateway controller monitors network conditions and proactively pushes back excess call requests to originating switches, preventing overload before it occurs. This preliminary action maintains network stability without requiring complex real-time control during mass calling events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism where the media gateway controller acts as a mediator between originating switches and destination networks. It receives call requests, assesses network capacity, and selectively accepts or pushes back calls based on current load conditions. This intermediary layer protects network elements from direct overload while maintaining simple individual component designs.
2Reliability
If incoming call requests are denied or ignored to prevent network overload, then network elements are protected from failure, but call connectivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic call admission control where the media gateway controller continuously adjusts its acceptance criteria based on real-time network conditions. During normal conditions, it accepts calls to maximize productivity. During congestion, it dynamically pushes back excess calls to protect network elements. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting call processing capacity to actual network state rather than using fixed denial or acceptance policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the media gateway controller monitors network element load conditions and uses this information to control call admission. When network elements approach capacity thresholds, the controller receives feedback about degraded performance and automatically pushes back additional calls. This closed-loop feedback system protects network elements while maximizing call processing capacity under varying conditions.
3Reliability
If call processing pace is slowed down to prevent overload, then network elements are protected, but call setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary congestion assessment and call push-back decisions before calls are fully processed through the network. By evaluating network conditions early in the call setup process and pushing back excessive calls proactively, the system protects network elements from overload without requiring slowed processing during call setup. Normal call processing speed is maintained for accepted calls.
Data Source
AI summary
A media gateway controller that includes an interface configured to receive a call request for a call from a communication device and transmit a control message for the call to the communication device. The media gateway controller also includes a processor configured to process the call request to determine an end point for the call, determine an end point state for the end point, and generate the control message indicating the end point state.