Media Gateway Session Splitting for QoS Problem Location
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of multi-media communication services on IP networks face challenges in diagnosing and locating quality of service issues, as existing solutions provide only end-to-end quality information that does not pinpoint the source of problems, leading to inconveniences due to variable and fluctuating bandwidths across different access networks.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a media gateway switching from 'router mode' to 'relay mode' during a multi-media session, allowing terminals to obtain and compare quality of service data items from different sections of the session, enabling users to identify and locate quality of service problems by splitting the session into two separate sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If end-to-end quality of service monitoring is used, then users can obtain quality information, but users cannot locate the source of quality problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the end-to-end multi-media session into multiple intermediate sections by introducing a media gateway that creates intermediate sessions. Instead of monitoring only the terminal-to-terminal path, the session is segmented into terminal-to-gateway and gateway-to-terminal sections, allowing quality monitoring at each segment to identify where problems occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The media gateway acts as an intermediary element inserted into the multi-media session. It receives media data from one terminal, processes it, and forwards it to the other terminal while enabling quality monitoring at the intermediate point. This intermediary allows the system to obtain segment-specific quality metrics without requiring changes to the end terminals.
2Measurement precision
If media gateway switches to relay mode to enable problem location, then quality problem location is achieved, but session complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media gateway dynamically switches between router mode and relay mode based on operational needs. In router mode, the gateway performs simple packet forwarding with minimal processing. When quality problem location is required, it transitions to relay mode where it creates intermediate sessions and performs quality monitoring, then returns to router mode afterward. This dynamic switching reduces overall system complexity while enabling precise diagnostics when needed.
3Measurement precision
If intermediate quality monitoring is implemented, then problem source can be identified, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The media gateway performs quality monitoring only partially and selectively rather than continuously. It activates intermediate session monitoring only when quality problems are detected or when diagnostic information is needed, then returns to simple routing. This partial action approach provides the necessary diagnostic capability while minimizing the additional processing energy consumption associated with continuous intermediate monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating a quality of service problem implemented on a terminal during a multi-media session between two terminals over a communication network, which includes at least one media gateway that is able to retransmit media data packets without particular processing according to a “router mode” of management. The terminals obtain a first quality of service data item relating to the multi-media session. Following a change in the mode of management to a “relay mode” in which the multi-media session initially established between the terminals is split into two separate multi-media sessions, it includes: obtaining of a second quality of service data item relating to one of the two multi-media sessions established following the change in the mode of management of the media gateway; comparing the first and second quality of service data items; and locating the quality of service problem depending on the result of the comparison.