Mobile Communication Performance Measurement via Distributed Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication system performance measurement technologies face limitations, including centralized server dependencies, inability to determine responsible sections for performance issues, and requirement for synchronization and packet marking for accurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A performance measurement apparatus comprising two measurement mobile interfaces and a measurement probe, which allows for accurate and reliable two-way measurements without synchronization or packet marking, providing independent measurements for radio access and backhauling sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a centralized client-server measurement system is used, then performance measurements can be conducted across the network, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to synchronization requirements and centralized entity dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement functionality from the centralized server and relocates it to distributed network elements (base stations and user equipment). Each network element independently performs measurements on packets passing through it, eliminating the need for centralized coordination and synchronization mechanisms while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Network elements perform measurements autonomously using their own local clocks and processing capabilities. The base station and user equipment independently generate, mark, and measure packets without requiring external synchronization signals or centralized control, enabling self-contained measurement operations.
2Loss of information
If packet marking is implemented to enable intermediate measurements, then section-specific performance data can be obtained, but the device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network traffic into measurement packets and regular data packets by introducing unique identification markers in packet headers. This segmentation enables intermediate network elements to selectively identify and measure only the measurement packets without affecting regular traffic processing, maintaining low overhead while providing complete performance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lightweight packet marker as an intermediary mechanism that enables measurement functionality without requiring complex processing. The marker serves as a simple identifier that allows network elements to distinguish measurement packets from regular traffic, enabling section-specific measurements with minimal processing overhead.
3Measurement precision
If end-to-end measurements are performed through the core network, then overall system performance can be assessed, but the ability to identify responsible sections for performance issues is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement function by deploying measurement capabilities at multiple network locations (base stations, user equipment, intermediate nodes). Each segment independently measures performance metrics for packets passing through its section, enabling precise localization of performance issues to specific network segments while maintaining a unified measurement framework.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for measuring the performance of a mobile communication system. The apparatus includes two measurement mobile interfaces and a measurement probe. The probe is connected to the backhauling interface of a base station of the system. Then, one measurement mobile interface transmits packets to the other measurement mobile interface via the base station. These packets are received at the base station, forwarded to the packet gateway of the system, sent back to the same base station, and finally received at the destination measurement mobile interface. Since the measurement probe belongs to the same apparatus as the mobile interfaces, it may detect the packets as transmitted/received at the backhauling interface. The probe then generates performance parameters relating to the packets as transmitted/received by the mobile interfaces and/or as detected at the backhauling interface. The system performance is then measured based on such parameters.