MTA Bandwidth Manager for TCP Stream Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multimedia terminal adapters (MTAs) lack centralized bandwidth management, leading to inefficient bandwidth allocation among simultaneous IP-based services like VoIP, IPTV, and file transfers, resulting in potential packet drops and degraded service quality when bandwidth is excessively used by certain services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method within the MTA to dynamically adjust bandwidth usage among subscriber streams by incorporating logic within the protocol stack that monitors and adjusts the bandwidth used by TCP streams, reallocating bandwidth from data streams to VoIP and IPTV streams when necessary, ensuring optimal quality of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data services use high bandwidth in conventional MTA, then data transfer speed is improved, but media packets may be dropped and service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized bandwidth manager as an intermediary component that mediates between data services and media services for bandwidth allocation. This manager monitors bandwidth usage across all streams and actively controls TCP stream bandwidth consumption to prevent media packet drops, resolving the contradiction by inserting a controlling intermediary layer between the competing services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth adjustment where the bandwidth allocated to TCP streams is not fixed but continuously adapted based on current network conditions and service priorities. The system dynamically reduces TCP bandwidth when media services require more bandwidth, and vice versa, allowing the bandwidth distribution to flex and adapt in real-time rather than remaining static.
2Reliability
If centralized bandwidth management is implemented, then service quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized bandwidth manager is designed to handle multiple functions within a single component: it monitors bandwidth usage across all streams, identifies which streams should be throttled based on service priority, executes bandwidth control actions, and adapts to changing network conditions. This multi-functional design consolidates what could have been multiple separate complex subsystems into one universal bandwidth management entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bandwidth management system operates autonomously by automatically detecting bandwidth congestion conditions, determining which streams require bandwidth adjustment based on service priorities, and executing control actions without requiring manual intervention or external control. The system serves itself by monitoring its own bandwidth usage patterns and self-regulating the TCP stream bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for adjusting bandwidth of streams carried on a subscriber loop. One exemplary method comprises the steps of: determining bandwidth in use on a subscriber loop; selecting, for adjustment, at least one of a plurality of TCP streams carried on the subscriber loop; and adjusting at least one flow control parameter of the selected TCP stream based on the bandwidth in use. An exemplary multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) comprises memory and a processor. The memory stores program code, and the code programs the processor to enable the MTA to: determine bandwidth in use on a subscriber loop; select, for adjustment, at least one of a plurality of TCP streams carried on the subscriber loop; and adjust at least one flow control parameter of the selected TCP stream based on the bandwidth in use.