Multi-tier QoS Wireless Networks Service Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication systems offer unsatisfactory quality of service due to factors like signal blockage, multipath interference, and limited bandwidth, leading to dropped calls and inferior voice quality, with no differentiation in service quality for users regardless of their handset price or usage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tier wireless communication system that provides customizable service levels with different quality of service (QoS) tiers, allowing users to select and pay for specific QoS levels based on their needs, including guaranteed bandwidth, latency, jitter, and dropped call rates, matched to their handset quality and price level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cellular systems provide basic service to all users, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but service quality and reliability deteriorate due to signal blockage, multipath interference, and limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network into multiple tiers (first tier and second tier) with different base stations, where each tier provides differentiated service quality. First tier base stations provide basic service while second tier base stations provide enhanced service with better QoS parameters, allowing users to be served by appropriate tiers based on their service level agreements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different regions of the network to provide different service qualities. Second tier base stations are strategically deployed to provide enhanced service quality in specific locations, while first tier base stations provide basic service in other areas, enabling spatial differentiation of service quality.
2Reliability
If network bandwidth is increased to improve service quality, then communication quality and reliability are improved, but system cost and infrastructure complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network infrastructure into multiple tiers with different capabilities. Second tier base stations are equipped with additional resources and capabilities to provide enhanced service quality, while first tier base stations provide basic service. This segmentation allows quality improvement without requiring all base stations to be upgraded, thus controlling infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic service level adjustment where the network can adaptively assign users to different service tiers based on current network conditions, user subscriptions, and service level agreements. This dynamic allocation allows the system to provide high quality service when needed without permanently maintaining the infrastructure complexity required for maximum quality across all users.
3Reliability
If service quality parameters (bandwidth, latency, jitter) are guaranteed for all users, then user satisfaction and reliability are improved, but network capacity and number of supported users worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments users and services into different tiers based on their QoS requirements. First tier base stations serve users with basic service level agreements, while second tier base stations serve users requiring enhanced QoS guarantees. This segmentation allows the network to provide QoS guarantees to users who need them without extending those guarantees to all users, thereby preserving overall network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key network parameters (bandwidth allocation, latency thresholds, jitter tolerances) based on the service tier and user subscription level. Different parameter sets are applied to different user groups, allowing the network to optimize performance for premium users while maintaining efficient resource utilization for standard users, thus balancing QoS guarantees with network capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to improved communication quality of service in communication networks. A customer may pay different fees for different tiers of service relating to voice quality and bandwidth access. Higher service tiers may guarantee that a specific vocoder or bit rate is used; or guarantee that communication is supported by parameters such as maximum allowed dropped calls rate, jitter and latency. Availability may be guaranteed per the contract between subscribers and service providers. Different tiers may be associated with customers' records for billing purposes. High end devices may be afforded higher voice quality by comparing a given device to a look up table indicating what service level is associated therewith. A calling device or a receiving device may ask the other device to change the vocoder or bit rate to ensure a higher quality call. The user may also change the quality level before or during a call.