Communication Network Control Apparatus for Dynamic Latency Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ensuring guaranteed end-to-end performance in communication networks with dynamic changes in path segment quality, such as latency and throughput, is challenging due to variations in radio access network performance and network load.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with an acquisition module to determine required segment performances based on end-to-end performance targets and an enforcement module to dynamically adjust these targets in each path segment, ensuring the required performance is maintained by communicating with nodes or entities controlling the path segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If delay targets are set on each path segment to guarantee end-to-end latency, then end-to-end latency is improved, but path segment performance deteriorates when quality changes dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of delay targets for path segments based on real-time quality changes. The control apparatus continuously monitors path segment quality (e.g., throughput, latency) and adjusts the delay targets accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to varying network conditions while maintaining end-to-end latency guarantees
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control apparatus monitors the actual performance of path segments and uses this information to adjust delay targets. This closed-loop control ensures that when path segment quality changes, the system responds by modifying delay parameters to maintain overall end-to-end performance requirements
2Loss of time
If delay targets are enforced on path segments, then end-to-end latency is reduced, but device complexity increases due to continuous monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the end-to-end path into multiple path segments, each with its own delay target. This segmentation allows independent control and monitoring of each segment, simplifying the overall control mechanism by breaking down the complex end-to-end performance management into manageable segment-level operations
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus performs multiple functions including acquiring end-to-end performance requirements, determining path segment delay targets, monitoring path segment quality, and adjusting delay targets dynamically. By consolidating these functions into a single control apparatus, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate control mechanisms for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus (40) is configured to acquire a required end-to-end performance required for an end-to-end path from a first end node to a second end node, and determine each required segment performance required for a respective one of the path segments based on the required end-to-end performance. The control apparatus (40) is further configured to communicate with a node included in each path segment or communicate with an entity controlling the path segment to enforce a corresponding one of the required segment performances in the path segment. The control apparatus (40) is further configured to update a required segment performance currently enforced in at least one path segment based on an achievement status of each of the required segment performances in the respective path segments. It is thus, for example, possible to contribute to guaranteeing the required end-to-end performance even when quality of each path segment changes.