Network-Side Transmission Function Adaptation for Edge Computing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of facility maintenance due to the need for dedicated apparatuses in each access station for edge computing, which increases equipment costs and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with a network-side apparatus that includes a transmission function unit, quality calculation unit, and transmission function changing unit, which reduces and adjusts transmission functions such as frame synchronization, error correction, and line coding to meet application requirements, allowing edge computing without dedicated apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If dedicated apparatuses are deployed in each access station for edge computing, then low latency is achieved, but facility costs and equipment complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidequipment costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling general-purpose servers to perform multiple functions: they can execute applications for edge computing and simultaneously perform transmission functions (frame synchronization, error correction, line coding) that were traditionally dedicated to specialized communication apparatuses. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated apparatuses in each access station, reducing facility costs while maintaining low latency through local processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the application execution function and transmission function processing into a single integrated system at the access station. By combining these functions that were previously separated into different dedicated apparatuses, the system achieves edge computing capabilities with reduced equipment complexity and lower facility costs while maintaining the low latency required for real-time applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If algorithms requiring greater computation are used for transmission functions, then frame reception rate and error rate improve, but the amount of computation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe reception rate and error rateVSAvoidamount of computation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission function parameters (such as error correction strength, frame synchronization thresholds, line coding methods) based on current network conditions and application requirements. This allows the system to use higher computation algorithms only when necessary to achieve required reliability levels, rather than consistently using maximum-computation algorithms, thereby reducing overall computational energy consumption while maintaining adequate frame reception rates and error rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making transmission function computation levels adaptive rather than static. The system can dynamically switch between different computation intensities for transmission functions based on real-time conditions, allowing it to optimize the balance between reliability (frame reception rate and error rate) and computational energy usage, rather than being locked into a fixed high-computation mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11558447B2Communication system, network-side apparatus, transmission function changing method and program
Publication Date: 2023.01.17 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • US11558447B2 patent drawing
  • US11558447B2 patent drawing
  • US11558447B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A communication system includes a network-side apparatus and a user-side apparatus. The network-side apparatus includes a transmission function unit configured to perform processing of a transmission function on data received from the user-side apparatus, a quality calculation unit configured to calculate a quality of media data which is transmitted from the user-side apparatus and on which the processing is performed by the transmission function unit; and a transmission function changing unit configured to change the transmission function performed by the transmission function unit in a range in which the calculated quality satisfies a quality required by an application.