Automated Network Throughput Measurement via Self-Service Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital network services face challenges in efficiently measuring and optimizing quality of service metrics such as download throughput and upload throughput, which are crucial for network performance but often difficult to obtain accurately and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a Network Operations Center (NOC), gateways, networks, terminals, and remote servers that measure and analyze download and upload throughput metrics without user interaction or special equipment, enabling automated diagnostic tests and resource optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual methods are used to measure quality of service metrics, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the complexity of operation and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-measurement of quality of service metrics by the network infrastructure itself. Network elements automatically generate and analyze test traffic, collect performance data, and report metrics without requiring manual intervention from operators or special user actions, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated intermediary components such as probe devices and network elements that act as mediators between the network infrastructure and the measurement process. These intermediaries automatically execute measurement protocols, collect data, and report results, replacing manual measurement operations while preserving metric accuracy
2Measurement precision
If special equipment or user interaction is required for measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network infrastructure performs self-measurement of throughput metrics using automated test traffic generation and analysis capabilities built into network elements. This eliminates the need for special user equipment or user interaction while maintaining measurement accuracy through standardized protocols executed by network devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows standard network elements to perform multiple functions including both service delivery and quality of service measurement. Network elements can simultaneously provide user services and execute measurement protocols, eliminating the need for specialized measurement equipment while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Reliability
If manual diagnostics and optimization are performed, then issue identification can be thorough, but the productivity and response time of network operations decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where network elements continuously monitor performance metrics, compare them against thresholds, and trigger diagnostic actions or optimizations automatically. This continuous feedback mechanism maintains thorough issue identification while significantly improving operational productivity by eliminating manual intervention cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs proactive measurement and monitoring that continuously collects quality of service data before problems manifest. Automated diagnostic tests are pre-configured and executed regularly, enabling early issue detection and prevention rather than reactive manual diagnostics, thus improving both reliability and productivity
4Reliability
If frequent quality of service measurements are conducted, then network performance optimization improves, but the use of energy and network resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic measurement cycles where quality of service metrics are measured at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. Measurement frequency is dynamically adjusted based on network conditions and service requirements, maintaining effective performance optimization while reducing unnecessary energy consumption during stable periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies selective measurement strategies where full-precision measurements are performed only when necessary based on triggering conditions such as performance threshold violations or service level changes. During normal operation, reduced-precision monitoring is used, maintaining optimization effectiveness while minimizing energy and resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a first computing device including a processor programmed to define a plurality of download slots during a download session, each of the download slots being a predetermined period of time. The processor further selects download slots from the plurality of download slots during which a first amount of data in the download buffer remained greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold. For each of the selected download slots, the processor determines a first download throughput rate. The processor calculates a session download throughput rate based on the first download throughput rates, and reports the session download throughput rates to a second computing device.