Network Management System Path Provisioning for Differential Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telephony backhaul networks face challenges with differential delay and jitter due to the transition from circuit-switched to packet-switched technologies, which can impact the performance of mobile telephone switching offices (MTSOs) receiving signals from wireless base terminals (WBTs).
Innovation Solution
A network management system (NMS) identifies and provisions communication paths between WBTs and MTSOs that satisfy desired differential delay, path delay, and jitter thresholds by calculating and selecting alternative paths using algorithms like the Yen algorithm for shortest paths and linear equations to minimize aggregate delay, ensuring compliance with MTSO requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packet-switched backhaul technology is used to reduce cost and increase features, then network cost and functionality are improved, but differential delay and jitter increase causing MTSO performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary provisioning of communication paths during network setup, calculating and establishing paths that satisfy differential delay thresholds before actual call traffic arrives. This proactive path selection ensures that when calls are routed over packet-switched networks, the pre-established paths guarantee acceptable delay characteristics, resolving the contradiction between using flexible packet-switched technology and maintaining reliable signal delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication paths are available for WBTs to reach MTSO, then path redundancy and flexibility are improved, but selecting the appropriate path becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the MTSO reports observed differential delay measurements back to the network management system. This feedback enables continuous optimization of path selections, allowing the system to learn from actual network performance and automatically adjust path assignments. The feedback loop simplifies the selection process by using measured performance data to guide future path choices, resolving the complexity of selecting appropriate paths from multiple alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of path selection from static configuration to dynamic adjustment based on measured differential delay. By continuously monitoring and adjusting path parameters based on performance metrics, the system can adapt to changing network conditions while maintaining simple decision rules, thus managing the complexity of path selection across multiple available routes.
3Reliability
If circuit-switched backhaul is used, then differential delay is minimized, but network cost and feature limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network management system as an intermediary between the packet-switched backhaul network and the MTSO. This intermediary performs path provisioning and differential delay management functions that were previously handled by the circuit-switched network infrastructure. By inserting this intelligent intermediary layer, the system achieves timing consistency comparable to circuit-switched networks while utilizing the cost-effective packet-switched infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and cost efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving network performance in a communication system. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) that manages operations of a communication system including a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) coupled to a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) by way of a corresponding plurality of network elements, having a network configuration element that identifies for each of the plurality of WBTs a resultant communication path to the MTSO according to a plurality of performance characteristics calculated from alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO. Additional embodiments are disclosed.