Usable Bandwidth Measurement via Ordered Packet Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to precisely measure bidirectional available bandwidth in full-duplex IP networks, especially in scenarios with multiple terminals connected in a full mesh manner, where simultaneous measurement leads to interference and imprecise results, making it difficult to determine the maximum number of terminals that can participate in real-time communications like IP telephone conferences.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a master terminal instructs slave terminals to transmit measurement packet trains in a predetermined order, allowing each terminal to calculate available bandwidth independently without simultaneous transmission, thereby avoiding interference and ensuring precise measurement within a short time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If simultaneous measurement is performed to measure bidirectional available bandwidth quickly, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference between multiple measurement packet trains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement process into sequential segments where each terminal transmits measurement packet trains in a predetermined order rather than simultaneously. The master terminal instructs slave terminals to transmit in specific sequences, segmenting the measurement operations in time to avoid interference while maintaining measurement speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master terminal performs preliminary action by instructing slave terminals about the predetermined transmission order before actual measurement begins. This coordination ensures that each terminal knows when to transmit and when to receive, preventing interference while enabling quick measurement of bidirectional available bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If sequential measurement is performed to avoid interference, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing a predetermined order where terminals transmit measurement packet trains in alternating periods. The master terminal coordinates this periodic transmission pattern, allowing efficient sequential measurement that completes quickly without requiring excessive waiting time between measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9059914B2Usable bandwidth measurement method, usable bandwidth measurement system, terminal device, and computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 NEC CORP

AI summary

An order of terminal devices that are destinations of a measurement packet train to be transmitted is instructed to each of a plurality of terminal devices connected together via a network (step S101). The measurement packet train is transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal devices to a destination terminal device in accordance with the instructed order (step S102). An available bandwidth in a path from an originator of the measurement packet train to the destination is calculated based on a receiving status of the measurement packet train at the destination terminal device (step S103).