Packet Discarding Policy for VoIP Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heavily congested networks, particularly during emergency situations like simultaneous VoIP calls, existing methods for handling high-priority traffic lead to unpredictable packet losses and call drops due to saturation, as they randomly discard high-priority packets, causing significant quality issues in real-time streaming content delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for selectively discarding packets in a network device based on the codecs employed, using a codec policy table to determine a packet discarding policy that prioritizes packets with smaller frame sizes over those with larger frame sizes, minimizing the impact of packet loss on streaming content quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If random packet discarding is used to handle saturation conditions, then network device can manage overwhelmed queues, but packet loss becomes unpredictable and call quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different packets differently based on their specific characteristics. Instead of random discarding, the system identifies packets with smaller frame sizes (less critical to call quality) and discards them preferentially, while preserving packets with larger frame sizes that are more critical to maintain call quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the discarding parameter from random selection to frame-size-based selection. By monitoring packet frame sizes and using this parameter to determine which packets to discard, the system transforms an unpredictable random process into a controlled selective process that minimizes impact on call quality.
2Productivity
If higher priority packets are discarded randomly during saturation, then available upstream bandwidth can be managed, but streaming content delivery becomes choppy and delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between individual packets based on their frame size characteristics. Packets containing smaller amounts of audio data (smaller frame sizes) are identified and discarded preferentially, while packets with larger frame sizes that represent more critical audio content are preserved, thus maintaining smoother streaming content delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the packet selection parameter for discarding from random to frame size. This parameter change enables the system to make informed decisions about which packets to discard, minimizing the temporal gaps in audio playback and reducing choppiness in streaming content delivery.
3Productivity
If packets are discarded to relieve saturation, then network congestion is reduced, but service interruptions occur with longer duration for some callers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by analyzing individual packet characteristics (frame sizes) rather than treating all packets uniformly. By discarding packets with smaller frame sizes that represent shorter audio segments, the system minimizes the duration of service interruptions, as these shorter packets correspond to briefer gaps in audio playback for callers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for selectively discarding packets in a network device. The method includes receiving an upstream bandwidth saturation indicator for a queue in the network device, and identifying one or more codecs employed in packets in the queue when the upstream bandwidth saturation indicator indicates saturation. The method further includes determining a packet discarding policy based on the one or more codecs, and discarding packets in accordance with the packet discarding policy.