Packet Routing via Performance Information Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telephony systems over packet networks face challenges in managing real-time and non-real-time bandwidth, leading to issues such as congestion, jitter, and packet loss, due to the lack of connection path state awareness and in-band signaling for bandwidth usage, which affects voice quality and call handling.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize Performance Information Packets (PIP packets) to collect and communicate network performance information, enabling data packet routing based on real-time and non-real-time content, and allowing for intelligent call management and congestion control by distinguishing between different types of network usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packet networks are used for telephony communications, then network flexibility and data communication capabilities are improved, but congestion, jitter, and packet loss occur due to lack of bandwidth management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into real-time and non-real-time categories, allowing differential handling of packet flows. This segmentation enables prioritization of voice traffic while managing overall network capacity, resolving the contradiction between network flexibility and voice quality reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes network parameter management by introducing dynamic bandwidth allocation based on traffic type. Network elements adjust bandwidth parameters in real-time according to detected traffic patterns, maintaining voice quality while preserving network flexibility for other communications.
2Loss of information
If in-band signaling is implemented for bandwidth management, then connection path state awareness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges bandwidth management signaling with existing in-band audio channels. By combining control information with data transmission pathways, the system achieves comprehensive bandwidth awareness without creating separate complex signaling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal in-band signaling mechanism that serves multiple functions: voice transmission, bandwidth measurement, and congestion control. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated signaling channels for each function.
3Reliability
If real-time bandwidth allocation is implemented, then voice quality is improved, but network control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service bandwidth allocation where network elements autonomously adjust bandwidth based on local traffic conditions and pre-established policies. This distributed self-service approach maintains voice quality while avoiding centralized control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback loops where network elements continuously monitor traffic conditions and automatically adjust bandwidth allocation. This closed-loop feedback system maintains voice quality through real-time adaptation without requiring complex manual network control.
4Productivity
If packet routing is based on network performance information, then congestion control is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary measurement functions at network elements that simplify complex performance detection. These intermediaries aggregate and process raw network data into manageable performance metrics, enabling effective congestion control without direct complex measurement at every routing decision point.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include a computer implemented method for routing data packets. In one embodiment, the method includes storing network usage information of a packet network managed by a communications carrier including network usage information associated with communications by subscribers of other communications carrier that communicate data packets over the packet network, the network usage information distinguishing between data packets associated with a first service and data packets associated with a second service; determining pricing information for communicating the data packets via a plurality of networks, wherein each network is associated with a different communications carrier; and selecting one of the plurality of networks for routing the data packets based on cost, wherein the cost includes a first cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the first service and a second cost for communicating the data packets that are associated with the second service.