Network Path Quality Assessment Using Additive Airtime Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing link quality in communication networks, such as wireless networks, are inadequate as they rely solely on parameters like SINR or last successful transmission rate, which do not accurately reflect the achievable capacity due to factors like medium sharing and contention, leading to unreliable path selection.
Innovation Solution
A method using a non-linear metric based on observed successful rates, converted to a logarithmic function of airtime, which is additive and suitable for hybrid networks, incorporating a metric module with pre-filtering, filtering, and consistency checks to assess link and end-to-end path quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If link quality is assessed using only SINR or last successful transmission rate, then the assessment is simple, but the accuracy of achievable capacity prediction deteriorates due to medium sharing and contention effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the link quality assessment from using single parameters (SINR or last successful rate) to using multiple parameters including observed successful rates, medium access success rates, and contention metrics. This multi-parameter approach fundamentally changes the assessment methodology to capture both channel quality and medium access effects, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite quality metric that combines multiple independent metrics (signal quality, successful transmission rate, medium access success rate) into a unified link quality assessment. This composite approach integrates different aspects of link performance to provide a more accurate and comprehensive evaluation that reflects actual achievable capacity.
2Reliability
If multiple metrics are incorporated for comprehensive path quality assessment, then the reliability of path selection improves, but the computational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the path quality assessment into independent link quality assessments for each individual link along the path. Each link is evaluated separately using the multi-parameter metric, and then these individual assessments are aggregated to determine overall path quality. This segmentation reduces computational complexity by breaking down the complex multi-metric problem into manageable independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a tiered approach where nodes can use a full multi-parameter assessment when needed, but also support simplified versions for less critical scenarios. The system performs partial assessments using only essential metrics when bandwidth requirements are low or time is constrained, while deploying full assessments only when necessary for high-reliability requirements, thus balancing complexity and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for assessing path quality between a source node and a destination node, the method comprising, at a node: determining a first parameter and a first path classification of a first path having at least one link;determining a second parameter and a second path classification of a second path having at least one link;determining the quality of the first path based on the first parameter and the first path classification; determining the quality of the second path based on the second parameter and the second path classification; and comparing the quality of the first path and the quality of the second path thereby to determine the best quality path.