Physical Layer Link Control via Higher-Layer Quality Mapping

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern communication systems face challenges in precisely controlling the quality of communication links, as the effects of physical layer adjustments on higher layers are largely unknown, leading to potential degradation in application layer quality due to undetected errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that map performance metrics from the physical layer to higher layers, allowing for adjustments in communication link controls at the physical layer to achieve target quality levels at both layers, using dynamic line management mechanisms and pre-calibrated relationships to optimize link quality and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If controls at the physical layer are adjusted to optimize performance, then physical layer metrics improve, but the effect on higher layer quality is unknown and may degrade application layer quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical layer link qualityVSAvoidhigher layer quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both physical layer metrics (CRC error rates, signal-to-noise ratio) and higher layer quality metrics (video quality, application performance), then using this feedback to dynamically adjust physical layer controls. This closed-loop approach ensures that physical layer optimizations do not inadvertently degrade higher layer quality, as the system can detect and correct such effects in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration to establish the relationship between physical layer controls and higher layer quality before normal operation. By pre-determining how physical layer adjustments affect higher layer performance through calibration routines, the system can make informed control decisions that optimize physical layer metrics while preserving higher layer quality, avoiding the need for trial-and-error adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If physical layer controls are adjusted without considering higher layers, then physical layer performance may improve, but resource usage increases due to unnecessary adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication link performanceVSAvoidresource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration to establish the relationship between physical layer controls and higher layer quality before normal operation. By pre-determining how physical layer adjustments affect higher layer performance through calibration routines, the system can make informed control decisions that optimize physical layer metrics while preserving higher layer quality, avoiding the need for trial-and-error adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the communication link to self-optimize by automatically adjusting physical layer controls based on monitored metrics and the calibrated relationship model, without requiring external intervention or exhaustive resource-intensive searches for optimal settings. The system serves itself by using its own performance data to make intelligent control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If mapping between physical layer performance and higher layer quality is established, then control precision improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink quality measurementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration to establish the relationship between physical layer controls and higher layer quality before normal operation. By pre-determining how physical layer adjustments affect higher layer performance through calibration routines, the system can make informed control decisions that optimize physical layer metrics while preserving higher layer quality, avoiding the need for trial-and-error adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary calibration model that translates between physical layer metrics and higher layer quality predictions. This intermediary layer simplifies the control problem by providing a mathematical relationship between controls and outcomes, avoiding the need for complex real-time analysis of higher layer protocols while still achieving precise control through the calibrated transfer function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9137085B2Adjusting controls at the physical layer to control link quality at higher layers

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A system and method for controlling a performance of a communication link in a data communication system comprises mapping performance of a communication link, as characterized by metrics computed at a first protocol layer in a network device, to quality of the communication link as characterized by metrics computed at a second protocol layer in the network device. The second protocol layer is higher than the first protocol layer in a protocol stack running on the network device. A setting of one or more communication link controls at the first protocol layer is adjusted to attain a given communication link performance at the first protocol layer that, according to the mapping between the communication link performance at the first protocol layer and the quality of the communication link at the second protocol layer, corresponds to a target quality of the communication link at a second protocol layer.