PSTN Bypass for IP Media Call Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP telephony networks often struggle to maintain call quality due to bandwidth limitations and congestion, leading to packet loss or delay, which degrades voice calls, while PSTN networks provide reliable but limited functionality without advanced features.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a call manager with a media monitoring module, bypass module, and PSTN control module to dynamically switch from an IP network to a PSTN network for media transmission when quality degrades, while retaining IP network control for advanced features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If IP network is used for telephony, then cost is reduced and advanced features are provided, but call quality degrades due to bandwidth limitations and congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches the media transmission path between IP network and PSTN network based on real-time quality monitoring. When IP network quality degrades below a threshold, the system automatically routes media through PSTN while maintaining IP network for call control, and switches back when quality improves. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing cost-saving IP usage when quality is adequate while ensuring quality through PSTN fallback when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the telephony function into two independent paths: call control remains on the IP network while media transmission can switch to PSTN network. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently - IP network handles advanced features and call control, while PSTN provides reliable media transmission when IP network quality is insufficient, resolving the quality-cost contradiction.
2Reliability
If PSTN network is used for telephony, then call quality and reliability are maintained, but advanced features are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates call control functions from media transmission functions. Call control (including advanced features like transfer, conference, and directory listing) remains on the IP network where these features are natively supported. Media transmission can switch to PSTN when quality is needed. This segmentation allows simultaneous access to both reliable PSTN media and advanced IP features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a multi-functional telephony architecture that can operate in multiple modes: pure IP mode for cost-saving with advanced features, PSTN fallback mode for quality assurance, and hybrid mode combining both. This universality allows the system to adapt to different requirements and maintain both advanced features and call quality under different conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP network is used for media transmission, then advanced features are enabled, but call quality degrades under congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic quality monitoring and adaptive path selection. A media monitoring module continuously assesses IP network quality metrics (jitter, packet loss, bandwidth). When quality remains above a threshold, media transmission uses IP network to enable advanced features. When quality degrades, the system dynamically switches media path to PSTN while maintaining IP network connection for call control, thus preserving advanced features while ensuring quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a gateway as an intermediary between IP network and PSTN network. This gateway enables selective routing of different call components through different networks. The gateway receives call control instructions from IP network, establishes media paths through either IP or PSTN based on quality conditions, and maintains synchronization between the two networks. This intermediary allows advanced IP features to coexist with reliable PSTN media transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for using a PSTN as a fallback for the IP media when the IP network cannot pass the media acceptably and while continuing to use the IP network for call control and other features. In one embodiment, a call controller has a media monitoring module, a bypass module and a PSTN control module. Once a call has been established between endpoints using a primary IP network, the media monitoring module monitors for degradation in call quality. If degradation in call quality is detected, the bypass module transfers the data communication to a secondary network such as a PSTN while the call control continues to be over the primary network. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for falling back to a secondary network and a method for dynamically switching between a primary and a secondary network to ensure call quality.