QoS Mobile Ad-Hoc Router with Source Labeling and Fair Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile ad-hoc network devices lack support for Quality of Service (QoS) traffic delivery, particularly in dynamic and infrastructure-less environments, where bandwidth management and resource allocation are challenging due to frequent topology changes and lack of central control.
Innovation Solution
A QoS-capable device for mobile ad-hoc networks that calculates the next hop for each Protocol Data Unit (PDU) with attached labels, schedules transmission based on source devices, and uses a weighted fair queueing scheduler to ensure fair bandwidth distribution among devices, incorporating a random mapping function to prevent abuse and maintain network stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a decentralized routing approach is used in mobile ad-hoc networks, then the network can operate without fixed infrastructure and nodes can self-organize, but QoS traffic delivery and bandwidth management become difficult due to frequent topology changes and lack of central control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into virtual streams with distinct QoS parameters (priority, data rate, delay bounds, jitter bounds). Each virtual stream is independently managed with its own scheduling and resource allocation, allowing QoS guarantees to be maintained despite the decentralized and dynamic nature of the ad-hoc network. This segmentation enables reliable QoS delivery by treating different traffic types separately rather than as a single pooled resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary reservation request procedures where nodes negotiate and reserve bandwidth resources before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action allows the network to pre-establish QoS parameters and resource allocations for upcoming traffic flows, ensuring that QoS requirements are met even as the network topology changes dynamically. The reservation mechanism proactively secures bandwidth before topology changes could disrupt service.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth is shared among multiple nodes in a mobile ad-hoc network, then the network can remain infrastructure-less and mobile, but resource negotiation and QoS management become more demanding than best-effort routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scheduling models that continuously adapt to changing network conditions, topology, and traffic demands. The scheduling algorithm dynamically adjusts resource allocation, bandwidth distribution, and QoS parameter enforcement in real-time based on current network state. This dynamic approach maintains mobile and infrastructure-less operation while managing resource negotiation complexity through automated, adaptive control rather than static pre-configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where nodes monitor network conditions, QoS metric compliance, and resource utilization, then use this information to adjust routing decisions, bandwidth allocation, and scheduling priorities. This feedback loop enables the network to self-regulate resource negotiation and QoS management based on actual performance, reducing the complexity of manual resource negotiation while maintaining mobile operation. The feedback-driven approach automatically balances QoS requirements with available bandwidth.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy 802.11 devices are used, then device compatibility and widespread adoption are maintained, but QoS enhancements and virtual stream support are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary QoS management layer that operates above the legacy 802.11 MAC protocol. This intermediary layer implements virtual stream abstraction, reservation request procedures, and QoS parameter enforcement without modifying the underlying 802.11 standard. The intermediary translates high-level QoS requirements into lower-level transmission actions, enabling QoS support while maintaining compatibility with legacy 802.11 devices. This layered approach allows QoS enhancements to coexist with legacy protocol support.
Data Source
AI summary
The ad-hoc router enables a decentralized IP routing network (mobile of fixed) amongst a set of network devices, and can offer quality of services for voice, video and data applications. The ad-hoc router is divided into a receiving, control/management processing, IP datapath/routing, randomizer, scheduler and transmission blocks. The IP datapath/routing block provides, in addition to the standard datapath routing functionality, per packet labels that uniquely identify the source device of the packet in the network. The scheduler maintains a plurality of QoS queues, which are then dequeued with a WFQ scheduler, which can be based on standard technology or a simplified low-cost implementation. The randomizer uses the labels to route the packets to a queue such that all packets from the source device, indicated by the label, enter the same queue. For greater security, the randomizer uses a random mapping function that is re-computed periodically.