Protection Switching in Radio Networks Using VLAN Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio networks face challenges in maintaining reliable communication due to fluctuations in signal quality and capacity caused by weather conditions and background transmissions, particularly with millimeter waves being affected by fog and oxygen absorption, which can lead to reduced performance of wireless links.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for protection switching in radio networks by establishing primary and protection paths with Layer-2 communication, where a primary path with a wireless link and a secondary path are used, allowing for re-mapping of packets to ensure high-priority traffic continues while offloading less prioritized traffic to the protection path upon detection of performance reduction, utilizing standard Connectivity Fault Management signaling and network management entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If millimeter wave wireless links are used to increase capacity and reach, then network capacity and reach are improved, but signal absorption due to fog or rain and oxygen absorption causes reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes protection paths in advance before failures occur. When a millimeter wave link experiences signal absorption due to fog, rain, or oxygen absorption, the pre-configured protection path enables immediate traffic switching without waiting for failure detection and path computation, thus maintaining network capacity while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes transmission parameters including switching between different frequency bands (millimeter wave to sub-6GHz), adjusting modulation and coding schemes, and modifying power levels based on detected link quality. This allows the system to adapt to adverse conditions like rain or fog that cause signal absorption, maintaining both capacity and reliability.
2Reliability
If directional antennas are used to focus transmit power and increase reliability, then link reliability and security are improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to link failures requiring complex protection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into hierarchical levels (core, aggregation, access) and configures protection paths at each level independently. This segmentation allows complex protection mechanisms to be managed in discrete, manageable units rather than as a monolithic system, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability through focused directional antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements such as relay nodes and control entities that manage protection switching. These intermediaries handle the complexity of coordination between directional antennas and protection paths, absorbing the computational and operational complexity while presenting simplified interfaces to end systems.
3Reliability
If quality of service and capacity are maintained during link failures, then network reliability is improved, but this requires complex real-time path switching and traffic management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and configures multiple protection paths during normal operation before failures occur. When a link failure is detected, traffic is immediately switched to pre-configured protection paths using simple local decisions at network nodes, eliminating the need for complex real-time path computation and traffic management during failure conditions while maintaining QoS and capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for protection switching in radio networks includes a plurality of nodes, a plurality of links of Ethernet interconnecting the nodes and forming a network, at least one wireless link interconnecting two of the nodes, and two Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) within the network, only the first VLAN comprising the wireless link. The network transports packets of Ethernet associated with a first Classes of Service (CoS) and a second CoS via the first VLAN. Upon detection of a reduction in performance of the wireless link, the network maps the second CoS to the second VLAN, and by that offloading traffic associated with the second CoS from the wireless link.