Rate Adaptation via Buffer Status and Fountain Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic engineering systems face suboptimal decisions in routing data traffic through backhaul and radio access networks due to varying wireless link capacities, leading to packet redundancy and inefficient data rate allocation, especially when user equipment moves quickly through the network.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for adapting source data rates based on buffer status and channel conditions, using fountain coding to reduce redundancy and improve data rate delivery efficiency by dynamically adjusting data rates through centralized or per-flow rate updates, allowing for quick reaction to channel variations without significant computational complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional traffic engineering systems use fixed routing decisions for data traffic, then network routing simplicity is maintained, but data rate delivery efficiency deteriorates due to packet redundancy and inefficient allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate adaptation by continuously monitoring buffer status at access points and adjusting data rates in real-time based on actual network conditions. The system transitions from fixed routing to dynamic rate adjustment, where the source data rate is modified according to buffer occupancy levels, enabling the system to adapt to varying wireless link capacities and user equipment mobility without requiring complex rerouting decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where access points report buffer status information back to the traffic source or traffic engineering controller. This feedback loop enables the system to monitor actual packet delivery performance and use this information to adjust source data rates, thereby improving data rate delivery efficiency while keeping the control logic relatively simple through periodic status reporting and rate adjustment
2Productivity
If the system dynamically adjusts data rates frequently to respond to channel variations, then data rate delivery efficiency improves, but computational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic buffer status reporting at access points rather than continuous monitoring and adjustment. The system adjusts data rates at discrete intervals based on periodic status reports, which reduces computational overhead while still enabling timely response to channel variations. This periodic action allows the system to balance responsiveness with processing complexity by adjusting rates only when buffer status changes exceed threshold values
3Reliability
If fountain coding is used to create repair packets, then packet loss compensation improves, but data redundancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the effective code rate parameter in fountain coding based on buffer status and channel conditions. By modifying the rate at which repair packets are generated and transmitted according to actual network conditions, the system optimizes the balance between redundancy and efficiency. When buffer occupancy is low, the system can use higher code rates to reduce redundancy; when buffer occupancy is high, it increases redundancy to compensate for potential packet loss
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for rata adaption and a network device providing rate adaption are disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes determining a source rate adjustment in accordance with a buffer status of a radio node and transmitting towards a traffic source, a source rate adjustment request in accordance with the determined source rate adjustment.