Rate Enforcement Function for Wireless QoS Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless LAN systems fail to provide satisfactory quality of service (QoS) for voice and data transmissions due to contention between downstream data and voice transmissions, leading to voice quality degradation, and existing solutions require hardware and protocol changes, which are inconvenient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rate enforcement function connected to access points to control data transmission rates, using a QoS classification table to differentiate between enforced and non-enforced packets, and a rate decision function to determine optimal transmission rates based on network conditions, allowing for dynamic adjustment of data rates to prioritize voice transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If priority control is implemented with separate queues for voice and data, then voice transmission priority is improved, but device complexity increases due to hardware redesign and protocol changes
Solution Approach 1:
A rate enforcement function is introduced as an intermediary component that sits between the data transmission path and the wireless medium. This mediator monitors and controls data transmission rates without requiring changes to the access point hardware or fundamental protocol structure, thereby improving voice QoS while avoiding complex device redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter being controlled from priority queuing structure to transmission rate parameter. By dynamically adjusting the data transmission rate parameter enforced by the rate enforcement function, the system achieves voice QoS improvement without modifying the underlying access point architecture or protocol complexity
2Productivity
If downstream data transmission rate is increased, then data productivity is improved, but voice quality deteriorates due to increased contention
Solution Approach 1:
The rate enforcement function dynamically adjusts data transmission rates based on real-time network conditions and voice traffic demands. Rather than using a fixed high data rate, the system continuously adapts the enforced rate to maintain voice quality while maximizing data throughput when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the rate enforcement function monitors voice transmission quality and network conditions, then adjusts the data transmission rate accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that data productivity is maximized without compromising voice quality through excessive contention
3Reliability
If rate enforcement function is implemented, then voice QoS is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rate enforcement function is designed as a universal mechanism that can be deployed in various network configurations without requiring specialized hardware or complex integration. It performs multiple functions including rate limiting, QoS monitoring, and dynamic rate adjustment, thereby improving voice QoS while maintaining relatively simple system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The rate enforcement function serves as a lightweight intermediary that can be implemented as a software module or network function rather than complex hardware. This mediator approach improves voice QoS through intelligent rate control without significantly increasing device complexity or requiring hardware redesign
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides improved quality of service through data transmission rate control in a network. Data rate control may be in the downlink or uplink direction and may be statically or dynamically configured. Rate control may be implemented at varying points in the network including but not limited to at the wireless host, at the access point, at a separate device such as a server or at a separate location within the network. In one example of the present invention, a rate enforcement function is provided for identifying data packets to be enforced or identifying mapping between each packet and corresponding access point. Also, a rate decision function is also provided for determining the data rate to be enforced for each of the access points or each of the wireless hosts.