Re-ECN Function for LTE Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks, particularly LTE, face challenges in managing non-guaranteed bitrate traffic due to the inefficiency of TCP congestion control, leading to sub-optimal quality of experience and resource utilization, as users with multiple active flows can consume a disproportionate amount of bandwidth, and existing solutions like Deep Packet Inspection are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing the Re-ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) function within the wireless network, which includes a policing function at the eNodeB and a dropping function at the Packet-Gateway, to manage congestion by marking and dropping packets based on congestion feedback, ensuring fair resource usage and accountability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TCP congestion control is used for data traffic, then adaptability to changing path characteristics is improved, but fairness between users with multiple active flows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements Re-ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) mechanism that provides feedback to users about their congestion contribution. The network elements mark packets with congestion indicators, and users receive feedback about their traffic's impact on network congestion, enabling them to adjust their sending rates accordingly. This feedback loop resolves the fairness issue by making congestion impact visible and actionable for users with multiple flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the congestion control parameters from implicit TCP-based rate adjustment to explicit per-user congestion contribution tracking. By introducing user-specific congestion indicators and feedback mechanisms, the system transitions from flow-level implicit control to user-level explicit control, enabling fairer resource distribution while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If Deep Packet Inspection is used for traffic management, then application performance control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the congestion control functionality from complex Deep Packet Inspection systems. Instead of using DPI to analyze application layer protocols for traffic management, the Re-ECN mechanism operates at the network layer by marking packets with congestion indicators and providing feedback to users. This extraction simplifies the system while maintaining effective congestion control and application performance management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces congestion indicators as intermediary elements between network elements and users. These indicators serve as a simplified communication mechanism that conveys congestion information without requiring complex packet inspection. The indicators act as mediators that enable traffic management through lightweight feedback rather than heavy DPI analysis.
3Productivity
If monthly volume limits are applied for data traffic, then resource usage control is improved, but user satisfaction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static monthly volume limits with dynamic per-user congestion contribution control. Instead of applying uniform bandwidth caps, the system dynamically adjusts resource allocation based on each user's actual congestion impact in real-time. Users with lower congestion contributions receive better service, while those contributing more to congestion see their rates adjusted, creating a dynamic and fairer resource management system that maintains higher user satisfaction.
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AI summary
For allowing a very effective resource management and network utilization a method for resource management within a wireless network, especially EPS (Evolved Packet Core) of LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, is claimed, wherein a congestion control of data-traffic is performed. The method is characterized in that for congestion control a Re-ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) function will be used wherein the Re-ECN function is comprising a policing function and a dropping function. Further, an according wireless network is claimed, preferably for carrying out the above mentioned method.