Round-Trip Packet Loss Measurement with Dual Packet Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring round-trip packet loss in packet-switched networks fail to accurately account for differing packet rates in counter-propagating directions, leading to inaccurate loss rate calculations.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where packets include a first and a second packet loss field, allowing continuous reflection and generation of measurement values, enabling accurate round-trip packet loss measurement by a single measurement point despite varying packet rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single packet loss field is used for measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates when packet rates differ in counter-propagating directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket structure complexityVSAvoidround-trip packet loss measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The packet loss measurement function is segmented into two independent fields: a first packet loss field for marking packets in one direction and a second packet loss field for marking packets in the opposite direction. This segmentation allows each field to independently track packet loss in its respective direction, enabling accurate round-trip measurement even when packet rates differ between directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each packet loss field is configured with specific local quality characteristics: the first packet loss field is associated with packets traveling in a first direction, while the second packet loss field is associated with packets traveling in a second (opposite) direction. This local differentiation ensures that packet loss is measured accurately for each direction according to its specific packet rate, rather than using a uniform measurement approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If packet loss is measured separately in each direction, then the measurement precision improves, but the measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional packet loss measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement period duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process merges the tracking of packets in both directions into a single integrated measurement period. By using two packet loss fields that operate simultaneously on counter-propagating packet flows, the system measures loss in both directions during the same time window, eliminating the need for sequential measurement and thus reducing total measurement time while maintaining directional precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement system maintains continuous operation by continuously marking packets with the appropriate packet loss fields as they traverse the network. The measurement action is continuous rather than intermittent, with packets being marked in real-time during transmission, allowing the measurement to proceed without interruption and reducing the overall measurement period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If the same number of packets are measured in both directions, then the round-trip packet loss calculation becomes accurate, but the measurement throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveround-trip packet loss rate accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by measuring packet loss only on a subset of packets that are marked with the packet loss fields, rather than measuring all packets. This selective measurement approach ensures that the same number of marked packets are measured in both directions (enabling accurate round-trip calculation) while minimizing the impact on overall measurement throughput by focusing resources only on the necessary measurement samples.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4066421B1Round-trip packet loss measurement in a packet-switched communication network

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 TELECOM ITALIA SPA

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AI summary

It is disclosed a method for exchanging packets between a first and second nodes of a packet-switched network. Each packet comprises two fields PLG and PLR settable to an idle value or measurement value. The first node transmits to the second node first packets having their PLG set to measurement value (generation). Upon reception of each first packet, the second node transmits back to the first node a second packet having its PLG set to measurement value. Upon reception of each second packet, the first node transmits to the second node a third packet having its PLR set to measurement value (reflection). A packet loss measurement may be calculated as a difference between number of first packets and number of third packets. Since two fields PLG, PLR are used, the first node may start a new generation step before end of reflection. This results in high measurement throughput (100% theoretically).