Scheduled ECN Signaling for Transport Node Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Congestion control in Next Generation (NG) wireless networks, such as 5G NR networks, is inefficient due to packet dropping and misinterpretation of congestion states by transport nodes, leading to inefficient bandwidth utilization and increased latency, particularly with Low Latency Low Loss Scalable Throughput (L4S) traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a transport congestion control notification service in network devices, utilizing AI/ML and time-based scheduling to accurately indicate congestion states by altering ECN bits in packets, ensuring correct congestion signaling and efficient traffic delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transport nodes drop packets to signal congestion, then congestion notification is provided, but bandwidth utilization decreases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) bits as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of dropping packets to signal congestion, transport nodes set ECN bits in packet headers to notify senders of congestion conditions. This intermediary signaling mechanism allows congestion notification without packet loss, thereby maintaining bandwidth utilization while providing reliable congestion information.
2Measurement precision
If transport nodes continuously monitor and signal congestion, then congestion control accuracy improves, but network overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes ECN bit parameters in packet headers to encode congestion state information. By changing the state of these standardized parameters (ECN bits) rather than introducing new complex signaling mechanisms, the system achieves precise congestion detection with minimal added complexity. The approach leverages existing protocol parameters for their intended purpose.
3Loss of time
If L4S traffic uses ECN bits for congestion signaling, then latency is reduced through better congestion control, but transport nodes cannot properly remap ECN bits due to encapsulation by outer IP protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion control function into separate network elements. Transport nodes that encounter encapsulated L4S traffic cannot remap ECN bits, but this is acceptable because other transport nodes in the path that are not encapsulating the traffic can perform ECN bit remapping. The congestion control functionality is distributed across multiple network elements rather than requiring every node to perform all functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a network device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are described in relation to a transport congestion control notification service. The transport congestion control notification service may include providing congestion notification by a network device according to a schedule. The congestion notification may be implemented as explicit congestion notification bits included in packets. The schedule may govern the starting and stopping of the congestion notification. The schedule may be generated based on historical congestion states of relevance to the network device. The schedule may be generated by the network device or by an external device and provisioned at the network device.