Communications Network Service Link Configuration via Weighted Spanning Subset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications networks face challenges in efficiently configuring service links to satisfy demands while minimizing utilization, quality, lifespan or maintenance, cost, or other considerations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a spanning subset of service links that can satisfy the demands on the communications network by iteratively updating the spanning subset and the set of permissible decompositions of service links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple service links are configured to satisfy network demands, then the network can meet all communication requirements, but the number of service links increases leading to higher cost and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemand satisfactionVSAvoidnumber of service links
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes redundant service links from the network configuration. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary links while preserving the essential ones needed to satisfy demands, the system reduces the total number of service links without compromising demand satisfaction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of service link selection by introducing a weight-based evaluation system. Each service link is assigned a weight representing various factors (cost, utilization, quality), and the system optimizes the configuration by selecting links with appropriate weights, thereby reducing the overall number of links needed while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If more service links are used to ensure quality and reliability, then demand satisfaction improves, but the cost and resource utilization worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidcost and resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a multi-parameter weight system that evaluates service links based on cost, utilization, quality, and other factors. By optimizing the selection of service links according to these weighted parameters, the system achieves the required quality of service while minimizing the associated costs and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model or representation of the network with service links and their associated weights. This model allows the system to simulate and evaluate different configurations to find the optimal balance between quality of service and resource cost without actually implementing all possible physical link configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If a comprehensive set of service links is configured to handle all possible demands, then the network becomes highly adaptable, but the complexity of configuration and management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedemand coverageVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter-based optimization by assigning weights to service links that reflect their adaptability and suitability for different demand types. The system uses these parameters to automatically configure only the necessary subset of service links for each specific demand, rather than pre-configuring all possible links, thereby reducing configuration complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation and weighting of service links before actual demand occurs. By pre-assessing and categorizing service links based on their characteristics and weights, the system prepares a structured framework that enables rapid and simple configuration when demands arise, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4179714B1Systems and methods for configuring a communications network
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 ECI TELECOM LTD
  • EP4179714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4179714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4179714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for configuring a communications network. In disclosed embodiments, a set of permissible service link decompositions and a set of basic service links may be obtained for the communications network. A spanning subset of service links for the communications may be generated. Generation of the spanning subset may include selecting a decomposition of a first service link from a set of permissible service link decompositions; updating the set of permissible service link decompositions based on the selected decomposition; and updating the set of basic service links using the updated set of permissible service link decompositions. In some embodiments, obtaining the set of permissible service link decompositions can include generating a set of permissible service link decompositions by traversing decomposition graphs generated for each of the service links. In some embodiments, the communications network can be configured to satisfy network demands using the spanning subset.