Subscriber Buffer Management for Stable Traffic Flow Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing congestion control mechanisms in computer networks, such as New Reno and BBR, face limitations in managing network congestion effectively, leading to fluctuating throughput and poor user Quality of Experience (QoE) due to overreaction to packet loss and buffer management issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that combines Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip propagation time (BBR) with New Reno congestion control mechanisms to determine congestion control parameters and subscriber buffer management, using a weighted average to optimize buffer depth and subscriber burst control, thereby addressing actual congestion rather than relying solely on packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional congestion control mechanisms (New Reno or BBR) are used, then network connection reliability is maintained, but throughput fluctuates and user Quality of Experience deteriorates due to overreaction to packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines BBR (Bottleneck Bandwidth and RTT) congestion control parameters with New Reno parameters to create a hybrid approach. This merging allows the system to leverage BBR's bandwidth-delay product calculations for more accurate congestion detection while incorporating New Reno's loss-based mechanisms, resulting in both reliable connections and stable throughput that responds appropriately to actual congestion conditions.
2Ease of operation
If packet loss-based congestion control is used, then network congestion detection is simple, but buffer management becomes inefficient and causes overreaction to transient losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor packet loss patterns over time and adjust buffer management parameters dynamically. By analyzing whether packet loss is transient or indicative of true congestion, the system can adjust its response accordingly, preventing overreaction to temporary losses while maintaining efficient buffer utilization. This feedback loop enables sophisticated buffer management that builds upon the simplicity of packet loss detection.
3Reliability
If conservative buffer management is applied, then packet loss is reduced, but network link capacity is not fully utilized and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic buffer management where buffer depth and allocation are continuously adjusted based on real-time network conditions, traffic patterns, and congestion indicators. Rather than using fixed conservative buffers, the system adapts buffer sizes dynamically - expanding them when conditions permit to maximize link utilization, and contracting them when congestion is detected to prevent packet loss. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making buffer management responsive to actual network state.
4Productivity
If aggressive congestion control is used, then throughput is maximized, but user Quality of Experience deteriorates due to excessive buffer depth and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key buffer management parameters based on network conditions and traffic characteristics. By dynamically adjusting buffer depth, allocation strategies, and congestion thresholds, the system can optimize for throughput when conditions permit while minimizing buffer-induced delays when they would harm user experience. This parameter adaptation allows the system to avoid the pitfalls of aggressive static buffer management while still achieving high throughput when appropriate.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for traffic flow acceleration including: retrieving a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Quick UDP Internet Connection (QUIC) traffic flow from the computer network; mapping the traffic flow to a subscriber; determining congestion control parameters associated with the traffic flow; determining subscriber buffer management parameters based on the subscriber and the congestion control parameters; and managing a buffer depth at a subscriber level based on the subscriber buffer management parameters. A system for traffic flow acceleration including: an analysis module configured to retrieve a TCP, UDP or QUIC traffic flow and map the traffic flow to a subscriber; a congestion control module configured to determine congestion control parameters associated with the traffic flow; and a buffer management module configured to determine subscriber buffer management parameters based on the subscriber and the congestion control parameters; and manage a buffer depth at a subscriber level.