Dynamic TDD Frame Ratio Control for Subscriber Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
In TDD-based communication systems like G.fast, the static DS/US ratio requires full reinitialization, leading to service disruptions and a trade-off between power consumption and Quality of Service (QoS), as changing the ratio involves discontinuing lines which reduces data rates and increases latency.
Innovation Solution
A communication controller dynamically adjusts the DS/US ratio based on short-term traffic measurements to maximize downstream and upstream margins for active users, allowing for on-line adaptation of the DS/US ratio to allocate bandwidth on demand, ensuring a higher Quality of Experience (QoE) by synchronously enforcing the new ratio across all subscriber lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the DS/US ratio is changed to adapt to traffic demand, then the Quality of Service and bandwidth allocation are improved, but full reinitialization is required causing service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the DS/US ratio by allowing individual lines to transition between active and discontinued states independently, enabling the system to adapt to changing traffic conditions without requiring full reinitialization. The communication controller dynamically determines whether to discontinue or activate lines based on current traffic measurements, making the system flexible and responsive while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the set of subscriber lines into multiple groups (first plurality and second plurality) that can be independently controlled. By dividing the lines and allowing independent discontinuation or activation of specific groups, the system can adjust the DS/US ratio for different traffic patterns without affecting all lines simultaneously, thus avoiding service disruption while maintaining adaptability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If lines are discontinued to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but data rates are reduced and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of individual lines based on real-time traffic measurements. When traffic demand is low on a particular line, the communication controller discontinues that line to save power. When traffic demand increases, the controller activates the line again, ensuring data rates are maintained when needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize power consumption without permanently sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of subscriber lines by transitioning them between active and discontinued states based on traffic conditions. This parameter change allows the system to reduce power consumption during low-traffic periods while maintaining full data rates during high-traffic periods, effectively balancing energy efficiency and productivity requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lines are discontinued to save power, then energy efficiency is improved, but additional latency is introduced for waking up and resuming operation
Solution Approach 1:
The communication controller performs preliminary assessment of traffic conditions before discontinuing lines. By monitoring traffic measurements in advance and predicting future demand, the controller can make informed decisions about when to discontinue or activate lines, minimizing the frequency of state transitions and reducing the impact of latency associated with waking up and resuming operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a communication controller (140) configured to control TDD communications over a plurality of subscriber lines (L1 to L4) making use of a common TDD frame structure (2). The common TDD frame structure comprising a total number N of transmission slots per TDD frame, a first number NDS of which are configured for downstream communications over the subscriber lines and a second number Nus of which are configured for upstream communications over the subscriber lines. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the communication controller is further configured to receive traffic measurements (NDS,MEAS, NUS,MEAS, QLDS,MEAS, QLUS,MEAS, QIDS,MEAS, QIUS,MEAS, QEDS,MEAS, QEUS,MEAS) performed over the respective subscriber lines, to determine a first target number NDS,TAR of downstream transmission slots per TDD frame and a second target number NUS,TAR of upstream transmission slots per TDD frame to be sustained over the subscriber lines from the traffic measurements, and to adjust the first number NDS and the second number Nus of transmission slots based on the so-determined first and second target numbers NDS,TAR and NUS,TAR. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling TDD communications over a plurality of subscriber lines.