Telecommunications Link Dimensioning via Traffic Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current link dimensioning methods in telecommunications networks often result in over-provisioning, leading to higher costs due to the use of a generic peak-to-mean factor, which does not accurately account for varying traffic patterns, especially when traffic is less smooth and experiences bursts, causing performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines peak and average traffic values for different observation intervals, calculates a peak-to-average ratio, and selects a dimensioning interval based on goodness of fit to estimate link capacity, taking into account service level requirements and filtering outliers to provide a more accurate capacity estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generic peak-to-mean factor of 30 is used for link dimensioning, then Service Level Agreement requirements are met, but network costs increase due to over-provisioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter approach from using a fixed generic peak-to-mean factor (30) to dynamically determining dimensioning factors based on actual traffic pattern analysis. By analyzing traffic smoothness characteristics and adjusting the dimensioning factor accordingly, the system maintains SLA compliance while avoiding over-provisioning for links with smoother traffic patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different dimensioning strategies to different links based on their specific traffic characteristics. Instead of uniformly applying the generic factor of 30 across all links, the system evaluates each link's traffic smoothness and applies appropriate dimensioning factors, ensuring that links with smoother traffic receive less aggressive provisioning while maintaining overall SLA compliance.
2Productivity
If link utilization is increased to reduce costs, then network efficiency improves, but performance degradation occurs during traffic bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic dimensioning factors that adapt to actual traffic patterns rather than using static generic values. By continuously monitoring traffic smoothness and adjusting the dimensioning factor accordingly, the system optimizes link utilization while maintaining adequate capacity to handle traffic bursts, preventing performance degradation during peak periods.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed dimensioning interval is used, then the dimensioning process is simplified, but accuracy in capturing traffic bursts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of traffic patterns to determine the appropriate dimensioning interval before finalizing the dimensioning decision. By analyzing historical traffic data to identify burst characteristics and selecting an interval that captures these patterns, the system maintains operational simplicity while improving measurement precision for burst detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of dimensioning a link in a telecommunications network, and a device for implementing the method, the method including determining, for a first plurality of sets of traffic observations, wherein each set of the first plurality of sets includes a series of traffic observations each indicating the amount of traffic on a link within an observation interval of a particular duration for that set, a peak value of a traffic observation of the series of traffic observations within each set of the first plurality of sets and an average value of the series of traffic observations within each set of the first plurality of sets; calculating a first peak to average ratio for each observation interval duration based on the determined peak and average values within each set of the first plurality of sets; determining a goodness of fit value for a power function of the first peak to average ratio against its respective observation interval duration; selecting a dimensioning interval duration based on the determined goodness of fit value; and estimating a capacity of the link based on the selected dimensioning interval duration.