Train Router Traffic Shaping for Mobile Bandwidth Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems for moving vehicles, such as trains, face challenges with poor network coverage, radio-frequency interference, and inefficient bandwidth utilization, leading to degraded communication performance and user experience, especially with high-speed vehicles like trains and airplanes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication method and system that employs a router to dynamically allocate bandwidth and prioritize data streams based on predefined packet policies, using multiple external mobile networks and data links to optimize communication, ensuring efficient use of bandwidth and quality of service, particularly by identifying and managing different types of data streams like VoIP, video, and web browsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a bandwidth cap (Fair Access Policy) is implemented to limit data usage, then users are allowed to utilize a certain free amount of data during a session, but once the free amount is used, the session is either terminated or the connection speed is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic shaping that continuously monitors network conditions, user behavior patterns, and available bandwidth capacity. The system adjusts bandwidth allocation in real-time based on current network state rather than applying static caps, allowing flexible optimization of communication capacity while ensuring fair access for all users throughout the train journey
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes bandwidth allocation parameters dynamically based on multiple factors including user historical behavior, current network load, train location, and application requirements. This allows the network to adapt bandwidth distribution to match actual needs, preventing both premature session termination and unnecessary speed reductions
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple clients are connected during the initial period of the trip and all use full free data, then users can access unlimited data initially, but this puts considerable strain on the communication system during certain time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms where the traffic shaping system monitors network performance metrics, user consumption patterns, and available capacity in real-time. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when network strain is increasing and proactively adjust bandwidth allocation to maintain reliable performance while still allowing flexible user access
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of user behavior patterns and network conditions to predict future bandwidth requirements. By preparing bandwidth allocation strategies in advance based on predicted demand, the system can prevent network strain before it occurs while maintaining user access flexibility
3Ease of operation
If users are allowed to run very active applications, then users can utilize the full free data amount, but this reduces the performance for other users and makes inadvertent use of the free data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different bandwidth allocation qualities to different users and applications based on their specific needs and behavior patterns. Rather than uniform treatment, the system identifies individual user characteristics and application requirements, allocating appropriate bandwidth quality locally to each user-stream combination. This maintains ease of operation for active applications while preventing any single user from dominating overall bandwidth utilization
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for wireless communication between a moving vehicle, such as a train, and a remote server through at least one external mobile network are disclosed. The communication system comprises at least one router in the train for receiving and transmitting wireless data communication to and from a stationary communication server outside the train through at least one exterior mobile network via at least one antenna. The router comprises a control unit configured to allocate bandwidth according to a predefined packet policy to streams of data packets which are matched to the predefined packet policies, providing for a very efficient bandwidth management in a wireless network within a train. Hereby, it e.g. easy to prioritize voice-over-IP (VOIP) and/or VPN traffic over e.g. video traffic.