Tunneled Real-Time Communication Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks lack effective congestion control mechanisms that can manage congestion across both inner and outer transport layers of tunnels, leading to worsened congestion and poor quality of real-time communications during network impairments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a congestion control system that monitors congestion conditions at the outer transport layer and executes congestion control functionality at the inner transport layer through circuit breakers, throttling traffic to prevent long periods of media disruptions and dropped calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If congestion control functionality is not implemented at the inner transport layer, then the system complexity remains low, but congestion conditions worsen and real-time communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The congestion control system is segmented into two distinct layers: outer transport layer monitoring and inner transport layer control. The outer layer monitors congestion conditions using standard protocols, while the inner layer executes specific congestion control actions. This segmentation allows the system to address reliability issues without requiring complete redesign of the entire communication stack, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary congestion control mechanism that operates between the outer and inner transport layers. This intermediary monitors congestion at the outer layer and translates it into appropriate control actions at the inner layer, acting as a mediator that bridges the two layers without requiring direct modification of existing transport protocols.
2Device complexity
If congestion control is implemented only at the outer transport layer, then implementation complexity is reduced, but congestion conditions are not effectively managed and media disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to congestion control by implementing it at two different transport layers simultaneously. Instead of relying solely on the traditional outer transport layer, the system introduces inner transport layer control as an additional dimension of congestion management. This multi-layered approach ensures that congestion is addressed at multiple levels, improving effectiveness without requiring complete redesign of a single layer.
3Productivity
If traffic is not throttled during congestion, then data throughput is maximized, but long periods of media disruptions and dropped calls occur
Solution Approach 1:
The congestion control mechanism implements periodic throttling actions based on monitored congestion conditions. Rather than continuously throttling traffic, the system periodically adjusts throughput based on real-time congestion status. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high throughput during normal conditions while applying controlled throttling only when congestion is detected, thereby preserving continuous media delivery without permanently sacrificing data throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential congestion by implementing preventive throttling measures before severe disruptions occur. By monitoring congestion conditions at the outer transport layer and proactively adjusting inner layer traffic, the system cushions against future congestion events, preventing long periods of media disruption while minimizing impact on normal throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A system performs congestion control functionality for real-time communications (“RTC”). The system establishes a tunnel by a tunneling server with a tunneling client of a user equipment (“UE”). The system receives a request from the UE to enable the congestion control functionality for an inner socket of the tunnel. The system sends a response back to the UE to indicate that the congestion control functionality is enabled for the inner socket. The system then monitors congestion conditions at an outer transport layer of the tunnel and executes the congestion control functionality at an inner transport layer of the tunnel based on the congestion conditions at the outer transport layer of the tunnel.