Unlicensed Spectrum Congestion Control via Feedback and Local Quality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face congestion issues, particularly during emergency situations, due to uncoordinated use of unlicensed spectrum by multiple networks, leading to poor service quality and reliability, as users and devices increase demand simultaneously, exacerbating interference and congestion.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a congestion control system that monitors network resources, identifies congestion thresholds, and adjusts access configurations to reduce resource consumption, such as by clients, through a processing system commanding access points to manage access via different configurations, and advising clients to delay or reduce non-essential access attempts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unlicensed networks operate on the same channel without coordination, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but interference and congestion increase leading to poor service quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where access points monitor network conditions and adjust their operation accordingly. When congestion is detected, the system sends feedback signals to clients to reduce transmission attempts, and adjusts access point configurations to manage channel usage, thereby maintaining service quality while preserving network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts access point configurations based on real-time network conditions. The access points can switch between different operational modes (e.g., normal mode, congestion control mode) and adjust transmission parameters dynamically to balance coverage and service quality under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If priority-based access control is implemented, then emergency service reliability is improved, but fairness and access equality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency service reliabilityVSAvoidaccess equality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality levels of service to different types of traffic locally at each access point. Critical emergency services receive prioritized treatment with guaranteed bandwidth and lower latency, while non-critical traffic is managed differently. This local differentiation maintains emergency service reliability without requiring blanket restrictions on all users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as transmission priority, bandwidth allocation, and retransmission thresholds based on service type. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system ensures emergency services receive adequate resources while allowing fair access for other users under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If congestion control actions are taken to reduce resource consumption, then network performance is improved, but user experience and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial congestion control measures rather than complete restrictions. The system selectively reduces non-critical traffic while maintaining access for essential services, and uses gradual throttling rather than abrupt blocking. This partial action approach maintains network performance while preserving user accessibility for legitimate needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The access point acts as an intermediary between clients and the network resources. It mediates congestion control by buffering traffic, prioritizing critical packets, and managing transmission queues, thereby smoothing out the impact of congestion control actions on user experience while maintaining network performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240349115A1Apparatuses and methods for facilitating a communication network and system with various modes of operation

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a capacity of resources of a communication system, resulting in a first identification, wherein the communication system utilizes an unlicensed communication spectrum, identifying an amount of the resources that are actively consumed in a provisioning of communication services, resulting in a second identification, based on the first identification and the second identification, determining that the communication system is congested in an amount that is greater than a first threshold, and based on the determining, initiating at least one action to reduce the amount of the resources that are actively consumed from a first level to a second level that is less than the first level. Other embodiments are disclosed.