Variable Link Aggregation for LTE Backhaul Flow Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard link aggregation techniques limit the maximum throughput of a single flow to that of a single link, as they do not effectively split traffic across multiple links, particularly in wireless L2 networks and LTE backhaul traffic, where frames are classified by flow and priority, leading to reordering issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that classifies frames by flow and sequence number, distributes them across multiple radio links, and reorders them using an indexed sequence queue, with a timer to handle missing frames and maintain proper flow ordering, while dynamically managing link load to optimize transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frames are classified by flow and transmitted in order on each link, then flow ordering is maintained, but the maximum throughput of a single flow is limited to that of a single link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission path by introducing multiple parallel links while maintaining flow-level ordering through classification and reordering mechanisms. Each link can transmit frames independently, but the joiner reassembles them in the correct sequence, enabling both parallel throughput and ordered delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The joiner acts as an intermediary device that receives out-of-order frames from multiple links, reorders them according to their sequence numbers, and forwards them in the correct flow order. This mediator enables throughput multiplication while preserving ordering guarantees.
2Productivity
If standard link aggregation algorithms are used, then multiple links are utilized, but they do not work for LTE backhaul traffic where traffic appears as a single flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality handling at different stages: at the splitter, frames are distributed based on local link conditions, while at the joiner, strict ordering is enforced for the single flow. This local differentiation allows link aggregation to work with protocols that require single-flow semantics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of flow identification by using sequence numbers within a single flow context rather than relying on multiple independent flows. This allows standard single-flow protocols to work over aggregated links by maintaining ordering at the sequence number level.
3Productivity
If frames are split across multiple links, then overall throughput increases, but reordering issues occur between frames from different links
Solution Approach 1:
Sequence numbers are assigned to frames in advance at the splitter before distribution across links. This preliminary numbering enables the joiner to reorder frames efficiently without complex synchronization, as each frame carries its position information in the sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to transmit frames from a first node to a second node over a plurality of radio links comprising a classifier to classify said frames according to one of a plurality of flow and a sequence number within said one of said plurality of flow and adding said flow and sequence number in a header of said classified frame a splitter receiving said classified frames from said classifier and distributing said classified frames on one of said plurality of radio links for transmission to said second node, a joiner receiving said classified frames and reordering them using an indexed sequence queue corresponding to each of said plurality of flows, a timer for waiting for frames missing in the sequence in one of said indexed sequence queue, wherein when said timer expires, if said frame has not arrived it is deemed lost and a forwarder to extract frames from said sequence queue to forward.