Virtual Queue Marking for Telecommunications Congestion Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing congestion management techniques in telecommunications networks, such as RED, are sensitive to parameter settings and do not effectively signal imminent congestion until the real queue grows, leading to increased latency and packet loss.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual queue marking technique that adjusts the count representing the length of a virtual queue based on variations in the forwarding or processing rate, allowing for earlier signaling of congestion by altering the virtual queue's drain-rate and threshold, enabling more timely and accurate reflection of the real queue's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If explicit congestion notification mechanisms are implemented, then congestion can be signaled before the real queue grows, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using a virtual queue to predict future congestion conditions before the real queue actually grows. The virtual queue is updated at a rate faster than the real queue, allowing the system to signal congestion in advance and take preventive measures before actual packet loss occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the virtual queue - that acts as a mediator between the real queue state and congestion signaling. This virtual queue translates real queue conditions into predictive congestion signals, enabling earlier notification without directly modifying the core forwarding path.
2Loss of time
If the virtual queue drain-rate is adjusted to signal congestion earlier, then latency is reduced, but the measurement precision of queue state becomes more sensitive to parameter variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the virtual queue drain-rate adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system can modify the drain-rate parameter to optimize congestion signaling timing under different network conditions, allowing the virtual queue to dynamically adapt its behavior to balance early detection with measurement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the virtual queue drain-rate and other parameters to optimize congestion detection. By changing these parameters, the system can control when congestion signals are generated, enabling earlier detection while managing the sensitivity and precision of queue state measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Congestion in respect to a network element operable to forward data items in a telecommunications networks, and in respect to a processing element operable to process requests for service is signaled. In either, the element is operable to perform its processing function at up to a processing rate which is subject to variation, and has a queue for items awaiting processing having a counter associated therewith which maintains a count from which a queue metric is derivable. A method comprises: updating the count at a rate dependent on the processing rate; further updating the count in response to receipt of items awaiting processing; and signalling a measure of congestion in respect of the element in dependence on the queue metric; then altering the rate at which the count is being updated and adjusting the counter whereby to cause a change in the queue metric if the processing rate has changed.