Weighted Fair Queuing Scheduler Bandwidth Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content distribution networks face challenges in managing bandwidth efficiently to deliver adaptive rate content streams to user equipment nodes, lacking control over individual user equipment nodes' bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a weighted fair queuing system that allows operators and subscribers to define policies for regulating bandwidth usage by allocating weight values to virtual pipes and user equipment nodes, enabling dynamic control of communication bit rates within the content distribution network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If weighted fair network queuing is used to control bandwidth usage by subscribers, then bandwidth utilization by subscribers is regulated, but no capability is provided for regulating bandwidth usage by individual user equipment nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth control capability from subscriber-level to user equipment node-level. Each user equipment node is assigned an individual weight value that can be independently regulated, allowing operators to control bandwidth allocation for each device separately rather than as a aggregate for all devices belonging to a subscriber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic weight values that can be modified in real-time for individual user equipment nodes. The weight values are not static but can be adjusted based on network conditions, user preferences, or operator policies, enabling flexible and adaptive bandwidth regulation at the user equipment level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple groups of differently formatted multiple bit rate content streams are distributed and stored at central CDN server, then compatibility with different streaming protocols is achieved, but tremendous CDN resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple differently formatted content streams into a single unified content stream for distribution over the CDN. By using HTTP adaptive streaming technology, the system can deliver a single stream that dynamically adapts to different user equipment capabilities and network conditions, eliminating the need to maintain and distribute multiple separate stream versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from creating multiple static content streams with different formats to using a single dynamic stream where parameters such as bit rate, resolution, and format are adjusted in real-time based on the user equipment's capabilities and network conditions. This parameter-based adaptation reduces CDN resource consumption while maintaining protocol compatibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods control communication of content streams through a content distribution network. A data repository (142, J40) is accessed (300) to retrieve information which identifies a group of User equipment nodes (200-214) that are registered with one of a plurality of subscriber accounts and which further identifies weight values that are associated with the group of the user equipment nodes (200-214). Communication bit rates that are provided by a weighted fair queuing scheduler node (136) to individual ones of a group of the content streams within bandwidth allocated to a virtual pipe for carrying the group of the content streams through the content: distribution network to the group of the user equipment nodes (200-214), are regulated responsive to the weight values associated with the group of the user equipment nodes (200-214).