Wireless Rate Control System for Traffic Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for controlling communication traffic rates on wireless links are complex and costly, often requiring changes in radio interface characteristics that can disrupt user traffic and violate regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that controls effective data rates on wireless communication links without altering the communication signal characteristics, using a rate control system that sorts and manages communication traffic into different groups with configurable transfer rates, allowing for dynamic rate adjustments without downtime or regulatory issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rate control mechanisms are used at switching/routing nodes, then rate limiting can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rate control function from complex switching/routing nodes and implements it separately at wireless communication nodes using dedicated rate control systems. This separation allows rate limiting to be achieved without requiring the entire switching/routing infrastructure to be complex and expensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rate control system at wireless communication nodes that acts as a mediator between the communication module and the wireless link. This intermediary handles rate limiting independently, preventing the need for complex equipment at switching/routing nodes while maintaining effective rate control.
2Productivity
If radio interface characteristics are changed for rate limiting, then effective data rate can be controlled, but user traffic is disrupted and regulatory compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rate control function from the radio interface characteristics. Instead of changing modulation or coding schemes at the radio layer, it implements rate control at the data link layer by controlling the rate of communication traffic streams. This segmentation allows rate limiting without disrupting user traffic or violating regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rate control system acts as an intermediary between the communication module and the wireless link, controlling the effective data rate by managing the communication traffic stream rate rather than altering radio interface characteristics. This intermediary approach maintains user traffic continuity while achieving rate control.
3Productivity
If radio interface characteristics are changed for rate limiting, then data rate can be adjusted, but regulatory standards are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments rate control from radio interface modifications, implementing rate limiting through communication traffic stream rate control at the data link layer. This approach provides data rate adjustability while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards that govern radio interface characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements rate control by controlling the rate of communication traffic streams as a substitute for directly controlling radio interface characteristics. This copying approach achieves the desired rate limiting effect without actually modifying the radio interface, thereby maintaining regulatory compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for controlling effective communication traffic rates are disclosed. Communication signals that include communication traffic are generated for transfer on a wireless communication link based on fixed signalling characteristics. An effective communication traffic rate of the wireless communication link is controlled by controlling a rate at which communication traffic is provided to a communication module, illustratively a wireless transceiver, that generates the communication signals. Techniques according to embodiments of the invention thereby enable rate control for wireless communication links without changing wireless signalling characteristics or subjecting links to downtime during link reconfiguration. Collaborative rate control, in which rate control information is exchanged between rate control systems, is also contemplated.