Wireless Resource Controller Congestion Window Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks, the limited availability of licensed spectrum in cellular networks often leads to reduced performance for mobile devices, as operators try to minimize licensed spectrum usage, resulting in suboptimal data throughput and quality of service.

Innovation Solution

A wireless resource controller dynamically manages congestion window values for wireless devices by switching between WLAN and cellular networks based on performance criteria, using multipath TCP to optimize data transmission and ensure satisfactory throughput and quality of service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If cellular network operators reduce the usage of licensed spectrum, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but mobile device performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidmobile device performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines WLAN and cellular networks into a heterogeneous network architecture, where data can be transmitted through multiple paths. The system merges the capabilities of unlicensed spectrum (WLAN) and licensed spectrum (cellular) to provide seamless data transmission, ensuring that when one network is congested or unavailable, the other can compensate to maintain performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the congestion window values for different network paths based on real-time network conditions. The wireless resource controller monitors performance metrics and dynamically modifies transmission parameters to optimize data flow through the heterogeneous network, adapting to changing spectrum availability and network load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If WLAN data transmission is used exclusively, then licensed spectrum usage is reduced, but data throughput may fall short of performance criteria

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelicensed spectrum usageVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system initially relies primarily on WLAN for data transmission to minimize licensed spectrum usage. However, when performance criteria are not met, the system activates cellular network transmission partially or excessively to supplement the WLAN capacity, ensuring that throughput requirements are satisfied while still preferring unlicensed spectrum when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless resource controller as an intermediary that manages data transmission between the mobile device and multiple network paths. This intermediary monitors performance criteria and dynamically routes data through WLAN or cellular networks, or both simultaneously, to ensure throughput requirements are met while optimizing spectrum usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If congestion window values are increased to improve throughput, then data transmission speed increases, but network congestion worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different congestion window values to different network paths (WLAN and cellular) based on their specific characteristics and current conditions. Instead of using a uniform congestion control mechanism, the wireless resource controller tailors the congestion window parameters to each path's capacity, latency, and reliability characteristics, optimizing throughput while preventing congestion on individual paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3701744B1Controlling a congestion window value for a wireless device in a heterogeneous network
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3701744B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701744B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, performed by a wireless resource controller, includes receiving an indication that a first wireless device is experiencing data loss over a communication channel provided by a wireless access point utilizing a first radio access technology (RAT). The method includes determining a plurality of congestion window values associated with other wireless devices that share a shared wireless resource with the first wireless device. The shared wireless resource is provided by a base station of a cellular network utilizing a second RAT. The method includes determining an initial congestion window value for the first wireless device based on the plurality of congestion window values associated with the other wireless devices. The method includes transmitting data to the first wireless device from the base station in accordance with the initial congestion window value for the first device in order to satisfy a performance criterion for the first wireless device.