Quality of service monitor
OwnerVilho Raisaneninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring the transmission of data in a communication network are provided. The method includes the steps of transmitting a stream of data packets from a first node to a second node in the communication network, in a first mode of operation, measuring with a first level of accuracy at least a first parameter of the transmitted stream of data and responsive to the measured first parameter reaching a predetermined value, measuring at least one parameter of the transmitted stream of data in a second mode of operation which has a greater accuracy than the first level of accuracy.
Claims28
A method of monitoring the transmission of data in a communication network comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a stream of data packets from a first node to a second node in the communication network;
- in a first mode of operation, measuring with a first level of accuracy, at least a first parameter of said transmitted stream of data;
- and
- responsive to the measured first parameter reaching a predetermined value measuring at least one parameter of said transmitted stream of data in a second mode of operation having a greater accuracy than said first level of accuracy.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the steps of:
- during said first mode, forming a discrete distribution of results of said measurement of said at least a first parameter and selecting said second mode responsive to a characteristic of said distribution of results reaching a threshold value.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising, during said second mode, the steps of:
- measuring at least a second parameter of said data stream in addition to said at least one parameter.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said communication network comprises a telecommunication system.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said communication network comprises an IP transport network.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the steps of continuously measuring said at least one parameter of the data stream with a first level of accuracy until a time when said parameter reaches the predetermined value.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said communication network comprises a packet switched telecommunication system.
The method as claimed any preceding claim wherein said first mode comprises a normal mode of operation in which measurements are made at regular and relatively long intervals.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the steps of:
- where said data stream comprises the data of a call in progress between said first and second node, dropping said call when said second mode indicates that said at least one parameter falls below an acceptable threshold.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one monitor data stream in the communication network in addition to a plurality of data streams use for transferring data between said first and second nodes;
- monitoring the transmission of data in said monitor data stream;
- and
- responsive to measurements or said at least one parameter in said at least one monitor data stream
- responsive to measurements of said at least one parameter in said at least one monitor data stream assessing the quality of service in said plurality of data streams.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising:
- measuring said first parameter and said one parameter at said second node.
A system for monitoring the transmission of data comprising:
- a communication network including a first and second node and a transmitter for transmitting a stream of data packets from said first node of the second node;
- wherein
- in a first mode of operation a first measurement means measures, with a first level of accuracy, at least a first parameter of said transmitted stream of data;
- and
- responsive to the measurement means indicating that the first parament has reached a predetermined value a second measurement means measures at least one parameter of the transmitted stream of data in a second mode of operation having a greater accuracy than said first level of accuracy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.