Controlling traffic congestion in intelligent electronic networks
AssigneesEricsson Australia Pty Ltd., Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, The University of Melbourne
InventorMichael Peter Rumsewicz
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling traffic through at least one node in an intelligent telecommunications network such that congestion is controlled in a particular subsystem in which a sudden change in the traffic profile is determined. The moving average of the traffic profile for each subsystem at the node is continuously monitored. When congestion is detected, it is determined whether the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile for a particular subsystem at the node. If it is determined that the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile, then congestion controls are invoked to control congestion in the particular subsystem.
Claims35
A method of controlling traffic through at least one node in an intelligent telecommunications network having a plurality of subsystems each of which provides subscriber services in response to requests from customers for the services, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously monitoring a moving average of a traffic profile for each subsystem at the node wherein the moving average of the traffic profile for a particular subsystem is monitored by:
- counting the amount of requests for particular subscriber services received at the node within predetermined sequential monitoring time periods;
- comparing the amount of requests for a particular subscriber service with the total number of requests for all subscriber services received at the node in each predetermined monitoring time period;
- calculating an average of the amount of requests for particular subscriber services received over a plurality of the preceding monitoring time periods;
- and
- comparing the amount of requests for a particular subscriber service in a most recent or current monitoring time period with the average of the amount of requests for that particular subscriber service over said plurality of preceding monitoring time periods in order to determine whether or not a sudden change in the traffic profile for that subscriber service has occurred;
- detecting when congestion occurs at the node;
- determining from said moving average of the traffic profile whether the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile for a particular subsystem at the node;
- and invoking congestion controls to control congestion in the particular subsystem in which a sudden change in the traffic profile is determined.
A method of controlling traffic through at least one node in an intelligent telecommunications network having a plurality of subsystems each of which provides subscriber services in response to requests from customers for the services, said method comprising the steps of:
- continuously monitoring a moving average of a traffic profile for each subsystem at the node;
- storing a database of all dialed numbers of subscriber services available at the node or nodes;
- compiling a focus list of dialed numbers of subscriber services determined as a potential focus of congestion and which may require congestion control, wherein, when an amount of requests for a particular dialed number of a subscriber service exceeds a threshold percentage or fraction of the total amount of requests in a predetermined time period, that particular dialed number is placed on the focus list;
- detecting when congestion occurs at the node;
- determining from said moving average of the traffic profile whether the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile for a particular subsystem at the node;
- and
- invoking congestion controls to control congestion in the particular subsystem in which a sudden change in the traffic profile is determined.
An apparatus for controlling traffic in an intelligent telecommunications network;
- said apparatus comprising:
- one or more nodes at which subscriber services are provided;
- and
- a service control means for monitoring a moving average of a traffic profile of requests for each subscriber service passing through the or each node and producing a congestion control signal for a node when a sudden change in the traffic profile of a particular subscriber causes congestion at the node, wherein the service control means comprises:
- a central processing unit (CPU) at a service control point connected to at least one node comprising a service switching point;
- counting means to count the amount of requests for each subscriber service received at the or each service switching point within predetermined sequential time periods;
- calculation means to calculate an average of the amount of requests for particular subscriber services received over a plurality of predetermined time periods, and;
- comparison means to compare the amount of requests for a particular subscriber service in a most recent predetermined time period with the average amount of requests for that particular subscriber service over a plurality of preceding predetermined time periods in order to determine whether a sudden change in the traffic profile for that particular subscriber service has occurred.
A system for controlling traffic in an intelligent telecommunications network comprising a plurality of service switching points at which requests for subscriber services are received, and a service control point connected to said plurality of service switching points, said service switching points comprising:
- admission control means to apply congestion control at the service switching points in response to congestion control signals from the service control point, and
- the service control point comprises:
- signaling means to invoke the congestion control signals when congestion, caused by a sudden change in a traffic profile for at least one of the service switching points, is detected at the service control point, and;
- monitoring means to monitor a moving average of a traffic profile of requests for each subscriber service passing through at least one of the service switching points, wherein the monitoring means comprises:
- counting means to count the amount of requests for particular subscriber services received at the service switching point within predetermined sequential monitoring time periods;
- comparison means to compare the amount of requests for a particular subscriber service with the total number of requests for all subscriber services received at the service switching point in each predetermined monitoring time period;
- calculation means to calculate an average of the amount of requests for particular subscriber services received over a plurality of predetermined time periods, and;
- comparison means to compare the amount of requests for a particular subscriber service in a most recent predetermined time period with the average amount of requests for that particular subscriber service over a plurality of preceding predetermined time periods in order to determine whether a sudden change in the traffic profile for that particular subscriber service has occurred.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.