Airtime-based packet scheduling for wireless networks

摘要

Airtime usage may be used as a factor in controlling network traffic flow to and from client devices via a wireless network interface. Received packets or other data are assigned to a quality of service profile. Additionally, a cost value for communicating the received data is determined at least in part based on an actual or estimated airtime usage for the received packet. The cost value is used to allocate wireless network airtime to data. The allocation of wireless network airtime may be varied dynamically based on operating conditions. The cost value may be based on factors including the airtime used to communicate data; whether the data is a retransmission; and wireless network overhead. The cost value of data may also be different depending on whether the data is being sent from a client device or to a client device.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a processor; memory storing instructions used by the processor to: assign a first network packet to a quality of service category, the first network packet being directed to a network client; determine a first cost value including a first numerical value based on an estimated time consumed to communicate the first network packet to the network client over a wireless network interface; determine an airtime allocation balance value assigned to the quality of service category, the airtime allocation balance value representing an amount of a portion of unused network bandwidth assigned to the quality of service category for communicating one or a plurality of packets assigned to the quality of service category over the wireless network interface; monitor the communication of the first network packet to the network client to determine a second cost value including a second numerical value based on an actual airtime consumed to communicate the first network packet to the network client over the wireless network interface;
modify the airtime allocation balance value based on a difference between the first and second cost values;in response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the airtime allocation balance value, forward the first network packet to the network client via at least the wireless network interface and decrease the airtime allocation balance value by the first cost value, thereby resulting in a modified airtime allocation balance value;in response to the first cost value being greater than the airtime allocation balance value, queue the first network packet until the airtime allocation balance value is increased such that the first cost value is less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value; andin response to the first cost value being less than or equal to the increased airtime allocation balance value, forward the first network packet to the network client via at least the wireless network interface.