A Quality of Experience (QOE) Based Estimate of Bandwidth Requirement for Computer Networks

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

A Quality of Experience (QOE) Based Estimate of Bandwidth Requirement for Computer Networks

Haruna Bege, Aminu Yusuf Zubairu
Department of Computer Engineering, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper centers on making proper estimate of the bandwidth requirement of a network (which has a specified user population) with the help of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) – a statistical tool for analyzing stochastic processes. This was done to overcome the challenge of poor Quality of Experience (QoE) resulting from insufficient bandwidth. Three MCS scenarios: fully loaded scenario (FLS), irregular pattern scenario (IPS) and regular pattern scenario (RPS) which are synonymous to high, normal and low traffic periods respectively. A model based bandwidth estimation technique was adopted which involved observing network traffic, classification of the contents accessed on the network, determination of the minimum bandwidth requirement for accessing each class of content that guarantees good QoE is met, lastly obtaining the popularity factor (likelihood) of viewing each content. These served as input data for the simulations from which estimates were obtained.

Keywords; bandwidth, quality of experience (QoE), estimation, Monte Carlo simulation

I. INTRODUCTION

The increasing demand for high speed in data processing to provide good Quality of Experience (QoE) to network users in communication systems has led to the development of many network management techniques. This has also led to an insatiable demand for network resources that have effect on the speed of the network. Although other factors like latency, number of hops and physical distance between devices have impact on QoE, one of the major resources that determine the QoE of users on a network is the bandwidth. In digital systems, bandwidth can simply be defined as the data speed in bits per second (bps). While, in analogue systems bandwidth is defined in terms of the difference between the highest-frequency signal component and the lowest-frequency signal component of a communication channel.

Read More