Scalable network overhead for contested environments

Abstract

Sending network data. A method includes transmitting data on a communication link, in an environment. A network control overhead portion of the data is allocated to network control overhead data packets for controlling how data is transmitted on the communication link. A user data portion of the data is allocated to user data packets for transmitting data between users of nodes on the communication link. A change in data capacity of the communication link is identified. As a result, a change is made in the network control overhead portion of the data, changing at least one of frequency of network control overhead data packets or size of network control overhead data packets to attempt to maintain a predetermined proportion factor for the network control overhead portion as compared to the user data portion. The network control overhead portion of the data is transmitted according to the change.

Description

BACKGROUNDBackground and Relevant Art[0001]Computer systems often communicate with each other through networking. Wireless networking includes sending messages in a particular environment. The ability to send messages within an environment is often affected by various factors such as noise existing in the environment, weather conditions, cosmic and other radiation, physical barriers, distance between nodes in a network in the environment, and other factors. Indeed, in some cases, an adversary may intentionally inject noise into an environment to prevent network nodes from communicating with one another. Alternatively or additionally, power may be reduced to lower the risk of a signal being detected. Thus, some network environments are more permissive than other network environments, meaning that communications in a permissive environment can be transmitted at higher bit rates and with more consistency than communications in more contested environments.[0002]Networking in contested e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method for transmitting data on a communication link, with network control overhead data packets allocated to manage the link, and user data packets allocated to transmit data between users. When there is a change in data capacity, the network control overhead data packets are adjusted to maintain a predetermined ratio to the user data packets. This allows for efficient use of network resources and ensures reliable data transmission.

Problems solved by technology

Indeed, in some cases, an adversary may intentionally inject noise into an environment to prevent network nodes from communicating with one another.

When the physical layer conditions are good, and the link data rates are 1 Mbps, this results in 10% overhead.

However, when the link conditions degrade to 100 kbps, the network management overhead rises to 100% of the available bandwidth leaving nothing for the intended user data traffic.

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