ACK Packet Generation Rate Adjustment in Asymmetric Communication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In asymmetric data communication systems, such as DVB-H, the large bandwidth asymmetry between downlink and uplink channels leads to increased round trip time and degraded transmission throughput due to the buffering of acknowledgement packets, which occupy device resources and impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A method to dynamically adjust the acknowledgement packet generation rate based on the measured throughput ratio of the downlink and uplink channels, using a TCP sink to monitor packet buffers and adjust the ACK generation rate to prevent packet buffering, thereby optimizing ACK packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If TCP protocol is used in asymmetric communication systems with high downlink bandwidth, then data transmission capacity is improved, but acknowledgement packet buffering increases due to uplink bandwidth limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the ACK packet generation rate based on real-time monitoring of packet buffer status. The TCP sink adjusts the number of data packets acknowledged per ACK packet dynamically, increasing the acknowledgment rate when buffers are full and decreasing it when buffers are empty, thereby preventing ACK packet overflow while maintaining efficient data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the packet buffer status at the TCP sink and uses this feedback information to adjust the ACK packet generation rate. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the ACK transmission rate adapts to the actual buffer conditions, preventing buffering problems while optimizing throughput
2Reliability
If ACK packets are sent for every received data packet, then transmission reliability is improved, but round trip time increases due to uplink bandwidth constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data packet acknowledgments into a single ACK packet. Instead of sending one ACK per data packet, the TCP sink consolidates acknowledgments for multiple received packets into one ACK packet, thereby reducing the total number of ACK transmissions and decreasing round trip time while still ensuring reliable delivery confirmation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of ACK packet generation rate dynamically. By adjusting the number of data packets acknowledged per ACK packet based on buffer status and bandwidth conditions, the system optimizes the balance between transmission reliability and round trip time, reducing unnecessary ACK transmissions that increase latency
3Productivity
If high data rate downloading is performed on downlink channel, then productivity is improved, but device resources are consumed by buffered ACK packets
Solution Approach 1:
The TCP sink dynamically adjusts the ACK packet generation rate based on real-time buffer monitoring. When the buffer approaches capacity, the system increases the number of data packets acknowledged per ACK packet, thereby reducing the frequency of ACK transmissions and freeing up device resources while maintaining high data downloading rates
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting data in a communication system. Data packets are transmitted from a first node to a second node on a first channel. An acknowledgement packet is transmitted from the second node to the first node on a second channel in response to receiving a number of packets on the first channel. The number of data packets that the acknowledgment packet is sent in response to is adjustable.