Adaptive ACK Aggregation for Wireless Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TCP ACK aggregation methods in wireless communication networks can negatively impact throughput, especially during the slow start phase of file transfers, due to the low number of ACKs being sent, leading to increased transmission overhead and reduced data transmission efficiency for small files.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the receiving device postpones ACK aggregation during the low throughput phase, such as the slow start phase, and resumes it once the transmission rate reaches a desirable threshold, allowing for faster data transfer by reducing the overhead associated with ACK transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If ACK aggregation is implemented during low throughput phase, then transmission overhead is reduced, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ACK aggregation behavior adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically switches between aggregating and non-aggregating ACKs based on the current transmission phase (slow start vs. steady state), allowing the protocol to optimize for throughput during slow start and for overhead reduction during steady state, thus resolving the contradiction between these two opposing goals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of ACK aggregation behavior based on transmission phase. During the slow start phase, the system changes to non-aggregating mode to maximize throughput, while during steady state, it changes to aggregating mode to minimize overhead. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both high efficiency and low overhead at different times
2Quantity of substance
If ACK aggregation is implemented, then the number of ACK transmissions is reduced, but throughput during slow start phase deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ACK aggregation behavior based on transmission phase detection. During slow start phase, it disables aggregation to maintain high throughput by sending individual ACKs that provide timely feedback. During steady state, it enables aggregation to reduce the quantity of ACK transmissions, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing ACK count and maintaining throughput
3Loss of substance
If ACK aggregation is implemented, then transmission overhead is reduced, but data transfer speed for small files deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic phase detection to determine whether the transmission is in slow start or steady state. For small files that complete during slow start phase, the system maintains high transfer speed by disabling ACK aggregation. Once steady state is reached, it enables aggregation to reduce overhead, thus resolving the contradiction between overhead reduction and transfer speed
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for receiving at least one TP packet, computing a current data rate or an end time of a low throughput phase, determining if TP is in the low throughput phase, aggregating the at least one received TP packet or an ACK relating to the at least one received TP packet in response to determining that the TP is not in the low throughput phase, and transmitting the ACK to a sending device.