Adaptive Data Packet Fragmentation for Transmission Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transmission methods face delays due to low priority data blocking transmission links, especially in low data rate connections, and excessive fragmentation generates unnecessary overhead, particularly when few links are available.
Innovation Solution
Data packets are divided into fragments of variable size based on available transmission link capacity and current data storage, with non-realtime-critical data fragmented and distributed across links, while realtime-critical data is transmitted without fragmentation, optimizing fragment size and distribution to minimize delay and reduce overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data packets are fragmented and transmitted over multiple links, then transmission delay is reduced, but overhead data for fragment management is generated unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the fragmentation decision adaptive rather than static. The sending unit dynamically determines whether to fragment a data packet based on real-time conditions: it checks if the packet size exceeds a threshold and whether there are multiple available transmission links with sufficient capacity. This dynamic approach allows the system to fragment only when necessary, reducing overhead while maintaining low delay performance when benefits are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of packet fragmentation by introducing a size threshold and link capacity assessment mechanism. Instead of always fragmenting packets, the system modifies the fragmentation behavior based on packet size parameters and available link capacity, thereby avoiding unnecessary fragment management overhead while preserving the delay reduction benefits when applicable.
2Loss of time
If data packets are fragmented into many small fragments, then transmission delay is minimized, but device complexity increases due to fragment management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by fragmenting data packets only partially - specifically, only when the packet size exceeds a defined threshold and multiple links are available. This selective fragmentation approach avoids the excessive complexity of managing numerous small fragments while still achieving sufficient delay reduction for critical data transmissions, balancing performance and complexity.
3Productivity
If low priority data is transmitted first, then link utilization is improved, but higher priority data experiences unacceptable delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmissions into different classes based on priority levels. It maintains separate sending units for different priority classes and applies different fragmentation strategies: high-priority data is transmitted without fragmentation to ensure low latency, while low-priority data may be fragmented to improve link utilization. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing both high link utilization and low priority data delays to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating different priority classes differently at the local sending unit level. Each priority class receives customized handling: high-priority data gets direct transmission without fragmentation, while low-priority data undergoes fragmentation analysis. This localized differentiation ensures that high-priority data maintains its quality requirements while low-priority data contributes to overall link utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a system in which several data links are available for the transmission while one respective sending unit is allocated to the data links to temporarily store data that is to be transmitted via the respective data link, data packets containing non-real-time critical data are subdivided into fragments of variable sizes prior to forwarding to a sending unit. Data packets containing real time-critical data are preferably forwarded to a sending unit without being fragmented. Additionally, a minimum fragment size can be predefined for the fragmentation process.