Bitmap-Based Early Retransmission for Reliable Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet transmission protocols face challenges in efficiently detecting and recovering from packet losses due to congestion, network disconnects, and malfunctioning nodes, leading to incomplete data reconstruction at the destination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an extended acknowledgment (EACK) schema using bitmaps at both the transmitter and receiver to track packet status, allowing for proactive retransmission of lost packets by comparing sender and receiver bitmaps, and utilizing timestamp values to determine the order and timing of packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional acknowledgment protocols are used for packet loss detection, then network communication can be maintained with standard complexity, but packet loss detection and recovery efficiency deteriorates leading to incomplete data reconstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acknowledgment process into two distinct components: a transmitter bitmap that tracks packets sent by the source device, and a receiver bitmap that tracks packets received by the destination device. This segmentation allows each bitmap to independently monitor specific aspects of packet transmission, enabling more precise packet loss detection compared to traditional single-protocol acknowledgment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the source device proactively retransmit packets identified as lost through bitmap comparison, before the destination device requests retransmission. The source device continuously monitors the comparison between transmitter and receiver bitmaps and immediately retransmits missing packets, preventing data reconstruction delays.
2Reliability
If bitmap comparison mechanism is implemented for proactive retransmission, then packet loss recovery is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional circuitry and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bitmap comparison circuitry performs multiple functions: it compares transmitter and receiver bitmaps to identify lost packets, generates retransmission decisions, and updates packet status tracking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each task, thereby managing device complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic bitmap comparison and proactive retransmission without requiring external intervention or complex error correction protocols. The source device autonomously detects packet losses through bitmap comparison and immediately retransmits missing packets, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If timestamp values are used to track packet transmission order, then packet sequencing accuracy is improved, but information processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by embedding timestamp values only in packets that require sequencing verification or retransmission tracking, rather than adding comprehensive metadata to all packets. The timestamp field is selectively used in the bitmap comparison logic to maintain precision where needed while minimizing overall information overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology is directed to the use of a bitmap generated at a receiver to track the status of received packets sent by a transmitter. The technology may include a network device including an input port, output port, and circuitry. The circuitry may generate a transmitter bitmap that tracks each data packet sent to another network device. The circuitry of the network device may receive, from the other network device, a receiver bitmap that identifies each data packet that is received and not received from the network device. The circuitry may then determine which data packets to retransmit by comparing the transmitter bitmap to the receiver bitmap.