Data Fragment Reassembly Using Reception Time Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems that do not guarantee the correct order of data fragments at the receiver end face ambiguity in reassembling fragmented packets, as existing encapsulation methods rely on order information not provided by all protocols, particularly in systems like DVB-RCS NG with E-SSA access.
Innovation Solution
A method that demodulates received signals, adds timestamps to fragments, and uses control data to identify fragment order, allowing buffering and sorting of fragments based on reception time, ensuring correct reassembly even when fragments are not delivered in order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing encapsulation methods (e.g., RLE) are used that assume fragments are delivered in correct order, then device complexity is reduced and mature technologies can be reused, but reliability of packet reassembly deteriorates when fragments are not delivered in order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding reception time information to fragments before reassembly. This allows the system to pre-process fragments with timing data, enabling correct ordering during reassembly without requiring complex protocols. The reception time is captured when fragments arrive and stored with each fragment, so when all fragments are collected, they can be sorted chronologically to reconstruct the original packet correctly.
2Reliability
If packet sorting provisions (e.g., sequence numbers) are implemented to ensure correct reassembly order, then reliability of packet reassembly is improved, but device complexity and protocol overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for sorting from complex sequence numbers to simple reception time information. Instead of implementing protocol-level sequence number fields and sorting logic, the system uses the natural temporal parameter of when fragments were received. This parameter change simplifies the protocol while maintaining reliability, as fragments are sorted based on their reception timestamps rather than requiring additional protocol overhead.
3Manufacturing precision
If fragments are buffered until all fragments are received for sorting by reception time, then manufacturing precision of packet reassembly is improved, but loss of time increases due to waiting for all fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having each fragment carry its own reception time information that enables automatic sorting. The system doesn't require complex external sorting mechanisms; instead, the fragments themselves contain the timing data needed for correct ordering. This self-contained approach improves precision while minimizing delay, as sorting is a simple chronological arrangement based on embedded timestamps rather than complex external processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
In this process, data fragments received by a receiver of a communication system are processed by demodulating a received signal containing the data fragments and reassembling the received data fragments into a single data packet. This process involves processing data packets that have been divided into data fragments and transmitted by numerous senders of the communication system. Each data fragment contains not only user data but also control data that identifies the total length (Total_Length) of the data packet, the sender (Tx_ID) of the data fragment, and the data packet itself (Frag_ID). Furthermore, it indicates whether the data fragment is the first and/or the last data fragment, or an intermediate data fragment between the first and last of the data packet.The temporal order in which the data fragments are received by the receiver can differ from the temporal order in which the data fragments exist after demodulation of the received signal. In this process, the receiver stores information representing the time (T) of reception of each data fragment in its control data. Furthermore, the data fragments belonging to a single data packet from a sender are collected by intermediate storage until all data fragments of the data packet have been received. Using the control data, the data fragments belonging to a single data packet from a sender are then reassembled from the received data fragments. Finally, these data fragments are chronologically sorted based on their respective reception times (T) to form the data packet.