Dynamic Acknowledgement Mechanism for Network Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The TCP protocol's conventional acknowledgement mechanism, which delays acknowledgments until multiple packets are received, can lead to increased latency due to network congestion and packet loss, causing stalls in data transmission and increased user wait times.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive and dynamic acknowledgement system that immediately acknowledges each data packet as it is received, allowing the sending device to increase the congestion window and transmit additional packets sooner, reducing latency and preventing stalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the receiving device delays transmitting acknowledgments until at least two data packets are received, then network congestion is reduced and processing efficiency is improved, but latency increases and transmission stalls occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic acknowledgment timing where the receiving device adaptively chooses between immediate acknowledgment and delayed acknowledgment based on current network conditions. When network congestion is detected or packet loss is likely, immediate acknowledgment is sent to prevent stalls. When network conditions are good, delayed acknowledgment is used to reduce overhead. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the acknowledgment strategy flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acknowledgment timing parameter dynamically based on network conditions. The acknowledgment delay parameter is adjusted in real-time: set to zero (immediate) when congestion is detected, and set to a positive value (delayed) when network conditions are favorable. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between latency and efficiency depending on current network state.
2Loss of energy
If delayed acknowledgments are transmitted to reduce network congestion, then packet transmission overhead is reduced, but data transmission stalls increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by sending immediate acknowledgments in advance when network congestion or packet loss is anticipated. This prevents transmission stalls before they occur by ensuring the sending device has confirmation of packet receipt, thus cushioning against the potential harm of stalls while still allowing delayed acknowledgments to reduce overhead during normal conditions.
3Loss of time
If immediate acknowledgments are sent for each data packet, then latency is reduced and transmission continuity is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic evaluation of network conditions to determine acknowledgment timing. Rather than always sending immediate or always delayed acknowledgments, the system periodically checks network congestion levels and packet loss rates, then switches between immediate and delayed acknowledgment modes accordingly. This periodic adaptation allows the system to enjoy immediate acknowledgment benefits when needed while avoiding congestion during normal periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided whereby latency between a sending device and a receiving device during network communications is reduced by adaptively and dynamically acknowledging the reception of each of a determined number of packets that are transmitted by the sending device to the receiving device over the network. In one aspect, the receiving device adaptively and dynamically acknowledges the reception of each data packet as it is received from the sending device. In another aspect, the receiving device adaptively and dynamically acknowledges the reception of a group of at least two packets as the remaining data packets are received from the sending device.