Dynamic Keep-Alive Cycle Adjustment for Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems using protocols like WebSocket and MQTT, frequent transmission of keep-alive packets is necessary to prevent connection disconnection due to relay devices, but this increases communication cost and load, especially in cloud computing services where traffic reduction is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A communication device that determines the transmission cycle of keep-alive packets by measuring the timeout value of the communication route using a measurement packet, allowing the cycle to be adjusted to be less than the timeout value while minimizing the load on relay devices and reducing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If keep-alive packets are transmitted at a short cycle to maintain connection stability, then connection reliability is improved, but communication cost and load on communication equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the transmission cycle parameter of keep-alive packets based on the actual timeout value detected through measurement packets. Instead of using a fixed short cycle, the system adjusts the transmission interval to match the actual network conditions, thereby maintaining connection reliability while minimizing unnecessary transmissions and reducing communication costs.
2Reliability
If keep-alive packets are transmitted uniformly at a short cycle to prevent disconnection, then connection reliability is improved, but load on CPU and communication equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic transmission cycle adjustment mechanism where the keep-alive packet transmission interval is adapted based on detected network timeout characteristics. The system transitions from a static uniform transmission approach to a dynamic one that responds to actual network conditions, reducing unnecessary CPU processing while maintaining connection stability.
3Reliability
If an assumed short transmission cycle is used for keep-alive packets, then connection reliability is improved, but traffic increases influencing operation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where measurement packets are sent to detect the actual timeout value of the relay device, and this detected information is used to adjust the keep-alive packet transmission cycle. This closed-loop approach ensures that traffic volume is optimized based on real network conditions rather than using a conservative fixed interval, thereby reducing overall traffic while maintaining connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a computer including a processor. The computer controls the communication device to perform operations. The operations include establishing a first connection with a first external device and establishing a second connection with a second external device, via a communication network. The operations include transmitting a keep-alive packet to the first external device via the first connection at a first transmission cycle and receiving a response packet for the keep-alive packet. The operations include determining the first transmission cycle according to transmission cycle determination processing which transmits a measurement packet to the first external device via the first connection at a candidate time interval after the second connection is established or after another measurement packet is received via the second connection, and confirming whether the measurement packet transferred by the first external device to the second external device is received via the second connection.