Ethernet Packet Preemption for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
As Ethernet networks handle increasing traffic and diverse applications, there is a growing need for low latency in data transmission, which existing technologies fail to address effectively due to limitations in prioritizing and preempting packets based on latency requirements.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method where Ethernet devices utilize separate buffers for high-priority and low-priority frames, allowing for packet preemption by interrupting the transmission of low-priority frames when higher-priority frames with stricter latency requirements become available, and resuming transmission from the point of interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If separate buffers for high-priority and low-priority frames are used, then latency for high-priority packets is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission buffer is segmented into multiple priority-based buffers (high-priority and low-priority frames). This segmentation allows the system to separately manage and transmit packets based on their latency requirements, reducing latency for time-sensitive traffic while maintaining structured complexity through organized buffer management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transmission qualities are applied to different packet types based on their priority. High-priority packets receive preferential treatment with dedicated buffer space and transmission opportunities, while low-priority packets use remaining capacity. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing latency for critical packets without requiring complete system redesign.
2Loss of time
If packet preemption is implemented, then latency for high-priority packets is reduced, but reliability of transmission is worsened due to potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by allocating dedicated buffer space for high-priority packets before transmission begins. When preemption is needed, high-priority packets are already prepared in separate buffers, allowing immediate transmission without waiting for low-priority packets to clear. This preliminary organization reduces latency while maintaining reliability through structured buffer management.
Solution Approach 2:
High-priority packets are extracted from the general transmission queue and placed in dedicated high-priority buffers. This extraction allows the system to selectively transmit only the most time-sensitive packets first, reducing their latency without completely disrupting the transmission of other packets. The extracted high-priority packets are transmitted separately, maintaining both low latency and transmission reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
While transmitting a first Ethernet frame from the first buffer onto an Ethernet link, a first Ethernet device may stop transmitting the first frame prior to completing transmission of the frame. The first Ethernet device may then transmit a second frame from a second buffer onto the Ethernet link. The first Ethernet device may resume transmission of the first frame from the first buffer onto the Ethernet link. A second Ethernet device may receive, via the Ethernet link, a first portion of a first Ethernet frame and store the first portion of the first Ethernet frame in a first buffer. The second Ethernet device may then receive, via the Ethernet link, a second Ethernet frame and store the second Ethernet frame in a second buffer. The second Ethernet device may then receive, via the Ethernet link, a second portion of the first Ethernet frame and append it to the contents of the first buffer.