Communication Apparatus Frame Aggregation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless packet communication, the transmission of feedback information, such as TCP ACK segments, is delayed due to frame aggregation in lower layers, which reduces throughput in higher layers like the TCP layer, despite techniques to improve communication efficiency and reduce code errors.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that determines whether to transmit data frames as aggregated or single frames based on the type of data in the payload, specifically transmitting feedback information as single frames to expedite their delivery and improve TCP throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data frames are transmitted as aggregated frames to improve communication efficiency, then the number of transmissions is reduced, but the delay in transmitting feedback information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission approach by dividing data frames into two categories: ordinary data frames are transmitted as aggregated frames to improve efficiency, while feedback information frames (ACK/NACK) are transmitted as separate single frames to minimize delay. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for both communication efficiency and feedback speed simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If frame aggregation is used to reduce the number of transmissions, then overhead is reduced, but TCP throughput decreases due to delayed ACK transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame transmission strategy by applying different transmission methods to different frame types. Ordinary data frames use aggregation to reduce overhead and energy consumption, while feedback information frames use separate transmission to maintain low latency, thereby preserving TCP throughput despite the energy savings from aggregation.
3Loss of time
If feedback information is transmitted as single frames, then acknowledgment delay is reduced, but communication efficiency decreases compared to aggregated transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation to the transmission strategy by identifying feedback information frames separately from ordinary data frames. Feedback frames are transmitted as single frames to minimize acknowledgment delay, while ordinary data frames are aggregated to maximize communication efficiency. This selective segmentation resolves the contradiction between speed and efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If all data frames are transmitted as aggregated frames, then transmission overhead is minimized, but the ability to prioritize critical feedback information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame handling process into aggregation-eligible frames and priority feedback frames. By identifying feedback information frames separately, the system maintains adaptability to prioritize critical information while still achieving overhead reduction through aggregation of non-critical data frames. This selective approach preserves both energy efficiency and transmission flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus including a physical layer processing unit that transmits data to a communication medium and a lower-layer processing unit that performs transmission control is provided. The transmission control includes at least one of aggregated-frame transmission control in which a data frame is supplied to the physical layer processing unit as an aggregated frame by aggregating the data frame with at least one other data frame, and single-frame transmission control in which the data frame is supplied to the physical layer processing unit as a single frame. The lower-layer processing unit determines whether to supply the data frame to the physical layer processing unit as the aggregated frame by performing the aggregated-frame transmission control or as the single frame by performing the single-frame transmission control based on a type of data contained in a payload of the data frame.