Inter-layer Receipt Confirmation for Buffer Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-layered communication systems, transmitters often maintain data in retransmission buffers for extended periods due to lack of timely error acknowledgement, leading to significant memory usage, especially when channels are reliable or error signals are lost.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered transmission technique where a confirmation signal indicating correct receipt of data packets from a lower layer is used to release corresponding data from the retransmission buffer, reducing storage requirements by allowing timely release of successfully received data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmitter maintains data in the retransmission buffer for extended periods to ensure reliable retransmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but memory usage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the lower layer sends acknowledgment signals (ACK/NAK) to the upper layer about packet reception status. This feedback allows the upper layer to clear the retransmission buffer timely when packets are successfully received, reducing memory usage while maintaining reliability through selective buffer management based on actual reception outcomes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the lower layer perform error detection and generate acknowledgment signals in advance before the upper layer needs to make retransmission decisions. This allows the upper layer to proactively clear the buffer when acknowledgments indicate successful reception, preventing unnecessary long-term buffer retention
2Productivity
If the transmitter uses NAK-based ARQ at the upper layer to reduce retransmission overhead, then communication efficiency is improved, but the transmitter cannot timely release buffer contents when packets are successfully received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the error detection and acknowledgment functions of both lower and upper layers. The lower layer performs initial error detection and sends ACK/NAK signals, while the upper layer uses this information to manage its retransmission buffer. This combination allows the NAK-based efficient retransmission mechanism to work together with timely buffer release based on lower layer acknowledgments
Solution Approach 2:
The lower layer acknowledgment signal serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the NAK-based upper layer ARQ and the actual packet reception status. This intermediary information allows the upper layer to infer successful reception and clear the buffer even though the NAK-based protocol alone would not provide this information
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-layered transmission technique in which a signal indicating that a transmitted data packet has been correctly received by the receiver is provided from one communication layer to another. Based on that signal, the second layer releases the corresponding data from its retransmission buffer. As result, storage requirements for data waiting to be retransmitted, if necessary, often can be significantly reduced.