IoT Network Packet Transmit Mode Controller for Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packet transmission modes in IoT devices induce significant latency and jitter, which can hinder deterministic compute performance required by industrial and automotive applications, especially in time-sensitive environments.

Innovation Solution

IoT devices are configured to determine whether a network packet meets predetermined criteria, allowing for an immediate transmission mode that reduces latency by converting the legacy network packet transmission into a single memory-mapped I/O (MMIO) write operation, thereby minimizing internal chip fabric traversal time and NIC transmission time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If legacy network packet transmission mode is used, then flexible packet sizes and robust solution are supported, but latency and jitter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of packet transmissionVSAvoidtransmission latency and jitter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments packet transmission into two distinct modes: legacy mode for robustness and immediate mode for low latency. The system divides transmission scenarios based on packet characteristics (size, buffer location, priority) and applies appropriate transmission strategies to each segment, resolving the contradiction between robustness and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic transmission mode selection based on real-time packet characteristics. The system dynamically switches between legacy and immediate transmission modes depending on packet size, buffer location, and priority level, allowing the transmission mechanism to adapt to different scenarios and optimize both latency and robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If present packet transmission mode techniques are used, then flexible packet sizes are supported, but discernable latency and jitter are induced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexible packet size supportVSAvoidtransmission latency and jitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating different packet types with different transmission qualities. Small packets from specific buffers receive immediate transmission with highest priority, while larger or less critical packets use legacy mode. This localized optimization maintains flexibility while minimizing latency for time-sensitive packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary classification mechanism that evaluates packet characteristics and routes packets to appropriate transmission modes. This intermediary layer maintains the flexibility of supporting various packet sizes while filtering out time-sensitive packets for immediate transmission, thereby reducing overall latency and jitter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If compute cycle times are continually shrinking, then processing speed improves, but deterministic compute becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompute cycle speedVSAvoiddeterministic compute performance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-classifying packets and pre-positioning them in appropriate buffers based on their characteristics. Time-sensitive packets are identified and prepared for immediate transmission before the actual transmit event, reducing uncertainty in the transmission path and maintaining deterministic performance even as cycle times shrink.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key transmission parameters dynamically based on packet characteristics. By adjusting transmission mode, priority level, and buffer selection based on packet size, type, and urgency, the system maintains deterministic compute performance across varying cycle times while continuing to improve processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11329925B2Technologies for low-latency network packet transmission

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Technologies for managing low-latency network packet transmissions include an internet-of-things (IoT) device, or other networked device, depending on the embodiment, configured to determine a transmit mode of a network packet to be transmitted from the IoT device, wherein the transmit mode comprises one of a legacy network packet transmission mode or an immediate transmission mode. The IoT device includes a processor configured to write data of the network packet directly to a transmit buffer register of a network interface controller (NIC) of the IoT device subsequent to a determination that the transmit mode corresponds to the immediate transmission mode. Other embodiments are described herein.