Layer-2 Packet Aggregation and Fragmentation for MoCA Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MoCA network communication standard faces inefficiencies in managing packets from different source applications with varying sizes, destinations, and priorities, leading to cumbersome sorting and reduced network efficiency due to fixed packet overhead and maximum size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that organize received packets using a descriptor, allowing for dynamic packet sizing based on a controllable parameter, which can be selected automatically or manually, to optimize packet transmission over a secondary network protocol, enabling efficient aggregation and transmission of packets with uniform or larger sizes for improved media efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packets are transmitted with fixed size constraints and overhead, then packet format compliance is maintained, but media efficiency decreases and more overhead is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single large service packet into multiple smaller MoCA packets for transmission, then reassembles them at the destination. This allows the system to maintain compliance with fixed packet size constraints while improving media efficiency by reducing the relative overhead of transmission control and acknowledgment packets through better aggregation ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts packet aggregation parameters based on network conditions and packet characteristics. By changing the aggregation depth and packet sizing parameters, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining format compliance and improving media efficiency for different traffic scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If packets from different source applications are transmitted individually, then packet independence is maintained, but network efficiency decreases due to cumbersome sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service packets from different source applications into aggregated MoCA packets for transmission. The aggregation process maintains packet independence through proper encapsulation and identification mechanisms while improving network efficiency by reducing the total number of transmissions and minimizing sorting overhead at the receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an aggregation layer as an intermediary between the service packet source and the MoCA transmission layer. This intermediary performs intelligent packet aggregation, sorting, and routing, thereby maintaining packet independence while significantly improving network efficiency through batch processing and optimized transmission scheduling
3Loss of energy
If packet aggregation is performed to increase payload size, then media efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the aggregation and fragmentation functions are automatically performed by dedicated hardware or firmware components within the MoCA interface. This eliminates the need for complex software-based packet manipulation, reducing device complexity while maintaining high media efficiency through hardware-accelerated packet aggregation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary packet aggregation and fragmentation operations before transmission, preparing packets in advance based on predicted transmission needs. This preliminary action reduces runtime processing complexity and allows the system to maintain high media efficiency without requiring complex real-time packet manipulation logic
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for receiving packets from a node within a first network in accordance with a first protocol. A descriptor associated with each received packet is read by a direct memory access (DMA) controller that stores the received packet. A value for a controllable parameter is selected to efficiently communicate the content of the received packet over a second network that operates in accordance with a second protocol. The information in the received packet is then organized into newly formed packets, the size of which makes them efficient for communication over the network in the second protocol. The newly formed packets are stored in a transmit line buffer and associated with a Protocol Descriptor. The Protocol Descriptor provides information to a transmit controller to allow the transmit controller to select and aggregate packets from the transmit line buffer in order to make efficient use of the second protocol.