Data Transmission via Logical Channel Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transmission techniques, such as inverse multiplexing and IEEE 802.3ad, face limitations in systems where packet modifications are not permitted and restrict the grouping of physical channels with different bandwidths, leading to inefficient traffic balancing and restricted parallel transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method for distributing an input data stream over a plurality of physical channels within a logical channel group, where channels with varying bandwidths can be used without modifying packets, and the order of data units is maintained without additional fields, allowing flexible distribution and load balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If prior art inverse multiplexing techniques are used to transmit data over separate links, then data can be distributed over multiple channels, but packet modifications are required which are not permitted in some systems
Solution Approach 1:
The data stream is segmented into multiple substreams that are transmitted over separate physical channels. The segmentation is performed at the data stream level rather than at the packet level, allowing the original packets to remain unmodified while still achieving distributed transmission across multiple channels.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary mechanism is introduced that tracks and manages the distribution of data units across channels without modifying the packets themselves. This intermediary maintains the mapping between original data units and their transmitted positions, enabling reconstruction without packet modification.
2Device complexity
If physical channels are grouped according to channel capacities as in prior art systems, then channels can be organized into logical channels, but physical channels having different bandwidths cannot be grouped together
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for channel grouping from channel capacity to channel index or position. This parameter change allows channels with different bandwidths to be grouped together by using their positional indices rather than their capacity values, thereby achieving flexible channel grouping while maintaining organizational simplicity.
3Productivity
If IEEE 802.3ad scheme is used for data transmission, then multiple link segments can be aggregated, but each substream can use only one physical channel and traffic balancing is very restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic channel assignment where substreams can be dynamically reassigned to different physical channels based on current channel availability and performance. This dynamic approach enables multiple substreams to utilize multiple physical channels simultaneously, increasing parallel transmission capability while providing flexible traffic balancing.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel apparatus for and a method of data transmission whereby an input data stream is distributed over a plurality of physical channels within a logical channel group. Transmission of data over the channel group appears as transmission over a single logical channel having a bandwidth approximately equal to the sum of the physical channel bandwidths. The physical channels making up the logical channel group may have different bandwidth capacities. The invention comprises a method of data unit distribution among a plurality of physical channels including the consideration of the bandwidth capacities of the individual physical channels in implementing the distribution algorithm, and the capability of reproducing the order of the transmission of the data units on the receiving side without the need for additional fields or modification of existing fields of the data units. The method of the present invention performs an algorithm whereby the transmitter and the receiver only need to decide to transmit/receive a data unit using the current channel or to switch to the next channel in the channel pool (i.e. the channel group). This decision is made considering the value of a bandwidth parameter and current ‘credit’ counter associated with each channel.