Merged Data Stream Sequence Numbering for Lost Packet Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to reliably detect lost data in trace information transmitted over lossy networks, especially when data from multiple sources is merged, leading to undetected errors and potential data loss during transmission.

Innovation Solution

Inserting sequence numbers within the data stream, ensuring at least one sequence number is present in each network data block, allowing for the detection of lost data and maintaining data integrity, particularly effective with the MIPI trace wrapping protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sequence numbers are inserted after every data entry to enable detection of single data block loss, then data loss detection capability is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss detection capabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sequence numbers into a single compressed sequence number that represents multiple data blocks. Instead of assigning individual sequence numbers to each data entry, the system combines sequence information for n data blocks into one compressed sequence number, reducing processing overhead while maintaining the ability to detect data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of sequence number representation from individual per-block numbering to compressed grouping. By modifying how sequence numbers are structured (using bit manipulation to encode multiple block references), the system achieves both reduced complexity and maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If compressed sequence numbers are used to reduce overhead, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of data loss detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing overheadVSAvoiddata loss detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving end uses the compressed sequence numbers to generate expected sequence numbers and compares them with received data. This feedback loop enables precise detection of data loss by identifying gaps between expected and actual sequence numbers, maintaining measurement precision despite compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of transmitting individual sequence numbers with a computational/bit-manipulation approach. By using bit shifting and masking operations to compress and expand sequence numbers, the system achieves precise detection capability with reduced overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If data from multiple sources is merged before transmission to improve efficiency, then productivity is improved, but reliability of data loss detection worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata loss detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the merged data stream into groups of n data blocks, assigning a compressed sequence number to each group. This segmentation approach maintains the efficiency benefits of merging multiple sources while enabling reliable data loss detection by creating discrete detectable units within the merged stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9497097B2Inserting sequence numbers into data blocks merged from data streams

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A method of detecting lost data within a data stream by inserting sequence numbers within the stream. Network data blocks to be transmitted are assembled from data chunks, where each data chunk contains a sequence number. Where the data is originating from multiple sources, the sequence numbers are labeled with an unique source ID, and are inserted into the composite data stream after one or more data chunks are generated.