Modem Uplink Segmentation Offload for Efficient Large-Packet Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in data packet segmentation due to the host segmenting packets based on maximum transmission unit (MTU) size, which is suboptimal for larger packet sizes handled by the interface between the host and modem, leading to inefficient data transfer.
Innovation Solution
The host offloads the segmentation process to the modem by adding a segmentation header to IP packets larger than the MTU size, allowing the modem to segment them into multiple segments based on a negotiated segmentation policy, including transport and IP headers with checksums for each segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the host segments data packets based on MTU size, then packets can be transmitted over the wireless communication link, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates due to the interface between host and modem being able to handle larger packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the segmentation function from the host and relocates it to the modem. The host adds a segmentation header to indicate segmentation requirements, but the actual segmentation processing is performed by the modem's protocol adapter, which is specially designed for wireless communication protocols. This separation allows the host to focus on higher-level data processing while the modem handles the protocol-specific segmentation, resolving the contradiction between transfer efficiency and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a segmentation header as an intermediary mechanism between the host and modem. This header contains segmentation information that enables the modem to perform segmentation without complex host intervention. The segmentation header acts as a mediator that carries segmentation instructions through the interface, allowing efficient packet handling while maintaining protocol compatibility.
2Reliability
If the host performs segmentation processing, then packets comply with MTU size for wireless transmission, but host resources are consumed reducing availability for other operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the segmentation processing burden from the host and transfers it to the modem. The host's role is reduced to adding a segmentation header, while the actual segmentation logic resides in the modem's protocol adapter. This ensures packet transmission compliance with MTU requirements while preserving host processing resources for other operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The modem's protocol adapter performs segmentation as a self-service function, using its own processing capabilities to handle packet segmentation according to wireless protocol requirements. This eliminates the need for the host to consume resources for segmentation while ensuring compliance with transmission standards, as the modem independently manages its own packet processing needs.
3Productivity
If the interface between host and modem handles larger packets, then bandwidth utilization improves, but segmentation at host based on smaller MTU size creates inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional segmentation approach by having the modem segment packets according to wireless MTU requirements rather than having the host pre-segment packets. The host sends larger packets through the high-capacity interface, and the modem performs segmentation at the appropriate point in the transmission stack. This inversion eliminates redundant segmentation operations and optimizes bandwidth utilization while reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The host performs preliminary action by adding a segmentation header to indicate segmentation requirements, but defers the actual segmentation to the modem. This preliminary marking allows the interface to transmit larger packets efficiently while ensuring that segmentation will be performed correctly by the modem before wireless transmission, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth utilization and processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for wireless communication at a modem, comprising receiving, via an interface with a host, an internet protocol (IP) packet including a first transport protocol header and a first IP header. The IP packet has a size greater than a maximum transport unit (MTU) size allowable for each packet transmitted over a communication link. The modem segments the IP packet into a plurality of segments based on a segment size indicated by a segmentation policy. Each segment includes a respective derived segment transport protocol header and a respective derived segment IP header derived from the IP packet. Each of these derived headers includes at least one field based on the segmentation policy, and each of the segment transport protocol headers includes a checksum for the respective segment. Additionally, the modem transmits the plurality of segments over the communication link.