MPTCP Fairness Module for Heterogeneous Network Congestion Control

The patent introduces an MPTCP fairness module as an intermediary component that sits between MPTCP and TCP flows. This module intercepts MPTCP packets, monitors bandwidth allocation, and applies congestion control mechanisms specifically to MPTCP flows when TCP flows are experiencing degradation. The fairness module acts as a mediator that balances bandwidth distribution between the two protocol types, preventing MPTCP from monopolizing network resources while still allowing it to utilize multiple paths for improved throughput.

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the MPTCP fairness module continuously monitors network conditions, specifically detecting when TCP flows are experiencing congestion or performance degradation. Based on this feedback, the module dynamically adjusts its congestion control actions on MPTCP flows. When TCP performance deteriorates, the fairness module increases its control力度 on MPTCP flows to reduce their bandwidth consumption. This closed-loop feedback system allows the network to self-regulate and prevent bottleneck overload while maintaining high throughput when conditions permit.

The MPTCP fairness module serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of coupled congestion control, isolating this complexity from both end systems and core network infrastructure. The module implements the sophisticated logic for monitoring TCP flow performance, detecting congestion patterns, and applying appropriate congestion control to MPTCP flows. By concentrating this complexity in a dedicated fairness module rather than distributing it across multiple components, the patent achieves bandwidth fairness while managing protocol handling complexity in a centralized, manageable manner.