MPTCP Subflow Threshold for Mobile Data Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

Multihomed mobile devices face inefficiencies in web browsing due to unnecessary establishment of secondary TCP subflows for small data transfers, leading to increased cellular data usage and power consumption, as well as waste of cellular access network resources and signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

A method that establishes a primary MPTCP subflow for transferring resources smaller than a threshold size over a wireless network, and only sets up a secondary MPTCP subflow when the resource size exceeds this threshold, allowing both subflows to cooperate for larger data transfers, thereby conserving cellular data and power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a secondary MPTCP subflow is established for small data transfers, then data transfer capability is improved, but cellular data usage and power consumption increase unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the threshold resource size based on network conditions, device state, and transfer requirements. This allows the system to optimize between establishing secondary subflows for large transfers (improving productivity) while avoiding unnecessary subflow establishment for small transfers (reducing power consumption). The threshold parameter is modified adaptively to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a secondary MPTCP subflow is established, then data transfer capability is improved, but cellular access network resources and signaling overhead are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidcellular access network resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the threshold parameter dynamically to control when secondary subflows are established. By adjusting this parameter based on resource availability, network load, and transfer size, the system prevents unnecessary consumption of cellular access network resources and signaling overhead while maintaining adequate data transfer capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If MPTCP is used for all transfers, then transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidprotocol management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the threshold resource size based on network conditions, device state, and transfer requirements. This allows the system to optimize between establishing secondary subflows for large transfers (improving productivity) while avoiding unnecessary subflow establishment for small transfers (reducing power consumption). The threshold parameter is modified adaptively to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by selectively applying MPTCP with secondary subflows only when the resource size exceeds the threshold. For smaller transfers, the system uses simpler protocols or single subflows, avoiding the full complexity of MPTCP management. This partial application of the complex protocol resolves the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11206706B2Method and apparatus for web browsing on multihomed mobile devices

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

In one example, a method and apparatus for web browsing on multihomed mobile devices having multiple communication interfaces are disclosed. In one example, the method establishes a primary multiple path transmission control protocol subflow for the transfer of a resource from a server to a user endpoint device. The method then determines a threshold of resource size. When the size of the resource is determined to exceed the threshold, the method establishes a secondary multipath transmission control protocol connection that cooperates with the primary multiple path transmission control protocol subflow for the transfer of the resource from the server to the user endpoint device.