Multipath Traffic Scheduler with Send-Buffer for Adjustable Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multipath network protocols face challenges in maintaining reliable data packet transmission due to out-of-order delivery and packet loss, especially in unreliable network protocols, where strict reliability is either not available or not adjustable, impacting end-to-end performance.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a multipath traffic scheduler and a reordering module with a send-buffer for each path, which sends acknowledgments and negative-acknowledgments to manage packet retransmissions based on latency and buffer conditions, allowing for adjustable packet loss detection and retransmission strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strict reliability is implemented using MPTCP, then packet loss recovery is improved, but adaptability of reliability degree is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket loss recoveryVSAvoidreliability degree selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reliability adjustment by allowing the receiver to selectively request retransmissions of lost packets rather than guaranteeing strict reliability for all packets. The reliability degree adapts based on application needs, transforming from a static protocol-level guarantee to a dynamic, application-controlled mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the reliability parameter from a fixed protocol characteristic (as in MPTCP) to a variable that can be adjusted per application or data stream. Applications can choose different reliability degrees by controlling which packet losses trigger retransmission requests, enabling continuous adaptation between strict and no reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If out-of-order packet delivery is handled by reordering queues, then sequence reconstruction is improved, but packet loss impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket sequence orderVSAvoidpacket loss recovery
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the receiver monitors packet sequences, detects losses, and sends selective retransmission requests back to the sender. This feedback loop enables dynamic recovery of lost packets without requiring strict ordering guarantees, resolving the contradiction between reordering and loss recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If multiple communication paths are used, then transmission capacity is improved, but packet loss probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidpacket loss rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different reliability treatments to different packets or data streams based on local quality requirements. Not all packets receive equal reliability protection; instead, retransmission requests are selectively generated based on application-specific needs, allowing high-capacity multipath transmission with differentiated loss recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4075742B1System and method for multipath transmission with efficient adjustable reliability
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4075742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075742B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention provides a method and a system comprising a transmitting device and a receiving device, the transmitting device comprises a multipath traffic scheduler and the receiving device comprises a reordering module, wherein the multipath traffic scheduler is configured to schedule packets for transmission over at least two paths, each transmitted packet comprising a sequence identifier, the reordering module is configured to receive packets through the two or more paths, and to reorder the received packets sequentially based on the sequence identifier, wherein the multipath traffic scheduler comprises a send-buffer configured to temporarily store the transmitted packets for a predetermined amount of time; and the transmitting device is configured resend a transmitted packet not being received by the receiving device, wherein the transmitting device is configured to adjust a number of allowed re-transmissions or adjust the dimension of the send-buffer for adjusting transmission reliability of the system.