Network Node Inter-Packet Gap Rate Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network communication systems lack the ability to quickly and efficiently adjust data transfer rates without causing timeouts or dropping connections, as existing auto-negotiation mechanisms are limited and do not allow for rapid programmatic changes in link rates.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Inter-Packet Gap (IPG) length to transmit rate control information between network nodes, allowing for dynamic adjustment of data transfer rates by using specific IPG lengths to indicate increases, decreases, or no changes in data transfer rate, enabling rapid adaptation within a frame time of about 1 millisecond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If auto-negotiation mechanism is used to change link rate, then energy consumption is reduced by lowering rate, but the rate change is too slow causing protocol timeouts and connection drops
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by monitoring network traffic patterns and dynamically adjusting the IPG length based on observed conditions. When traffic demand increases, the system shortens IPG to signal rate increases; when demand decreases, it lengthens IPG to signal rate reductions, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual network conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the IPG parameter (Inter-Packet Gap length) to encode rate control information. By varying IPG length between different values (e.g., 12 bytes for no change, 16 bytes for rate increase, 20 bytes for rate decrease), the system communicates rate adjustment commands to the remote end without requiring full auto-negotiation protocol execution, enabling rapid rate changes
2Speed
If IPG length is used to signal rate changes, then rate adjustment speed increases to within 1 millisecond, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IPG field, which traditionally serves only as a timing separator between packets, is given multiple functions: it continues to provide its original timing function while simultaneously encoding rate control information. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve rapid rate adjustment without adding dedicated control fields or messages, thereby limiting the increase in protocol complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The IPG length acts as an intermediary carrier for rate control information. Instead of directly implementing complex rate negotiation protocols, the system uses IPG length as an intermediate signal that both ends can interpret to achieve coordinated rate changes, simplifying the overall control mechanism
3Speed
If higher data transfer rate is used, then communication speed increases, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic rate adjustment by continuously monitoring network conditions and adapting the data transfer rate accordingly. Rather than operating at a fixed high rate, the system dynamically scales the rate up or down based on actual traffic demands, achieving high performance when needed while conserving energy during low-activity periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic assessment of network traffic patterns and periodically adjusts the data transfer rate based on observed conditions. This periodic control allows the system to maintain high rates during active periods while switching to lower rates during idle periods, creating a rhythm of high-performance and energy-saving states
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for controlling network communication parameters (e.g., data transfer rate) employed by two or more network nodes communicating over a network communications link by using the Inter-Packet Gap (IPG) length to sending network communication parameter information (e.g., rate control information) between the nodes over the network communications link.