Network Layer Channel Bonding for Throughput and Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks often underutilize available bandwidth due to limitations in channel bonding techniques, which can lead to uneven distribution of traffic across multiple physical links, resulting in reduced overall throughput and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing network layer channel bonding methods that involve an external device to transmit data over multiple communication links, where packets are divided and ordered based on the throughput and latency of each link, allowing concurrent transmission across different communication mediums, such as satellite and cellular links, to maximize aggregate throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional channel bonding methods are used to combine multiple communication links, then redundancy is provided, but aggregate bandwidth is not fully utilized and throughput is limited to the smallest link in the chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data stream into multiple independent packets that can be transmitted simultaneously over different communication links. Each packet is assigned to a specific link based on current link conditions, allowing parallel transmission and full utilization of aggregate bandwidth while maintaining redundancy through multiple path options.
2Device complexity
If all traffic is physically routed through one path in a hub-and-spoke network, then network control is simplified, but total bandwidth is limited to the smallest communication link in the chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where traffic routing is adjusted in real-time based on current link conditions, throughput measurements, and latency variations. This allows the system to flexibly distribute traffic across multiple paths rather than being constrained to a single static route, thereby increasing total bandwidth while maintaining manageable network control through automated decision-making.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network traffic is divided based on flows or destinations in multi-star or mesh networks, then multiple physical paths are available, but most aggregate available bandwidth goes unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of packet distribution from flow-based or destination-based routing to throughput and latency-based dynamic allocation. By continuously measuring link performance parameters and adjusting packet distribution accordingly, the system can exploit path diversity while ensuring that all available bandwidth across multiple physical links is fully utilized, rather than leaving most bandwidth unused.
4Productivity
If packets are transmitted over multiple communication links with different latencies, then bandwidth is increased, but latency variance increases and packet reordering is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions by pre-numbering packets with sequence identifiers before transmission and maintaining buffers at the receiving end. This allows packets arriving out of order due to different link latencies to be temporarily stored and reassembled in the correct sequence, thereby enabling full bandwidth utilization across multiple links while minimizing the impact of latency variance on overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An external first communication device is operated to transmit data to a second communication device over multiple communication links, each of the communication links associated with a respective communication medium by: receiving an input data stream from an existing network headend for transmission to the second communication device, the input data stream including packets; determining, at the first communication device, a throughput and latency of each of the communication links; based on the determined throughput and latency of each of the communication links: dividing the packets into multiple sets, each of the sets configured to be transmitted by the first communication device over a respective one of the communication links; formatting each of the sets of packets for a corresponding respective one of the communication links; and transmitting, from the first communication device to the second communication device, each of the sets of packets over the set's respective communication link.