Network Rate Control Using Dummy Descriptors for Unsupported Speeds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network devices face limitations in achieving precise and dynamic data transfer rates due to the inflexibility of hardware-based rate control mechanisms and the high resource consumption of software-based rate control, leading to inefficiencies and performance bottlenecks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that alternates between supported data transfer rates using hardware and software to achieve unsupported rates, employing dummy work descriptors to compensate for hardware inaccuracies and adjust the effective data transfer rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software-based rate control is used, then flexibility and precision in achieving unsupported data transfer rates is improved, but CPU resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in achieving unsupported data transfer ratesVSAvoidCPU resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rate control descriptor as an intermediary data structure that enables precise rate control without direct software intervention. The descriptor contains rate control parameters (bytes per interval, intervals between bursts) that are processed by hardware, acting as a mediator between software configuration and hardware execution. This allows flexible unsupported rates to be achieved while minimizing CPU load during actual data transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces software-based rate control mechanisms with hardware-based processing. By encoding rate control parameters in descriptors that are handled by hardware engines rather than software loops, the system achieves precise control of unsupported data transfer rates while eliminating the high CPU resource consumption associated with software-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If hardware-based rate control is used, then CPU resource consumption is reduced, but the ability to achieve precise unsupported data transfer rates is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU resource consumptionVSAvoidprecision of unsupported data transfer rates

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables hardware to achieve precise unsupported data transfer rates by dynamically changing rate control parameters encoded in descriptors. The hardware processes descriptors with configurable bytes-per-interval and intervals-between-bursts parameters, allowing the effective data transfer rate to be precisely controlled at unsupported rates while maintaining hardware-based efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data transfer process into discrete intervals defined by rate control descriptors. Each descriptor specifies bytes to transmit and intervals to wait, breaking down continuous rate control into manageable hardware-processable units. This segmentation allows precise control of unsupported rates through combinations of supported rates without requiring continuous software intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If traffic shaping is applied to optimize performance, then network performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal rate control mechanism that handles both supported and unsupported data transfer rates through a single hardware-based descriptor processing system. The rate control descriptor format and processing logic serve multiple functions: configuring transmission rates, managing traffic flow, and achieving precise unsupported rates, thereby improving network performance without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12634240B2Dynamic rate control

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and computer readable media for dynamic data transfer rate control. One method includes alternating a network device between a plurality of supported data transfer rates that are supported by the network device to achieve an unsupported data transfer rate that is not supported by the network device. Another method includes adding one or more dummy work descriptors to a data stream, and transmitting the data stream including the one or more dummy work descriptors at a supported data transfer rate that is supported by a network device to achieve an effective unsupported data transfer rate that is not supported by the network device.