Network Interface Device Constant Data Rate Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transmission mechanisms face challenges such as high latency due to waiting for sufficient data to fill packets, excessive use of interrupts for flow control, and bandwidth overheads from bursty data transfers, particularly in congested networks and when using programmed input/output (PIO) protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network interface device begins transmitting data frames over a network link before receiving all data, using padding data of a predetermined format to maintain a pre-set data rate, and adjusts frame transmission based on network conditions, allowing for efficient data forwarding and reduced latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the system waits for sufficient data to fill packets before transmission, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by starting packet transmission before all data has been received. The NIC begins transmitting a packet as soon as initial data is available, rather than waiting for the complete data set. This preliminary transmission action resolves the contradiction by reducing latency while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization through continuous transmission.
2Reliability
If the NIC stops PIO data stream using interrupts for flow control, then data transmission control is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control mechanism from the interrupt-based system and implements it directly within the NIC hardware. The NIC autonomously manages its own data reception and packet formation without requiring processor interrupts, thereby maintaining reliable flow control while eliminating the excessive processing overhead associated with interrupt handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The NIC is designed to serve itself by autonomously receiving data, forming packets, and managing transmission without requiring processor intervention. This self-service capability allows the NIC to handle flow control internally, reducing the burden on the processor and eliminating the need for excessive interrupts while maintaining transmission reliability.
3Reliability
If the system uses bursty data transfers to meet bus protocol requirements, then bus protocol compliance is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its data transfer pattern to balance bus protocol compliance with transmission efficiency. Rather than using fixed bursty transfers, the NIC continuously receives data and dynamically forms packets of appropriate sizes, maintaining steady data flow that complies with bus protocol requirements while maximizing bandwidth utilization through optimized packetization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming data received from a data source into frames for transmission over a data link according to a protocol in which data is carried as data frames and in which once transmission of the data frame begun the entirety of the data frame must be transmitted at no less than a pre-set data rate, the method comprising: including in a frame traffic data formed from data received for transmission from the data source, and if insufficient data received for transmission from the data source is available to transmit the frame at the pre-set data rate, including in the frame padding data, the padding data being of a predetermined format distinguishable from the traffic data.