Off-band Flow Control for Wireless Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TCP congestion control mechanisms are insufficient for meeting the requirements of throughput-intensive interactive applications in 5G wireless systems and other wireless links, leading to instability in data rate and increased queuing delay due to variations in link conditions and access contention.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus and method that includes a processor configured to receive and control packet transmission based on the saturation state of a flow queue, using an off-band signaling channel to monitor and adjust transmission rates, thereby ensuring tight coupling of source rate with available bandwidth and minimizing queuing delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing TCP congestion control mechanisms are used, then data transmission can occur over wireless links, but throughput instability and increased queuing delay occur due to link condition variations and access contention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network link continuously monitors its saturation state and sends flow control indications back to the transport flow sender. This feedback loop allows the sender to adjust its transmission rate dynamically based on actual network conditions, resolving the throughput instability caused by variations in link conditions and access contention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rate adjustment by allowing the transport flow sender to modify its transmission rate in real-time based on flow control indications from the network link. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions, maintaining throughput stability despite link variations and contention.
2Productivity
If existing TCP congestion control mechanisms are used, then data transmission can occur, but queuing delay increases due to insufficient rate control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the network link proactively monitor its saturation state and send flow control indications to the transport flow sender before the queue becomes completely saturated. This advance warning allows the sender to reduce its transmission rate preemptively, preventing queue buildup and minimizing queuing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous feedback mechanism provides real-time information about network saturation to the sender, enabling timely rate adjustments that prevent excessive queuing. This feedback-driven control ensures that the transmission rate is continuously optimized to minimize queuing delay while maintaining efficient data transmission.
3Reliability
If flow control based on saturation state monitoring is implemented, then throughput fairness and reliable data transfer are improved, but system complexity increases due to off-band signaling channel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by implementing a multi-functional off-band signaling channel that serves both control plane and data plane purposes. The same signaling infrastructure used for standard communication protocols is leveraged to carry flow control indications, thereby improving data transfer reliability without requiring separate dedicated control channels or significant additional system complexity.
4Productivity
If tight coupling of source rate with available bandwidth is achieved, then link utilization is maximized, but system complexity increases due to continuous monitoring and rate adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the network link to autonomously monitor its own saturation state and generate appropriate flow control indications without requiring complex external control systems. The link essentially manages its own traffic flow by detecting congestion conditions and signaling the sender to adjust its rate, thereby maximizing link utilization through a relatively simple self-managing mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally discloses a congestion control capability for use in communication systems (e.g., to provide congestion control over wireless links in wireless systems, over wireline links in wireline systems, and so forth). The congestion control capability may be configured to provide congestion control for a transport flow of a transport connection, sent from a transport flow sender to a transport flow receiver, based on flow control associated with the transport flow. The transport flow may traverse a flow queue of a link buffer of a link endpoint. The link endpoint may provide to the transport flow sender, via an off-band signaling channel, an indication of the saturation state of the flow queue of the transport flow. The transport flow sender may control transmission of packets of the transport flow based on the indication of the saturation state of the flow queue of the transport flow.