Aggregating Network Packets to Reduce Transmission Overhead
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks like MoCA and Ethernet-based systems, the overhead information associated with each data packet reduces the availability of network bandwidth for user data, as each packet requires additional headers, preambles, and interframe gaps, leading to inefficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A node aggregates packet data units with the same aggregation identifier into a single aggregate packet, eliminating unnecessary overhead by combining them into a single transmission with a reduced header structure, including an aggregation header and checksum, which is then transmitted to a common destination node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each packet is transmitted separately with full overhead information, then packet transmission reliability is maintained, but network bandwidth availability for user data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies packet aggregation to combine multiple individual packets into a single aggregate packet. Multiple packet data units with the same aggregation identifier are merged and transmitted together as one unit, reducing the number of separate transmissions. This consolidates overhead information (preambles, headers, interframe gaps) that would otherwise be repeated for each individual packet, thereby increasing network bandwidth availability for user data while maintaining transmission reliability through checksum verification.
2Reliability
If multiple packets are transmitted individually, then error control for each packet is maintained, but total transmission time increases due to repeated overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple packets are aggregated into a single transmission unit, combining their error control mechanisms into one consolidated error check. The aggregate packet includes a checksum that verifies the integrity of all constituent packet data units, providing error control for the entire group rather than requiring separate error control for each individual packet. This reduces the cumulative time spent on repeated overhead transmissions while maintaining comprehensive error detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The node identifies and groups packets with the same aggregation identifier before transmission, performing the aggregation operation in advance. This preliminary organization of packets into aggregates allows for more efficient transmission by reducing the number of separate overhead sequences that need to be sent, thereby reducing total transmission time while maintaining error control through the included checksum.
3Productivity
If packet overhead information is reduced through aggregation, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but packet processing complexity at the node increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments packets into groups based on their aggregation identifiers, creating distinct categories of packets that can be processed together. This segmentation approach allows the node to efficiently organize and aggregate packets by identifying common identifiers, which simplifies the aggregation process compared to processing every possible packet combination. The segmentation enables systematic grouping that improves bandwidth efficiency while keeping the processing complexity manageable through structured classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregation mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it groups packets for efficient transmission, reduces overhead information, maintains error control through checksums, and organizes data for optimized routing. By implementing a universal aggregation approach that handles multiple packet data units with the same aggregation identifier in a single operation, the system improves bandwidth efficiency while the multi-functional design helps manage processing complexity through consolidated operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A node for transmitting digital data over a network receives a plurality of packet data units and identifies at least two of the packet data units that have the same aggregation identifier. The node then forms an aggregate packet from the packet data units that have the same aggregation identifier and transmits the aggregate packet to a common destination node or nodes.