Packet Data Protocol Overhead Reduction via Delimiter-Based Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet data protocols face inefficiencies when operating over diverse physical links, particularly due to encapsulation overhead and uncertainty about available resources for data segmentation and acknowledgement messages, limiting their adaptability in non-standardized environments.
Innovation Solution
A communication protocol that forms packets with a consistent first bit value followed by a second bit value, allowing variable packet lengths without length indicators, and includes flags for retransmission management, enabling efficient data transmission over single-bit links with handover operations to manage link ownership.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional packet protocols with headers and length indicators are used, then packet structure and destination addressing are provided, but encapsulation overhead increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes traditional packet headers, length indicators, and destination address fields from the communication protocol. By eliminating these overhead elements, the protocol achieves higher throughput while maintaining essential packet structure through alternative means such as delimiter characters and contextual interpretation at the receiving end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple delimiter characters (such as SOH and EOH) instead of complex header structures. These delimiters are minimal, easily transmittable objects that serve their purpose of marking packet boundaries without the overhead of traditional headers, effectively acting as disposable markers that are quickly processed and discarded.
2Productivity
If protocols are designed for specific physical links with known bandwidth, then optimization for that link is achieved, but adaptability to different physical interfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal packet protocol that can operate across multiple physical interfaces without requiring link-specific optimizations. The protocol uses abstracted concepts such as logical packets delimited by characters rather than physical layer dependencies, enabling the same protocol to function over serial links, parallel buses, or other communication media with varying bandwidth characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adaptability to different physical links by allowing dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters such as packet size, baud rate, and timing characteristics while maintaining the same logical protocol structure. The protocol can adapt its operational parameters to match the capabilities of the underlying physical interface without changing its fundamental packet structure or communication logic.
3Loss of information
If sideband channels are used to provide segmentation indications, then data segmentation information is available, but resource requirements and protocol complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the segmentation information directly into the main data stream by using special delimiter characters (SOH, EOH) that are embedded within the data flow itself. This eliminates the need for separate sideband channels or parallel control lines, as the segmentation markers travel along with the data on the same communication medium, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces delimiter characters as intermediary elements that mediate between the raw data stream and the packet structure requirements. These delimiters act as markers that indicate packet boundaries and segmentation points without requiring additional control channels, effectively translating the continuous data stream into structured packets through the insertion of these intermediary marker characters.
4Reliability
If physical resources are allocated for acknowledgement messages and retransmission requests, then reliable communication is achieved, but available bandwidth for data transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a partial acknowledgment mechanism where not every packet requires a full acknowledgment message. Instead, the protocol uses selective acknowledgment based on packet importance, error detection results, and flow control conditions. This partial action approach maintains reliability for critical data while reducing the overhead of acknowledgment traffic, thereby preserving more bandwidth for actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device configured to communicate according to a data protocol in which data is carried in packets over a serial data link and the communication device is arranged: to form packets for transmission over the link in such a way that every packet commences with a first bit value; and between transmitting successive packets to continuously transmit a second bit value opposite to the first bit value over the link.