Packet Delivery Time Synchronization in Distributed Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud-based computing platforms, maintaining constant physical and network communication distance between servers is impractical, leading to communication latency variations and unfair access to time-sensitive data, such as price data, among users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a source-configured delivery time mandate for packets by including a delivery time field in packet headers, allowing destination servers to synchronize and buffer data until the specified delivery time, ensuring simultaneous or near-simultaneous delivery of time-sensitive information to all users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dedicated servers are deployed at precise physical and network communication distance, then simultaneous data delivery to all users is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data delivery control from physical network distance to software-based timing parameters. By introducing a delivery time field in packet headers and using buffer management with configurable delay thresholds, the system achieves simultaneous delivery without requiring precise physical server placement, thereby reducing deployment complexity while maintaining delivery simultaneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of fixed server deployment at precise distances with a software-based buffer and timing mechanism. Instead of controlling physical network infrastructure to ensure simultaneous delivery, the system uses packet buffering with delivery time fields and software-controlled release mechanisms, substituting physical constraints with software logic.
2Productivity
If packets are transmitted immediately upon generation, then productivity is improved, but loss of time fairness among users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and embedding the delivery time field in packet headers before transmission. The system determines the optimal delivery time in advance based on network conditions and user subscriptions, then buffers packets until that predetermined time is reached. This ensures all users receive data simultaneously according to pre-planned timing, maintaining fairness while enabling efficient transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a buffer as an intermediary between packet generation and delivery. The buffer acts as a mediator that temporarily holds packets containing time-sensitive data, allowing the system to balance immediate transmission needs with fairness requirements. The buffer releases packets at controlled times based on delivery time fields, ensuring simultaneous delivery to all users without sacrificing overall transmission efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If buffer delay threshold is set high, then data delivery simultaneity is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the buffer delay threshold adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the delay threshold based on network conditions, data type, and user subscription levels. This allows optimization of the balance between delivery simultaneity and time loss for different scenarios, enabling the system to maintain synchronization precision while minimizing unnecessary delays through adaptive parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques of time-sensitive data delivery in distributed computing systems are disclosed herein. In one example, a server can disseminate the same information to multiple endpoints in a distributed computing system by transmitting multiple packets to the multiple endpoints hosted on additional servers in the distributed computing system. The multiple packets individually include a header field containing a delivery time before which the packets are not forwarded to corresponding final destinations and a payload containing data representing copies of information identical to one another destined to the multiple endpoints hosted on the additional servers.