Packet Control Header for Low-Overhead Link Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interfaces between link layer and physical layer devices in DSL transceivers, such as ITU-T G.999.1, incur overhead due to additional tags, Ethernet encapsulation headers, and pause frames, which increase complexity and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that transfers identification, priority, and data flow control information without overhead by using a packet control header (PCH) to replace preambles and Ethernet headers, allowing for bit-level synchronization and QoS control, eliminating the need for separate identification tags and pause frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional tags, Ethernet encapsulation headers, and pause frames are added to carry identification and data flow control information, then data flow control and identification are improved, but interface overhead increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification tag, Ethernet encapsulation header, and pause frame into a single integrated packet control header (PCH). This consolidation eliminates redundant structures while preserving all necessary functions for identification and data flow control, directly reducing interface complexity without sacrificing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The packet control header is designed as a multi-functional structure that simultaneously performs identification, priority marking, and data flow control operations. By making the PCH universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities
2Reliability
If additional tags, Ethernet encapsulation headers, and pause frames are added to carry identification and data flow control information, then data flow control and identification are improved, but interface overhead increases and data transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple separate overhead structures into a single packet control header, the patent reduces the total amount of overhead bytes transmitted. This minimization of overhead directly improves data transfer efficiency by increasing the proportion of useful data to total transmitted data, while the integrated PCH maintains all necessary flow control functionality
3Reliability
If separate identification tags and pause frames are used, then identification and data flow control are achieved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate implementation components (identification tags, Ethernet headers, pause frames) into a single packet control header processing unit. This merging simplifies the manufacturing and implementation process by reducing the number of separate processing steps and hardware components required, while maintaining comprehensive identification and flow control capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for communicating with a link partner device. The device may include a fragmentation unit configured to fragment a packet into multiple fragments if a size of the packet is greater than a maximum fragment size, a packet control header unit configured to generate a packet control header for a packet or each fragment of the packet, and a transceiver configured to send the packet or the fragments of the packet with the packet control header via a connection between the device and the link partner device. The packet control header may include a data flow control field for congestion control between the device and the link partner device, the data flow control field including a configuration parameter indicative of a flow control capability being supported by the device.