Powerline Communication Flow Control Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powerline communication networks face issues with data buffer congestion, leading to frame drops and retransmissions due to the lack of effective flow control mechanisms, which result in inefficient use of network resources and data loss.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic flow control algorithm that determines the current and projected congestion conditions of data buffers in powerline communication networks, using BUSY frames to signal sender nodes to defer transmissions during nearly or fully congested conditions, thereby reducing frame drops and retransmissions by managing the congestion clearing wait time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional single data buffer is used for both transmission data and reception data, then device complexity is reduced, but the buffer becomes full during high frame rate transmission causing frame drops and retransmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single data buffer into separate transmission buffer and reception buffer, allowing independent management of incoming and outgoing data. This segmentation prevents the buffer from becoming full during high frame rate transmission, eliminating frame drops while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured memory allocation.
2Reliability
If flow control is implemented to prevent buffer overflow, then frame transmission reliability is improved, but network productivity decreases due to deferred transmissions during congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements proactive flow control by having the receiver send BUSY frames before the transmission buffer becomes completely full. The sender node defers transmissions for a congestion clearing wait time upon receiving BUSY frames, preventing buffer overflow before it occurs. This preliminary action maintains reliability while minimizing productivity impact by avoiding complete transmission stops.
3Reliability
If the receiver waits for buffer space before transmitting acknowledgment frames, then data buffer congestion is reduced, but the sender node cannot transmit frames timely causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the receiver continuously monitors its data buffer status and sends BUSY frames to the sender node when congestion is detected. This feedback loop allows the sender to adjust its transmission timing dynamically, balancing buffer congestion avoidance with timely frame delivery. The congestion clearing wait time parameter enables the system to recover from delays efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of powerline communications in a powerline communications (PLC) network including a first PLC device and at least a second PLC device. The first PLC device transmits a data frame to the second node over a PLC channel. The second PLC device has a data buffer for storing received information. The second PLC device runs a flow control algorithm which determines a current congestion condition or a projected congestion condition of the data buffer based on at least one congestion parameter. The current congestion condition and projected congestion condition include nearly congested and fully congested. When the current or projected congestion condition is either nearly congested or fully congested, the second PLC device transmits a BUSY including frame over the PLC channel to at least the first PLC device. The first PLC device defers transmitting of any frames to the second PLC device for a congestion clearing wait time.