Probe Packet Train for Congestion Detection in Data Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data transmission paths between user equipment (UE) and servers, bottlenecks can occur without being detected by either the UE or the server, leading to unclear transmission rate issues and potential congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where a server generates a probe packet train with probe and load packets to detect bottlenecks by measuring time intervals and transmission rates, allowing the UE to adjust its transmission rate accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE and server do not implement active bottleneck detection, then the system complexity is low, but the transmission rate optimization and data transfer efficiency are poor due to undetected congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a probe packet train as an intermediary mechanism to detect bottlenecks. The server generates probe packets that traverse the transmission path, and the UE measures time intervals between received probe packets to infer congestion without implementing complex active detection protocols. This intermediary approach enables bottleneck detection while keeping the UE's detection mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the probe packet train mechanism. The server sends probe packets with timing information, the UE measures reception time intervals and compares them against transmission intervals to detect congestion, then feeds back this congestion information to the server. This feedback loop enables dynamic transmission rate adjustment based on actual path conditions, improving data transfer efficiency without requiring complex end-to-end detection systems.
2Measurement precision
If the UE measures time intervals between probe packets to detect bottlenecks, then the bottleneck detection accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for measurement and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the server pre-generate and send the probe packet train with embedded timing information before actual data transmission. The UE receives these probe packets and performs measurements, so the bottleneck detection is already completed before the main data transfer begins. This eliminates the need for real-time measurement during data transmission, reducing time loss while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Loss of information
If the server generates a probe packet train with detailed timing information, then the information quality for bottleneck detection is improved, but the quantity of data transmitted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential timing information from the probe packet train that is needed for bottleneck detection. The server includes transmission time stamps in probe packets, and the UE extracts the reception time intervals by comparing these stamps with its local clock. This extraction approach provides sufficient information quality for detecting bottlenecks without transmitting excessive data, as only critical timing parameters are included in the probe packets rather than comprehensive network state information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a section where congestion occurs in a data transmission path by a user equipment (UE) comprises receiving a first probe packet, receiving a second probe packet, measuring an interval in time of reception between the first probe packet and the second probe packet, determining whether the measured time interval exceeds a threshold, and determining whether a bottleneck occurs using a result of the determination and information contained in the probe packets, wherein the information contained in the probe packets is information about the time interval between the probe packets and transmission rates of load packets.