RLNC Encoding for Network Throughput and Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The TCP/IP protocol lacks intelligence to effectively manage network congestion, leading to inefficient data transmission as it halves transmission speed when packet loss is detected, and does not have mechanisms to address packet loss issues beyond slow start algorithms.
Innovation Solution
The use of Random Linear Network Coding (RLNC) in combination with tunneling or proxy systems, where data packets are encoded and sent using UDP, allowing for packet reconstruction at the destination and reducing the need for retransmissions, while also employing split proxies to manage congestion and acknowledge packet receipt independently of the client's TCP slow start mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP/IP protocol is used for data transmission, then reliability is maintained through packet acknowledgment and retransmission, but network throughput decreases due to transmission speed halving when packet loss is detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encoding layer that transforms original data packets into coded packets using Random Linear Network Coding (RLNC) before transmission. This intermediary transformation allows the system to achieve both reliability and high throughput by enabling efficient packet reconstruction at the receiver without requiring traditional TCP retransmission mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of packet transmission from sequential acknowledgment-based (TCP) to coded packet-based (RLNC). By transforming the transmission paradigm from reliable delivery through retransmission to reliable delivery through coded reconstruction, the system achieves improved network throughput while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If TCP slow start algorithm is used to manage transmission speed, then network congestion is avoided, but transmission efficiency decreases due to slow recovery from packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach to congestion management. Instead of slowing down transmission when packet loss occurs (TCP slow start), the system maintains high transmission rates using RLNC-coded packets that can be efficiently reconstructed at the receiver, thereby improving transmission efficiency while still managing network congestion through the inherent robustness of coded transmission.
3Reliability
If traditional TCP/IP retransmission mechanism is used, then packet loss is addressed, but network latency increases due to retransmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coding data packets using Random Linear Network Coding before transmission. This preliminary transformation ensures that even if packets are lost during transmission, the receiver can efficiently reconstruct the original data using the coded packets already in transit, thereby reducing network latency compared to traditional retransmission mechanisms that wait for acknowledgment and retransmit.
Data Source
AI summary
A technology is provided for improving computer network throughput. Data located in memory of a processing device may be identified. The data packets located in the memory may be sent through a tunneling interface to encapsulate the data packets using a tunneling protocol on a first computing device. Alternatively, the data packets can be sent through a split proxy interface system. The data packets received in the interface may also be encoded using random linear network coding (RLNC) to form encoded packets, using a processor. Further, the encoded packets may be sent across a packet network to a second computing device.