Side-Channel FEC Packets for Long-Haul IP Packet Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-haul TCP/IP links are susceptible to packet loss and delay, leading to reduced data transmission throughput, and existing error correction techniques require higher bandwidth and inflexible algorithms that must be implemented on both sender and receiver.
Innovation Solution
A method for error correction that generates a correction packet with XOR information, transmitted separately from data packets, allowing for rebuilding lost packets and adaptable to connection conditions, enabling flexible error correction without requiring identical algorithms on all devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If forward error correction (FEC) is used to correct packet loss in long-haul TCP/IP links, then packet loss is reduced, but bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the error correction function from the main data transmission channel by using a separate side-channel for transmitting correction packets. This separation allows the primary data channel to operate at full bandwidth while the side-channel carries only the essential correction information, significantly reducing the bandwidth overhead associated with traditional FEC methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of error correction transmission by switching from simultaneous transmission (where correction data shares the channel with data packets) to sequential transmission (where correction packets are sent separately after the data packets). This parameter change reduces bandwidth requirements while maintaining correction effectiveness.
2Reliability
If retransmission is used to handle packet loss in long-haul networks, then data integrity is maintained, but latency increases due to long roundtrip times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and preparing correction packets before data transmission completes. The correction packets are generated based on the data packets being transmitted, so when packet loss occurs, the correction is already available and can be applied immediately without waiting for retransmission roundtrips, thus reducing latency while maintaining data integrity.
3Reliability
If dynamic window adjustment algorithms are used to manage TCP transmission, then congestion control is improved, but sending rate decreases due to conservative window sizing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary side-channel that carries correction packets separately from the main data channel. This intermediary allows the TCP window adjustment algorithms to operate conservatively for congestion control while the side-channel efficiently delivers correction information, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly impacting the sending rate on the primary channel.
4Reliability
If identical FEC algorithms are implemented on both sender and receiver, then error correction consistency is achieved, but system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by making the receiver autonomous in the error correction process. The receiver independently generates the same correction packets that the sender transmits, using the same algorithms and data. This self-service capability ensures correction consistency while allowing the system to use simpler or more flexible algorithms on the receiver side, as the receiver essentially performs the correction function independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for error correction processing includes methods, software and/or devices for generating and using correction packets that may provide for the rebuilding of a lost data packet or other information packet. A correction packet may be generated at a transmitting device that corresponds to a plurality of packets transmitted to a destination device. The correction packet may be transmitted to the destination device separately from the transmitting of the plurality of packets. The correction packet may be received at the destination device, and a determination may be made as to whether at least one of the plurality of packets transmitted to the destination device is a lost packet that has not been received at the destination device. If the lost packet of the plurality of packets is determined, the lost packet may be rebuilt using the correction packet.