Network Traffic Splitting via Sub-Packet Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications systems that split traffic on a per-packet basis are unable to adapt to changing network conditions mid-packet transmission, leading to inefficiencies in latency and potential out-of-order delivery when multiple network paths are available, as they cannot split packets across different physical mediums based on optimal transmission opportunities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a transmitter with a buffer and computing device that generates sub-packets from queued packets, identifies and selects transmission opportunities across multiple network paths, allowing each sub-packet to be sent over the most suitable path regardless of the original packet's transmission medium, thereby optimizing latency and reducing delivery inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If packets are transmitted on a single network path based on initial transmission decisions, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but latency performance deteriorates when network conditions change mid-packet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides packets into multiple sub-packets that can be transmitted independently over different network paths. Each sub-packet can be routed separately based on current network conditions, allowing the system to exploit multiple paths while maintaining manageable transmission control through independent sub-packet handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system dynamically selects network paths for each sub-packet based on real-time network conditions. Instead of committing to a single path for entire packets, the system adapts path selection mid-transmission, enabling latency optimization while using buffer management to handle the dynamic routing complexity.
2Loss of time
If multiple network paths are used for packet transmission, then latency is reduced, but out-of-order delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver provides feedback about received sub-packets to the transmitter, enabling the system to track which sub-packets have been delivered and in what order. This feedback mechanism allows the transmitter to manage out-of-order arrivals and ensure proper reassembly, maintaining reliability while exploiting multiple fast paths for latency reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Sub-packets are pre-numbered and tagged with sequence information before transmission. This preliminary action enables the receiver to correctly reassemble packets even when sub-packets arrive out of order, solving the reliability issue while allowing multiple paths to be used for latency optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packets are split into sub-packets for multi-path transmission, then network adaptability improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer management system performs multiple functions: it stores packets, divides them into sub-packets, manages transmission queues for multiple paths, and handles reassembly. This universal buffer management approach handles the complexity of multi-path transmission through a single integrated mechanism rather than separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages sub-packet creation, path selection, and reassembly without external intervention. The buffer management autonomously handles the complex processing tasks, adapting to network conditions and managing the multi-path transmission workflow self-service style, which reduces the perceived complexity for external systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitter includes a buffer programmed to queue packets and a computing device having a processor and a data storage medium. The computing device is programmed to generate at least two sub-packets from each of the plurality of packets stored in the queue. For each sub-packet, the computing device is programmed to identify a plurality of transmission opportunities. Each transmission opportunity is associated with one of a plurality of networks. The computing device is further programmed to select among the plurality of transmission opportunities and transmit the sub-packet over the network associated with the selected transmission opportunity.