TCP Delayed ACK Triggering for Low-Throughput IoT Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing TCP acknowledgment-based protocols result in prolonged ACK response times, particularly in low throughput devices, leading to inefficient power consumption and reduced battery life in IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a delayed ACK protocol where the sending node triggers the receiving node to send an ACK packet by sending a dummy or duplicate packet, or splitting a data packet, to achieve an even number of packets, thereby reducing the ACK response time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a delayed ACK protocol is used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but ACK response time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidACK response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by sending a dummy or duplicate packet in advance to trigger the receiving node to send an ACK packet before the transmission buffer becomes full. This proactive triggering prevents the need to wait for the delayed ACK timeout period, thus reducing ACK response time while maintaining power efficiency benefits of the delayed ACK protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a dummy or duplicate packet as an intermediary element to mediate between the sending node and the receiving node. This intermediary packet triggers the ACK response without requiring additional data transmission, effectively bridging the gap between power-saving delayed ACK operation and timely ACK receipt.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the transmission buffer becomes full waiting for ACK, then data transmission reliability is improved, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively triggering the ACK packet before the transmission buffer becomes full. By sending a dummy or duplicate packet to elicit an early ACK response, the sending node prevents buffer saturation and maintains continuous data flow, thus preserving both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If standard TCP acknowledgment protocol is used, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by triggering the ACK packet in advance before the delayed ACK timeout period expires. This allows the sending node to maintain reliable TCP acknowledgment while avoiding prolonged waiting periods that would extend radio activation time and increase power consumption in low throughput devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260074864A1TCP power optimization protocol for connected and low throughput devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A method includes determining to send a data packet from a first transceiver to a second transceiver, the data packet configured according to a TCP, determining, at the first transceiver, to trigger the second transceiver to send an ACK packet according to a delayed ACK protocol, sending, from the first transceiver, the data packet with an additional packet responsive to determining the triggering of the ACK packet, and receiving, at the first transceiver, the ACK packet from the second transceiver responsive to the additional packet.