TCP/IP FIN Message Buffering for Wireless Spectral Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiencies in wireless networks due to the use of the TCP/IP suite, which was designed for wire-line and optical networks, lead to increased network traffic and reduced spectral efficiency from the ad hoc transmission of overhead messages like FIN packets, affecting user experience and network capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to delay the transmission of low-value data packets, such as FIN messages, until an air-link connection is established for higher-value communication, and buffering these packets to reduce the number of ad hoc transmissions, thereby improving spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TCP/IP overhead messages (e.g., FIN packets) are transmitted immediately upon generation, then communication protocol compliance is maintained, but network congestion increases and spectral efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary buffering of TCP/IP overhead messages before transmission. When a FIN packet is generated, instead of immediate transmission, it is stored in a buffer and transmitted only when the buffer reaches a threshold level or when an air interface connection is already established, thereby reducing unnecessary connection setups and improving spectral efficiency while maintaining protocol compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple low-value overhead messages into a single transmission event. By buffering FIN packets and other overhead messages until a threshold is reached or an air interface connection exists, multiple messages are combined and transmitted together, reducing the number of ad hoc connections and improving network productivity
2Reliability
If air-link connections are established for every low-value message transmission, then message delivery reliability is improved, but network congestion increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes air-link connections in advance for high-value data transmissions and buffers low-value overhead messages for later transmission during these established connections. This preliminary connection establishment eliminates the need for separate connection setups for each overhead message, maintaining reliable delivery while preserving network capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system keeps air-link connections active longer by reusing them for multiple transmissions. Instead of closing connections after each FIN packet transmission, the system maintains connections open to transmit buffered overhead messages, ensuring continuous useful action and reducing connection establishment overhead
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Some implementations of the present invention provide mechanisms for gating the transmission of FIN and other short overhead messages of the like in order to improve spectral efficiency. In some implementations spectral efficiency is improved by reducing the number of air-link connections established to merely transmit FIN and other short overhead messages of the like. In one implementation FIN messages are buffered in a queue and transmitted when an air-link connection is established to transmit higher value messages. In one implementation FIN messages are buffered and transmitted when the contents of the buffer breach a threshold that justifies the establishment of an air-link connection to transmit the contents of the buffer.