TCP Flow Control via ACK Filtering to Prevent Premature Congestion

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communication networks, existing TCP congestion control methods often incorrectly identify congestion due to packet loss, leading to significant reduction in transmission speed, while UDP-based processors cannot verify data correctness, necessitating a control mechanism to prevent premature TCP congestion control.

Innovation Solution

A TCP flow control method and device that utilize an output data buffer and an input ACK filter to differentiate between normal and packet loss scenarios, selectively sending substitute ACK packets to avoid initiating TCP congestion control, thereby maintaining optimal transmission speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TCP congestion control is activated when packet loss occurs, then data transmission reliability is improved, but transmission speed deteriorates significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (ACK packet filtering and substitution system) between the packet loss detection and TCP congestion control activation. This intermediary distinguishes between wireless packet loss and network congestion by analyzing ACK packet patterns, preventing false congestion control activation when packets are lost due to wireless conditions rather than network congestion, thereby maintaining high transmission speed while still ensuring reliability when actual congestion occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for congestion detection from simple packet loss detection to a more sophisticated metric based on ACK packet sequence analysis. By monitoring whether ACK packet numbers increase continuously or repeat, the system transforms the detection parameter to better differentiate between wireless packet loss (repeating ACK numbers) and network congestion (gaps in ACK sequence), resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If TCP congestion control algorithm is used to handle packet loss, then transmission reliability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (ACK packet filtering and substitution system) between the packet loss detection and TCP congestion control activation. This intermediary distinguishes between wireless packet loss and network congestion by analyzing ACK packet patterns, preventing false congestion control activation when packets are lost due to wireless conditions rather than network congestion, thereby maintaining high transmission speed while still ensuring reliability when actual congestion occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for congestion detection from simple packet loss detection to a more sophisticated metric based on ACK packet sequence analysis. By monitoring whether ACK packet numbers increase continuously or repeat, the system transforms the detection parameter to better differentiate between wireless packet loss (repeating ACK numbers) and network congestion (gaps in ACK sequence), resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If UDP-based packet processor is used for data transmission, then transmission speed is maintained, but data correctness verification capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoiddata correctness verification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of both TCP and UDP protocols by combining UDP's high-speed transmission capability with a TCP-like reliability mechanism. The system uses UDP for fast data transmission but incorporates an ACK packet analysis mechanism that provides verification of data correctness by detecting whether data packets were successfully received and acknowledged, thus merging speed with verification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (ACK packet filtering and substitution system) between the packet loss detection and TCP congestion control activation. This intermediary distinguishes between wireless packet loss and network congestion by analyzing ACK packet patterns, preventing false congestion control activation when packets are lost due to wireless conditions rather than network congestion, thereby maintaining high transmission speed while still ensuring reliability when actual congestion occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11956151B2Transmission control protocol flow control method and device for performing the method

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

A transmission control protocol (TCP) flow control method is provided, which comprises: sending a data packet from a packet processor to a receiver and storing a copy of the data packet; receiving a current ACK packet with a current packet number; determining whether the current packet number is identical to a last packet number and whether a last substitute ACK packet generated by the input ACK filter exists; and performing steps respectively corresponding to different results of this determination to avoid TCP congestion control timely. A TCP flow control device performing the method is also disclosed.