TCP Packet Bundling for Uplink Speed in Mixed Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently transmitting TCP data packets, particularly for services requiring fast uplink connections, as the existing TCP protocol's slow start mechanism and frequent ACK/NACK messages lead to inefficiencies, especially in mixed technology networks like wireless and cable sub-networks, making it costly and time-consuming to upgrade infrastructure to meet high network capacity demands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that suppresses the TCP feedback mechanism by sending ACK/NACK messages only for entire sets of uplink packets instead of individual packets, dynamically adjusting the verification frequency based on traffic type and congestion, and optimizing buffer management in cable modem termination systems and wireless base stations to enhance transmission speed without requiring additional network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the TCP slow start mechanism is used to ensure reliable data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but transmission speed deteriorates due to frequent ACK/NACK messages and incremental data sending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple TCP data packets into a single bundled transmission unit. Instead of sending individual packets and waiting for separate ACK/NACK responses for each, the system bundles multiple packets together and transmits them as one unit, receiving a single acknowledgment. This merging approach maintains reliability through proper acknowledgment mechanisms while dramatically improving transmission speed by eliminating the sequential wait-time associated with individual packet acknowledgments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary buffering of data packets before transmission. Data packets are prepared and staged in buffers in advance, allowing the system to quickly transmit bundled packets without requiring real-time generation or processing of each individual packet during the critical transmission phase. This preliminary preparation reduces transmission latency while maintaining data integrity.
2Productivity
If infrastructure is upgraded to increase network capacity for fast uplink connections, then network capacity is improved, but cost and implementation time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes operational parameters of the existing TCP protocol implementation rather than upgrading physical infrastructure. By modifying how data is bundled, buffered, and transmitted at the protocol layer, the system achieves increased network capacity and faster uplink connections without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or additional network infrastructure deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a virtualization approach where multiple logical data streams are copied and managed through buffer structures rather than requiring separate physical transmission paths. This allows the system to handle increased network capacity demands through software-based buffer management and packet bundling rather than physical infrastructure multiplication.
3Measurement precision
If individual TCP packets are transmitted with separate ACK/NACK verification, then data transmission accuracy is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to frequent feedback messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual TCP packet transmissions into bundled packet groups, with corresponding acknowledgments merged into single consolidated ACK/NACK messages. This maintains transmission accuracy by still providing verification feedback while improving efficiency by reducing the total number of feedback message exchanges between transmitter and receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective verification where not every single packet within a bundle requires individual acknowledgment. Instead, the system verifies bundled packets as groups, applying partial verification action that maintains sufficient accuracy for reliable transmission while avoiding the excessive feedback overhead of verifying each packet individually.
Data Source
AI summary
The presentation invention relates to methods and apparatus for communicating data in communications networks. An exemplary method in accordance with one embodiment includes the steps of: establishing a first Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) session between a wireless base station and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS); receiving via the first TCP session at the CMTS a first set of TCP data packets from a cable modem located on a communications path between the wireless base station and the CMTS, the first set of TCP data packets having been sent by the wireless base station; and determining, by the CMTS, whether to send an Acknowledgement (ACK) message or a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) message to the wireless base station for the entire first set of TCP data packets based on verifying a subset of TCP data packets of the first set of TCP data packets.