TCP Rate Model Adjusts Sending Window for Network Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional TCP protocols struggle with dynamic adjustment of sending window sizes in high bandwidth-delay networks, leading to inefficient data transmission due to fixed congestion control mechanisms that do not adapt to varying network conditions.

Innovation Solution

A data transmission method that determines a sending rate based on network performance objectives and current network status using a deep reinforcement learning-based rate model, which adjusts the sending rate dynamically to meet specific network requirements, such as goodput, delay, and packet loss rate, thereby optimizing data transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed congestion control mechanism is used in conventional TCP protocol, then the protocol is simple to implement, but the sending window size cannot be dynamically adjusted to varying network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sending window size adjustable and adaptive to changing network conditions. The rate model dynamically modifies transmission parameters based on real-time network status feedback, transforming the static TCP congestion control into a dynamic system that can respond to varying bandwidth and delay characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the rate model continuously monitors network performance indicators (such as bandwidth utilization, delay, and packet loss) and uses this feedback to adjust the sending window size. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to network conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through structured feedback processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If conventional TCP congestion control algorithms are used, then the implementation is straightforward, but the startup time is slow due to the conservative congestion avoidance mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestartup timeVSAvoidcongestion avoidance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing rate models that can quickly adapt to network conditions during the startup phase. Instead of beginning with conservative window sizes and slowly increasing them, the system uses pre-configured rate models to make informed transmission rate decisions from the outset, significantly reducing startup time while maintaining congestion avoidance through continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission parameters (sending window size, rate limits) based on observed network conditions. The rate model modifies these parameters in real-time, allowing the system to achieve fast startup by aggressively increasing transmission rates when network conditions permit, while still maintaining reliability through feedback-driven parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a fixed sending window size is maintained, then the protocol is easy to manage, but the throughput cannot be optimized for high bandwidth networks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidmanagement simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the rate model to automatically adjust sending window sizes based on network conditions without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own performance metrics and autonomously modifies transmission parameters to optimize throughput, maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making while achieving high productivity in bandwidth-rich environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3780542B1Data transmission method and device
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3780542B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780542B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780542B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a data transmission method and apparatus. The method includes: determining a first sending rate based on a network performance objective of first data and a network status of a first transmission control protocol (transmission control protocol, TCP) connection of a transport layer protocol, where the first TCP connection is used to send the first data; and sending the first data based on the first sending rate. The network performance objective is set, so that an output of a decision not only depends on the network status, but also depends on the network performance objective. In this way, network congestion control is more flexible, and TCP-based data transmission efficiency is improved.