TCP Selective Acknowledgment Mechanism for Throughput Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing TCP/IP based data communication mechanisms face delays due to the reliance on cumulative acknowledgments, which can lead to inefficiencies in data transfer and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves modifying the acknowledgement mechanism in TCP to allow for the sending of acknowledgments based on the sequence number of the next data byte expected, regardless of whether all previous data bytes have been received, thereby reducing the number of data transmission steps and potentially increasing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cumulative acknowledgments are used in TCP, then reliability of data transmission is ensured, but transmission delay increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cumulative acknowledgment mechanism into selective acknowledgments, allowing the receiver to acknowledge only specific received segments rather than waiting for cumulative acknowledgment of all segments. This segmentation enables parallel processing of acknowledgment operations and reduces the waiting time for transmission completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary acknowledgment actions by allowing the receiver to send acknowledgment packets for received segments before the sender completes transmitting all segments. This preliminary acknowledgment enables the sender to continue transmission without waiting for cumulative acknowledgment, thereby reducing overall transmission delay while maintaining reliability through selective acknowledgment of received segments.
2Reliability
If cumulative acknowledgments are used in TCP, then data reliability is maintained, but data transmission throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cumulative acknowledgment process into selective acknowledgments for individual segments, allowing multiple segments to be acknowledged in parallel. This segmentation increases the number of simultaneous transmission operations and improves throughput while maintaining reliability through selective acknowledgment of received segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the sender to transmit segments without waiting for cumulative acknowledgment completion. The receiver continuously acknowledges received segments, and the sender continuously transmits new segments, maintaining continuous productive operation rather than alternating between transmission and waiting periods.
3Speed
If modified acknowledgment mechanism is implemented, then transmission speed is increased, but system reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiver sends selective acknowledgment packets to the sender, providing continuous feedback about which segments have been successfully received. This feedback loop enables the sender to adjust transmission based on actual reception status, maintaining reliability while achieving higher transmission speeds through parallel acknowledgment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods which increase the throughput of a TCP-based communication between a first network node and a second network node. First, the first network node sent a first plurality of TCP segments to the second network node. Second, when the second network node receives a second plurality of TCP segments, which is all or part of the first plurality of the TCP segments, the second network node responds by sending one or more TCP acknowledgements to the first network node with the last sequence number of a last segment among all TCP segment within the second plurality of TCP segments. The present disclosure are able to increase the throughput of a TCP connection while decreasing its reliability.