Silent TCP Connection Closure Using Timeout Options

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular networks, delayed FIN/RST packets for closing TCP connections lead to significant energy consumption and performance degradation due to prolonged radio interface activation and signaling overhead, while immediate closure prevents connection reuse.

Innovation Solution

The method involves exchanging timeout information between endpoints to silently close TCP connections using TCP options, eliminating the need for FIN/RST packets and introducing a protection period to manage unsynchronized clocks, allowing for efficient resource management and connection reuse without incurring resource overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If delayed FIN/RST packets are used to close TCP connections, then connection closure reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and radio interface activation time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection closure reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the sender device send a TCP option indicating an expected closure time before the actual connection closure occurs. This allows the recipient device to prepare for and anticipate the closure, enabling it to close the connection at the expected time without waiting for delayed FIN/RST packets, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability through proactive coordination between endpoints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If delayed FIN/RST packets are used to close TCP connections, then connection closure reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection closure reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential closure coordination function from the traditional FIN/RST packet mechanism. Instead of relying on delayed error packets or finish packets to signal closure, the invention extracts the closure timing information and embeds it in TCP options during the data transfer phase, eliminating the need for subsequent FIN/RST signaling and reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining reliable closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If immediate connection closure is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but connection reuse capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidconnection reuse capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the connection closure time flexible and negotiable between sender and recipient devices. Through TCP options, devices can dynamically agree on an expected closure time that balances immediate energy savings with maintaining connection availability for reuse. This dynamic coordination allows the system to adapt closure timing based on actual network conditions and application needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If immediate connection closure is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but performance degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having devices exchange TCP options that convey expected closure timing information during the data transfer phase. This feedback mechanism allows both sender and recipient to coordinate closure at the optimal moment, ensuring that connections are closed promptly to save energy while maintaining performance through informed timing decisions that prevent premature closure before data transmission completes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10805981B2Method and apparatus for closing a transmission control protocol connection for a wireless communications network

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for closing a transmission control protocol connection in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method sends a first transmission control protocol option requesting a use of a silent transmission control protocol closure for the transmission control protocol connection, receives a confirmation from a recipient device that silent transmission control protocol closure is to be used for the transmission control protocol connection, sends a second transmission control protocol option that indicates a connection timeout period for the sender device, receives a connection timeout period for the recipient device, tracks the connection timeout period for the sender device and the connection timeout period for the recipient device, and closes the transmission control protocol connection when one of the connection timeout period for the sender device or the connection timeout period for the recipient device has expired.