Unified Send Queue for Low-Latency Small Packet Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication technologies face challenges in achieving low-latency and high-bandwidth transmission, particularly for small data packets, due to significant overhead time in network operations, which affects network performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The intermixing of Bulk Data Send (BDS) and Direct Packet Push (DPP) techniques allows for flexible and efficient transmission of both small and large data packets by utilizing the same send queue, with BDS minimizing overhead for large packets and DPP reducing latency for small packets, thereby optimizing network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If Bulk Data Send (BDS) is used for data transmission, then bandwidth efficiency is improved for large packets, but latency increases for small packets due to overhead time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between BDS and DPP transmission methods based on packet size characteristics. Small packets utilize DPP for low latency, while large packets use BDS for high bandwidth efficiency, making the transmission approach adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (method selection) based on the data packet size parameter. By monitoring packet size, the system switches between two transmission modes: BDS for large packets and DPP for small packets, optimizing performance for each case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If Direct Packet Push (DPP) is used for data transmission, then latency is reduced for small packets, but bandwidth efficiency decreases for large packets

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmission method based on real-time packet size conditions. When small packets are detected, DPP is activated for low latency; when large packets are detected, the system switches to BDS for better bandwidth utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission approach parameter is changed based on packet size. The system transitions from DPP to BDS or vice versa depending on whether the current packet is small or large, optimizing the balance between latency and bandwidth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate queues are used for BDS and DPP operations, then operation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation flexibilityVSAvoidqueue management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges BDS and DPP operations into a single unified send queue. The networking device reads from this single queue and determines whether to execute BDS or DPP based on the specific packet characteristics, eliminating the need for separate queues while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single send queue is designed to handle both BDS and DPP operations universally. The queue structure and management logic are made multi-functional to support different transmission methods without requiring separate dedicated queues for each operation type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2779543B1Direct push operations and gather operations
Publication Date: 2015.12.23 EMULEX CORP
  • EP2779543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2779543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2779543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When interfacing with a host, a networking device can handle a first data like Bulk Data Send. In response to a first doorbell ring, the networking device can read a first queue entry from a send queue in the host. Based on the first queue entry, the networking device can read the first data from a first memory in the host and then output the read first data. The networking device can also handle a second data like Direct Packet Push. The networking device can store a second data received from the host. In response to a second doorbell ring, the networking device can output the second data. The first data and the second data can be associated with first and second queue entries, both on the same send queue in the host. High-throughput and low-latency can be achieved. Small and large data packets can be accommodated.