Wi-Fi Proxy for Packet Loss Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media streaming systems over Wi-Fi networks face inefficiencies due to packet loss caused by radio frequency interference and signal attenuation, which are misinterpreted by legacy protocols like TCP as congestion, leading to reduced packet transmissions that worsen the issue.

Innovation Solution

A proxy device on a wired local area network receives data requests from client devices on a wireless network, adapting transmissions by increasing packet retransmissions and forward error correction to compensate for irregularities, rather than reducing traffic, thereby improving data delivery reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If legacy TCP protocols reduce packet transmissions to avoid congestion, then network traffic load is reduced, but data delivery reliability deteriorates due to packet loss from RF interference and signal attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork traffic loadVSAvoiddata delivery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a proxy device as an intermediary between the media server and wireless client devices. The proxy receives media content from the server and retransmits it to wireless clients using a customized protocol that compensates for wireless network irregularities. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain reliable data delivery over wireless networks without overwhelming the network with excessive retransmissions, as the proxy can intelligently manage packet retransmission based on actual network conditions rather than blindly following TCP congestion control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If packet retransmissions are increased to compensate for wireless network irregularities, then data delivery reliability improves, but network traffic load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a customized protocol that applies partial retransmission strategies rather than exhaustive retransmission. The proxy device monitors wireless network conditions and applies retransmission and forward error correction only when and where needed to compensate for detected irregularities. This partial action approach maintains data delivery reliability by addressing only the necessary packets affected by wireless interference, rather than uniformly retransmitting all packets, thereby avoiding excessive network traffic load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameters by implementing a customized protocol that dynamically adjusts retransmission rates and forward error correction levels based on wireless network conditions. Instead of using fixed TCP congestion control parameters, the system modifies transmission parameters adaptively - increasing retransmission only when wireless interference is detected and maintaining lower retransmission rates when conditions are good, thus optimizing the balance between reliability and network traffic load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If legacy TCP protocols assume congestion causes packet loss, then congestion control mechanisms are activated, but the root cause of packet loss (RF interference and signal attenuation) is not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion control responseVSAvoidpacket loss compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional assumption about packet loss causes. Instead of assuming packet loss indicates congestion and responding with reduced transmissions, the system assumes packet loss may be caused by wireless-specific issues (RF interference, signal attenuation) and responds with increased retransmission and forward error correction. This inverted approach allows the customized protocol to address the actual root causes of packet loss in wireless networks rather than mistakenly applying wired-network congestion control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the proxy device monitors wireless network conditions and packet delivery status, then adjusts retransmission and error correction strategies accordingly. The system receives feedback about packet loss and network irregularities from wireless clients and the network environment, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust transmission parameters. This closed-loop feedback approach enables the system to respond appropriately to actual wireless conditions rather than relying on incorrect congestion assumptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9787436B2Wi-Fi routing

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Routing on Wi-Fi or similar home networks is improved though the use of a proxy service located on the home network. If wireless networking issues arise, the proxy can adapt delivery of digital content in an intelligent manner. If client communications are becoming increasingly unreliable, for example, the proxy can respond with additional error correction and/or packet retransmissions, in contrast to conventional TCP techniques for responding to network issues. Other corrections and features may be built into the proxy protocol as desired.