Zero Overhead Rate Control via Inter-Packet Gap Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for predicting and managing channel capacity in wireless communication systems are inefficient, leading to underutilization of bandwidth due to slow reaction to short-term changes in channel capacity and inaccurate long-term capacity assessments, resulting in data loss and network congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously or intermittently measures Inter Packet Gap (IPG) variables to adjust data transmission rates in real-time, using long-term and short-term averages to optimize channel utilization and prevent congestion, by integrating a rate control algorithm into communication protocols to dynamically adjust transmission rates based on current channel conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional techniques are used to predict and manage channel capacity, then network stability is maintained, but bandwidth utilization is underutilized due to slow reaction to short-term changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate control by continuously adjusting the transmission rate based on real-time channel conditions. The system transitions from static, pre-determined transmission rates to dynamic rates that adapt to short-term channel capacity changes, thereby improving bandwidth utilization without sacrificing network stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver measures Inter-Packet Gap (IPG) variables and transmits this information back to the sender. The sender uses this feedback to adjust its transmission rate, creating a closed-loop system that reacts quickly to channel changes and optimizes bandwidth utilization in real-time
2Productivity
If transmission rates are increased to maximize bandwidth utilization, then productivity improves, but data loss and network congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver continuously measures IPG variables (IPGmin, IPGavg) and provides feedback to the sender about current channel conditions. This feedback enables the sender to adjust transmission rates dynamically, increasing productivity when channel conditions are good while maintaining reliability when conditions deteriorate, thus avoiding data loss and network congestion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission rate parameter based on measured channel conditions. By adjusting this key parameter in response to IPG measurements, the system maximizes data transmission rate during favorable conditions while reducing the rate to prevent congestion and data loss during poor conditions
3Productivity
If TCP congestion control mechanisms are used, then network stability is maintained, but transmission rates are overly conservative resulting in underutilization of channel capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rate control functionality from the complex end-to-end TCP congestion control mechanism and implements it at the link layer using simple IPG measurements. This separation allows for more aggressive and efficient rate control at the physical transmission level while maintaining simpler overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service rate control where each endpoint independently measures channel conditions and adjusts its own transmission rate based on local IPG measurements. This eliminates the need for complex centralized congestion control algorithms while achieving better channel capacity utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A system and process to adjust the transmission rate of data packets by measuring (continuously or at pre-set intervals) certain elements and variables to reliably measure the current transmission rate and gaps (wasted space) to determine the channel utilization. These measurements are used to adjust the transmission rate of data in real time. The measurement of these variables reliably predicts the optimum transmission rate and can adjust the same to both efficiently transmit data and avert network congestion. A communication processing device comprising one or more processors operable to measure inter-packet gap times to estimate and utilize channel capacity changes during transmission.