Flow control
OwnerJussi Ruutu, Jian Mainventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data communication node capable of operating under, for example, TCP protocol in two or three of the following modes: a normal mode in which it does not affect communications; an early acknowledgement mode in which it transmits early acknowledgement messages for datagrams that have not yet reached the node; and a fast TCP mode in which it delays the communication of acknowledgement messages to the transmitter.
Claims26
A data communication node for operation in a communication path between a transmitter of datagrams and a receiver of datagrams under a protocol wherein the transmission of datagrams by the transmitter is dependant on it receiving an acknowledgement message for a previously transmitted datagram, the node comprising:
- detection apparatus for detecting communications in the path;
- an acknowledgement generator capable of generating acknowledgement messages for datagrams and transmitting those messages to the transmitter;
- and
- flow interruption apparatus capable of interrupting communications in the path;
- the node being capable of operating in at least two of the following modes:
- a first mode in which it does not interrupt communications in the path;
- a second mode in which it transmits acknowledgement messages for a datagrams succeeding the latest datagram detected at the node;
- and
- a third mode in which it delays the communication of acknowledgement messages to the transmitter.
A data communication node as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a mode determination unit for determining the mode of operation of the node.
A data communication node as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the node is capable of operating in any of the first, second and third modes.
A data communication node as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protocol is a transmission control protocol (TCP).
A data communication node as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protocol provides an operation type in which the transmitter will not transmit a datagram until it has received an acknowledgement message for a datagram transmitted a stored interval previously.
A data communication node as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the communication path is a radio link.
A method for data communication over a communication path between a transmitter of datagrams and a receiver of datagrams under a protocol wherein the transmission of datagrams by the transmitter is dependant on it receiving an acknowledgement message for a previously transmitted datagram, there being a node located in the communication path between the transmitter and the receiver;
- the method comprising:
- the transmitter transmitting datagrams towards the receiver;
- the node detecting the said datagrams;
- and
- the node repeatedly transmitting to the transmitter an acknowledgement message for a datagram succeeding the latest datagram detected at the node.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the communication path is a radio link.
A data communication node substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A method for data communication substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.