Dynamically delayed acknowledgement transmission system

A computer program product for data communications in an asymmetric network connection according to a communications protocol, including:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for causing data communications wherein a receiver transmits acknowledgments for acknowledging data packets transmitted by a sender, said computer program product having:
• computer readable program code means for measuring the interval between the transmission of data from one of said receiver and sender and the reception of a response thereto by said one of said receiver and sender;
• computer readable program code means for determining a window size indicative of the maximum number of said data packets transmittable by said sender for a duration absent any reception of said acknowledgment packets by said sender for said duration in accordance with said communications protocol, wherein said window size is determined using said measured interval;
• and
• computer readable program code means for regulating the frequency of transmission of said acknowledgment packets from said receiver, said regulation dependent on said determined window size;
• wherein
• said computer readable program code means for measuring includes means for measuring said interval periodically;
• said computer readable program code means for determining further includes means for counting the number of data packets arriving at said receiver for the duration of the last said measured interval and assigning said count to said window size;
• and
• said means for counting further includes means for analyzing the arrival pattern of said data packets wherein said arrival pattern is indicative of the congestion condition of said asymmetric network connection;
• and further including computer readable program code means for computing the number of said data packets receivable by said receiver whereupon the transmission of an acknowledgment packet therefor is conditional, wherein said number is represented by a variable known as PPA.

A communications system in an asymmetric network connection according to a communications protocol wherein a receiver transmits acknowledgment packets for acknowledging data packets transmitted by a sender, said communications system including:

• a timer for measuring the interval between the transmission of data from one of said receiver and sender and the reception of a response thereto by said one of said receiver and sender;
• a counter for determining a window size indicative of the maximum number of said data packets transmittable by said sender for a duration absent any reception of said acknowledgment packets by said sender for said duration in accordance with said communications protocol, wherein said window size is determined using said measured interval;
• and
• a generator for regulating the frequency of transmission of said acknowledgment packets from said receiver, said regulation dependent on said determined window size;
• wherein
• said timer further measures said interval periodically;
• said counter further counts the number of data packets arriving at said receiver for the duration of the last said measured interval and assigning said count to said window size;
• and
• said counter further analyzes the arrival pattern of said data packets wherein said arrival pattern is indicative of the congestion condition of said asymmetric network connection;
• and further including
• a computation means for computing the number of said data packets receivable by said receiver whereupon the transmission of an acknowledgment packet therefor is conditional, wherein said number is represented by a variable known as PPA.