Embedding network measurements within multiplexing session layers

A method implemented in an electronic device communicating with a server over a network, the network comprising an intermediate device that engages in network topology manipulation or packet manipulation, the method comprising:

• accessing a timing flow associated with a timing protocol, the timing flow transmitted through a multiplexing protocol by which the electronic device is connected to the server in a manner that ignores the network topology manipulation or packet manipulation of the intermediate device, wherein the multiplexing protocol is a transport-layer or session-layer protocol;
• transmitting one or more timing packets over the timing flow;
• measuring inter-arrival times of the one or more timing packets and one or more response packets from the server;
• calculating an end-to-end network latency based on the measured inter-arrival times;
• and
• controlling, responsive to a determination that the calculated end-to-end network latency is within a predetermined range, an application transmitting one or more additional flows over the multiplexed end-to-end connection, wherein controlling the application comprises lowering a data resolution when the determined latency is above a predetermined threshold.

A system comprising:

• a non-transitory computer-readable medium holding instructions;
• and
• a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
• initiate a connection to a server using a multiplexing protocol, the multiplexing protocol providing an end-to-end connection with the server, wherein the multiplexing protocol is a transport-layer or session-layer protocol;
• initiate a timing flow over the multiplexing protocol, the timing flow associated with a timing protocol;
• send network traffic over the multiplexed end-to-end connection over a period time, the network traffic including packets for the timing flow and packets for one or more additional flows, wherein at least one flow in the one or more additional flows is for an application, the end-to-end connection to the server being maintained for the duration of the period of time;
• calculate an end-to-end network latency over the period of time based on acknowledgements to the network packets received from the server;
• and
• control the application responsive to a determination that the calculated end-to-end network latency is within a predetermined range, wherein controlling the application comprises lowering a data resolution when the determined latency is above a predetermined threshold.