Method, apparatus and system for improving packet throughput based on classification of packet loss in data transmissions

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for managing loss of packets in data transmissions is provided. In a method embodiment, selective acknowledgements are received at a sending computer from a receiving computer. The sending computer is configured to analyze patterns in the selective acknowledgements and infer a type of packet loss. As a result of the inference, the packet delivery strategy from the sending computer can be adjusted.

1 . A method for improving packet throughput comprising:
 receiving, at a mobile device, selective acknowledgements, said selective acknowledgements responsive to packets sent from said mobile device according to a delivery strategy;   determining from said selective acknowledgements whether any of said packets were lost;   if said selective acknowledgements indicate none of said packets were lost, maintaining said delivery strategy;   if said selective acknowledgements indicate packets were lost, determining if any of said lost packets were clustered by determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period;   if said lost packets were clustered, adjusting said delivery strategy using a first factor to accommodate a first type of packet loss;   if said lost packets were not clustered, adjusting said delivery strategy using a second factor to accommodate a second type of packet loss.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first type of packet loss is loss due to congestion on said link, and wherein said second type of packet loss is loss due to transmission errors. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said first factor comprises reducing a data transmission rate by a first amount and said second factor comprises reducing said data transmission rate by a second amount; said second amount being less than said first amount. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said second amount is zero. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second number of packets are sent consecutively within the period of time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first number is at least two, and wherein the second number is greater than the first number. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if any of said lost packets were clustered comprises determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period, or whether at least a third number of packets were lost out of a fourth number of packets sent within another predefined time period. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third number is greater than the first number, and wherein the fourth number is greater than the second number, and wherein the another predefined time period is greater than the predefined time period. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile device comprising:
 an interface connected to a network configured to receive selective acknowledgements, said selective acknowledgements responsive to packets sent from said mobile device via said interface according to a delivery strategy;   a processor connected to said interface and configured to maintain said delivery strategy; said processor further configured to determine from said selective acknowledgements whether any of said packets were lost;   said processor further configured to maintain said delivery strategy if said selective acknowledgements indicate none of said packets were lost,   said processor further configured, if said selective acknowledgements indicate packets were lost, to determine whether any of said lost packets were clustered by determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period;   said processor configured to adjust said delivery strategy using a first factor to accommodate a first type of packet loss if said lost packets were clustered;   said processor further configured to adjust said delivery strategy using a second factor if said lost packets were not clustered in order to accommodate a second type of packet loss.   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein the mobile device is one of a portable electronic device and a server. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the second number of packets are sent consecutively within the period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein said first type of packet loss is loss due to congestion on said link, and wherein said second type of packet loss is loss due to transmission errors. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 12  wherein said first factor comprises reducing a data transmission rate by a first amount and said second factor comprises reducing said data transmission rate by a second amount; said second amount being less than said first amount. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 13  wherein said second amount is zero. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the first number is at least two, and wherein the second number is greater than the first number. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device of  claim 9  wherein determining if any of said lost packets were clustered comprises determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period, or whether at least a third number of packets were lost out of a fourth number of packets sent within another predefined time period. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the third number is greater than the first number, and wherein the fourth number is greater than the second number, and wherein the another predefined time period is greater than the predefined time period. 
     
     
         18 . A system comprising:
 a mobile device connectable to a link;   a server connectable to said mobile device via said link;   said mobile device configured to receive selective acknowledgements from said server; said selective acknowledgements responsive to packets sent from said mobile device to said server according to a delivery strategy;   said mobile device configured to maintain said delivery strategy; said mobile device further configured to determine from said selective acknowledgements whether any of said packets were lost;   said mobile device further configured to maintain said delivery strategy if said selective acknowledgements indicate none of said packets were lost,   said mobile device further configured, if said selective acknowledgements indicate packets were lost, to determine whether any of said lost packets where clustered by determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period;   said mobile device configured to adjust said delivery strategy using a first factor to accommodate a first type of packet loss if said lost packets were clustered;   said mobile device further configured to adjust said delivery strategy using a second factor if said lost packets were not clustered in order to accommodate a second type of packet loss.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of said link is wireless. 
     
     
         20 . A computer readable storage device containing programming instructions executable on a processor of a mobile device; said programming instructions comprising the method of:
 receiving, at the mobile device, selective acknowledgements, said selective acknowledgements responsive to packets sent from said mobile device according to a delivery strategy;   determining from said selective acknowledgements whether any of said packets were lost;   if said selective acknowledgements indicate none of said packets were lost, maintaining said delivery strategy;   if said selective acknowledgements indicate packets were lost, determining if any of said lost packets were clustered by determining whether at least a first number of packets were lost out of a second number of packets sent within a predefined time period;   if said lost packets were clustered, adjusting said delivery strategy using a first factor to accommodate a first type of packet loss;   if said lost packets were not clustered, adjusting said delivery strategy using a second factor to accommodate a second type of packet loss.