An improved method for constructing multiphase communications protocols

摘要

An extension to an existing method for building multiphase protocols is presented. One of the limitations of the former method is a stringent restriction on the validity of phases. Consequently, the protocols built by this method must run in a noiseless environment or rely on other protocols for reliable transport. Another restriction is a rigid requirement on the selection of the points that connect different phases. The presented method either minimizes or eliminates the above restrictions. It enables a multiphase protocol to deal with message corruption and loss, and provides a less restrictive way for phase connection. It also maintains the advantages of the existing method in allowing a multiphase protocol to be constructed in an easy and modular way.