System for improving data throughput of a TCP/IP Network connection with slow return channel

摘要

A data transmission control arrangement for an asymmetric communication system having a fast downstream link enabling communication of information packets from a service provider to one or more subscriber terminal connected through a common network terminal, and a slow upstream link including transmitting packets from a subscriber terminal through the network terminal to the service provider, the data transmission control arrangement including a classifier device for classifying information packets received by the network terminal for transmission over the upstream link, the information including data packets and acknowledgement packets; a control device for establishing one or more upstream link connection queues in the network terminal in accordance with the classification of the information packet to be transmitted, the upstream connection queues including one or more data queues for transmitting data information and ACK queues for transmitting ACK packets in response to data packets communicated over the downstream link, the control device enabling a later received ACK packet to replace one previously received ACK packets stored in a particular upstream link connection queue; and, a scheduler for servicing each of the upstream connection queues and transmitting packets from the upstream link connection queues to the service provider in accordance with transmission parameters of both upstream and downstream links.