Method for improving bandwidth performance of a mobile computer network

• US 7,154,859 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2001
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Purpura, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAILE, FEBEN
• Application Number:
  US10/000,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20030076785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,889 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/468, 370/338, 370/395.21, 370/235, 370/389, 370/248
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method for improving data throughput across a local area network (LAN) that is adapted for use onboard an aircraft (mobile LAN) and that may also be connected to at least one wide area network (WAN). To improve data throughput across the computer network, the mobile LAN'"'"'s system software automatically evaluates and modifies, if necessary, the operation parameter settings of a personal computer connected to the mobile LAN. The present invention also discloses a real-time throughput optimization procedure that is comprised of sending a series of sample file types to a predetermined recipient and setting the operational parameter settings on the user'"'"'s PC and the data packet size to a set of values that produce the fastest throughput for the file type associated with the user'"'"'s primary activity.

Claims

1. A method for improving the data throughput across a computer network, which is comprised of a local area network adapted for use onboard a platform and a computing device connected to the local area network, comprising:

determining the operational parameter settings on the computing device by;

(a) sending a series of sample file types from the computing device to a predetermined recipient;

(b) measuring and recording the time it takes for each sample file type to travel from the computing device to the predetermined recipient;

(c) changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to a new value;

(d) repeating operations (a) through (c) for a predetermined number of times; and

(e) determining, based on operation (d), which operational parameter settings for the computing device provide the fastest throughput for a particular sample file type, with the particular sample file type corresponding to a particular type of activity selected by a user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

bypassing the step of changing the operational parameter settings for a given operational parameter when the operational parameter is already set to the value that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to values that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network further comprises:

determining a connection type used to connect the computing device to the local area network onboard the platform; and

using the connection type to determine the operational parameter settings that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining the connection type used to connect the computing device to the local area network onboard the platform further comprises:

having a user of the computing device select the connection type when the computing device has more than one connection type available for use.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

changing a data packet size setting on the computing device to a value that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein changing the data packet size setting on the computing device to a value that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network further comprises:

determining a primary type of activity that a user of the computing will be performing; and

using the primary type of activity to determine the data packet size that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein using the primary type of activity to determine the data packet size that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network further comprises:

setting the data packet size to its maximum value when the user'"'"'s primary type of activity does not require accessing a computer network other than the local area network onboard the platform.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a primary type of activity that a user of the computing device will be performing; and

using the primary type of activity to determine the operational parameter settings that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network.

9. A method for improving the data throughput across a computer network, which is comprised of a local area network adapted for use onboard a mobile platform and a computing device connected to the local area network, comprising:

sending a series of sample file types from the computing device to a predetermined recipient a predetermined number of times, the series of sample types including least one file type selected from a group comprising;

a sample graphics file, a sample text file, and a sample basic data file;

changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to a predetermined set of values each time the series of sample files is sent to the predetermined recipient;

measuring and recording the time it takes for each sample file type to travel from the personal computer to the predetermined recipient; and

changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to a set of values that produce the shortest recorded transfer time for a particular sample file type.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined recipient is not located onboard the mobile platform.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a user of the computing device with the capability to select a primary type of activity they will be performing; and

enabling use of the primary type of activity selected to determine which set of operational parameters produces the shortest recorded transfer time, the primary type of activity corresponding to the particular sample file type.

12. A method for improving the data throughput across a computer network, which is comprised of a local area network adapted for use onboard a mobile platform and a computing device connected to the local area network, comprising:

determining which connection types are present on the computing device;

allowing a user of the computing device the capability to select a primary connection type when more than one connection type is available;

determining the operational parameter settings on the computing device;

using the primary connection type to establish the operational parameter settings that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network and determining the operational parameter settings by;

(a) sending a series of sample file types from the computing device to a predetermined recipient, the sample file types including at least a sample text file, a sample graphics file and a sample basic data file;

(b) measuring and recording the time it takes for each of the sample file types to travel from the computing device to the predetermined recipient;

(c) changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to a new value;

(d) repeating operations (a) through (c) for a predetermined number of times; and

(e) determining, based on operation (d), which operational parameter settings for the computing device provides the fastest throughput for a particular sample file type.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing the user of the computing device with the capability to select a primary type of activity they will be performing;

enabling use of the primary type of activity selected to determine the data packet size that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network; and

setting the data packet size on the computing device to the size that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network for the primary type of activity being performed.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising returning the data packet size and operational parameters to their original settings when the user logs off from the computer network.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing the user of the computing device with the capability to select a primary type of activity they will be performing;

using the selected primary type of activity to determine the operational parameter settings that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network; and

setting the operational parameters on the computing device to the values that will result in improved data throughput across the computer network for the primary type of activity being performed, the primary type of activity corresponding to the particular sample file type.

16. A method for improving the data throughput across a computer network, which is comprised of a local area network adapted for use onboard a platform and a computing device connected to the local area network, comprising:

(a) sending a series of sample files types of from the computing device to a predetermined recipient;

(b) measuring and recording the time it takes for each of the sample file types to travel from the computing device to the predetermined recipient;

(c) changing the operational parameter settings on the computing device to a new value;

(d) repeating operations (a) through (c) a predetermined number of times; and

(e) determining, based on operation (d), which operational parameter settings for the computing device provides the fastest throughput for a particular file type, with the particular file type associated with a primary type of activity selected by a user.