FLOW CONTROL IN A PACKET DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A communication system (200) that includes multiple nodes (202, 210) control s a flow of data from a first node (202) to a second node (210) without relyin g on an estimate of a rate at which data is drawn from a buffer (216) of the second node and such that an overflow and an underflow of the buffer is avoided. The second node determines multiple flow control parameters, including a current occupancy (Q) of the buffer and an upper threshold (U) a nd a lower threshold (L) for an occupancy of the buffer and determines a desire d data rate (r) based on the multiple flow control parameters. The desired dat a rate can be used to adjust a data rate for the flow of data. In another embodiment, the communication system further dynamically controls a rate at which flow control messages are conveyed by the second node to the first nod e.