Communication protocol technique for improving data throughput
An acknowledgement technique reduces packet-switched communication delays. The technique may be implemented in a mobile communication device with multiple SIMs. The technique facilitates enhanced communication capability for the mobile communication device. In one implementation, the technique helps reduce delays caused by switching between packet-switched and circuit-switched communications. Specifically, in one aspect, the technique reduces delays caused by exponential backoff that may occur during suspension of a packet-switched communication.
1. A system, comprising:
a wireless radio interface;
a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card interface configured to accept a first SIM card;
a second SIM card interface configured to accept a second SIM card;
a processor in communication with the wireless radio interface and SIM card interfaces; and
a memory device in communication with the processor, the memory device comprising instructions executable by the processor to:
establish a packet switched network connection for the first SIM card through the wireless radio interface;
suspend the packet switched network connection;
establish a circuit switched network connection for the second SIM card through the wireless radio interface;
resume the packet switched network connection; and
retransmit a previously sent network packet acknowledgement for the packet switched network connection without waiting for a packet to be received after the packet switched network connection is resumed.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory device further comprises instructions executable by the processor to store in the memory device a sequence number included in the previously sent network packet acknowledgement prior to suspending the packet switched network connection.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the packet switched network connection is for a data connection.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the circuit switched network connection is for a voice call that takes precedence over the data connection.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the previously sent network packet acknowledgement comprises a sequence number.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the packet switched network connection comprises a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory device further comprises instructions executable by the processor to perform the retransmission prior to expiration of a timer.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the timer comprises a network connection retransmission timer.
9. An apparatus, comprising:
wireless radio circuitry;
first subscriber identity module (SIM) card interface circuitry;
second SIM card interface circuitry;
control circuitry in communication with the wireless radio circuitry, the first SIM card interface circuitry, and the second SIM card interface circuitry, the control circuitry configured to:
establish a packet switched network connection associated with the first SIM card interface through the wireless radio circuitry;
suspend the packet switched network connection;
establish a circuit switched network connection associated with the second SIM card interface through the wireless radio circuitry;
resume the packet switched network connection; and
retransmit a previously sent network packet acknowledgement for the packet switched network connection prior to receiving a packet after the packet switched network connection is resumed.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to store a sequence number included in the previously sent network packet acknowledgement prior to suspending the packet switched network connection.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the packet switched network connection is for a data connection.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the circuit switched network connection is for a voice call that takes precedence over the data connection.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the previously sent network packet acknowledgement comprises a sequence number.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the packet switched network connection comprises a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to perform the retransmission prior to expiration of a timer.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the timer comprises a network connection retransmission timer.
17. A system comprising:
a wireless radio interface; and
control circuitry in communication with the wireless radio interface, the control circuitry configured to:
establish a packet switched network connection for a first subscriber identity module (SIM) card through the wireless radio interface;
suspend the packet switched network connection;
establish a circuit switched network connection for a second SIM card through the wireless radio interface;
resume the packet switched network connection; and
retransmit a previously sent network packet acknowledgement for the packet switched network connection prior to receiving a packet after the packet switched network connection is resumed.
18. The system of claim 17 , where the control circuitry is further configured to store a sequence number included in the previously sent network packet acknowledgement prior to suspending the packet switched network connection.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the packet switched network connection is for a data connection.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the packet circuit switched network connection is for a voice call that takes precedence over the data connection.