Patent attributes
The efficiency of transmitting lower priority data traffic along with higher priority traffic is improved by segmenting a data packet in such a way so as to reduce transmission delay of the higher priority traffic. The data packet is segmented so that all its segments, including the last segment, are approximately the same size. The segment size is set smaller than a maximum permitted segment size. Indeed, it is desirable (though not necessary) to set the segment size as small as design parameters, (e.g., minimize segment header overhead), allow in order to reduce transmission delay of the higher priority traffic. Because the last segment is set at the same size or a larger size than the other segments, delay in transmitting the data packet is also reduced. The last segment may be sized as large as practical to minimize the transmission delay of the data packet. Once segmented, the data packet segments are transmitted along with the higher priority traffic.
