Method for evaluating available route bit rate based on receipt confirmation route selection

摘要

The invention relates to the field of multi-path communication. More particularly the invention deals with a method for evaluating at a first endpoint (1) an available bitrate (BR) over one of a plurality of paths (P1,P2,P3) linking the first endpoint (1) and a second endpoint (2), a plurality of data packets being sent from said first endpoint (1) to said second endpoint (2), said second endpoint (2), each time it receives a data packet, sending an acknowledgment (Ack) to said first endpoint (1) through one of the paths (P1,P2,P3) selected according to a strategy for speeding up overall delivery of said data packets to said second endpoint (2). According to the invention, it involves a step of : - inserting a flag (A) in a first data packet (DP1) out of said data packets; - sending said first data packet (DP1) through one of said paths (P1); - measuring a sending time (t1) of the first data packet (DP1) at the first endpoint (1); - receiving an acknowledgment (Ack) sent by said second endpoint (2) through said path (P1) after said second endpoint (2) has received said first data packet (DP1) comprising said flag (A); - measuring an arrival time (t2) of said acknowledgment (Ack) at the first endpoint (1); - evaluating the available bitrate (BR) from an interval between the sending time (t1) and the arrival time (t2).