A Reliable Low Bandwidth Email-based Communication Protocol, 2001

Abstract

In many places in the world, network infrastructure is characterized by intermittent connectivity, low-bandwidth and errors. As a result, web-browsing is slow. Because users frequently pay for each minute that they are connected, browsing the web can be an expensive proposition. In these places, what is needed is a communication protocol that can provide reliable end-to-end data delivery even in the face of episodic connectivity and low-bandwidth routes.

This thesis details the design and prototype implementation of a reliable, low-bandwidth, email-based communication protocol. It was designed for communication between principals in the TEK Search System, whose main goal is to improve access to the information available on the World Wide Web in low-connectivity areas. We provide a low-bandwidth message format and an error-recovery scheme, and address the issue of compression.

About the Author

Janelle Kenty-Joan Prevost '00, '01, MNG '01 earned Bachelors of Science in Mathematics (2000) and in Computer Science and Engineering (2001), as well as a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (2001).