Claims:
1. A method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, said method comprising:
receiving, by a gateway agent (102), a message from a client side (202) over a low bandwidth link;
fragmenting, by said gateway agent (102), said received message into a plurality of data packets;
collating, by a gateway server (104), said data packets; and
transmitting, by said gateway server (104), a single acknowledgement message to said gateway agent (102).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein transmitting said fragmented data packets to said gateway server (104) is by using a constrained network messaging protocol.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, comprising: converting, by said gateway agent (102), an existing protocol of said received message to said constrained network messaging protocol.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, comprising: performing, by said gateway agent (102),data compression on said received message before converting said existing protocol.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein transmitting, by said gateway server (104),said single acknowledgement message to said gateway agent(102) and indicating missing data packets in said single acknowledgement message.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: enabling, by said gateway agent (102),a switch between Emission Control (EMCON) and non-EMCON modes for allowing a user to receive new data without acknowledging to said received new data.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: allowing said client side (202) for transmitting a message over high bandwidth link.

8. A computing platform (100) to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, said computing platform (100) comprising:
a gateway agent (102) configured to receive a message from a client side (202) over a low bandwidth link and fragment said received message into a plurality of data packets; and
a gateway server (104) configured to cooperate with said gateway agent(102), said gateway server (104) configured to collate said data packets and transmit a single acknowledgement message to said gateway agent(102).

9. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway agent (102) is a tactical gateway agent and said gateway server (104) is a tactical gateway server.

10. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway agent (102) is integrated with said client side(202).

11. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway server (104) is integrated with an application server(204).

12. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway agent (102) is configured to transmit said fragmented data packets to said gateway server(104) by using a constrained network messaging protocol.

13. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway agent (102) is configured to convert an existing protocol of said received message to said constrained network messaging protocol.

14. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway agent (102) is configured to perform data compression on said received message before converting said existing protocol.

15. The platform (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said gateway server (104) is configured to transmit said single acknowledgement message to said gateway agent (102) and indicate missing data packets in said single acknowledgement message.
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[SEE SECTION 10, RULE 13]

COMPUTING PLATFORM AND METHOD TO FACILITATE DATA COMMUNICATION OVER BANDWIDTH CONSTRAINED AND EMISSION CONTROL NETWORK

BHARAT ELECTRONICS LIMITED
WITH ADDRESS:OUTER RING ROAD, NAGAVARA, BANGALORE 560045, KARNATAKA, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to communication systems. The invention, more particularly, relates to a computing platform and method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Mail applications are commonplace today. These mail applications are adapted to normal operational scenarios where high bandwidth is guaranteed. Most existing mail applications and protocols have been designed for use over high-speed, high-bandwidth networks and as a result are not bandwidth efficient when operated over lower-speed, lower-bandwidth wide area data networks. The applications and their native protocols (e.g., a web browser using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)) have inherent limitations due to access speed, bandwidth, number of users, the protocol itself etc.

[0003] There is need of a method that effectively facilitates email communication in low bandwidth link (as low as 1 kilobit per second (Kbps)) for existing mail applications. None of the existing systems and methods allow the use of existing mail applications and their protocols that are efficient in high-speed, high-bandwidth networks, in a low bandwidth network where native functionality is maintained and efficiency and throughput are improved.

[0004] Matthew J Parzych, Gateway architecture for data communication bandwidth-constrained and charge by use networks, US6,115,384 discloses a gateway architecture for data communication over bandwidth constrained networks. In this prior art, protocol conversion is limited to an application layer. Hence, the connection oriented transport layer nature will add to additional bandwidth overheads and it will not cater to radio silence of receiver nodes.

[0005] Brian N. Marquette, Master/slave architecture for a distributed chat application in a bandwidth constrained network, US6,499,053 discloses the method and system for a distributed chat application that is well adapted for use in a bandwidth constrained network. A master/slave architecture provided that allows all users the ability to participate in the chat session, but it allows only a configurable number of users to initiate chat sessions. But it is not catering for radio silent clients and protocol conversions. Hence, to operate in a low bandwidth network which is as low as 1Kbps it will not be suitable.

[0006] Erez Halahmi, System and method for displaying electronic mail messages on a low bandwidth device, US 6,684,088 discloses a method and system for transmitting e-mail messages toa low bandwidth device. This prior art depicts a lightweight mail client where only display of messages is incorporated. Complete mail client functionalities and radio silence support is not enabled.

[0007] Jonathan Allan Spencer, A Communications system for communicating over low bandwidth or high latency links, US 0172350 incorporates a router MR7configured to route a message to any like-configured router MR8, MR9 linked to it to communicate over low bandwidth or high latency links. This prior art does not perform any application layer and transport layer protocol conversions.

[0008] The aforementioned prior art documents thus provide different mechanisms to facilitate data communication in low bandwidth networks. However, these documents do not provide a methodology to integrate with an existing mail application to facilitate data transfer in bandwidth constrained networks where bandwidth is as low as 1 Kbps. Additional to this, these documents do not cater to data communication over radio silent nodes.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need of a computing platform and method which solve the above defined problems and facilitates data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a computing platform and method to facilitate data communication over bandwidth constrained and emission control network. This summary is neither intended to identify essential features of the present invention nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0011] For example, various embodiments herein may include one or computing platforms and methods thereof are provided. In one of the embodiments, a method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network includes a step of receiving, by a gateway agent, a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link. The method includes a step of fragmenting, by the gateway agent, the received message into a plurality of data packets. The method includes a step of collating, by a gateway server, the data packets. The method includes a step of transmitting, by the gateway server, a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent.

[0012] In another embodiment, a computing platform to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network includes a gateway agent and a gateway server. The gateway agent is configured to receive a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link and fragment the received message into a plurality of data packets. The gateway server is configured to collate the data packets and transmit a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and modules.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a computing platform to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, according to an implementation of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting a computing platform for data communication between a strategic network and a tactical network, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram depicting sub-modules of a message transfer protocol and mechanisms incorporated in the message transfer protocol, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting user authentication workflow of a custom desktop email client in a tactical mode and email client session establishment with an application server via a gateway server, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 illustrates a workflow diagram depicting communication flow while sending and receiving mails in a tactical EMCON mode and a tactical non-EMCON mode, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.
[0020] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems/platforms embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a computing platform and method to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network. Furthermore, connections between components and/or modules within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, these components and modules may be modified, re-formatted or otherwise changed by intermediary components and modules.

[0023] References in the present invention to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0024] In one of the embodiments, a method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network includes a step of receiving, by a gateway agent, a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link. The method includes a step of fragmenting, by the gateway agent, the received message into a plurality of data packets. The method includes a step of collating, by a gateway server, the data packets. The method includes a step of transmitting, by the gateway server, a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent.

[0025] In another implementation, the step of transmitting the fragmented data packets to the gateway server is performed by using a constrained network messaging protocol.

[0026] In another implementation, the method includes a step of converting, by the gateway agent, an existing protocol of the received message to the constrained network messaging protocol.

[0027] In another implementation, the method includes a step of performing, by the gateway agent, data compression on the received message before converting the existing protocol.

[0028] In another implementation, the method includes a step of transmitting, by the gateway server, the single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent and indicating missing data packets in the single acknowledgement message.

[0029] In another implementation, the method includes a step of enabling, by the gateway agent, a switch between Emission Control (EMCON) and non-EMCON modes for allowing a user to receive new data without acknowledging to the received new data.

[0030] In another implementation, the method includes a step of allowing the client side for transmitting a message over high bandwidth link.

[0031] In another embodiment, a computing platform to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network includes a gateway agent and a gateway server. The gateway agent is configured to receive a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link and fragment the received message into a plurality of data packets. The gateway server is configured to collate the data packets and transmit a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent.

[0032] In another implementation, the gateway agent is a tactical gateway agent, and the gateway server is a tactical gateway server.

[0033] In another implementation, the gateway agent is integrated with the client side.

[0034] In another implementation, the gateway server is integrated with an application server.

[0035] In another implementation, the gateway agent is configured to transmit the fragmented data packets to the gateway server by using a constrained network messaging protocol.

[0036] In another implementation, the gateway agent is configured to convert an existing protocol of the received message to the constrained network messaging protocol.

[0037] In another implementation, the gateway agent is configured to perform data compression on the received message before converting the existing protocol.

[0038] In another implementation, the gateway server is configured to transmit the single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent and indicate missing data packets in the single acknowledgement message.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting a computing platform (100) to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, according to an implementation of the present invention.

[0040] A computing platform to facilitate data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network (hereinafter referred to as “platform”) (100) includes a gateway agent (102) and a gateway server (104).

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the platform (100) provides a tactical gateway architecture for email communication over bandwidth constrained and EMCON (Emission Control) network. The platform (100) makes use of the gateway server (104) which acts as a gateway between a strategic network and a tactical network. The tactical network is essentially constrained by availability of low bandwidth and radio silent nodes. The gateway agent (102) integrated with an email client to facilitate communication over low bandwidth link. Both the gateway agent (102) and the gateway server (104) send and receive messages in an efficient manner over a message transfer protocol (for example, Allied Communication Procedures (ACP) protocol). In an embodiment, messages are converted from native messaging protocols like HTTP, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) to the bandwidth efficient protocol. The protocol converts the connection oriented conventional mail protocol stack to the connectionless ACP protocol with assured delivery using a negative acknowledgement scheme for one complete message. Additional to the protocol, conversion messages are compressed using a compression technique by the gateway agent (102) to achieve optimized bandwidth usage. The platform(100) facilitates mail communication in an EMCON mode. It enables switching of mail client from the EMCON to non EMCON mode. The platform(100) enables the mail client to receive mails in the EMCON mode without acknowledging the same. Any mails composed by the mail client during the EMCON mode and all acknowledgements of newly received mails in the EMCON mode is queued by the gateway agent (102). When the mail client switches to the non EMCON mode, all queued mails are cleared based on precedence.

[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, the platform (100) is configured to allow the mail client to work in a high bandwidth mode where mail client establishes session directly with the mail or application server and also in low bandwidth mode where the gateway agent (102) establishes a session with the mail server through the gateway server (104).

[0043] The gateway agent (102) is configured to receive a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link and fragment the received message into a plurality of data packets. In an embodiment, the gateway agent (102) is configured to transmit the fragmented data packets to the gateway server (104) by using a constrained network messaging protocol. The gateway agent (102) is further configured to convert an existing protocol of the received message to the constrained network messaging protocol. The gateway agent (102) performs data compression on the received message before converting the existing protocol. In one embodiment, the gateway agent (102) is a tactical gateway agent. In another embodiment, the gateway agent (102) is integrated with the client side which is having a mail client. The gateway agent (102) is configured to allow the client side for transmitting a message over high bandwidth link. Further, the gateway agent (102)enables a switch between Emission Control (EMCON) and non-EMCON modes for allowing a user to receive new data without acknowledging to the received new data.

[0044] The gateway server (104) is configured to cooperate with the gateway agent (102) to receive the data packets, and is further configured to collate the data packets and transmit a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent (102). In an embodiment, the gateway server (104) is configured to transmit the single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent (102) and indicate missing data packets in the single acknowledgement message. This ensures effective bandwidth utilization and assured delivery even in low bandwidth. In an embodiment, the gateway server (104) restricts the retrieval of large mails by low bandwidth mail clients to prevent choking of network bandwidth. The gateway server (104) also notifies the low bandwidth mail clients about the same. In one embodiment, the gateway server (104) is a tactical gateway server. In another embodiment, the gateway server (104) is integrated with an application server.

[0045] In an embodiment, additional to bandwidth usage optimization, mail delivery and delayed acknowledgement in radio silence or the emission control (EMCON) mode is also ensured. The mail client is provisioned with an option to join and leave the EMCON mode dynamically. Once an email client is joined in the EMCON mode, the gateway server (104) communicates that information to other mail clients which are present at the client side to flag delayed acknowledgement from EMCON clients.

[0046] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram (200) depicting a computing platform (100) for data communication between a strategic network and a tactical network, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0047] In Figure 2, a gateway agent (102) is present at the client side, and the gateway server (104) acts as a proxy for any communication with an application server (206). The platform (100) performs data communication over bandwidth-constrained and EMCON networks, which reduces or minimizes data communication across a bandwidth constrained network. In the strategic network, email communication happens over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) based protocols (for example, SMTP, IMAP, and HTTP). However, due to connection oriented and dialogue based nature of these protocols, its use in the tactical network where bandwidth is constrained and with EMCON support is unacceptable. An alternative to redesigning and redeveloping existing email applications to operate in a network with EMCON and constrained bandwidth link is to utilize the platform (100) that reduces data transmission across a constrained link.

[0048] The platform (100) consists of four key components, two of which are a custom desktop email client (202) and a mail application server (204) (referred to as email client and application server) and two new modules, one which runs on the email client (202) termed as a gateway agent (102) and one which runs on a server side is termed as a gateway server (104).

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the gateway agent (102) is integrated with the email client (202) to facilitate communications with the gateway server (i.e., tactical gateway) (104), whenever a low bandwidth or EMCON link is present. The email client (202) can act in a normal mode or in a tactical mode. In the normal mode, due to the high bandwidth availability, the email client (202) makes use of conventional mail protocols to interact with the application server (i.e., mail application server) (204) directly. The application server (204) shall interact with an IMAP server (206) or SMTP server (208) for sending and receiving mails/data. Whenever a low bandwidth link is present. the tactical mode will be enabled in the mail client (202). In the tactical mode, the mail client (20) invokes the gateway agent (102) to communicate with the application server (204) via the gateway server (104). The gateway agent (102) converts all messages to ACP 142 data units and transmit to the gateway server (104) as per the ACP 142 protocol. At the server side, the gateway server (104) interacts with the application server (204) on behalf of the mail client (202) and exchange acknowledgement back to the mail client (202) via the gateway agent (102) using the ACP 142 protocol. Hence, protocol conversion is happening at the gateway agent (102) and the gateway server (104).

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram (300) depicting sub-modules of a message transfer protocol and mechanisms incorporated in the message transfer protocol, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0051] In Figure 3, a constrained network messaging protocol functionality have been illustrated. In an embodiment, the constrained network messaging protocol can be, but is not limited to, ACP 142 protocol. Many of the communication channels used in low bandwidth are inherently multicast (e.g., radio, satellite). The protocol takes advantage of a multicast communication service of the communication medium to provide a new allied capability, namely reliable multicast information transfer in delayed-acknowledgement environments under Emission Control (EMCON) conditions. EMCON or "Radio Silence" condition means that a receiving node is able to receive messages but cannot acknowledge received messages for a relatively long time (e.g., hours or days), in addition to providing a mechanism for more efficient use of bandwidth. Within the protocol there are many configurable parameters that can be used to optimize performance in an operational environment, such as:
a) pduMaxSize – This parameter is used to set maximum size of a data unit transferred using ACP142.
b) ackRetransmissionTime – This timer determines how long a transmitter waits for acknowledgements from the receivers not in EMCON before re-transmitting a message.
c) emconRtc - This parameter is used to determine the maximum number of times the transmitter will re-transmit the information to receiving nodes that are in EMCON.
d) emconRti - This timer determines how long a transmitter waits for acknowledgements from the receivers in EMCON before re-transmitting a message.
Other ACP 142 protocol configurable parameters are:
e) undefinedPduExpiryTime
f) ackDelayUpperBound
g) dataAndAddressPduSendDelay

[0052] The protocol at a sender side breaks up the data to be sent into a fixed number of packets based on pduMaxSize specified (as shown at a step (302)), constructs data PDU (protocol data unit) with sequence number and multicasts. The receiver of ACP142 data units identifies missing data units based on a sequence number present in the data PDU and replies back with a single acknowledgement for the complete message, as shown at a step (306), where the gateway agent (102) waits for ackDelayUpperBound to resent message. ACP 142 acknowledgement consists of a list of missing data PDUs sequence numbers. In this way, assured delivery in a connectionless protocol is guaranteed, as shown at a step (308), where the gateway agent (102) resends missing data PDUs to the gateway server (104), and continues it till receives ACP12 acknowledgment indicating complete delivery. To handle loss of acknowledgement from a receiver side, the sender makes use of RetransmissionTime configurable parameter to resend the message. On successful receipt of acknowledgements sender sends back missing data PDUs. The ackRetransmissionTime parameter determines how long the receiver waits before retransmitting acknowledgements to the transmitter when it has not received a response from the transmitter node after dispatching acknowledgement, as shown at a step (308). This parameter is used to prevent acknowledgement implosion. The protocol ensures assured delivery to EMCON recipients through retransmitting messages emconRtc number of times in emconRti interval. The protocol accommodates delayed acknowledgements from EMCON receivers once they come out of EMCON mode, as shown at a step (312). Additional to protocol conversion, the sender performs ZLIB® compression on each data unit to reduce bandwidth overhead, as shown at a step (304).

[0053] Figure 4 illustrates a flow diagram (400) depicting user authentication workflow of a custom desktop email client in a tactical mode and email client session establishment with an application server via a gateway server, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 4 illustrates email client authentication workflow in a tactical mode. In the tactical mode, authentication credentials are exchanged with the gateway agent (102). The gateway agent (102) forwards these credentials with the gateway server (104) over the ACP 142 protocol. The gateway server (104) initiates authentication with the application server (204) with credentials provided and establishes session with the application server (204) on behalf of the mail client (202). Apart from the session establishment, the application server (204) exchanges a session token with the gateway server (104) which is used for all further communications. This session token exchanges with the mail client (202) via the gateway agent (102) and is used for all further communications with the application server (204).

[0055] At a step (402), a mail client user (202) login in the platform (100). At a step (404), the gateway agent (102) and the gateway server (104) run in a tactical mode (402). If it does not run in the tactical mode, the mail client authentication directly forwarded to the application server (204), as shown at a step (406). The platform (100) checks whether authentication is successful or not at the application server (204), as shown at a step (408). If authentication is not successful, the platform (100) shows invalid login credentials and process stops, as shown at a step (410). If the authentication is successful, the mail client establishes a session with the application server (204) and retrieves new emails, as shown at a step (412). At a step (414), the application server (204) exchanges a session token to the mail client (202). In another embodiment, if the gateway agent (102) and the gateway server (104) run in a tactical mode (402), the mail client (202) exchanges credential with the gateway agent (or a tactical client) (102). At a step (418), the tactical client (102) establishes a connection with a gateway server (or a tactical gateway) and exchanges credentials. At a step (420), the gateway server/ tactical gateway (104) authenticates the mail client (202) with the application server (204). The platform (100) checks whether the authentication is successful or not at a step (422). If authentication is not successful, the platform (100) shows invalid login credentials and process stops, as shown at a step (424). If the authentication is successful, the gateway server/ tactical gateway (104) establishes a session with the application server (204) and retrieves and forwards new mails to the mail client (202) via the gateway agent/ tactical client (102), as shown at a step (426). At a step (428), the application server (204) exchanges a session token to the gateway server/ tactical gateway (104). At a step (430), the gateway server/ tactical gateway (104) exchanges the session token with the gateway agent/ tactical client (102). The gateway agent/ tactical client (102) exchanges the session token to the mail client (432).

[0056] Figure 5 illustrates a workflow diagram (500) depicting communication flow while sending and receiving mails in a tactical EMCON mode and a tactical non-EMCON mode, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0057] In Figure 5, on successful authentication of the mail client (202),a session is established between the gateway server (104) and the application server (106).In the tactical non EMCON mode, whenever the user composes and sends a mail, the mail client (202) exchanges composed a mail message to the gateway agent (102) and the gateway agent (102) communicates the same with the gateway server (104) over the ACP 142 protocol. The gateway server/ tactical gateway (104) performs mail dispatch operation with the application server over the established session. On successful delivery of the message, the gateway server (104) exchanges positive acknowledgement with the mail client (202) via the gateway agent (102) and then the mail client (202) marks the message as sent. Any new mails (including mail delivery receipt) for the mail client (202) delivers to the gateway server (104) over the established session by the application server (204). On new mail receipt, the gateway server (104) exchanges this information with the mail client (202) via the gateway agent (102).
[0058] The gateway server (104) maintains a list of email clients, which are in the tactical mode. Whenever the mail client (202)enters into the EMCON mode, the gateway agent (102) sends the EMCON-JOIN announcement to the gateway server (104) to mark it in the EMCON Mode. Whenever the mail client (202) comes out of the EMCON mode, the gateway agent (102) shall send EMCON-LEAVE announcement to inform the gateway server (104) about leaving the EMCON mode.

[0059] In the tactical EMCON mode, whenever the user composes and sends a mail, the mail client (202) exchanges composed mail message to the gateway agent (102). But, the gateway agent (102) queues the messages in an EMCON queue and waits until the mail client (202) comes out of the EMCON mode. Any new mails (including mail delivery receipt) for the EMCON mail client are delivered to the gateway server (104) over the established session by the application server (204). The gateway server (104) exchanges this mail to the gateway agent (102), but will not wait for acknowledgement till the mail client (202) comes out of the EMCON mode.

[0060] In an embodiment, the platform (100) and the method for data communication is well adapted for use in a bandwidth constrained and radio silent network. The platform (100) allows the email client (202) to operate in bandwidth constrained networks as well as in normal networks. It also allows mail clients (202) to join and leave EMCON mode dynamically.

[0061] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart (600) depicting a method for facilitating data communication over a bandwidth constrained and emission control network, according to an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

[0062] The flowchart (600) starts at a step (602), receiving, by a gateway agent, a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link. In an embodiment, a gateway agent (102) is configured to receive a message from a client side over a low bandwidth link. At a step (604), fragmenting, by the gateway agent, the received message into a plurality of data packets. In an embodiment, the gateway agent (102) is configured to fragment the received message into a plurality of data packets. At a step (606), collating, by a gateway server, the data packets. In an embodiment, a gateway server (104) is configured to collate the data packets. At a step (608), transmitting, by the gateway server, a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent (102). In an embodiment, the gateway server (104) is configured to transmit a single acknowledgement message to the gateway agent (102).

[0063] It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for explanatory purposes to help the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.