Minimal complexity for the simplest protocol

The design issues of a multimedia transport protocol, TP5, which achieves the multiplexing of both real time and normal data flows at the transport layer are discussed. The use of a single transport connection to carry both data flows is proposed. Two schemes for the support of the synchronization of these data flows are presented. The protocol TP5 implementing the above mechanisms is described. It is shown that with the use of the described synchronization schemes, the TP5 protocol minimizes the control of the real time traffic while still controlling the normal data flow