Average Throughput (Networking)

networking

Definition

Average Throughput

Let a link deliver $N$ bits over a time interval $[t_0,t_1]$ of duration $\Delta t=t_1-t_0$.

The average throughput over that interval is:

$$\overline{T}=\frac{N}{\Delta t}$$

Equivalently, in terms of the instantaneous throughput $r(t)$:

$$\overline{T}=\frac{1}{\Delta t}{\int }_{t_0}^{t_1}r(t)dt$$

Unlike instantaneous throughput, $\overline{T}$ smooths out short-term fluctuations and is the quantity typically reported as throughput.