A method for automatically identifying and matching 5G fronthaul network interfaces

Abstract

The application discloses a method for automatically identifying and matching a 5G front transmission network interface, and belongs to the technical field of computers.The method comprises the following steps: a QSFP interface detection step and an SFP interface detection step.The method adopts a receiving side clock phase-locked loop adaptive configuration technology, a clock recovery circuit automatic adjustment and sampling technology and an encoding error code detection technology, and realizes the functions of fast automatic scanning and matching of port rate, line encoding and frame protocol by judging whether the following conditions are normal: PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-time frequency stability, encoding without exception and frame synchronization, so that the testing and troubleshooting time of the 5G front transmission interface is greatly shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces, belonging to the field of computer technology. Background Technology

[0002] The 5G era is dawning, with cloud computing and edge computing rapidly becoming widespread, empowering smart city construction, smart transportation, smart energy, industrial internet, autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and enterprise digital transformation. Simultaneously, telecom operators are comprehensively expanding and upgrading their newly constructed backbone networks to support 5G mobile internet application data transmission, impacting the entire 5G infrastructure—fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul networks.

[0003] As various industries migrate to 5G, the need for faster fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul rates places higher demands on metrics such as latency, power loss, and bit error rate. It is also necessary to optimize and test these network architectures to support various specific 5G services.

[0004] In addition, telecom operators will continue to support 4G networks in the coming years, resulting in different types of traffic (CPRI / OBSAI / eCPRI) within the transmission network. It is necessary to ensure that different levels of traffic are transmitted in a mixed manner through network slicing and meet their respective QoS / SLA requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces.

[0006] A method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces includes the following steps: QSFP interface detection step and SFP interface detection step.

[0007] The advantages of this invention are:

[0008] The 5G transmission network interface offers a total of 17 speed options (ranging from 0.6144Gbps to 103.125Gbps). These include: 10 CPRI interface speed options: 0.6Gbps to 24.3Gbps; 3 eCPRI and Ethernet interface speed options: 10Gbps, 25Gbps, and 103.125Gbps; and 4 OBSAI interface speed options: 0.8Gbps, 1.5Gbps, 3.1Gbps, and 6.1Gbps. The 5G transmission network interface types include SFP and QSFP.

[0009] By changing different 5G fronthaul network interfaces and configuration parameters, the following five test technical indicators were observed:

[0010] (1) Is the receiving-side PLL locked?

[0011] (2) Whether the frequency offset range is within ±100ppm;

[0012] (3) The short-time frequency stability for 2 seconds is within ±10ppm;

[0013] (4) Are there any coding violations (error rate less than 10E-9)?

[0014] (5) Whether the frame protocol is synchronized.

[0015] Only when all five test technical indicators are met can it be determined that the physical layer and link layer of the current 5G fronthaul receiving side signal are working normally, and that it can receive data normally, correctly identify and match the current 5G fronthaul receiving side signal, and further conduct in-depth testing and analysis of the network layer and application layer data.

[0016] Testers on-site may not be aware of the protocol type and speed of the interface under test or monitoring. This invention employs adaptive configuration technology for the receiver-side clock phase-locked loop circuit, automatic adjustment and sampling technology for the clock recovery circuit, and encoding error detection technology. By judging whether PLL locking, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no encoding violations, and frame synchronization are normal, it achieves rapid automatic scanning and matching of port speed, line coding, and frame protocol, thereby greatly shortening the testing and troubleshooting time of 5G fronthaul interfaces. Attached Figure Description

[0017] When considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the invention will be more fully and better understood, and its many accompanying advantages will become readily apparent, by referring to the following detailed description. However, the accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of this invention, are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof, as shown in the figures:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the SFP interface detection process of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the QSFP interface detection process of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Obviously, many modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art based on the spirit of this invention fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0024] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0026] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments, further explanations and descriptions will be provided below, and the various embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments.

[0027] Example 1: As Figure 3 As shown, a method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces includes the following steps for detecting the automatic rate and frame protocol of 5G fronthaul network signal interfaces: a receiver-side SFP interface detection step and a receiver-side QSFP interface detection step.

[0028] A method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0029] Interface rate detection initiated;

[0030] Is the test interface an SFP? If not, start the QSFP interface testing steps; if yes, set the relevant parameters such as the rate and encoding format for CPRI's option 10, option 9, option 8, and option 7A respectively.

[0031] The QSFP interface testing process includes the following steps:

[0032] Determine if the PLL lockout, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal. If all are normal, detect the corresponding rate interface signal; otherwise, set the relevant parameters such as CPRI option7 to option1 rate and encoding format respectively.

[0033] Determine whether the PLL lock, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If they are all normal, detect the corresponding rate interface signal; otherwise, set the relevant parameters such as OBSAI rate and encoding format respectively.

[0034] Determine whether the PLL lock, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If they are all normal, detect the corresponding rate interface signal; otherwise, set the relevant parameters such as eCPRI 25GE and 10GE rate and encoding format respectively.

[0035] Determine whether the PLL lock, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If they are all normal, detect the corresponding rate interface signal; otherwise, start the automatic identification and matching method of the SFP interface.

[0036] Example 2: A method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces, such as... Figure 2 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0037] Interface speed detection initiated;

[0038] Is the test interface QSFP? If not, start the SFP interface testing steps; if yes, set the relevant parameters such as the speed and encoding format of each of the four lanes in sequence.

[0039] The SFP interface testing process includes the following steps:

[0040] Perform the corresponding tests according to the SFP interface test method to see if the relevant rate interface is detected. If so, detect the CPRI or OBSAI rate interface signal; if not, set the relevant parameters such as eCPRI 100GE 4lanes rate and encoding format.

[0041] Determine if the PLL lockout, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and CAUI-4 error rate are all normal. If all are normal, detect the 100GE rate interface signal; otherwise, set the eCPRI 40GE 4lanes rate and encoding format and other relevant parameters.

[0042] Determine whether the PLL lock, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If all are normal, then the 40GE rate interface signal is detected; otherwise, the automatic identification and matching method of the QSFP interface is started.

[0043] QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable): A four-channel SFP interface (QSFP).

[0044] GBIC (short for Gigabit Interface Converter) is an interface device that converts gigabit electrical signals into optical signals. SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) is an upgraded version of GBIC.

[0045] CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface): Common Public Radio Interface.

[0046] PLL (Phase Locked Loop): A phase-locked loop or phase-locked circuit.

[0047] LAN Emulation: Local Area Network (LAN) simulation.

[0048] OBSAI (Open Base Station Architecture Initiative): Open Base Station Architecture.

[0049] CAUI (Channel Attachment Unit Interface): Channel Attachment Unit Interface.

[0050] Example 3: As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces is adopted as described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0051] 5G fronthaul interface rate and frame structure description:

[0052] The 5G transmission network interface offers a total of 17 speed options (ranging from 0.6144Gbps to 103.125Gbps), including: 10 CPRI interface speed options: 0.6Gbps to 24.3Gbps; 3 eCPRI and Ethernet interface speed options: 10Gbps, 25Gbps, and 103.125Gbps; and 4 OBSAI interface speed options: 0.8Gbps, 1.5Gbps, 3.1Gbps, and 6.1Gbps.

[0053] Testers may not know the protocol type and rate of the interface under test on-site. By using adaptive configuration technology of receiver-side clock phase-locked circuit and automatic adjustment and sampling technology of clock recovery circuit to lock the interface rate, the automatic scanning function of port rate is realized, thereby shortening the testing and troubleshooting time of 5G fronthaul interface.

[0054] CPRI Link Protocol:

[0055] CPRI defines physical layer (Layer 1) and data link layer (Layer 2) protocols to serve the transmission of user (USER), control and management (C&M), and synchronization (SYNC) platform information between REC and RE or between two REs.

[0056] REC (Radio Equipment Controller): Radio Equipment Control Center.

[0057] RE (Radio Equipment): Wireless equipment.

[0058] The CPRI protocol defines 10 interface rates, as follows:

[0059] Option 1: Interface speed is 614.4 Mbit / s;

[0060] Option 2: The interface speed is 1228.8 Mbit / s;

[0061] Option 3: The interface speed is 2457.6 Mbit / s;

[0062] Option 4: Interface speed is 3072.0 Mbit / s;

[0063] Option 5: The interface speed is 4915.2 Mbit / s;

[0064] Option 6: The interface speed is 6144.0 Mbit / s;

[0065] Option 7: The interface speed is 9830.4 Mbit / s;

[0066] option7A: Interface speed is 8110.08 Mbit / s;

[0067] Option 8: The interface speed is 10137.6 Mbit / s;

[0068] Option 9: The interface speed is 12165.12 Mbit / s;

[0069] Option 10: The interface speed is 24330.24 Mbit / s.

[0070] Option 1, option 2, option 3, option 4, option 5, option 6, and option 7A use 8B / 10B line coding, while option 7A, option 8, option 9, and option 10 use 64B / 66B line coding. In 4G, CPRI7 (9.8Gbps) is commonly used; in 5G, CPRI7 (9.8Gbps) and CPRI10 (24Gbps) are common.

[0071] The CPRI basic frame has a frame length Tc = 1 / fc = 1 / 3.84MHz = 260.416667ns. A basic frame consists of 16 words, numbered W = 0...15. (Note: "word" here does not equal a binary word). The length of each word is T, which depends on the CPRI line rate. 256 basic frames make up a hyperframe, and 150 hyperframes make up a radio frame (10ms).

[0072] OBSAI Link Protocol:

[0073] OBSAI specifies four fiber optic rates: 768Mbps, 1536Mbps, 3072Mbps, and 6144Mbps, usually represented as 1x, 2x, and 4x. Two 1x streams can be converted into a 2x stream through message interleaving, and two 2x streams can be converted into a 4x stream in the same way. Since 1x streams have low rates and are easy to process, 2x and 4x streams are usually first demultiplexed into several 1x streams, processed, and then multiplexed back into 2x and 4x streams.

[0074] The smallest unit of the OBSAI protocol is a message, which consists of four parts: destination address, data type, timestamp, and payload, totaling 19 bytes.

[0075] eCPRI link protocol:

[0076] The eCPRI standard defines the specifications for connecting eREC and eRE via a fronthaul transport network. It is used in 5G systems LTE-Advanced and LTE-AdvancedPro.

[0077] The eCPRI protocol physical layer typically follows the 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet electrical and optical physical reference standards provided in IEEE 802.3.

[0078] When eCPRI user plane options are based on Ethernet frames, eCPRI messages should be transmitted within standard Ethernet frames. The type field of the Ethernet frame should contain eCPRIEthertype. The data field of the Ethernet frame should begin with the eCPRI common header, followed by the eCPRI payload. The eCPRI message should be embedded in the Ethernet frame as a set of eight bytes.

[0079] When the eCPRI user plane options are based on IP packets, the eCPRI message should be transmitted as a UDP / IP packet. The data field of the UDP datagram includes the eCPRI common header at the beginning, followed by the eCPRI payload. The eCPRI message should be embedded in the UDP datagram as a series of bytes. The UDP datagram should precisely encapsulate the eCPRI IPDU; that is, no padding bytes should be added to the eCPRI IPDU.

[0080] Example 4: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces includes the following steps:

[0081] 5G fronthaul network interface automatic identification process steps:

[0082] The receiving side connection interfaces include SFP and QSFP interfaces.

[0083] The receiving-side connection interface is an SFP interface. The SFP interface detection procedure includes the following steps: Set the receiving-side reference clock to 245.76MHz (or 307.2MHz, etc.), and the line interface rate to 24.33024Gbps. By changing the PLL frequency division on the receiving side (M / N, where M and N are integers), line rates of 24.33024Gbps, 12.16512Gbps, 10.1376Gbps, and 8.11008Gbps can be obtained, and the signal encoding is set to 64B / 66B. At this time, check whether the received signal PLL is locked, whether the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, whether the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm, whether there are any encoding violations, and whether the CPRI link frames are synchronized. If all the above conditions are met, it indicates that the CPRI interface signal of the corresponding rate has been identified.

[0084] By further adjusting the line PLL frequency division, line rates of 9.8304Gbps, 6.144Gbps, 4.9512Gbps, 3.072Gbps, 2.4576Gbps, 1.2288Gbps, and 0.6144Gbps can be obtained, with signal encoding of 8B / 10B. At this point, it is necessary to check whether the received signal PLL is locked, whether the frequency offset is within 100ppm, whether the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm, whether there are any encoding violations, and whether the CPRI link frames are synchronized. If all of these conditions are met, it indicates that the CPRI interface signal of the corresponding rate has been identified.

[0085] By further adjusting the line PLL frequency division, line rates of 6.144Gbps, 3.072Gbps, 1.536Gbps, and 0.768Gbps can be obtained, with signal encoding of 8B / 10B. At this point, the following checks are performed: whether the received signal PLL is locked; whether the frequency offset is within ±100ppm; whether the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm; whether there are any encoding violations; and whether the OBSAI frames are synchronized. If all of these conditions are met, it indicates that the OBSAI interface signal at the corresponding rate has been identified.

[0086] Set the receiver-side reference clock to 156.25MHz (or 100MHz, 125MHz, etc.), and the line interface rate to 25.78125Gbps. By changing the PLL division ratio (M / N, where M and N are integers) on the receiver side, line rates of 25.78125Gbps and 10.3125Gbps can be obtained, with signal encoding of 64B / 66B. Then, check if the received signal PLL is locked, if the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, if the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm, if there are any encoding violations, and if there are any FCS errors in the MAC frame. If all of these conditions are met, it indicates that the eCPRI interface signal at the corresponding rate has been identified.

[0087] When the receiving side connection interface is a QSFP interface: The QSFP interface detection procedure includes the following steps:

[0088] The four lanes are lane0, lane1, lane2, and lane3.

[0089] Automatic identification process for CPRI or OBSAI protocol: Select a channel and use the same method as the SFP interface process to identify whether it is CPRI or OBSAI protocol by checking the rate and frame structure.

[0090] eCPRI100GE Protocol Identification Process: Set the receiver-side reference clock to 322.265625MHz, select 4 lane channels, set the line interface rate to 25.78125Gbps, and use 64B / 66B signal encoding. Then, check if the received signal PLL is locked, if the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, if the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm, if there are any encoding violations, and if there are any errors in the CAUI-4 interface. If all of these conditions are met, it indicates that the 100GE eCPRI interface signal has been identified.

[0091] eCPRI40GE Protocol Identification Process: Set the receiver-side reference clock to 322.265625MHz, select four lanes, set the line interface rate to 10.3125Gbps, and use 64B / 66B signal encoding. Then check if the received signal PLL is locked, if the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, if the short-term frequency stability (within 2 seconds) is within ±10ppm, if there are any encoding violations, and if there are any bit errors in the XLAUI interface. If all of these conditions are met, it indicates that the 40GE eCPRI interface signal has been identified.

[0092] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained in detail. However, many modifications are possible as long as they do not substantially depart from the inventive point and effects of the present invention, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications are also included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces, characterized in that... , including the following steps: QSFP interface detection step and SFP interface detection step, including the following steps: Test whether the interface is an SFP? If not, start the SFP interface detection step; If it is an SFP, set the corresponding rate and encoding format related parameters of CPRI's option10, option9, option8, option7A, etc., and judge whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate; Test whether the interface is a QSFP? If not, start the QSFP interface detection step; If it is, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of a single lane in 4 lanes in sequence, and at the same time judge whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate.

2. The method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that... , QSFP interface detection step, including the following steps: Judge whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate; if not, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of CPRI option7 to option1 respectively; Determine whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate; if not, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of OBSAI respectively; Determine whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate; if not, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of eCPRI 25GE and 10GE respectively; Determine whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If all are normal, detect the interface signal of the corresponding rate; if not, start QSFP interface polling.

3. The method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that, SFP interface detection step, including the following steps: Conduct corresponding tests according to the SFP interface test method. Whether the interface of the relevant rate is detected. If so, detect the CPRI or OBSAI rate interface signal; if not, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of eCPRI 100GE 4lanes; Judge whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and CAUI-4 error conditions are all normal at this time. If all are normal, detect the 100GE rate interface signal; if not, set the rate and encoding format related parameters of eCPRI 40GE 4lanes; Judge whether PLL locking, frequency deviation range, short-term frequency stability, encoding without violation, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If all are normal, detect the 40GE rate interface signal; if not, start SFP interface polling.

4. The method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces according to claim 3, characterized in that... The SFP interface testing process includes the following steps: Determine whether the PLL lock, frequency offset range, short-term frequency stability, no coding violations, and link frame synchronization are all normal at this time. If not, start the automatic identification and matching method of the QSFP interface.

5. The method for automatic identification and matching of 5G fronthaul network interfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that... It includes the following steps: The QSFP interface testing process includes the following steps: The four lanes are lane0, lane1, lane2, and lane3. Automatic identification process for CPRI or OBSAI protocol: Select a channel and use the same method as the SFP interface process to identify whether it is CPRI or OBSAI protocol by checking the rate and frame structure. eCPRI 100GE protocol identification process: Set the receiver-side reference clock to 322.265625MHz, select 4 lane channels, set the line interface rate to 25.78125Gbps, and the signal encoding to 64B / 66B. Then, check if the received signal PLL is locked, if the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, if the short-term frequency stability is within ±10ppm for 2 seconds, if there are any encoding violations, and if there are any bit errors in the CAUI-4 interface. If all of the above conditions are met, it indicates that the 100GE eCPRI interface signal has been identified. eCPRI40GE Protocol Identification Process: Set the receiver-side reference clock to 322.265625MHz, select 4 lane channels, set the line interface rate to 10.3125Gbps, and the signal encoding to 64B / 66B. At this time, check whether the received signal PLL is locked, whether the frequency offset is within ±100ppm, whether the short-term frequency stability is within ±10ppm within 2 seconds, whether there are any encoding violations, and whether there are any bit errors in the XLAUI interface. If all the above conditions are met, it means that the 40GE eCPRI interface signal has been identified.

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