Optical network unit

Abstract

An optical network unit for a passive optical network includes a fiber interface, a packet grabber module, and a frame format conversion module. The fiber interface is configured to receive XGTC frames. The packet grabber module is configured to output downstream and upstream XGEM frames under test from the XGTC frames. The frame format conversion module is configured to convert the downstream and upstream XGEM frames under test into Ethernet frames, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of passive optical fiber networks, and more specifically to an optical network unit for a passive optical fiber network. Background Technology

[0002] GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) is an emerging standard that provides users with higher-speed data services, typically including the internet, telephone, or television broadcasting. To ensure the accuracy of transmitted data, analysis is required. Current analysis methods are relatively time- and financially costly. Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide an improved optical network unit that can analyze and debug uplink and downlink data in a low-cost manner. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide an optical network unit that has a special packet capture module, which can output special packet capture data according to the received XGTC header and data, and transmit the packet capture data to a personal computer or laptop computer for analysis via Ethernet.

[0004] According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, an Optical Network Unit (ONU) is provided for use in a passive optical network (PON), comprising: an optical fiber interface, a packet sniffer module, and a frame format conversion module. The optical fiber interface is configured to receive an XGTC (XG PON Transmission Convergence) frame, wherein the XGTC frame includes an XGTC header and multiple downlink XGEM (XG-PON encapsulation method) frames. The packet sniffer module is configured to output a downlink XGEM frame to be tested and an uplink XGEM frame to be tested based on the XGTC frame. The frame format conversion module is configured to convert the downlink and uplink XGEM frames to be tested into a first Ethernet (ETH) frame and a second Ethernet frame, respectively.

[0005] Optionally or preferably, the ONU includes a filter configured to obtain a dedicated downlink XGEM frame belonging to the ONU from the XGTC frame, and the frame format conversion module is configured to convert the dedicated downlink XGEM frame into a third Ethernet frame, wherein the multiple downlink XGEM frames include the dedicated downlink XGEM frame and non-dedicated downlink XGEM frames not belonging to the ONU.

[0006] Optionally or preferably, the packet capture module includes an uplink packet capture unit and a slicer. The uplink packet capture unit is configured to encapsulate specific control data into an Ethernet frame under test, and the slicer is configured to convert the data of the Ethernet frame under test into an uplink XGEM frame under test, wherein the specific control data is generated based on control information in an XGTC frame.

[0007] Optionally or preferably, the packet capture module includes a downstream packet capture configured to encapsulate the data of the XGTC header into a downstream XGEM frame to be tested.

[0008] Optionally or preferably, the ONU also includes a header analyzer configured to obtain XGTC header data from the XGTC frame.

[0009] Optionally or preferably, the slicer is configured to set the data length of the uplink XGEM frame to be tested to be the same as the data length of the non-dedicated downlink XGEM frame.

[0010] Optionally or preferably, the XGTC frame includes the XGTC payload, which contains multiple downlink XGEM frames, wherein the timing order between the downlink XGEM frames under test and the uplink XGEM frames under test is the same as the timing order between the XGTC header and the XGTC payload.

[0011] Optionally or preferably, the ONU further includes a recording module configured to record the XGTC header and downlink XGEM frame data in the downlink XGTC frame.

[0012] Optionally or preferably, the ONU further includes an Ethernet interface configured to transmit a first Ethernet frame and a second Ethernet frame to a personal computer or laptop computer.

[0013] Optionally or preferably, a plug-in is provided on the personal computer or laptop computer for parsing and debugging the first Ethernet frame and the second Ethernet frame. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The foregoing contents, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure, will become clearer from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a typical passive optical fiber network is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a system block diagram of an ONU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the workflow of an ONU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the detailed workflow of an ONU according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] [Symbol Explanation]

[0020] 100-Passive Fiber Network;

[0021] 101-1~101-N - Optical Network Unit (ONU);

[0022] 102-Passive optical splitter;

[0023] 103 - Optical Line Terminal (OLT);

[0024] 1- Optical Network Unit (ONU);

[0025] 2-Fiber optic interface;

[0026] 3-Head Analyzer;

[0027] 4-Filter;

[0028] 5-Sniffer module;

[0029] 6-frame transceiver module;

[0030] 7-frame format conversion module;

[0031] 8 Ethernet interfaces;

[0032] 9-Recording module;

[0033] 104 - Computer;

[0034] 51-Uplink packet capture device;

[0035] 52-Buffer;

[0036] 53-Slicer;

[0037] 54-Downlink packet capture device;

[0038] f1-XGTC frames;

[0039] f2 - Ethernet frame under test;

[0040] f3 - Uplink XGEM frame combination to be tested;

[0041] f4-XGEM frame combination;

[0042] f5-Ethernet frame combination;

[0043] f31-f33 - Uplink XGEM frames to be tested. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following provides different embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are used to illustrate the technical content of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other embodiments can be implemented by modifying, changing, combining, separating, substituting, or reusing the features of the present invention.

[0045] In this invention, the terms “system,” “device,” “apparatus,” “module,” or “unit” refer to an electronic component or a digital circuit, an analog circuit, or other circuit in a broader sense composed of multiple electronic components, and unless otherwise specified, they do not necessarily have a hierarchical or subordinate relationship.

[0046] Furthermore, the methods, steps, or means of the present invention can be implemented in any desired and suitable manner. For example, they can be implemented in hardware or software. Unless specifically indicated, the various functional components, levels, and means of the present invention may include a processor, a controller, a functional unit, a circuit, a program logic, or a microprocessor setup, operable to perform the multiple functions. A dedicated hardware component and / or a programmable hardware component may be present, configured to operate in a desired and suitable manner.

[0047] Figure 1 This shows a schematic diagram of a typical passive optical fiber network 1.

[0048] The passive optical network 100 includes multiple optical network units 101 (denoted as 101-1, 101-2, and 101-3), a passive optical splitter 102, and an optical line termination (OLT) 103. The multiple optical network units 101-1, 101-2, and 101-3 are connected to the optical line termination (OLT) 103 via the passive optical splitter 102. Downstream data is broadcast from the OLT 103 to all ONUs 101, and each ONU 101 filters out the data it needs. The OLT 103 allocates different time intervals to each ONU 101, and each ONU 101 sends its own upstream data to the OLT 103 within its allocated time interval. The passive optical splitter 102 splits a single line into multiple lines. In addition, ONU 101 must be activated when connected to PON 100. Therefore, ONU 101 will generate uplink data that needs to be provided to OLT 103 based on the control information in the downlink data, such as the bandwidth map (BWmap).

[0049] Because some downlink and uplink data requires parsing and debugging to ensure data accuracy, current technology connects the ONU 101 to a dedicated analysis instrument to acquire and analyze the downlink and uplink data. However, analysis instruments are very expensive and require a significant amount of time for parsing and debugging, thus having shortcomings in practical use.

[0050] Figure 2 This diagram shows a system block diagram of an optical network unit (ONU) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. ONU 1 can be used in a PON 100. In some embodiments, the PON 100 may employ a passive optical network (GPON) standard with gigabit capability. In another embodiment, the PON 100 may employ a passive optical network (XG-PON) with 10-Gigabit capability.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, ONU 1 includes an optical fiber interface 2, a header analyzer 3, a filter 4, a packet sniffer module 5, a frame transceiver module 6, a frame format conversion module 7, an Ethernet interface 8, and a recording module 9. In one embodiment, the above components can be configured as follows: Figure 2 The connection can be made in the manner shown, but is not limited to this.

[0052] Fiber optic interface 2 is configured to receive downlink data from OLT 103 or transmit uplink data to OLT 103. Downlink data is carried by transmission frames. In one embodiment, the transmission frame is an XG-PON transmission convergence (XGTC) frame, which may include an XGTC header and an XGTC payload. For the downlink direction, the XGTC payload includes one or more XG-PON encapsulation method (XGEM) frames (hereinafter referred to as downlink XGEM frames).

[0053] Since OLT 103 transmits downlink data via broadcast, the XGTC frame contains multiple downlink XGEM frames from ONU 1. This means that each ONU 1 receives not only its own downlink XGEM frames but also those from other ONU 1s. Each ONU 1 converts its own downlink XGEM frame format into Ethernet frame format and transmits it to computer 104. In some cases, in addition to containing multiple downlink XGEM frames from ONU 1, the XGTC frame may also contain one or more idle frames. Furthermore, the XGTC frame may also contain control information provided by OLT 103, such as a bandwidth map (BWmap). ONU 1 generates specific control data based on the aforementioned control information, such as physical layer operation, administration, and maintenance upstream (PLOAMu), dynamic bandwidth report upstream (DBRu), and embedded operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM), but is not limited thereto; in one embodiment, the aforementioned control information may be stored in the XGTC header or in the downlink XGEM frame, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] Header analyzer 3 is configured to obtain XGTC header data from XGTC frames and output XGTC payload to filter 4 by filtering out the XGTC header.

[0055] Filter 4 is configured to filter out downlink XGEM frames and idle frames that do not belong to itself in one or more downlink XGEM frames in the XGTC payload of the XGTC frame, that is, to retain only its own downlink XGEM frames (hereinafter referred to as dedicated downlink XGEM frames).

[0056] Packet capture module 5 is configured to output the next XGEM frame to be tested (e.g., based on the XGTC frame) Figure 4 DS SNFXGEM) and one or more uplink XGEM frames to be tested (e.g., ... Figure 4 In the US SNF XGEM1), "output" here refers to transmitting the downlink XGEM frame to be tested and the uplink XGEM frame to be tested to the frame transceiver module 6.

[0057] Packet capture module 5 includes an uplink packet capture 51 (displayed in...) Figure 4 ) and all chippers 53 (shown in Figure 4 The uplink packet capture device 51 is configured to encapsulate specific control data generated by ONU 1 based on the control information of the XGTC frame into an Ethernet (ETH) frame under test (e.g., Figure 4(f2 in the text). Slicer 53 is configured to slice and format-convert Ethernet (ETH) frames under test to produce one or more uplink XGEM frames under test (e.g., f2 in the text). Figure 4 In the US SNF XGEM1, US SNF XGEM2, and US SNF XGEM3, multiple uplink XGEM frames under test are collectively considered as a single uplink XGEM frame combination (e.g., US SNF XGEM1, US SNF XGEM2, and US SNF XGEM3). Figure 4 (f3 in the example). Furthermore, the packet capture module 5 is configured to receive XGTC header data from the header analyzer 3 of the XGTC frame, and encapsulate the XGTC header data into a downlink XGEM frame to be tested. In one embodiment, at least one of the data in the uplink XGEM frame to be tested and the data in the downlink XGEM frame to be tested is data that needs to be parsed and debugged.

[0058] The frame transceiver module 6 is configured to receive dedicated downlink XGEM frames from the filter 4, and uplink and downlink XGEM frames to be tested from the packet capture module 5, and output the downlink XGEM frames to be tested, dedicated downlink XGEM frames, and uplink XGEM frames to be tested. These three frames are collectively considered to form a single XGEM frame combination. In one embodiment, the frame transceiver module 6 outputs the downlink XGEM frames to be tested, dedicated downlink XGEM frames, and uplink XGEM frames to be tested sequentially to the frame format conversion module 7 according to the received order, but this is not limited to this embodiment.

[0059] Frame format conversion module 7 is configured to convert XGEM frame format to Ethernet frame format. For example, frame format conversion module 7 is configured to receive XGEM frame combinations from frame transceiver module 6 and convert the XGEM frame combinations into Ethernet frame combinations. That is, the downlink XGEM frame under test, the dedicated downlink XGEM frame, and the uplink XGEM frame under test in the XGEM frame combination are each converted into an Ethernet frame. The downlink XGEM frame under test is converted into a downlink Ethernet frame under test, the dedicated downlink XGEM frame is converted into a dedicated downlink data Ethernet frame, and the uplink XGEM frame under test is converted into an Ethernet frame under test. The downlink Ethernet frame under test, the dedicated downlink data Ethernet frame, and the Ethernet frame under test are collectively regarded as an Ethernet frame combination. In addition, frame format conversion module 7 determines the multiple uplink XGEM frames under test based on the information carried by the multiple uplink XGEM frames under test (e.g., Figure 4 The US SNFXGEM1, US SNF XGEM2, and US SNF XGEM3 in the data originate from the same Ethernet test frame f2, and are used to restore multiple uplink XGEM frames to the Ethernet test frame f2.

[0060] Ethernet interface 8 can be used to receive Ethernet frame combinations from frame format conversion module 7 and can transmit the Ethernet frame combinations to computer 104 via an Ethernet transmission line. In one embodiment, computer 104 can be a personal electronic device with a processor, such as a personal computer, laptop computer, smartphone, or tablet computer. In one embodiment, computer 104 may be equipped with a plug-in for parsing and debugging the data of the Ethernet frame combinations. In one embodiment, the plug-in may be, for example, an analysis tool such as Wireshark, Tcpdump, Sniffer, or NetXRay, but is not limited to these. Accordingly, specialized analysis instruments are no longer required.

[0061] The recording module 9 is configured to record data acquired by the aforementioned components, such as control information, specific control data, downlink XGEM frame data under test, dedicated downlink XGEM frame data, and uplink XGEM frame data under test. In one embodiment, real-time data access can be performed between the components and the recording module 9. In one embodiment, the recording module 9 may be, for example, a register, but may also be a memory, hard disk, or similar component, and is not limited thereto.

[0062] In one embodiment, the header analyzer 3, filter 4, packet capture module 5, frame transceiver module 6, or frame format conversion module 7 may be, for example, electronic circuitry. In another embodiment, the header analyzer 3, filter 4, packet capture module 5, frame transceiver module 6, or frame format conversion module 7 may be, for example, software or firmware, and the functions of each module are implemented by the processor within the ONU 1. In one embodiment, the header analyzer 3, filter 4, packet capture module 5, frame transceiver module 6, or frame format conversion module 7 may be integrated into a chip within the ONU 1. The invention is not limited thereto.

[0063] Next, the main workflow of ONU 1 will be explained. Figure 3 This diagram shows the workflow of an ONU according to an embodiment of the present invention, and please also refer to... Figure 2 .

[0064] In step S11, OLT 103 transmits an XGTC frame, and ONU 1 receives the XGTC frame transmitted by OLT 103. The XGTC frame contains multiple downlink data in the XGTC payload and control information in the XGTC header.

[0065] In step S12, ONU1 receives an XGTC frame, and header analyzer 3 obtains the control information data from the XGTC header in the XGTC frame. Then, in step S13, filter 4 extracts the dedicated downlink XGEM frame for ONU1 from the XGTC frame.

[0066] Furthermore, in step S14, when ONU 1 receives an XGTC frame, ONU 1 analyzes the control information and generates specific control data based on the control information. The packet capture module 5 then encapsulates this specific control data into an Ethernet frame under test. Next, in step S15, the packet capture module 5 converts the Ethernet frame under test into one or more uplink XGEM frames under test, and encapsulates the data from the XGTC header from the header analyzer 3 into downlink XGEM frames under test. Therefore, in step S15, the packet capture module 5 outputs the XGEM frames under test that need to be parsed and debugged, such as one or more uplink and downlink XGEM frames under test.

[0067] In step S16, the frame transceiver module 6 outputs the downlink XGEM frame to be tested, the dedicated downlink XGEM frame, and one or more uplink XGEM frames to be tested to the frame format conversion module 7, wherein the downlink XGEM frame to be tested, the dedicated downlink XGEM frame, and one or more uplink XGEM frames to be tested are collectively regarded as an XGEM frame combination.

[0068] In step S17, the frame format conversion module 7 can convert the XGEM frame combination into an Ethernet frame combination. For example, the downlink XGEM frame under test in the XGEM frame combination is converted into a downlink Ethernet frame under test, the uplink XGEM frame under test is converted into an Ethernet frame under test, and the dedicated downlink XGEM frame is converted into a dedicated downlink data Ethernet frame. The downlink Ethernet frame under test, the dedicated downlink data Ethernet frame, and the Ethernet frame under test are collectively regarded as an Ethernet frame combination.

[0069] In step S18, Ethernet interface 8 can combine Ethernet frames and transmit them to computer 104.

[0070] In step S19, computer 104 can receive and store the Ethernet frame combination. Then, in step S20, computer 104 can process the ONU 1's dedicated data (i.e., general IoT data processing), and the plug-in of computer 104 can parse and debug the data of the downlink Ethernet frame under test and the data of the Ethernet frame under test in the Ethernet frame combination.

[0071] Therefore, the uplink data (Ethernet test frame) and downlink data (downlink test Ethernet frame) of ONU 1 that need to be parsed and debugged can be transmitted to computer 104 for parsing and debugging through existing Ethernet devices, and the downlink data that computer 104 itself needs to receive will not be affected.

[0072] Next, we will use an example to illustrate the details of how ONU 1 processes downlink and uplink data. Figure 4 A detailed schematic diagram illustrating the workflow of ONU 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, and please also refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0073] like Figure 4 As shown, the packet capture module 5 includes an uplink packet capture device 51, a buffer 52, a slicer 53, and a downlink packet capture device 54.

[0074] In addition, Figure 4 In the example, the XGTC frame (denoted as f1) includes an XGTC header (denoted as XGTC Header), a first dedicated downlink XGEM frame belonging to ONU 1 (denoted as ONU1 XGEM1), a downlink XGEM frame belonging to another ONU (denoted as ONU2 XGEM1), another downlink XGEM frame belonging to another ONU (denoted as ONU2 XGEM2), two idle frames (denoted as IDLE), and a second dedicated downlink XGEM frame belonging to ONU 1 (denoted as ONU1 XGEM2). In one embodiment, during the actual signal transmission process, ONU 1 sequentially receives the XGTC header, the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1), the downlink XGEM frame belonging to another ONU (ONU2 XGEM1), another downlink XGEM frame belonging to another ONU (ONU2 XGEM2), two idle frames, and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2). That is, the XGTC header and payload correspond to different timing sequences. Therefore, the downlink XGEM frame (ONU2 XGEM1), the downlink XGEM frame (ONU2 XGEM2), and the two idle frames (IDLE) belonging to other ONUs are all non-dedicated downlink XGEM frames not belonging to ONU 1. Figure 4 In the example, the types of non-dedicated downlink XGEM frames include downlink XGEM frames (ONU2 XGEM1), downlink XGEM frames (ONU2 XGEM2), and the two idle frames (IDLE).

[0075] In one embodiment, when ONU1 receives an XGTC frame (f1), the header analyzer 3 extracts the XGTC header data of the XGTC frame (f1) and transmits the XGTC header data to the downlink packet capture module 5's packet capture unit 54. Furthermore, the header analyzer 3 transmits the XGTC payload of the XGTC frame (f1) (i.e., ONU1 XGEM1, ONU2 XGEM1, IDLE, IDLE, and ONU1 XGEM2) to the filter 4, from which the filter 4 obtains ONU1's first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) and second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2). Additionally, the recording module 9 (displayed in...) Figure 2It can record the XGTC header of XGTC frame (f1) and the time interval of each frame.

[0076] After the downlink packet capture device 54 obtains the XGTC header, it encapsulates the data of the XGTC header into a downlink XGEM frame to be tested (labeled as DS SNF XGEM) and transmits the downlink XGEM frame to be tested (DSSNF XGEM) to the frame transceiver module 6.

[0077] After the filter 4 obtains the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) of ONU 1, the filter 4 transmits the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) to the frame transceiver module 6.

[0078] ONU 1 generates specific control data in response to the control information in the XGTC frame (f1). The uplink packet capture module 51 of the packet capture module 5 encapsulates the specific control data into an Ethernet test frame (labeled as f2 or US SNF ETH). In addition, the buffer 52 temporarily stores the Ethernet test frame (f2). Slicer 53 determines whether to slice the Ethernet frame under test (f2) based on the data length of a single downlink XGEM in the XGTC frame (f1) (the information of the data carrying the data length of the downlink XGEM may, for example, but not limited to, come from filter 4). When slicing is required, slice processing and format conversion are performed to convert the data slices of the Ethernet frame under test (f2) into multiple uplink XGEM frames under test. When slicing is not required, slicer 53 converts the data of the Ethernet frame under test (f2) into a single uplink XGEM frame under test. In this way, slicer 53 can output one or more uplink XGEM frames under test, where one or more uplink XGEM frames under test are collectively regarded as a single uplink XGEM frame combination (denoted as f3). In this example, the uplink XGEM frame combination (f3) may include a first uplink XGEM frame to be tested (labeled US SNF XGEM1), a second uplink XGEM frame to be tested (labeled US SNF XGEM2), and a third uplink XGEM frame to be tested (labeled US SNFXGEM3). In one embodiment, the slicer 53 may configure the data length of a single uplink XGEM frame to correspond to the data length of a single downlink data XGEM frame, for example, configuring the data length of a test XGEM frame (e.g., US SNF XGEM1) to be equal to or less than the data length of a downlink data XGEM frame belonging to another ONU (e.g., ONU2 XGEM1), but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the packet capture module 5 may transmit the uplink XGEM frame combination (f3) to the frame transceiver module 6. In another embodiment, the slicer 53 transmits the uplink XGEM frame combination (f3) to the frame transceiver module 6 according to a message transmitted by the filter 4. For example, when filter 4 filters out downlink XGEM frames belonging to other ONUs, it acquires and transmits the start flag of the downlink XGEM frames belonging to other ONUs to slicer 53. Slicer 53 transmits the uplink XGEM frame combination (f3) to frame combining module 6 at the time of receiving the aforementioned start flag.

[0079] In one embodiment, the frame transceiver module 6 sequentially receives a downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM), a first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1), an uplink XGEM frame combination (f3), and a second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2), wherein the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM), the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1), the uplink XGEM frame combination (f3), and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) are collectively considered as one XGEM frame combination (denoted as f4). The frame transceiver module 6 can transmit the XGEM frame combination (f4) to the frame format conversion module 7.

[0080] like Figure 4 As shown, in the XGTC frame, in terms of timing, the XGTC header leads ONU1 XGEM1, ONU1 XGEM1 leads ONU2 XGEM1, ONU2 XGEM1 leads ONU2 XGEM2, ONU2 XGEM1 leads IDLE, IDLE leads another IDLE, and another IDLE leads ONU1 XGEM2. Ideally, the header analyzer 3, filter 4, and packet capture module 5 will not change the timing order. Therefore, the timing order of the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM), the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1), the uplink XGEM frame under test combination (f3), and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) is the same as the timing configuration in the XGTC frame.

[0081] The time interval of the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM) can correspond to the time interval of the XGTC header of the XGTC frame (f1), that is, the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM) is located in the first time interval of the XGEM frame combination (f4); in one embodiment, the data length of the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNF XGEM) can be equal to the data length of the XGTC header, but is not limited thereto.

[0082] The first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) in the XGEM frame combination (f4) corresponds to the time interval of the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) of the XGTC frame (f1), that is, it can be located in the time interval after the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNFXGEM). In other words, the time interval of the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) in the XGEM frame combination (f4) can be the same as the time interval of the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) of the XGTC frame (f1).

[0083] The first uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM1), the second uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM2), and the third uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM3) can correspond to the time intervals of other ONU downlink XGEM frames (such as ONU2XGEM1, ONU2 XGEM2) and idle frames (IDLE) in the XGTC frame (f1). That is, the first uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM1), the second uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM2), and the third uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM3) can be located in the time interval after the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1). Therefore, it can be seen that the timing order of the downlink XGEM frame under test (DS SNFXGEM) and the first uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM1), the second uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM2), and the third uplink XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM3) is the same as the timing order of the non-dedicated downlink XGEM frames of the XGTC header and XGTC payload.

[0084] The second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) in the XGEM frame combination (f4) corresponds to the time interval of the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) of the XGTC frame (f1), which is the time interval after the third uplink XGEM frame to be tested (US SNFXGEM3). In other words, the time interval of the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) in the XGEM frame combination (f4) can be the same as the time interval of the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) of the XGTC frame (f1).

[0085] It should be noted that in other embodiments, if the number of uplink XGEM frames to be tested is large and their overall data length exceeds the time interval between the first dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM1) and the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2) in the XGEM frame combination (f4), then some uplink XGEM frames to be tested can be allocated after the second dedicated downlink XGEM frame (ONU1 XGEM2), but this is not the only possibility.

[0086] In one embodiment, the frame format conversion module 7 obtains the XGEM frame combination (f4) and can convert the XGEM frame combination (f4) into an Ethernet frame combination (denoted as f5). Figure 4In the example, the Ethernet frame combination (f5) may include a downstream Ethernet frame under test (denoted as DS SNF ETH), a first dedicated downstream data Ethernet frame (denoted as ONU1 ETH1), an Ethernet frame under test (US SNF ETH), and a second dedicated downstream data Ethernet frame (denoted as ONU1 ETH2). The Ethernet frame under test (US SNF ETH) is a reconstruction of the first upstream XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM1), the second upstream XGEM frame under test (US SNFXGEM2), and the third upstream XGEM frame under test (US SNF XGEM3). Therefore, the Ethernet frame combination contains multiple Ethernet frames, where the downstream Ethernet frame under test (DS SNF ETH) is considered a first Ethernet frame, the Ethernet frame under test (US SNF ETH) is considered a second Ethernet frame, the first dedicated downstream data Ethernet frame (ONU1 ETH1) is considered a third Ethernet frame, and the second dedicated downstream data Ethernet frame (ONU1 ETH2) is considered a fourth Ethernet frame.

[0087] In this way, general data from ONU 1 (e.g., ONU1 ETH1, ONU1 ETH2), downlink data requiring parsing and debugging (e.g., DS SNF ETH), and uplink data (e.g., US SNF ETH) can all be transmitted to computer 104 via the existing Ethernet interface of ONU 1, and processed by computer 104. The plug-in in computer 104 can analyze the downlink and uplink data.

[0088] In summary, this invention proposes an improved ONU that can transmit the data to be adjusted to a computer for analysis and debugging through an existing Ethernet interface, without the need for specialized analysis instruments, thus significantly reducing costs.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described through the above embodiments, it is understood that many other modifications and variations can be made to achieve other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and the claims.

Claims

1. An optical network unit (ONU) for use in a passive optical network (PON), characterized in that, Include: An optical fiber interface is configured to receive an XGTC (XG PON Transmission Convergence) frame, wherein the XGTC frame includes an XGTC header and multiple downstream XGEM (XG-PON encapsulation method) frames. A packet capture (sniffer) module, configured to output a downstream XGEM frame to be tested and an upstream XGEM frame to be tested based on the XGTC frame; and A frame format conversion module is configured to convert the downlink XGEM frame to be tested and the uplink XGEM frame to be tested into a first Ethernet (ETH) frame and a second Ethernet frame, respectively.

2. The optical network unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: A filter is configured to obtain a dedicated downlink XGEM frame belonging to the ONU from the XGTC frame, and the frame format conversion module is configured to convert the dedicated downlink XGEM frame into a third Ethernet frame, wherein the plurality of downlink XGEM frames include the dedicated downlink XGEM frame and non-dedicated downlink XGEM frames not belonging to the ONU.

3. The optical network unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The packet capture module includes an uplink packet capture unit and a slicer. The uplink packet capture unit is configured to encapsulate specific control data into an Ethernet frame under test. The slicer is configured to convert the Ethernet frame under test into the uplink XGEM frame under test. The specific control data is generated based on control information in the XGTC frame.

4. The optical network unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The packet capture module includes a downlink packet capture device configured to encapsulate the data of the XGTC header into the downlink XGEM frame to be tested.

5. The optical network unit as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a header analyzer configured to obtain XGTC header data from the XGTC frame.

6. The optical network unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The slicer is configured to set the data length of the uplink XGEM frame to be tested to be the same as the data length of the non-dedicated downlink XGEM frame.

7. The optical network unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The XGTC frame further includes an XGTC payload, which in turn includes the plurality of downlink XGEM frames. The timing order between the downlink XGEM frame to be tested and the uplink XGEM frame to be tested is the same as the timing order between the XGTC header and the XGTC payload.

8. The optical network unit as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a recording module configured to record the XGTC header in the XGTC frame and the data of the plurality of downlink XGEM frames.

9. The optical network unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an Ethernet interface configured to transmit the first Ethernet frame and the second Ethernet frame to a computer.

10. The optical network unit as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The computer is equipped with a plugin for parsing and debugging the first Ethernet frame and the second Ethernet frame.

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