Methods, apparatus, storage media, and electronic devices for transmitting packet signals

Abstract

This invention provides a method, apparatus, storage medium, and electronic device for transmitting packet signals. The method includes: defining a new transmission signal (NTS) and a new management signal (NMS); at a source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first NMS, and one or more first NMSs are loaded into a first NTS, and the first NTS is transmitted from the source point; at an intermediate point, after receiving the first NTS transmitted from the source point, the first NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first NMS, the overhead of the first NMS is processed, the rate of the first NMS is changed to obtain a second NMS, the second NMS is loaded into a second NTS, and the second NTS is transmitted from the intermediate point; at a destination point, after receiving the second NTS transmitted from the intermediate point, the second NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the second NMS, the overhead of the second NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed from the second NMS, ultimately realizing the transmission of one or more packet signals from the source point through the intermediate point to the destination point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method, apparatus, storage medium, and electronic device for transmitting packet signals. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the rate of packet signals is not fixed; packet signals must be converted to fixed-rate signals for transmission over the physical medium. Fixed-rate signals refer to signals with a fixed transmission rate. To date, all signals capable of high-speed transmission over the physical medium are fixed-rate signals. Examples include Ethernet PHY signals (PHY = physical, indicating the signal type ultimately transmitted over the physical medium in Ethernet; for example, 1000base-x is the PHY signal for Gigabit Ethernet transmitted in fiber optics), Optical Transport Unit (OTUk) signals in OTN (Optical Transport Network), and FlexE group signals in FlexE / MTN (Metro Transport Network). Packet signal transmission is generally not limited to point-to-point scenarios but involves transmission through multiple points. Therefore, packet signal management is essential. Management refers to the ability to continuously acquire packet signal status during transmission, such as whether the packet signal has errors, failures, source and destination information, and the ability to adjust based on Automatic Protection switching. Switching (APS) information performs protection switching on packet signals and schedules packet signals at a certain node (schedules refer to a node connected to t nodes, where t is an integer greater than 1, and on this node, packet signals from any of the t nodes can be transmitted to any of the t nodes according to user configuration or according to the destination address in the corresponding management signal). To achieve the above management functions, a packet signal needs to be encapsulated in a management signal. The management signal consists of overhead and payload. The payload encapsulates the packet signal, and the overhead can be used to manage the packet signal. Management is performed during transmission. Then, j management signals are encapsulated into a single transmission signal, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The transmission signal also includes overhead and payload. The overhead manages the transmission signal itself, and the payload holds the j management signals. There are three ways to encapsulate the j management signals into a single transmission signal. Method 1: Divide the payload of the transmission signal into k time slots, where k is an integer greater than 1. The number of management signals j encapsulated in the transmission signal is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one management signal. The j management signals can be encapsulated into the payload of a single transmission signal in at most k time slots. The entire process is as follows: Figure 1As shown; Method 2: The transmission signal corresponds to one higher-order management signal. The payload of the higher-order management signal is divided into k time slots. The number of management signals j loaded into the transmission signal is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one management signal. The j management signals are loaded into at most k time slots of the higher-order management signal payload, and the higher-order management signal is loaded into the payload of the transmission signal; Method 3: One management signal is loaded into the payload of one transmission signal. The implementation process of Method 2 and Method 3 is as follows. Figure 2 As shown. The advantage of Method 2 is that when the transmitted signal passes through an intermediate point, in some cases, only the corresponding high-order management signal needs to be extracted from the transmitted signal itself, without extracting the multiple low-speed management signals inside the high-order management signal. After processing the overhead of the high-order management signal, it is encapsulated into a new transmitted signal for continued transmission, thereby reducing processing latency. The main function of the transmitted signal is transmission, and it is also responsible for managing the transmitted signal during transmission. Therefore, the overhead of the transmitted signal includes transmission-related information and overhead defined for management during transmission. Among them, transmission-related information includes FEC error correction information, and overhead defined for management during transmission includes APS overhead, monitoring information overhead, etc. Finally, the transmitted signal may be transmitted directly in the physical medium, or it may be further processed according to the different physical media, such as being converted into one or more signals specifically for transmission in a specific physical medium. For example, the transmitted signal may be transmitted in different physical media, and different further signal conversion methods are defined for different physical media. In the above process, the management signal is only related to the transmitted signal and has no direct relationship with the signal obtained by further conversion of the transmitted signal, thereby realizing layered signal processing and simplifying the conversion relationship between signals. Note that in scenarios where packet signals are transmitted via transmission signals, the transmission signals are generally not transmitted only between two points, but rather by two or more nodes forming a specific network topology, such as ring, chain, or mesh. Each node has many specific points that need to transmit packet signals, such as... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The network consists of nodes forming a ring network that transmits two packet signals via a transmission signal. Thus, for a single packet signal, from the source to the destination, it passes through intermediate points, and each network node carries many packet signals destined for different nodes. Therefore, each node typically also has a service scheduling system. For example, for... Figure 3Node 2 receives packet signal 1 from Node 1 and can choose to output it at this node or continue outputting it to Node 3. In this scenario, a packet signal is encapsulated into a management signal at the source. Then, one or more management signals are encapsulated into a transmission signal. The transmission signal is sent from the source. After reaching the first intermediate point, the transmission signal decapsulates into multiple management signals. After management overhead processing and management signal scheduling processing, the multiple management signals are recapsulated into a new transmission signal and transmitted to the next intermediate point. This continues until the destination. At the destination, the transmission signal decapsulates into the management signals, and the management signals decapsulate into the packet signals, thus completing the transmission of the packet signal. In this process, only management signals are processed at all intermediate points; that is, the packet signal only exists at the source and destination points, not at intermediate points.

[0003] Furthermore, in packet signal transmission technologies based on management and transmission signals, both management and transmission signals are fixed-rate signals, and they are both composed of signal units. Common signal units include r bytes, 64 / 66b coded blocks, and u / v coded blocks similar to 64 / 66b coded blocks, where r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A 64 / 66b coded block comes from the Ethernet standard definition (see IEEE 802.3), and consists of 66 bits of data information. u and v are integers greater than 1, with v greater than u. Examples include 256 / 257b coded blocks and 512 / 513b coded blocks. Management and transmission signals also include overhead and payload. The payload is used to carry other signals, while the overhead is used to implement management functions for this signal. Both overhead and payload are composed of signal units, and their distribution may be uniform or non-uniform. If the overhead and payload are uniformly distributed, a fixed-length frame is composed of the overhead of m signal units plus the payload of q signal units. These fixed-length frames will appear repeatedly, one after another, and may form a multiframe from n consecutive fixed-length frames, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. This further expands the number and types of overhead. The structure of a fixed-length frame plus a multiframe is as follows: Figure 4As shown. If the overhead and payload are not uniformly distributed, their positions are not fixed, meaning there is no frame structure, or although a frame structure exists, the frame length changes continuously during signal transmission. There are many types of overhead. For fixed-length frame signals, a special frame header overhead is typically defined within the overhead. This frame header overhead appears at a fixed position within the fixed-length frame, and its value is specific for easy identification. Other overhead types are generally identified based on their position relative to the frame header within the fixed-length frame, or by combining the position relative to the frame header with the multiframe number as a means of locating other overheads. The multiframe number is implemented by a specific overhead and is used to identify the multiframe number of the current frame. Each of n consecutive frames has a multiframe number, ranging from 1 to n. For example, the first signal unit overhead following the frame header overhead of the first multiframe can be defined as overhead 1, with a length of 2 signal units. The overhead at the third signal unit position following the frame header overhead can be defined as overhead 2, with a length of one signal unit, and so on.

[0004] OTN, flexE / MTN are common packet signaling transmission technologies, and both are based on the aforementioned fixed-rate management signals and fixed-rate transmission signals. However, their management signals and transmission signals have different characteristics, which are described below:

[0005] For an Optical Transport Network (OTN), the ODU is the management signal. An ODU can carry and manage a single packet signal, or it can carry and manage one or more ODU signals at a lower rate. The ODU signal rate is fixed, and the overhead and payload are evenly distributed, i.e., it has a fixed-length frame structure. The OTU is the transmission signal. Adding transmission overhead to the ODU signal results in the OTU signal. The OTU signal rate is fixed, and the overhead and payload are evenly distributed. Since the OTU contains an ODU signal, this ODU signal can carry a single packet signal, or it can carry one or more lower-speed ODU signals. In other words, the way the OTU and ODU signals carry packet signals corresponds to the way they do so. Figure 2The method described above involves first converting various packet signals into Ethernet MAC frames, then encapsulating these Ethernet MAC frames into the payload of the ODU using GPRF, or adding inter-frame padding to the Ethernet MAC frames and converting them into 64 / 66b encoding at a fixed rate (typically an integer multiple of 5 Gbps, such as 10 Gbps, 25 Gbps, or 100 Gbps), then encapsulating them into a FlexE client or FlexE group, and finally encapsulating the FlexE client or FlexE group into the ODU. Then, an ODU is converted into an OTU signal with added overhead, or multiple low-speed ODU signals are encapsulated into a single ODU signal, and this ODU signal is converted into an OTU signal with added transmission overhead. Once the ODU signal rate is generated, it cannot be changed. When processing overhead at intermediate points, the ODU signal rate cannot be changed, thus requiring the recovery of the ODU rate, which is a complex process.

[0006] MTN reuses most of the technologies of flexE, except that it adds an OAM block to the flexE client for managing the flexE client. Here we will introduce it according to the MTN technology. In MTN, the flexE client is the management signal with a fixed rate. The OAM block acts as the overhead of the management signal. The OAM block is actually a special 64 / 66b coded block. The 64 / 66b coded blocks in the flexE client, excluding the OAM block, act as the payload, used to encapsulate grouped signals. Due to the special requirements for OAM block insertion, OAM blocks are not uniformly distributed within the flexE client. Furthermore, the rate of the OAM block is generated from the source point and cannot be changed at intermediate points, while the rate of the flexE client can change at intermediate points. This also prevents the OAM blocks from being uniformly distributed within the flexE client. Therefore, the flexE client is not a fixed-length frame. The flexE group is the transmission signal with a fixed rate, and its overhead and payload are uniformly distributed. The payload of the flexE group is divided into time slots. One or more flexE client signals with added OAM blocks are loaded into the payload time slots of the flexE group; that is, one or more management signals are loaded into the payload time slots of the transmission signals. Figure 1The method described above describes the process of transmitting packet signals via MTN as follows: Various packet signals are first converted into Ethernet MAC frames. Then, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frames, which are then converted into fixed-rate 64 / 66b encoding and used as the payload of the flexE client. OAM blocks are then added to this payload as the overhead of the flexE client. The flexE client is then loaded into the time slot of the flexE group, ultimately generating the flexE group signal as the final transmission signal. Although the flexE group is subsequently converted back to the Ethernet PHY signal format, this conversion is a lower-level process; from the perspective of the transmission signal, the flexE group is the final transmission signal. During this process, because the OAM blocks are not uniformly distributed within the payload (i.e., the overhead and payload are not uniformly distributed), and there is no fixed-length frame structure, the hardware implementation is complex, and the location of the OAM blocks cannot be accurately predicted. In the event of bit errors, overhead identification is difficult, and erroneous overhead is more easily identified, leading to increased errors in overhead management. In addition, the flexE client can change the rate at any time at the intermediate point. The range of rate change is very limited, with a maximum change of 200 ppm. 1 ppm equals one millionth. After the rate change, the flexE client's rate is equal to the rate of the payload time slot of the newly generated flexE group. The rate of the newly generated flexE group is generated using the local clock. In this way, the flexE client does not need to restore the rate of the management signal, which is simpler than the ODU in OTN, which must restore the signal rate.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the relevant technologies to overcome their shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides a method, apparatus, storage medium, and electronic device for transmitting grouped signals, to at least solve the defects in related technologies, such as the high difficulty in achieving rate recovery of new management signals at intermediate points and the inconvenience in management caused by the non-fixed-length frames of new management signals.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for transmitting packet signals includes: defining a new transmission signal (NTS) and a new management signal (NMS), wherein the new transmission signal (NTS) includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal (NTS) are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal (NTS) is a fixed value; the new management signal (NMS) includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal (NMS) are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal (NMS) is a fixed value; in the process of transmitting one or more packet signals from a source point, through intermediate points, to a destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal (NMS), one or more first new management signals (NMS) are loaded into a first new transmission signal (NTS), and the first new transmission signal (NTS) is transmitted from the source point; at the intermediate point, the first new transmission signal (NTS) transmitted from the source point is received. After receiving the first new transmission signal NTS, the first new management signal NMS is parsed out after processing the first new transmission signal NTS. The overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, and the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed to obtain the second new management signal NMS. The second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS, and the second new transmission signal NTS is sent out from the intermediate point. The second new management signal NMS is the first new management signal NMS after the rate is changed. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and the second new management signal NMS is parsed out. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed out from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination point through the intermediate point.

[0010] Further, the new transmission signal NTS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, wherein the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new transmission signal NTS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The signal units of the new transmission signal NTS form a fixed-length frame to achieve a uniform distribution of the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of m cell units and a payload of q cell units. n fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein m, q, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0011] Further, the new management signal NMS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the signal units of the new management signal NMS form a fixed-length frame, the fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of a cell units and a payload of b cell units, and c fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein a, b, and c are integers greater than or equal to 1, the signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new management signal NMS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0012] Furthermore, the overhead of the new management signal NMS is divided into frame header overhead, padding overhead, and other overhead. Among them, some information in the frame header overhead is a fixed value and appears at a fixed position in the multiframe. The frame header overhead is used to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth. At least one padding overhead appears in the new management signal NMS after a preset time. The other overhead is divided into overhead 1 to overhead s, where s is an integer greater than 1. The other overhead is used to manage the new management signal NMS. The payload of the new management signal NMS is used to load a packet signal or load one or more new management signals NMS.

[0013] Furthermore, the frame header overhead includes first information, or the other overhead includes second information, the first information or the second information being used to identify the specific positions of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead.

[0014] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the source point, loading the packet signal into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, including: the rate of the first new management signal NMS is equal to the rate of the first new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient; wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the first new transmission signal NTS.

[0015] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the intermediate point, changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS, including: the rate of the first new management signal NMS after the rate change is equal to the rate of the second new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient, wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the second new transmission signal NTS.

[0016] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the source point, during the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal NMS: if the signal unit of the new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the payload of the new management signal NMS, and the 64 / 66b coded block is loaded into the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0017] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the source point, during the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal NMS: if the signal unit of the new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information is converted into a 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into a u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the new management signal NMS payload, and the u / vb coded block is loaded into the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0018] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the source point, one or more of the first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: the payload of the first new transmission signal NTS is divided into k time slots, where k is an integer greater than 1, the number of the first new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k, each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal NMS, and one or more of the first new management signals NMS are loaded into at most k time slots of the payload of a first new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: the first new transmission signal NTS is divided into k time slots. The transmission signal NTS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS. The payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots. The number of the first new management signal NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal NMS. One or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS in at most k time slots. The higher-order new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of the first new transmission signal NTS. Method 3: One first new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of one first new transmission signal NTS.

[0019] Furthermore, the method further includes: at an intermediate point, loading the second new management signal NMS into the second new transmission signal NTS, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: dividing the payload of the second new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, the number of second new management signals NMS being less than or equal to k, each time slot being occupied by only one second new management signal NMS, and loading one or more second new management signals NMS into at most k time slots of the payload of one second new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: the second new transmission signal NTS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS, the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots, the number of second new management signals NMS being less than or equal to k, each time slot being occupied by only one second new management signal NMS, and loading one or more second new management signals NMS into at most k time slots of the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS, and the higher-order new management signal NMS being loaded into the payload of the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 3: loading one second new management signal NMS into the payload of one second new transmission signal NTS.

[0020] Furthermore, the method further includes: the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS is used to manage the new transmission signal NTS, and the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS contains relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function.

[0021] Furthermore, the relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function includes error correction information, which is used for error correction processing after the new transmission signal NTS introduces error information during transmission.

[0022] Furthermore, the method further includes: the overhead included in the new management signal NMS is used to manage the new management signal NMS.

[0023] Furthermore, the process of sending the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point includes at least the following methods: Method 1, the first new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one first new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple first new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information; The process of sending the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point includes at least the following methods: Method 1, the second new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one second new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple second new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information.

[0024] Furthermore, after the intermediate point receives the first new transmission signal NTS emitted by the source point, and the destination point receives the second new transmission signal NTS emitted by the intermediate point, the method further includes at least one of the following methods: Method 1, directly receiving the first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 2, receiving the multiple signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into one first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 3, receiving the signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into multiple first new transmission signals NTS or multiple second new transmission signals NTS.

[0025] Furthermore, the method further includes: at an intermediate point, processing the first new transmission signal NTS and then parsing out the first new management signal NMS, including: processing the overhead of the first new transmission signal NTS; and extracting one or more of the first new management signals NMS from the first new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2 or mode 3.

[0026] Furthermore, the method further includes: at the destination, processing the second new transmission signal NTS and then parsing out the second new management signal NMS, including: processing the overhead of the second new transmission signal NTS; and extracting one or more second new management signals NMS from the second new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2 or mode 3.

[0027] Furthermore, at the intermediate point, the second new management signal NMS is processed, including: processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the first new management signal NMS.

[0028] Furthermore, at the destination, the overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, including: processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the second new management signal NMS.

[0029] Further, changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS to obtain the second new management signal NMS includes: extracting the overhead and payload of the first new management signal NMS; deleting the padding overhead and the frame header overhead from the overhead; taking the other overhead as valid overhead; deleting the inter-frame padding information from the payload as valid payload; generating the second new management signal NMS; adding padding overhead to the valid overhead and writing it into the overhead of the second new management signal NMS; modifying the first information in the frame header overhead of the second new management signal NMS, or modifying the second information in the other overhead, such that the first information or the second information indicates the specific position of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead; adding the inter-frame padding information to the valid payload and writing it into the payload of the second new management signal NMS.

[0030] The process of removing inter-frame padding information from the payload to obtain the valid payload specifically includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal (NMS) is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the 64 / 66b coded block in the payload is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the valid payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal (NMS) is the u / vb coded block, then the u / vb coded block in the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the valid payload. Adding inter-frame padding information to the payload specifically includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, and the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload.

[0031] Further, at the destination, parsing the packet signal from the second new management signal NMS includes: if the signal unit of the second new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then extracting the 64 / 66b coded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, converting the 64 / 66b coded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and converting the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0032] Further, at the destination, parsing the packet signal from the second new management signal NMS includes: if the signal unit of the second new management signal NMS is the u / vb encoded block, then extracting the u / vb encoded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, converting the u / vb encoded block into the 64 / 66b encoded block, converting the 64 / 66b encoded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and converting the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, a packet signal transmitting apparatus is also provided, comprising: a definition module, configured to define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value; and a processing module, configured to, during the process of transmitting one or more packet signals from a source point, through intermediate points, to a destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is transmitted into a destination point. The first new transmission signal (NTS) is sent from the source point. At the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal (NTS) sent from the source point or the previous intermediate point, the first new transmission signal (NTS) is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal (NMS). The first new management signal (NMS) is then processed to change its rate. The rate-changed first new management signal (NMS) is then loaded into the second new transmission signal (NTS), and the second new transmission signal (NTS) is sent from the intermediate point. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal (NTS) sent from the previous intermediate point, the second new transmission signal (NTS) is processed and parsed to obtain the second new management signal (NMS). The second new management signal (NMS) is then processed and parsed to obtain the packet signal. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point through the intermediate point to the destination point.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, wherein a computer program is stored therein, wherein the computer program is configured to perform the method described above when executed.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is also provided, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor performs the method described above through the computer program.

[0036] This invention defines a new transmission signal (NTS) and a new management signal (NMS). The NTS includes overhead and payload, both of which are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the NTS is fixed. Similarly, the NMS includes overhead and payload, both of which are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the NMS is fixed. In the process of sending one or more packet signals from a source point, through intermediate points, to a destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal (NMS), and one or more first new management signals (NMS) are loaded into a first new transmission signal (NTS), which is then transmitted from the source point. At the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal (NTS) from the source point, the first new management signal (NMS) is processed and parsed to extract the first new transmission signal (NMS), and the overhead of the first new management signal (NMS) is processed. The process involves changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS to obtain a second new management signal NMS. This second new management signal NMS is then loaded into a second new transmission signal NTS, which is then transmitted from the intermediate point. The second new management signal NMS is the first new management signal NMS after its rate has been changed. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point, the process is performed to extract the second new management signal NMS. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is also processed, and the packet signal is extracted from it. This process ultimately transmits one or more packet signals from the source point through the intermediate point to the destination point. The rates of the new transmission signal NTS and the new management signal NMS are changed at the intermediate point, but the effective overhead rate of the NMS remains unchanged, ensuring that the overhead management function of the NMS can be implemented normally. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to restore the rate of the new management signal NMS, thus reducing the implementation difficulty.

[0037] This invention defines a new management signal and a new transmission signal. During the transmission of the packet signal from the source point, through intermediate points, and finally to the destination point, the rate of the new management signal can be modified at the intermediate points. Both the new transmission signal and the new management signal are fixed-rate, fixed-length frame signals, which can simultaneously ensure that the effective overhead rate of the new management signal at the source point, intermediate points, and destination points remains unchanged. This solves the problems of high difficulty in restoring the rate of the new management signal at the intermediate points and inconvenience in management caused by the new management signal not being a fixed-length frame. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram (I) illustrating how management signals are loaded into the payload of transmitted signals in related technologies.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram (II) illustrating the implementation method of loading management signals into the payload of transmission signals in related technologies;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how packet signals are transmitted in a ring network via transmission signals, as described in related technologies.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a computer terminal for a method of transmitting grouped signals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for transmitting grouped signals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overhead and payload of the NMS signal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation method of loading a grouped signal into the payload of an NMS signal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a packet signal transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0047] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0049] The methods and embodiments provided in this application can be executed on a computer terminal or similar computing device. Taking running on a computer terminal as an example, Figure 4 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a computer terminal for a packet signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, a computer terminal may include one or more ( Figure 4 Only one is shown in the diagram. A processor 402 (which may include, but is not limited to, a microprocessor (MPU) or a programmable logic device (PLD)) and a memory 404 for storing data are also shown. In one exemplary embodiment, the computer terminal may further include a transmission device 406 for communication functions and an input / output device 408. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 4 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the structure of the computer terminal described above. For example, the computer terminal may also include components that are more complex than those described above. Figure 4 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 4 Equivalent functions or ratios shown Figure 4 The functions shown have more different configurations.

[0050] The memory 404 can be used to store computer programs, such as application software programs and modules, like the computer program corresponding to the packet signal transmission method in this embodiment of the invention. The processor 402 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the computer program stored in the memory 404, thereby implementing the above-described method. The memory 404 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or other non-volatile solid-state memory. In some instances, the memory 404 may further include memory remotely located relative to the processor 402, and these remote memories can be connected to a computer terminal via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, corporate intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0051] The transmission device 406 is used to receive or send data via a network. Specific examples of the network described above may include a wireless network provided by a communication provider for the computer terminal. In one example, the transmission device 406 includes a Network Interface Controller (NIC), which can connect to other network devices via a base station to communicate with the Internet. In another example, the transmission device 406 may be a Radio Frequency (RF) module used for wireless communication with the Internet.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for transmitting grouped signals according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the steps of this method include:

[0053] Step S502: Define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value.

[0054] The aforementioned new transmission signal NTS and the aforementioned new management signal NMS can be understood as fixed-rate, fixed-length frame signals.

[0055] It should be noted that the NMS rate can be understood as the rate within the error range. The NTS rate can be obtained by multiplying the NMS rate by a fixed coefficient. Since obtaining a fixed coefficient with a fixed ratio is easy, the cost of obtaining the rate is reduced. In one embodiment, when a new management signal NMS is loaded into a new transmission signal NTS, the rates of the new management signal NMS and the new transmission signal NTS can be in a fixed ratio. The rates of NTS and NMS can be obtained by multiplying a local clock by different coefficients. Alternatively, local clock 1 can be used as the NTS rate, and local clock 2 can be used as the NMS rate. Local clock 1 and local clock 2 are not synchronized.

[0056] Step S504: In the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: At the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, which is then sent from the source point; At the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS sent from the source point or the previous intermediate point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS, the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, and the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed to obtain... The second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS, and the second new transmission signal NTS is sent from the intermediate point. The second new management signal NMS is the first new management signal NMS after the rate is changed. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent by the previous intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and the second new management signal NMS is parsed out. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed out from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination point through the intermediate point.

[0057] It should be noted that there may be one or more intermediate points, and this application does not limit the number of intermediate points.

[0058] Through the above steps, by defining a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS; in the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is sent from the source point; at the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS sent from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS, the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed to obtain a second new management signal NMS, and the second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS. In the process, the second new transmission signal NTS is sent from the intermediate point, wherein the second new management signal NMS is the first new management signal NMS after the rate is changed. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and the second new management signal NMS is parsed out. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed out from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination point through the intermediate point. At the intermediate point, the rates of the new transmission signal NTS and the new management signal NMS are changed, but the effective overhead rate of NMS remains unchanged, so that the overhead management function of NMS can be implemented normally. At the same time, it is not necessary to restore the rate of the new management signal NMS, which reduces the implementation difficulty.

[0059] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the new transmission signal NTS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, wherein the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new transmission signal NTS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The signal units of the new transmission signal NTS form a fixed-length frame to achieve a uniform distribution of the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of m cell units and a payload of q cell units. n fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein m, q, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0060] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the new management signal NMS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the signal units of the new management signal NMS form a fixed-length frame, the fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of a cell units and a payload of b cell units, and c fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein a, b, and c are integers greater than or equal to 1, the signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new management signal NMS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0061] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead of the new management signal NMS is divided into frame header overhead, padding overhead, and other overhead. Among them, some information in the frame header overhead is a fixed value and appears at a fixed position in the multiframe. The frame header overhead is used to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth. At least one padding overhead appears in the new management signal NMS after a preset time. The other overhead is divided into overhead 1 to overhead s, where s is an integer greater than 1. The other overhead is used to manage the new management signal NMS. The payload of the new management signal NMS is used to load a packet signal or load one or more of the new management signals NMS.

[0062] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the frame header overhead includes first information, or the other overhead includes second information, wherein the first information or the second information is used to identify the specific positions of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead.

[0063] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the source point, loading the packet signal into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, comprising: the rate of the first new management signal NMS being equal to the rate of the first new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient; wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the first new transmission signal NTS.

[0064] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the intermediate point, changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS, comprising: the rate of the first new management signal NMS after the rate change is equal to the rate of the second new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient, wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the second new transmission signal NTS.

[0065] It should be noted that theoretical rate refers to the nominal rate of various signals. Each signal has its own theoretical rate, and the theoretical rate value of each signal is defined by the standard for that signal. The actual rate of each signal will deviate to the theoretical rate, and the limits of this deviation are also defined in the standard for each signal.

[0066] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the source point, during the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal NMS: if the signal element of the new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the payload of the new management signal NMS, and the 64 / 66b coded block is loaded into the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0067] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the source point, during the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal NMS: if the signal element of the new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information is converted into a 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into a u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the new management signal NMS payload, and the u / vb coded block is loaded into the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0068] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the source point, loading one or more of the new management signals NMS into a first new transmission signal NTS, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: dividing the payload of the new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, the number of the new management signals NMS being less than or equal to k, each time slot being occupied by only one new management signal NMS, and loading one or more of the new management signals NMS into at most k time slots of the payload of a new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: the first new transmission signal NTS For each higher-order new management signal (NMS), the payload of the higher-order new management signal (NMS) is divided into k time slots. The number of first new management signals (NMS) is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal (NMS). One or more first new management signals (NMS) are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal (NMS) in at most k time slots. The higher-order new management signal (NMS) is loaded into the payload of the first new transmission signal (NTS). Method 3: One first new management signal (NMS) is loaded into the payload of one first new transmission signal (NTS).

[0069] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at an intermediate point, loading the second new management signal NMS into the second new transmission signal NTS, comprising at least the following three methods: Method 1: dividing the payload of the new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, wherein the number of the new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k, each time slot can only be occupied by one new management signal NMS, and loading one or more new management signals NMS into at most k time slots of the payload of one new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: the second new transmission signal NTS corresponds to A higher-order new management signal (NMS) is used, the payload of which is divided into k time slots. The number of second new management signals (NMS) is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one second new management signal (NMS). One or more second new management signals (NMS) are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal (NMS) into at most k time slots. The higher-order new management signal (NMS) is loaded into the payload of the second new transmission signal (NTS). Method 3: One second new management signal (NMS) is loaded into the payload of one second new transmission signal (NTS).

[0070] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS is used to manage the new transmission signal NTS, and the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS contains relevant information about the new transmission signal NTS performing its transmission function.

[0071] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function includes error correction information, which is used for error correction processing after the new transmission signal NTS introduces error information during transmission.

[0072] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead included in the new management signal NMS is used to manage the new management signal NMS.

[0073] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, multiple methods are provided for transmitting the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point, specifically: Method 1, the first new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one first new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple first new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information; The process of transmitting the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point includes at least the following methods: Method 1, the second new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one second new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple second new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information.

[0074] It should be noted that method 2 can be understood as converting a first new transmission signal NTS into multiple low-speed signals, which is equivalent to reverse multiplexing. Method 3 is to merge multiple first new transmission signals NTS into one signal, which is equivalent to signal multiplexing.

[0075] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, after the intermediate point receives the first new transmission signal NTS emitted by the source point, and the destination point receives the second new transmission signal NTS emitted by the intermediate point, the method further includes at least one of the following methods: Method 1, directly receiving the first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 2, receiving the multiple signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into one first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 3, receiving the signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into multiple first new transmission signals NTS or multiple second new transmission signals NTS.

[0076] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at an intermediate point, processing the first new transmission signal NTS and then parsing out the first new management signal NMS, including: processing the overhead of the first new transmission signal NTS; and extracting one or more of the first new management signals NMS from the first new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2, or mode 3.

[0077] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: at the destination, processing the second new transmission signal NTS and then parsing out the second new management signal NMS, including: processing the overhead of the second new transmission signal NTS; and extracting one or more of the second new management signals NMS from the second new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2, or mode 3.

[0078] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, at an intermediate point, the second new management signal NMS is processed, including: processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of a fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the first new management signal NMS.

[0079] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, at the destination, the overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, including: processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of a fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the second new management signal NMS.

[0080] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, identifying the start position of the fixed-length frame is equivalent to identifying the frame header. With the frame header identified, the overhead and payload can be identified.

[0081] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, to obtain a second new management signal NMS by changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS, the overhead and payload of the first new management signal NMS can be extracted. The padding overhead and the frame header overhead are deleted from the overhead, and the other overheads are treated as valid overhead. Inter-frame padding information is deleted from the payload and treated as valid payload. The second new management signal NMS is generated by adding padding overhead to the valid overhead and writing it into the overhead of the second new management signal NMS. The first information in the frame header overhead of the second new management signal NMS, or the second information in the other overheads, is modified so that the first information or the second information indicates the specific position of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overheads. The inter-frame padding information is added to the valid payload and written into the payload of the second new management signal NMS.

[0082] Specifically, removing inter-frame padding information from the payload to obtain the effective payload includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the 64 / 66b coded block in the payload is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the u / vb coded block in the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload.

[0083] Specifically, adding inter-frame padding information to the payload includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, and the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload.

[0084] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, at the destination, parsing the packet signal from the second new management signal NMS includes: if the signal element of the second new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then extracting the 64 / 66b coded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, converting the 64 / 66b coded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and converting the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0085] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, at the destination, parsing the packet signal from the second new management signal NMS includes: if the signal element of the second new management signal NMS is the u / vb encoded block, then extracting the u / vb encoded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, converting the u / vb encoded block into the 64 / 66b encoded block, converting the 64 / 66b encoded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and converting the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0086] It should be noted that the overhead and payload of the aforementioned NMS signal are uniformly distributed, and the rate can be changed at intermediate points (i.e., nodes between the source and destination). The NMS signal comprises uniformly distributed overhead and payload. For example, an NMS signal may include the overhead of m1 data blocks and the payload of n1 data blocks, where m1 and n1 are integers. The data blocks may be 64 / 66b coded blocks, or other u / vb coded blocks similar to 64 / 66b coded blocks.

[0087] It should be noted that a coded block is an information block composed of multiple bits. Based on its code pattern, it can be divided into control coded blocks and data coded blocks. Control coded blocks are generally used to represent overhead, while data coded blocks are generally used to represent payload. Detailed definitions of coded blocks can be found in relevant standards; for example, 64 / 66b and 256 / 257b coded blocks come from the IEEE 802.3 standard. A data block may also be k1 bytes, where u, v, and k1 are integers.

[0088] It should be noted that NMS overhead includes two types: padding overhead and non-padding overhead. Padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth and can be added or removed, while non-padding overhead is used to manage NMS signals. Padding overhead will definitely occur within a certain time range.

[0089] In one embodiment, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overhead and payload of an NMS signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the overhead contains special information that can identify whether the current overhead is padding overhead or non-padding overhead. The NMS payload is used to load packet signals, converting the packet signals into Ethernet MAC frames. Then, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frames, which are then converted into fixed-rate 64 / 66b encoded blocks. These 64 / 66b encoded blocks are then converted into the aforementioned u / vb encoded blocks. The u / vb encoded blocks are then used as the payload of the NMS signal, or the 64 / 66b encoded blocks can be directly loaded into the payload of the NMS signal, so that the rate of the NMS signal payload is exactly equal to the rate of the 64 / 66b encoded blocks.

[0090] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation method of loading a grouped signal into the payload of an NMS signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, when the NMS signal needs to change its rate, the rate of the non-filling overhead of NMS remains unchanged. By increasing or decreasing the filling overhead, the rate of the filling overhead plus the non-filling overhead is made equal to the overhead rate of the changed NMS signal. At the same time, the rate of the Ethernet MAC frame plus the inter-frame filling information is made equal to the payload rate of the changed NMS signal through the filling information of the Ethernet MAC frame. Through the above scheme, it can be ensured that the rate of the NMS signal can be changed while keeping the non-filling overhead rate unchanged, and the packet signals in the payload are transmitted normally.

[0091] An Ethernet MAC frame is a type of data frame that includes a frame header, a frame trailer, and a data portion. The definition of an Ethernet MAC frame comes from the Ethernet standard IEEE 802.3, as do the definitions of the 64 / 66b and 256 / 257b coded blocks.

[0092] In one embodiment, a method for converting packet signals into fixed signal rate transmission is proposed, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0093] Step 1: Define a New Manage Signal (NMS). The NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload are uniformly distributed. The rate of the NMS signal is a fixed value. One packet signal is loaded into the payload of one NMS signal. One or more NMS signals can be loaded into one NTS signal.

[0094] In addition, a New Transport Signal (NTS) is defined, which includes overhead and payload. The overhead and payload are evenly distributed, and the rate of the NTS signal is a fixed value. One or more NTS signals are further processed and converted into a Special Transport Signal (STS) that can be transmitted in a specific physical medium.

[0095] Among them, the specific physical medium can be optical fiber.

[0096] Step 2: Implement the process of transmitting one or more grouped signals from the source point, passing through intermediate points during transmission, and finally reaching the destination point. The specific steps are as follows:

[0097] At the source point, one packet signal is loaded into one NMS signal, one or more NMS signals are loaded into one NTS signal, and finally one or more NTS signals are converted into an STS signal (equivalent to the first new transmission signal NTS mentioned above) and then sent out from the source point.

[0098] At the intermediate point, the system receives the STS signal from the source point or the intermediate point, recovers one or more NTS signals from one STS signal, recovers one or more NMS signals from one NTS signal, and changes the NMS signal rate according to the local clock. During this process, the packet signal can adapt to the changed rate of the NMS signal. After generating a new NTS signal according to the local clock, the changed rate of the NMS signal matches the new NTS signal rate. The system then converts one or more NTS signals into STS signals and sends them out from the intermediate point.

[0099] At the destination, the system receives an STS signal from the source or intermediate point, recovers one or more NTS signals from one STS signal, recovers one or more NMS signals from one NTS signal, and recovers one packet signal from one NMS signal, ultimately transmitting one or more packet signals from the source to the destination via intermediate points.

[0100] Optionally, in one embodiment, the NMS signal in step 1 includes uniformly distributed overhead and payload. The uniform distribution of overhead and payload specifically means that the NMS signal consists of an overhead of m2 data blocks plus a payload of n2 data blocks, where m2 and n2 are integers. The data blocks may be 64 / 66b encoded blocks, or other u / vb encoded blocks similar to 64 / 66b encoded blocks, where u and v are integers, such as 256 / 257b encoded blocks or 512 / 513b encoded blocks. The data blocks may also be k2 bytes (k2 is an integer).

[0101] Optionally, in one embodiment, the NMS signal in step 1 includes overhead and payload. The overhead includes two types: padding overhead and non-padding overhead. Padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth and can be added or deleted. Non-padding overhead is used to manage the NMS signal. The overhead must include padding overhead. The payload is used to load the packet signal.

[0102] Optionally, in one embodiment, the process of loading one packet signal into the payload of one NMS signal in step 1 includes: converting the packet signal into an Ethernet MAC frame, then adding inter-frame padding information to the Ethernet MAC frame and converting it into a fixed-rate 64 / 66b encoded block, then converting the 64 / 66b encoded block into a u / vb encoded block in step 2, and then using the u / vb encoded block as the payload of the NMS signal, or directly loading the 64 / 66b encoded block into the payload of the NMS signal in step 2, so that the rate of the NMS signal payload is exactly equal to the rate of the 64 / 66b encoded block.

[0103] Optionally, in one embodiment, one or more NMS signals in step 1 can be incorporated into one NTS signal, including the following two cases:

[0104] Case 1: One or more NMS signals are loaded into the payload of one NTS signal.

[0105] Case 2 is if there is only one NMS signal. In this case, the payload of the NMS signal is loaded into the payload of one NTS signal, and the overhead of the NMS signal is loaded into the overhead of one NTS signal.

[0106] Optionally, in one embodiment, the process of loading one or more NMS signals into the payload of one NTS signal specifically includes: setting the rate of the NMS signal to be exactly equal to the rate of the NTS payload, and loading the NMS signal into the payload of the NTS.

[0107] The process of loading multiple NMS signals into the payload of one NTS signal specifically includes: dividing the payload of the NTS signal into m3 time slots, loading n3 NMS signals into k3 time slots of the NTS, where n3 is less than or equal to k3, k3 is less than or equal to m3, one NMS signal can occupy one or more time slots, and one time slot can only be occupied by one NMS signal.

[0108] Optionally, in one embodiment, the NTS in step 1 includes overhead and payload, wherein the overhead is used to manage the NTS signal and contains information related to the completion of the NTS signal transmission function, and can also be used for the overhead of carrying the NMS signal, and the payload is used for carrying the NMS signal or carrying the payload of the NMS signal.

[0109] Optionally, in one embodiment, the further processing of one or more NTS signals in step 1 into a specific transmission signal (STS) for transmission in a specific physical medium includes the following processing methods: Method 1, the NTS is directly used as an STS signal; Method 2, one NTS signal is converted into multiple STS signals after adding some information; Method 3, multiple NTS signals are converted into one STS signal after adding some signals.

[0110] Optionally, in one embodiment, during the process of changing the NMS signal rate according to the local clock in step 1, the rate of the specific overhead of NMS remains unchanged, and the packet signal can adapt to the changed rate of the NMS signal. Specifically, the specific overhead of NMS refers to the aforementioned non-filling overhead. When the NMS signal rate changes, the rate of the non-filling overhead remains unchanged. The rate of the filling overhead plus the non-filling overhead can be equal to the overhead rate of the changed NMS signal by increasing or decreasing the filling overhead.

[0111] Optionally, in one embodiment, the packet signal in step 1 can be adapted to the changed rate of the NMS signal. Specifically, when the NMS signal rate is changed, the rate of the Ethernet MAC frame plus the inter-frame padding information is made equal to the rate of the changed NMS signal payload by adding or subtracting the padding information between the Ethernet MAC frames.

[0112] Through the above steps, new NMS and NTS signals are defined, processing methods for NMS and NTS signals are provided, and a technical solution for converting packet signals into fixed-rate signals for transmission is realized, improving the transmission efficiency of packet signals. Compared with Ethernet, OTN, and MTN technologies, it has significant technical advantages.

[0113] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods according to the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes several instructions to cause a terminal device (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods of the various embodiments of this application.

[0114] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a request result determination device according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 As shown, it includes:

[0115] Definition module 82 is used to define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value.

[0116] The processing module 84 is configured to, during the process of transmitting one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is transmitted from the source point; at the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS transmitted from the source point, the module processes the first new transmission signal NTS and parses out the first new management signal NMS, processes the first new management signal NMS to change its rate, loads the rate-changed first new management signal NMS into a second new transmission signal NTS, and transmits the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point; at the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS transmitted from the intermediate point, the module processes the second new transmission signal NTS and parses out the second new management signal NMS, processes the second new management signal NMS and parses out the packet signal, ultimately realizing the transmission of one or more packet signals from the source point through intermediate points to the destination point.

[0117] Using the above-described apparatus, by defining a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, in the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is sent from the source point; at the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS sent from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS, the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed to obtain a second new management signal NMS, and the second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS. In the process, the second new transmission signal NTS is sent from the intermediate point, wherein the second new management signal NMS is the first new management signal NMS after the rate is changed. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and the second new management signal NMS is parsed out. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed out from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination point through the intermediate point. At the intermediate point, the rates of the new transmission signal NTS and the new management signal NMS are changed, but the effective overhead rate of NMS remains unchanged, so that the overhead management function of NMS can be implemented normally. At the same time, it is not necessary to restore the rate of the new management signal NMS, which reduces the implementation difficulty.

[0118] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the new transmission signal NTS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, wherein the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new transmission signal NTS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The signal units of the new transmission signal NTS form a fixed-length frame to achieve a uniform distribution of the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of m cell units and a payload of q cell units. n fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein m, q, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0119] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the new management signal NMS includes: signal units, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the signal units of the new management signal NMS form a fixed-length frame, the fixed-length frame includes: an overhead of a cell units and a payload of b cell units, and c fixed-length frames form a complex frame, wherein a, b, and c are integers greater than or equal to 1, the signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, the overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the new management signal NMS, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0120] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead of the new management signal NMS is divided into frame header overhead, padding overhead, and other overhead. Among them, some information in the frame header overhead is a fixed value and appears at a fixed position in the multiframe. The frame header overhead is used to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth. At least one padding overhead appears in the new management signal NMS after a preset time. The other overhead is divided into overhead 1 to overhead s, where s is an integer greater than 1. The other overhead is used to manage the new management signal NMS. The payload of the new management signal NMS is used to load a packet signal or load one or more of the new management signals NMS.

[0121] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the frame header overhead includes first information, or the other overhead includes second information, wherein the first information or the second information is used to identify the specific positions of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead.

[0122] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first loading module, configured such that the rate of the first new management signal NMS is equal to the rate of the first new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient; wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the first new transmission signal NTS.

[0123] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second loading module for adjusting the rate of the first new management signal NMS to be equal to the rate of the second new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient, wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the second new transmission signal NTS.

[0124] It should be noted that the theoretical rate mentioned above can be understood as the nominal rate of the packet signal, that is, the rate value specified in the standard defining the packet signal. It can also be used to represent the rates of the new management signal NMS, the new transmission signal NTS, the first new transmission signal NTS, and the second new transmission signal NTS. The actual rate of the packet signal will deviate somewhat from the theoretical rate.

[0125] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a third loading module, configured to, at the source point, during the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal (NMS): if the signal unit of the new management signal (NMS) is a 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, convert the packet signal into an Ethernet MAC frame, add inter-frame padding information to the Ethernet MAC frame, and then convert the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information into the 64 / 66b coded block, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the payload of the new management signal (NMS), and load the 64 / 66b coded block into the payload of the new management signal (NMS).

[0126] Furthermore, the device also includes a fourth loading module, used at the source point, in the process of loading a packet signal into the payload of a new management signal NMS: if the signal unit of the new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with added inter-frame padding information is converted into a 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into a u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the new management signal NMS payload, and the u / vb coded block is loaded into the payload of the new management signal NMS.

[0127] Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a fifth loading module for loading one or more of the new management signals NMS into a first new transmission signal NTS at the source point, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: Dividing the payload of the new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, the number of new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k, each time slot can only be occupied by one new management signal NMS, and loading one or more of the new management signals NMS into a maximum of k time slots of the payload of a new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: The first new transmission signal... The first new management signal NMS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS. The payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots. The number of first new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal NMS. One or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS in at most k time slots. The higher-order new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of the first new transmission signal NMS. Method 3: One first new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of one first new transmission signal NMS.

[0128] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a sixth loading module for loading the second new management signal NMS into the second new transmission signal NTS at an intermediate point, comprising at least the following three methods: Method 1: Dividing the payload of the new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, wherein the number of the new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k, and each time slot can only be occupied by one new management signal NMS, loading one or more new management signals NMS into a maximum of k time slots of the payload of one new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: The second new transmission signal NMS... TS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS. The payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots. The number of second new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one second new management signal NMS. One or more second new management signals NMS are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS in at most k time slots. The higher-order new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of the second new transmission signal NTS. Method 3: One second new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of one second new transmission signal NTS.

[0129] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS is used to manage the new transmission signal NTS, and the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS contains relevant information about the new transmission signal NTS performing its transmission function.

[0130] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function includes error correction information, which is used for error correction processing after the new transmission signal NTS introduces error information during transmission.

[0131] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the overhead included in the new management signal NMS is used to manage the new management signal NMS.

[0132] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a signal transmitting module for providing multiple methods for transmitting the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point, specifically: Method 1, the first new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one first new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple first new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information; The process of transmitting the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point includes at least the following methods: Method 1, the second new transmission signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2, one second new transmission signal NTS is converted into multiple signals of other formats after adding some information; Method 3, multiple second new transmission signals NTS are converted into one signal of other formats after adding some information.

[0133] It should be noted that method 2 can be understood as converting a first new transmission signal NTS into multiple low-speed signals, which is equivalent to reverse multiplexing. Method 3 is to merge multiple first new transmission signals NTS into one signal, which is equivalent to signal multiplexing.

[0134] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a signal receiving module for providing multiple implementation methods for receiving the second new transmission signal NTS emitted by the previous intermediate point, including at least one of the following methods: Method 1, directly receiving the first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 2, receiving the multiple signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into one new transmission signal NTS; Method 3, receiving the signals of other formats, deleting some information, and converting them into multiple first new transmission signals NTS or multiple second new transmission signals NTS.

[0135] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a signal parsing module for processing the overhead of the first new transmission signal NTS; and for extracting one or more of the first new management signals NMS from the first new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2, or mode 3.

[0136] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a parsing module for parsing the second new transmission signal NTS at the destination to obtain the second new management signal NMS, including: processing the overhead of the second new transmission signal NTS; and extracting one or more second new management signals NMS from the second new transmission signal NTS according to mode 1, mode 2, or mode 3.

[0137] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first processing module for processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of a fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the first new management signal NMS.

[0138] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second processing module for processing the frame header overhead to identify the start position of a fixed-length frame, identifying the specific position of the other overhead based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead, and processing the other overhead to realize the management function of the second new management signal NMS.

[0139] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a rate change module, configured to extract the overhead and payload of the first new management signal NMS, delete the padding overhead and the frame header overhead from the overhead, and treat the other overhead as valid overhead, and delete the inter-frame padding information from the payload as valid payload; generate the second new management signal NMS, add padding overhead to the valid overhead and write it into the overhead of the second new management signal NMS, modify the first information in the frame header overhead of the second new management signal NMS, or modify the second information in the other overhead, such that the first information or the second information indicates the specific position of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead, and add the inter-frame padding information to the valid payload and write it into the payload of the second new management signal NMS;

[0140] Specifically, removing inter-frame padding information from the payload to obtain the effective payload includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the 64 / 66b coded block in the payload is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the u / vb coded block in the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload.

[0141] Specifically, adding inter-frame padding information to the payload includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding inter-frame padding information, and the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload.

[0142] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a first decoding module for encoding blocks, configured to, if the signal element of the second new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b encoded block or r bytes, extract the 64 / 66b encoded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, convert the 64 / 66b encoded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and convert the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0143] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further includes a second decoding module for encoding blocks, configured to, if the signal element of the second new management signal NMS is the u / vb encoded block, extract the u / vb encoded block from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, convert the u / vb encoded block into the 64 / 66b encoded block, convert the 64 / 66b encoded block into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and convert the Ethernet MAC frame into the packet signal.

[0144] In one exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, various media capable of storing computer programs, such as a USB flash drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), portable hard disk, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0145] Specific examples in this embodiment can be found in the examples described in the above embodiments and exemplary implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0146] Embodiments of the present invention also provide an electronic device including a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program and the processor being configured to run the computer program to perform the steps in any of the above method embodiments.

[0147] Optionally, in this embodiment, the processor can be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program:

[0148] S1, define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value.

[0149] S2, in the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is sent from the source point; at the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS sent from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS, and the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed to change the first The rate of the new management signal NMS is used to obtain a second new management signal NMS. The second new management signal NMS is then loaded into a second new transmission signal NTS, which is then sent from the intermediate point. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to extract the second new management signal NMS. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point through the intermediate point to the destination point.

[0150] Optionally, in other embodiments, the processor described above may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program:

[0151] S1, define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value.

[0152] S2, in the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: at the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, and one or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is sent from the source point; at the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS sent from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS, and the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed to change the first The rate of the new management signal NMS is used to obtain a second new management signal NMS. The second new management signal NMS is then loaded into a second new transmission signal NTS, which is then sent from the intermediate point. At the destination point, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS sent from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to extract the second new management signal NMS. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and the packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point through the intermediate point to the destination point.

[0153] In one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device may further include a transmission device and an input / output device, wherein the transmission device is connected to the processor and the input / output device is connected to the processor.

[0154] Specific examples in this embodiment can be found in the examples described in the above embodiments and exemplary implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0155] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented using general-purpose computing devices. They can be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices. They can be implemented using computer-executable program code, and thus can be stored in a storage device for execution by a computing device. In some cases, the steps shown or described can be performed in a different order than those described herein, or they can be fabricated as separate integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps can be fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0156] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting grouped signals, characterized in that, include: Define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS, wherein the new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value; the new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed, and the rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value. In the process of sending one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: At the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, one or more of the first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is transmitted from the source point. At the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS. The overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed, and a second new management signal NMS is obtained. The second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS, and the second new transmission signal NTS is sent out from the intermediate point. At the destination, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the second new management signal NMS. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and a packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination through the intermediate point.

2. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The new transmission signal NTS includes: a signal unit, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: a 64 / 66b coded block, a u / vb coded block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The signal unit is divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to different functions, wherein the overhead signal unit corresponds to the overhead of the new transmission signal NTS, and the payload signal unit corresponds to the payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The signal units of the new transmission signal NTS are composed of fixed-length frames to achieve uniform distribution of the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS. The fixed-length frame includes: the overhead of m cell units and the payload of q cell units. n fixed-length frames are composed of a complex frame, where m, q, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1.

3. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The new management signal NMS includes: the signal unit, wherein the signal unit includes at least one of the following: the 64 / 66b encoding block, the u / vb encoding block, and r bytes; u and v are integers greater than 1, and v is greater than u, and r is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The signal unit is divided into the overhead signal unit and the payload signal unit according to different functions. The overhead signal unit corresponds to the overhead of the new management signal NMS, and the payload signal unit corresponds to the payload of the new management signal NMS. The signal units of the new management signal NMS form a fixed-length frame, which includes: the overhead of a cell units and the payload of b cell units. c fixed-length frames form a complex frame, where a, b, and c are integers greater than or equal to 1.

4. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The overhead of the New Management Signal (NMS) is divided into frame header overhead, padding overhead, and other overhead. Among them, some information in the frame header overhead is a fixed value and appears at a fixed position in the multiframe. The frame header overhead is used to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The padding overhead is only used to occupy bandwidth. At least one padding overhead appears in the New Management Signal (NMS) after a preset time. The other overhead is divided into overhead 1 to overhead s, where s is an integer greater than 1. The other overhead is used to manage the New Management Signal (NMS). The payload of the New Management Signal (NMS) is used to load a packet signal or load one or more New Management Signals (NMS).

5. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 4, characterized in that, The frame header overhead contains first information, or the other overhead contains second information. The first information or the second information is used to identify the specific positions of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead.

6. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the source point, loading the packet signal into the payload of a first new management signal NMS includes: the rate of the first new management signal NMS is equal to the rate of the first new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient; wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the first new transmission signal NTS.

7. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the intermediate point, changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS includes: the rate of the first new management signal NMS after the rate change is equal to the rate of the second new transmission signal NTS multiplied by a fixed rate coefficient, wherein the fixed rate coefficient is equal to the theoretical rate of the first new management signal NMS divided by the theoretical rate of the second new transmission signal NTS.

8. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the source point, during the process of loading the packet signal into the payload of the first new management signal NMS: If the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or the r-byte, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with the added inter-frame padding information is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the first new management signal NMS payload, and the 64 / 66b coded block is loaded into the payload of the first new management signal NMS.

9. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the source point, during the process of loading the packet signal into the payload of the first new management signal NMS: If the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb encoded block, then the packet signal is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame, inter-frame padding information is added to the Ethernet MAC frame, and the Ethernet MAC frame with the added inter-frame padding information is converted into the 64 / 66b encoded block. The 64 / 66b encoded block is then converted into the u / vb encoded block, such that the rate of the u / vb encoded block is equal to the rate of the first new management signal NMS payload. The u / vb encoded block is then loaded into the payload of the first new management signal NMS.

10. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the source point, one or more of the first new management signals NMS are incorporated into a first new transmission signal NTS, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: Divide the payload of the first new transmission signal NTS into k time slots, where k is an integer greater than 1. The number of the first new management signals NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal NMS. Load one or more first new management signals NMS into a maximum of k time slots of the payload of one first new transmission signal NTS. Method 2: The first new transmission signal NTS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS. The payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots. The number of the first new management signal NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one first new management signal NMS. One or more first new management signals NMS are loaded into at most k time slots of the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS. The higher-order new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of the first new transmission signal NTS. Method 3: A first new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of a first new transmission signal NTS.

11. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS is used to manage the new transmission signal NTS, and the overhead included in the new transmission signal NTS contains relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function.

12. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 11, characterized in that, The relevant information for the new transmission signal NTS to complete the transmission function includes error correction information, and the error correction information is used for error correction processing after the new transmission signal NTS introduces error information during the transmission process.

13. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The overhead included in the new management signal NMS is used to manage the new management signal NMS.

14. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of transmitting the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point includes at least the following: In Method 1, the first newly transmitted signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2 involves adding several pieces of information to a first newly transmitted signal NTS and converting it into multiple signals of other formats; Method 3: After adding the aforementioned information to multiple first newly transmitted signals NTS, convert them into a signal of another format; The process of sending the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point includes at least the following: In Method 1, the second newly transmitted signal NTS is not processed in any way; Method 2 involves adding the aforementioned information to a second new transmission signal NTS and converting it into multiple signals of other formats; Method 3 involves adding the aforementioned information to multiple second new transmission signals NTS and converting them into a signal of another format.

15. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 14, characterized in that, After the intermediate point receives the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point, and the destination point receives the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point, the method further includes at least one of the following methods: Method 1: Directly receive the first new transmission signal NTS or the second new transmission signal NTS; Method 2: Receive multiple signals in other formats, delete the aforementioned information, and convert them into a first new transmission signal NTS or a second new transmission signal NTS; Method 3: Receive a signal in another format, delete the aforementioned information, and convert it into multiple first new transmission signals NTS or multiple second new transmission signals NTS.

16. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the intermediate point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and the first new management signal NMS is parsed, including the overhead of processing the first new transmission signal NTS; One or more of the first new management signals NMS are extracted from the first new transmission signal NTS according to method 1, method 2 or method 3.

17. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 5, characterized in that, At the intermediate point, the overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, including: The frame header overhead is processed to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The specific position of the other overhead is identified based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead. The other overhead is processed to realize the management function of the first new management signal NMS.

18. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 5, characterized in that, At the destination, the overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, including: The frame header overhead is processed to identify the start position of the fixed-length frame. The specific position of the other overhead is identified based on the first information in the frame header overhead or the second information in the other overhead. The other overhead is processed to realize the management function of the second new management signal NMS.

19. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 1, characterized in that, Changing the rate of the first new management signal NMS to obtain a second new management signal NMS includes: Extract the overhead and payload of the first new management signal NMS. Remove padding overhead and frame header overhead from the overhead and treat the other overhead as valid overhead. Remove inter-frame padding information from the payload and treat it as valid payload. Generate the second new management signal NMS, add the padding overhead to the effective overhead and write it into the overhead of the second new management signal NMS, modify the first information in the frame header overhead of the second new management signal NMS, or modify the second information in the other overhead, so that the first information or the second information indicates the specific position of overhead 1 to overhead s in the other overhead, add the inter-frame padding information to the effective payload and write it into the payload of the second new management signal NMS; The removal of the inter-frame padding information from the payload to obtain the effective payload specifically includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is a 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the 64 / 66b coded block in the payload is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is a u / vb coded block, then the u / vb coded block in the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into an Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, the inter-frame padding information is deleted, and only the Ethernet MAC frame is retained as the effective payload; Adding inter-frame padding information to the payload specifically includes: if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding the inter-frame padding information, such that the rate of the 64 / 66b coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload; if the signal unit of the first new management signal NMS is the u / vb coded block, then the payload is converted into the 64 / 66b coded block after adding the inter-frame padding information, and the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the u / vb coded block, such that the rate of the u / vb coded block is equal to the rate of the second new management signal NMS payload.

20. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the intermediate point, the second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS, including at least the following three methods: Method 1: Divide the payload of the second new transmission signal NTS into k time slots. The number of the second new management signal NMS is less than or equal to k, where k is an integer greater than 1. Each time slot can only be occupied by one second new management signal NMS. Load one or more second new management signals NMS into a maximum of k time slots of the payload of one second new transmission signal NTS. Method 2: The second new transmission signal NTS corresponds to a higher-order new management signal NMS. The payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS is divided into k time slots. The number of the second new management signal NMS is less than or equal to k. Each time slot can only be occupied by one second new management signal NMS. One or more second new management signals NMS are loaded into the payload of the higher-order new management signal NMS into a maximum of k time slots. The higher-order new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of the second new transmission signal NTS. Method 3: A second new management signal NMS is loaded into the payload of a second new transmission signal NTS.

21. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: At the destination, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and then parsed to obtain the second new management signal NMS, including the overhead of processing the second new transmission signal NTS; One or more of the second new management signals NMS are extracted from the second new transmission signal NTS according to method 1, method 2 or method 3.

22. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 8, characterized in that, At the destination, the packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS, including: If the signal unit of the second new management signal NMS is the 64 / 66b coded block or r bytes, then the 64 / 66b coded block is extracted from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, the 64 / 66b coded block is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and the Ethernet MAC frame is converted into the packet signal.

23. The method for transmitting grouped signals according to claim 9, characterized in that, At the destination, the packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS, including: If the signal element of the second new management signal NMS is the u / vb encoded block, then the u / vb encoded block is taken out from the payload of the second new management signal NMS, the u / vb encoded block is converted into the 64 / 66b encoded block, the 64 / 66b encoded block is converted into the Ethernet MAC frame and the inter-frame padding information, and the Ethernet MAC frame is converted into the packet signal.

24. A device for transmitting grouped signals, characterized in that, include: A definition module is used to define a new transmission signal NTS and a new management signal NMS. The new transmission signal NTS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new transmission signal NTS are uniformly distributed. The rate of the new transmission signal NTS is a fixed value. The new management signal NMS includes overhead and payload, and the overhead and payload of the new management signal NMS are uniformly distributed. The rate of the new management signal NMS is a fixed value. The processing module is used to transmit one or more packet signals from the source point, through intermediate points, to the destination point: At the source point, a packet signal is loaded into the payload of a first new management signal NMS, one or more of the first new management signals NMS are loaded into a first new transmission signal NTS, and the first new transmission signal NTS is transmitted from the source point. At the intermediate point, after receiving the first new transmission signal NTS from the source point, the first new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the first new management signal NMS. The overhead of the first new management signal NMS is processed, the rate of the first new management signal NMS is changed, and a second new management signal NMS is obtained. The second new management signal NMS is loaded into the second new transmission signal NTS, and the second new transmission signal NTS is sent out from the intermediate point. At the destination, after receiving the second new transmission signal NTS from the intermediate point, the second new transmission signal NTS is processed and parsed to obtain the second new management signal NMS. The overhead of the second new management signal NMS is processed, and a packet signal is parsed from the second new management signal NMS. Finally, one or more packet signals are transmitted from the source point to the destination through the intermediate point.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 23 when it is run.

26. An electronic device, characterized in that, The method includes a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 23 through the computer program.

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