Signal rate processing method, apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a signal rate processing method, device and storage medium. The method comprises: receiving a fixed rate signal with a first rate; generating a fixed rate signal with a second rate based on the fixed rate signal with the first rate; wherein the fixed rate signal comprises overhead and payload, the payload comprises a padding payload and a non-padding payload, the non-padding payload is divided into n time slots, m sub-signals are carried in the n time slots, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed rate signal with the first rate comprises first overhead, a first padding payload and a first non-padding payload; and the fixed rate signal with the second rate comprises second overhead, a second padding payload and the first non-padding payload. The rate of the fixed rate signal based on the time slot is changed without affecting the content in the time slot, thereby reducing the intermediate point hardware processing cost and reducing the processing delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a signal rate processing method, apparatus, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Time-slot based fixed-rate signals are common in optical transmission devices. Signals for transmission in optical fibers in various optical transmission devices are all time-slot based fixed-rate information. For example, the Synchronous Transport Module-N (STM-N) of the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), the Optical Transport Unit-k (OTUk) and Optical Transport Unit-cn (OTUcn) of the Optical Transport Network (OTN), and the Flexible Ethernet Group (flexe group) of the Slicing Packet Network (SPN).

[0003] Generally, multiple low-speed other signals are carried in the payload of time-slot based fixed-rate signals. For example, multiple Virtual Container-4 (VC-4) signals are carried in STM-N, multiple Optical Data Unit-i (ODUi) (i < k) signals are carried in OTUk and OTUCn, and multiple flexible Ethernet client signals are carried in flexe group. Multiple other signals in their payloads generally need to be transmitted across multiple nodes. Generally, time-slot based fixed-rate signals need to be disassembled into multiple low-speed signals at each node and then re-encapsulated into new signals. Such processing is relatively complex and has a large processing delay. Another processing method is to transparently transmit signals using rate recovery technology. In this case, the internal structure of the payload does not need to be known, but the implementation of rate recovery technology is relatively complex. Especially when multiple low-speed signals disassembled from time-slot based fixed-rate signals need to undergo low-speed signal cross-scheduling processing, the implementation difficulty of rate recovery technology will be greatly increased after low-speed signal cross-scheduling, resulting in a very high hardware implementation cost.

[0004] Regarding the problem that when a signal passes through an intermediate point, the signal needs to be disassembled and re-encapsulated or complex rate recovery technology needs to be used, resulting in complex processing, there is currently no good solution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a signal rate processing method, apparatus, and storage medium to at least solve the problem in related technologies where signals need to be disassembled and repackaged or complex rate recovery techniques are required when they pass through intermediate points, resulting in complex processing.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a signal rate processing method is provided, comprising: receiving a fixed-rate signal having a first rate; generating a fixed-rate signal having a second rate based on the fixed-rate signal having the first rate; wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes filling payload and non-filling payload, the non-filling payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal having the first rate includes a first overhead, a first filling payload and a first non-filling payload; the fixed-rate signal having the second rate includes a second overhead, a second filling payload and the first non-filling payload.

[0007] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the fixed-rate signal includes signal units, which are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions. The payload signal units are further divided into filled payload signal units and non-filled payload signal units. The overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the fixed-rate signal, the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the fixed-rate signal, the filled payload signal units correspond to the filled payload, and the non-filled payload signal units correspond to the non-filled payload.

[0008] In at least one exemplary embodiment, each signal unit consists of k bytes, a 64 / 66b coded block, or a u / vb coded block, where k is a positive integer. The 64 / 66b coded block or the u / vb coded block is divided into a data coded block and a control coded block, and u and v are integers greater than 1. The overhead signal unit and the payload signal unit form a frame, wherein the overhead signal unit includes a frame header overhead for indicating the start position of the frame. Each frame consists of s overhead signal units and t payload signal units, and r consecutive frames form a complex frame, where s, t, and r are all positive integers, and the values ​​of s and t remain unchanged for different frames. Alternatively, the overhead signal unit and the payload signal unit form a frame, wherein the overhead signal unit includes a frame header overhead for indicating the start position of the frame. Each frame consists of s overhead signal units and t payload signal units, and r consecutive frames form a complex frame, where s, t, and r are all positive integers, and the values ​​of s and t vary for different frames.

[0009] In at least one exemplary embodiment, each signal unit is composed of a 64 / 66b encoding block or a u / vb encoding block, wherein the 64 / 66b encoding block or the u / vb encoding block is divided into a data encoding block and a control encoding block, and u and v are integers greater than 1; there are no frames in the fixed rate signal, and the overhead signal unit is arranged in the payload signal unit according to a predetermined rule or randomly.

[0010] In at least one exemplary embodiment, when each signal unit consists of k bytes, the overhead signal unit includes: a fill payload indication overhead, indicating whether the fill payload signal unit exists in the multiframe and the position of the fill payload signal unit in the multiframe.

[0011] In at least one exemplary embodiment, when each signal unit is composed of the 64 / 66b coding block or the u / vb coding block, the fill payload signal unit is composed of a control coding block of a specific code pattern and w data coding blocks of a specific code pattern, wherein w is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0012] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead signal unit includes: a slot numbering indication overhead for indicating the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location includes one of the following: the first non-filled payload signal unit in the first frame of the multiframe; the first non-filled payload signal unit after the slot numbering indication overhead; the first non-filled payload signal unit before the slot numbering indication overhead; the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead signal unit at a specified location in the multiframe; and the first non-filled payload signal unit before the overhead signal unit at a specified location in the multiframe.

[0013] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead signal unit includes: a slot numbering indication overhead for indicating the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location includes one of the following: the first non-filled payload signal unit after the slot numbering indication overhead; the first non-filled payload signal unit before the slot numbering indication overhead; the first non-filled payload signal unit after an overhead signal unit at a specified location; and the first non-filled payload signal unit before an overhead signal unit at a specified location.

[0014] In at least one exemplary embodiment, in the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the slot numbering indication overhead is reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

[0015] In at least one exemplary embodiment, in the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the fill load indication overhead is reset based on the second fill load and the first non-fill load.

[0016] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second fill payload is a fill payload regenerated based on the signal rate of the payload of the fixed-rate signal having the second rate and the signal rate of the first non-fill payload.

[0017] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second overhead includes at least one of the following: a portion of the first overhead; and a regenerated third overhead.

[0018] In at least one exemplary embodiment, dividing the non-filled payload into n time slots includes: dividing every n×a consecutive non-filled payload signal units in the fixed rate signal into n time slots, wherein every a non-filled payload signal units correspond to one time slot, and each of the n time slots corresponds to a number, where a is a positive integer.

[0019] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the fixed-rate signal includes at least one of the filler payloads within a predetermined time interval.

[0020] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second rate is generated by a local clock, and the deviation between the second rate and the ideal value of the rate of the fixed rate signal is within a predetermined speed regulation range.

[0021] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the deviation between the ideal values ​​of the first rate and the rate of the fixed rate signal is within a predetermined speed regulation range.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a signal rate processing apparatus is provided, comprising: a receiving module for receiving a fixed-rate signal having a first rate; and a rate processing module for generating a fixed-rate signal having a second rate based on the fixed-rate signal having the first rate; wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes filling payload and non-filling payload, the non-filling payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal having the first rate includes a first overhead, a first filling payload, and a first non-filling payload; and the fixed-rate signal having the second rate includes a second overhead, a second filling payload, and the first non-filling payload.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein a computer program is stored therein, wherein the computer program is configured to perform the steps of any of the above method embodiments when it is run.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the steps in any of the above method embodiments.

[0025] This invention addresses the issue that, by incorporating overhead and payload into a fixed-rate signal, and by including non-filled payload and filled payload divided into time slots, the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal can be changed by altering the filled payload according to the rate change, thus ensuring that the rate of the non-filled payload remains constant. This solves the problem in related technologies where signals need to be disassembled and repackaged or complex rate recovery techniques are required when passing through intermediate points, leading to complex processing. The invention allows for changing the rate of time-slot-based fixed-rate signals without affecting the content within the time slots, thereby reducing hardware processing costs at intermediate points and minimizing processing latency. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a payload-based time-slot division method for fixed-rate signals.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a communication device for a signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a signal rate processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of another signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of another signal rate processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a time-slot division method for a fixed-rate signal based on time slots according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a detailed flowchart of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the signal format of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the signal format of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the signal format of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] The time-slot-based fixed-rate signal refers to a signal with a fixed rate value. The rate of the fixed-rate signal is defined by a standard organization, and the standard organization will give the theoretical value of the rate of the fixed-rate signal. However, the rate of the fixed-rate information generated and processed by hardware is generally generated by a local clock, and there is a certain deviation between the rate of the local clock and its nominal value, resulting in a certain deviation between the actual rate and the theoretical rate of the fixed-rate signal. The standard organization will also define the maximum deviation range between the rate of the fixed-rate signal and the theoretical rate, such as plus or minus 100 ppm. 1 ppm is equal to one in a million, that is, the rate of the fixed-rate signal can be 100 ppm faster or slower than the standard rate.

[0038] The time-slot-based fixed-rate signal includes two parts: overhead and payload. Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a way to divide the payload into time slots for the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal. As Figure 1 shown, the payload is divided into n time slots, where n is a positive integer. Here, the time slots can divide the payload into n equal parts, and 1 part corresponds to 1 time slot (of course, it can also correspond to multiple time slots), so after n equal divisions, there are n time slots. In Figure 1 the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal consists of signal units. The signal unit can be k bytes, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 1, or a 64 / 66b encoding block, or a u / vb encoding block similar to the 64 / 66b encoding block, where u and v are integers greater than 1. u / vb may be a 256 / 257b encoding block, a 512 / 513b encoding block, etc. All signal units are functionally divided into overhead and payload. The payload part is divided into n time slots, and the n time slots can be used to carry one or more low-speed signals.

[0039] When using the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal in an optical transmission device, the signals used for transmission in the optical fiber in various optical transmission devices are all time-slot-based fixed-rate information, such as STM-N of SDH, OTUk of OTN, OTUcn, and flexe group of SPN. Generally, multiple low-speed other signals are carried in the payload of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal. For example, multiple VC-4 signals are carried in STM-N, multiple ODUi (i < k) signals are carried in OTUk and OTUCn, and multiple flexe client signals are carried in the flexe group.

[0040] If the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal is changed, the payload rate will also change. This requires the time slots of the low-speed signals to be re-adapted to the payload. Therefore, multiple low-speed signals must first be extracted from the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal and then reloaded into the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal with the changed rate. Multiple other signals in the payload typically need to be transmitted across multiple nodes. Generally, the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal must be removed and regenerated at each node. However, there are exceptions. OTUk can support ODUk transparent transmission at intermediate nodes. ODUk and OTUk share the same payload; OTUk only incurs slightly more overhead than ODUk. Therefore, OTUk and ODUk can be considered the same signal. If all other low-speed signals in the payload of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal need to pass through an intermediate point to the same location, for flexe groups and STM-N, it is generally necessary to disassemble them to obtain multiple low-speed signals inside and then repackage them into new flexe group and STM-N signals. This process is complex because the internal structure of the payload must first be known, that is, the correspondence between the n time slots in the payload and the multiple low-speed signals, in order to decipher the multiple low-speed signals. In addition, this process is complex and has a large processing delay. Although it is also possible to directly transmit flexe group and STM-N signals using rate recovery technology, without knowing the internal structure of the payload, the rate recovery technology is still complex to implement. The same applies to OTUk. Multiple low-speed ODUi can be extracted from an OTUk and then reassembled into a new OTUk. Alternatively, it can be processed in the OTUk-ODUk-OTUk manner. In this case, it is not necessary to know the payload inside the OTUk, but it is still necessary to recover the ODUk rate from the OTUk. Then, the clock of the new OTUk is generated based on the recovered ODUk clock. That is, the new OTUk and the old OTUk have the same rate, which also requires rate recovery technology.

[0041] This invention modifies the payload of time-slot-based fixed-rate signals by dividing it into two types: filled payload (always containing filled payload at certain intervals) and non-filled payload. The non-filled payload is then divided into n equal parts. Thus, when the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal changes, only the number of filled payloads needs to be increased or decreased, while the non-filled payload remains transparent. This ensures the transparent transmission of multiple low-speed services within the payload without needing to know the correspondence between time slots and low-speed services within the payload. With the solution provided by this invention, when the signal passes through an intermediate point and all low-speed signals within the payload need to be transparently transmitted, their rates can be modified using a local clock, eliminating the need for complex clock recovery techniques. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to know the structure of the payload or remove and reload the low-speed signals from within it.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0043] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0044] The methods and embodiments provided in this application can be executed in communication devices including field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), chips, or similar computing devices. Chips or FPGAs are typically used on the boards of communication devices, which generally also have a central processing unit (CPU) on which software can run. The software running on the CPU can cooperate with the chip or FPGA to modify or read configuration information in the FPGA or chip. Taking a typical communication device as an example... Figure 2 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the signal rate processing method of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the communication device may include one or more ( Figure 2 Only one is shown. A processor 202 (which may include, but is not limited to, a microprocessor MCU or a programmable logic device FPGA), a memory 204 for storing data, and a chip or FPGA 210 are also shown. The communication equipment may further include a transmission device 206 for communication functions and an input / output device 208. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 2 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the structure of the communication device described above. For example, the communication device may also include components that are more... Figure 2 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 2 The different configurations shown.

[0045] The memory 204 can be used to store computer programs, such as application software programs and modules, like computer programs for configuring a chip or FPGA 210 to implement the signal rate processing method in this embodiment of the invention. The processor 202 executes the configuration of the chip or FPGA 210 by running the computer program stored in the memory 204 to implement the aforementioned signal rate processing method. The memory 204 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 204 may further include memory remotely located relative to the processor 202, and these remote memories can be connected to communication devices 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.

[0046] The transmission device 206 is used to receive or send data via a network. Specific examples of the network described above may include a wireless network provided by the communication provider of the communication equipment. In one example, the transmission device 206 includes a Network Interface Controller (NIC), which can connect to other network devices via a base station to communicate with the Internet. In one example, the transmission device 206 can communicate with the Internet via wired or wireless means.

[0047] This embodiment provides a signal rate processing method running on a communication device. Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0048] Step S302: Receive a fixed-rate signal with a first rate, wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes fill payload and non-fill payload, the non-fill payload is divided into n time slots, and the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, where m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the first rate includes a first overhead, a first fill payload, and a first non-fill payload. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the deviation between the ideal value of the first rate and the rate of the fixed-rate signal is within a predetermined speed regulation range.

[0049] Step S304: Generate a fixed-rate signal with a second rate based on the fixed-rate signal with a first rate, wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes fill payload and non-fill payload, the non-fill payload is divided into n time slots, and the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, where m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the second rate includes a second overhead, a second fill payload, and the first non-fill payload. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second rate is generated by a local clock, and the deviation between the second rate and the ideal value of the rate of the fixed-rate signal is within a predetermined speed adjustment range.

[0050] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the non-filled payload can be divided into n time slots in such a way that every n×a consecutive non-filled payload signal units in the fixed rate signal are divided into n time slots, wherein each a non-filled payload signal unit corresponds to one time slot, and each of the n time slots corresponds to a number, where a is a positive integer.

[0051] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the fixed-rate signal includes at least one of the filling payloads within a predetermined time interval. That is, the fixed-rate signal's payload must contain a filling payload every predetermined time interval. Thus, when the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal is changed, only the number of filling payloads in the payload needs to be increased or decreased, while the non-filling payloads remain transparent. This ensures the transparent transmission of multiple low-speed services within the payload, without needing to know the correspondence between time slots and low-speed services within the payload.

[0052] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead may include slot numbering indication overhead for indicating the slot number corresponding to at least one of the non-filled payloads in the payload. In the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the slot numbering indication overhead is reset based on the second filled payload and the first non-filled payload.

[0053] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead may include fill payload indication overhead for indicating the location of the fill payload, or the fill payload may indicate itself as a fill payload in some way, thereby enabling the communication device to know the location of the fill payload in the fixed-rate signal. In the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the fill payload indication overhead needs to be reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

[0054] In the fixed-rate signal of this invention, overhead and payload are logical concepts. However, in physical implementation, a fixed-rate signal often includes signal units. For example, a fixed-rate signal can be, but is not limited to, composed of signal units. The actual overhead and payload are specific functional divisions of the signal units. The signal units can be divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions. The payload signal units can be further divided into filled payload signal units and non-filled payload signal units. The overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the fixed-rate signal, while the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the fixed-rate signal. The filled payload signal units correspond to the filled payload, and the non-filled payload signal units correspond to the non-filled payload. In this invention, each signal unit can be composed of k bytes, a 64 / 66b coded block, or a u / vb coded block.

[0055] The fixed rate signal of this invention can be implemented in various ways. Correspondingly, the time slot numbering indication overhead and the filling payload indication overhead can also be implemented in various ways, which will be described in detail below.

[0056] (1) The fixed-rate signal has a frame structure, that is, the overhead signal units and the payload signal units constitute a frame, wherein the overhead signal units include frame header overhead to indicate the start position of the frame, and each frame consists of s overhead signal units and t payload signal units. r consecutive frames can form a multiframe, and the s overhead signal units of different frames in the multiframe can be defined as the same overhead, or can be defined as different overheads as needed to expand the types of overhead that can be carried. In some exemplary embodiments, each multiframe contains at most one padding payload.

[0057] When the fixed-rate signal has a frame structure, each signal unit can be composed of k bytes, a 64 / 66b coded block, or a u / vb coded block, where k is a positive integer, the 64 / 66b coded block or the u / vb coded block is divided into a data coded block and a control coded block, and u and v are integers greater than 1.

[0058] The frames mentioned above can be fixed-length frames. In this case, s, t, and r are all positive integers, and the values ​​of s and t remain unchanged for different frames.

[0059] Alternatively, the aforementioned frames can also be indefinite-length frames, or variable-length frames. In this case, s, t, and r are all positive integers, and the values ​​of s and t can vary for different frames.

[0060] For a fixed-rate signal comprising fixed-length and variable-length frames, where each signal unit consists of k bytes, it is necessary to indicate the location of the fill payload. Therefore, in at least one exemplary embodiment, where each signal unit consists of k bytes, the overhead signal unit may include a fill payload indication overhead to indicate whether the fill payload signal unit exists in the multiframe and the location of the fill payload signal unit within the multiframe. In at least one exemplary embodiment, in the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the fill payload indication overhead is reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

[0061] For a fixed-rate signal including fixed-length and variable-length frames, when each signal unit is composed of the 64 / 66b coded blocks or the u / vb coded blocks, the padding payload signal unit consists of a control coded block of a specific pattern and w data coded blocks of a specific pattern, where w is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Here, padding may be one control code or one control code followed by an integer number of data codes, such as one control code plus three data codes. Control coded blocks can be of many types depending on their pattern; for example, control coded blocks can represent Ethernet frame header positions, frame trailer positions, inter-frame padding information, local errors, and remote errors. These are all represented by control coded blocks of different patterns. In the current exemplary embodiment, the padding payload signal unit is composed of a control coded block of a specific pattern and w data coded blocks of a specific pattern. This distinguishes the padding payload signal unit from other control coded blocks, enabling the communication device to identify the padding payload signal unit and determine its position within the fixed-rate signal.

[0062] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead signal unit may include a slot number indicator overhead for indicating the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location may include one of the following:

[0063] The first non-filled payload signal unit in the first frame of the multiframe;

[0064] The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead;

[0065] The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit prior to the overhead;

[0066] The first non-filled payload signal unit following the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe;

[0067] The first non-filled payload signal unit preceding the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe.

[0068] In at least one exemplary embodiment, in the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the slot numbering indication overhead is reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

[0069] (2) The fixed rate signal does not have a frame structure, that is, there are no frames in the fixed rate signal, and the overhead signal unit is set in the payload signal unit according to a predetermined rule or randomly.

[0070] In the case where the fixed-rate signal does not have a frame structure, each signal unit can be composed of a 64 / 66b coded block or a u / vb coded block, wherein the 64 / 66b coded block or the u / vb coded block is divided into a data coded block and a control coded block, and u and v are integers greater than 1.

[0071] For a frameless fixed-rate signal, each signal unit is composed of the 64 / 66b coded block or the u / vb coded block. The padding payload signal unit is composed of a control coded block with a specific code pattern and w data coded blocks with a specific code pattern, where w is an integer greater than or equal to 0. Here, padding may be one control code or one control code followed by an integer number of data codes, such as one control code plus three data codes. Control coded blocks can have many different code patterns; for example, control coded blocks can represent Ethernet frame header positions, frame tail positions, inter-frame padding information, local errors, and remote errors. These are all represented by control coded blocks with different code patterns. In the current exemplary embodiment, the padding payload signal unit is composed of a control coded block with a specific code pattern and w data coded blocks with a specific code pattern. This distinguishes the padding payload signal unit from other control coded blocks, enabling the communication device to identify the padding payload signal unit and determine its position in the fixed-rate signal.

[0072] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the overhead signal unit may include a slot number indication overhead for indicating the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location includes one of the following:

[0073] The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead;

[0074] The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit prior to the overhead;

[0075] The first non-filled payload signal unit following an overhead signal unit at a specified location;

[0076] The first non-filled payload signal unit preceding an overhead signal unit at a specified location.

[0077] In at least one exemplary embodiment, in the fixed-rate signal having a second rate, the slot numbering indication overhead is reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

[0078] Communication devices can implement step S304 in various ways. However, it is worth noting that any processing method that satisfies the relationship between the fixed-rate signal with the first rate and the fixed-rate signal with the second rate described in steps S302 and S304 above should be considered to be within the scope claimed in this application. The following are merely two exemplary implementation methods, but they should not be construed as only being applicable to these two methods. As an example implementation, the rate can be changed by adding or subtracting a first non-filled payload to obtain a second non-filled payload, thus obtaining a fixed-rate signal with the second rate. As another exemplary implementation, the fixed-rate signal with the first rate can be parsed first, the first overhead processed, the first filling payload deleted, and a second fixed-rate signal generated according to the second rate. The second overhead may include at least one of the following: a portion of the first overhead; a regenerated third overhead; the payload in the second fixed-rate signal includes all of the first non-filled payload and the second filling payload, and the second filling payload is a regenerated filling payload based on the signal rate of the payload of the fixed-rate signal with the second rate and the signal rate of the first non-filled payload.

[0079] Through the above steps, since overhead and payload are set in the fixed-rate signal, and the payload includes non-filled payload and filled payload divided into time slots, when the rate of the time slot-based fixed-rate signal is changed, the rate of the non-filled payload can be kept unchanged by changing the filled payload according to the rate change. Therefore, it can solve the problem in related technologies that the signal needs to be disassembled and repackaged or complex rate recovery technology needs to be used when the signal passes through the intermediate point, which leads to complex processing. For time slot-based fixed-rate signals, the rate can be changed without affecting the content in the time slot, thereby reducing the hardware processing cost of the intermediate point and reducing the latency introduced by the processing.

[0080] 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 the present invention, 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 described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0081] This embodiment also provides a signal rate processing device for implementing the above embodiments and preferred embodiments; details already described will not be repeated. As used below, the term "module" can refer to a combination of software and / or hardware that performs a predetermined function. Although the device described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware implementation, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0082] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a signal rate processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the device includes:

[0083] The receiving module 42 is configured to receive a fixed-rate signal with a first rate; wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes fill payload and non-fill payload, the non-fill payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the first rate includes a first overhead, a first fill payload and a first non-fill payload;

[0084] The rate processing module 44 is used to generate a fixed-rate signal with a second rate based on the fixed-rate signal with a first rate; wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes filling payload and non-filling payload, the non-filling payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the second rate includes a second overhead, a second filling payload and a first non-filling payload.

[0085] It should be noted that the above modules can be implemented by software or hardware. For the latter, they can be implemented in the following ways, but are not limited to: all the above modules are located in the same processor; or, the above modules are located in different processors in any combination.

[0086] 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.

[0087] This embodiment provides a signal rate processing method running on a communication device. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of another signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0088] Step S502: Generate a fixed-rate signal with a first rate, wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes filled payload and non-filled payload, the non-filled payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the first rate includes a first overhead, a first filled payload and a first non-filled payload.

[0089] Step S504: Send the fixed-rate signal with the first rate.

[0090] In this embodiment, the steps performed by the communication device at the transmitting end of the fixed-rate signal with a first rate, the structure and exemplary implementation of the fixed-rate signal with the first rate, and the overhead content carried therein can all be implemented with reference to the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0091] This embodiment also provides a signal rate processing device for implementing the above embodiments and preferred embodiments; details already described will not be repeated. As used below, the term "module" can refer to a combination of software and / or hardware that performs a predetermined function. Although the device described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware implementation, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0092] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of another signal rate processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the device includes:

[0093] The generation module 62 is used to generate a fixed-rate signal with a first rate, wherein the fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload, the payload includes filled payload and non-filled payload, the non-filled payload is divided into n time slots, the n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, m and n are positive integers, and m is less than or equal to n; the fixed-rate signal with the first rate includes a first overhead, a first filled payload and a first non-filled payload;

[0094] The transmitting module 64 is used to transmit the fixed-rate signal having the first rate.

[0095] It should be noted that the above modules can be implemented by software or hardware. For the latter, they can be implemented in the following ways, but are not limited to: all the above modules are located in the same processor; or, the above modules are located in different processors in any combination.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to perform the steps in any of the above method embodiments when executed.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] The following exemplary embodiment describes in detail a rate processing method for time-slot-based fixed-rate signals. This method can change the rate of time-slot-based fixed-rate signals without knowing the time-slot structure or decrypting and loading low-speed services within the time slots, thereby reducing the implementation difficulty when time-slot-based fixed-rate signals transparently pass through intermediate nodes.

[0103] In the current exemplary embodiment, the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal is composed of signal units. These signal units are functionally divided into overhead and payload. Payload signal units include both filled payload signal units and non-filled payload signal units. It is guaranteed that at least one filled payload signal unit will appear within a certain time period. The non-filled payload signal units are divided into n time slots according to a certain rule. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a time-slot-based payload partitioning method for a fixed-rate signal according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 7As shown, the overhead defines a slot number indicator overhead that indicates the slot number corresponding to a certain signal unit. When the rate of the fixed-rate signal based on the slot changes, filler payloads are added or removed according to the rate change to ensure that the rate of the non-filler payloads remains unchanged. In other words, by adjusting the filler payload signal units, the rate of the fixed-rate signal is modified while keeping the rate of the non-filler payload signal units constant. At the same time, the content of the slot number indicator overhead is modified so that it can still indicate the slot number corresponding to a certain signal unit.

[0104] The following is a detailed description of the specific implementation of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal processing method.

[0105] Figure 8 This is a detailed flowchart of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal rate processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 8 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0106] Step S802: The time-slot-based fixed-rate signal is composed of signal units. A signal unit may be k bytes, or it may be 64 / 66b encoded, or similar u / vb encoded, where u and v are integers greater than 1, and u / v may be 256 / 257b, 512 / 513b, etc. The time-slot-based fixed-rate signal is divided into two parts: overhead and payload. The signal units are divided into two types: overhead signal units and payload signal units. The overhead signal units correspond to the overhead of the fixed-rate signal, and the payload signal units correspond to the payload of the fixed-rate signal. The payload signal units are divided into filled payload signal units and non-filled payload signal units. The non-filled payload signal units are divided into n time slots, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. m low-speed signals can be loaded into n time slots, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and m is less than or equal to n.

[0107] The overhead of a fixed-rate signal includes a slot numbering overhead, which indicates the slot number corresponding to a non-filled payload signal unit in the payload.

[0108] The following are specific implementations of several fixed-rate signal configurations. It should be understood that these implementations are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the solution. Furthermore, these implementations are only a part of all implementations and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all implementations.

[0109] (1) The overhead and payload of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal may be uniformly distributed, i.e., the signal format is a fixed-length frame. A frame consists of overhead of s signal units and payload of t signal units. The signal units are 64 / 66b coded blocks or similar u / vb coded blocks. 64 / 66b coded blocks or u / vb coded blocks can be divided into control coded blocks and data coded blocks according to the code type. There are various types of control coded blocks, one of which is the frame header control coded block, and the other is the padding payload coded block. The s information units corresponding to the overhead in a frame may be special control coded blocks or data coded blocks, and the t signal units corresponding to the payload may be special control coded blocks or data coded blocks. The frame header control coded block exists only in the overhead, and the padding payload coded block exists only in the payload. The padding payload coded block corresponds to the padding payload signal units in the payload described in claim 1.

[0110] A complex frame can be formed by r consecutive fixed-length frames, where r is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. The s overhead signal units of each frame of the complex frame are defined as different overheads. The frame header control coding block appears at a certain overhead position in a certain fixed frame of the complex frame. The frame header control coding block is used to determine the frame header position of each frame and which frame in the complex frame each frame corresponds to.

[0111] The signal units corresponding to the payload in a fixed-length frame can be divided into filled payload coding blocks and non-filled payload coding blocks according to the coding block type. The non-filled payload coding blocks are divided into n time slots. Each coding block corresponds to one time slot, and each time slot has a time slot number. The n time slots can be used to store m low-speed signals.

[0112] The overhead of a fixed-length frame includes a slot numbering indication overhead. There are several methods to indicate the slot number through the slot numbering indication overhead. For example, one method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-padding payload coding block in the first frame of the multiframe; another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-padding payload coding block after this overhead; yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-padding payload coding block before this overhead; yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the first non-padding payload signal unit after the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe; and yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the first non-padding payload signal unit before the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe.

[0113] (2) The overhead and payload of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal may be uniformly distributed, i.e. the signal format is a fixed-length frame. A frame consists of overhead of s signal units and payload of t signal units. The signal unit is k bytes. The t signal units corresponding to the payload may have fill payload signal units. The position of the fill payload signal units is indicated by the overhead. The signal units in the payload other than the fill payload signal units are non-fill payload signal units.

[0114] A complex frame can be formed by r consecutive fixed-length frames, where r is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. The s overhead signal units of each frame of the complex frame are defined as different overheads, including frame header overhead. The content of the frame header overhead is a fixed value. The fixed position of one or more fixed frames in the complex frame is defined as the frame header overhead. The frame header overhead is used to determine the frame header position of each frame and which frame in the complex frame each frame corresponds to.

[0115] In the payload of a fixed-length frame, the non-filled payload signal unit is divided into n time slots. The n consecutive non-filled payload signal units are divided into n time slots. Each non-filled payload signal unit corresponds to one time slot. Each time slot has a time slot number. The n time slots can be used to store m low-speed signals.

[0116] The overhead of a fixed-length frame includes a slot numbering indication overhead. There are several methods to indicate the slot number through the slot numbering indication overhead. For example, one method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-filled payload signal unit in the first frame of the multiframe; another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-filled payload signal unit after this overhead; yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the slot number corresponding to the first non-filled payload signal unit before this overhead; yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe; and yet another method is that the content of the slot numbering indication overhead includes the first non-filled payload signal unit before the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe.

[0117] The overhead of a fixed-length frame includes a fill payload signal unit indication overhead, which indicates whether there is a fill payload signal unit in the current multiframe and the position of the fill payload signal unit in the multiframe. There can be at most one fill payload signal unit in a multiframe.

[0118] (3) The overhead and payload of time-slot-based fixed-rate signals may be non-uniformly distributed, i.e., the signal format is a non-fixed-length frame or frameless structure. The signal is composed of signal units, which are 64 / 66b coded blocks or similar u / vb coded blocks. 64 / 66b coded blocks or u / vb coded blocks can be divided into control coded blocks and data coded blocks according to their code patterns. There are various types of control coded blocks, including overhead indicator control coded blocks and padding payload coded blocks. The coded blocks that make up the signal can be divided into overhead coded blocks and payload coded blocks according to their uses. Overhead coded blocks appear in the signal coded blocks according to certain specific rules. Overhead coded blocks are implemented by overhead indicator coded blocks plus zero or more data coded blocks. The coded blocks other than overhead coded blocks are payload coded blocks. The payload coded blocks may include specific control coded blocks, data coded blocks, and padding payload coded blocks.

[0119] In non-fixed-length frames or frameless structures, payload coding blocks can be divided into filled payload coding blocks and non-filled payload coding blocks according to the coding block type. The non-filled payload coding block is divided into n time slots. Each coding block corresponds to one time slot, and each time slot has a time slot number. The n time slots can be used to store m low-speed signals.

[0120] In non-fixed-length frames or frameless structures, the overhead includes slot number indication overhead, the content of which contains the slot number corresponding to the first non-padding payload coding block following this overhead.

[0121] It should be noted that for non-fixed-length frames, the processing methods for fixed-length frames in implementation methods (1) and (2) can also be used.

[0122] Step S804: When changing the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal, the rate of the payload portion is modified by increasing or decreasing non-filled payload signal units, thereby ensuring that the rate of the non-filled payload signal units in the payload remains unchanged. When changing the rate of the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal, the rate change is within a fixed limit range, and a filled payload signal unit will definitely appear in the payload within a certain time interval.

[0123] The following examples, through Examples 1 to 3, provide several application examples of this time-slot-based fixed-rate signal rate processing method.

[0124] Example 1:

[0125] Slot-based fixed-rate signals consist of two parts: overhead and payload, which are uniformly distributed. The signal format is a fixed-length frame, with one frame containing s signal units of overhead and t signal units of payload. Each signal unit is a 64 / 66b coded block, or a similar u / vb coded block, where u and v are integers greater than 1. The u / vb block can be a 256 / 257b coded block, a 512 / 513b coded block, etc. The u / vb coded block is divided into control coded blocks and data coded blocks. The control coded blocks have various types, with r consecutive fixed-length... Long frames form a multiframe, where r is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. Each frame of the multiframe has s overhead signal units defined as different overheads. A special control coding block, which serves as the frame header, appears in the s overhead signal units of a fixed frame in the multiframe. A special control coding block is defined as the padding payload coding block. The padding payload coding block exists only in the payload. All signal units of the non-padding payload coding block in the payload are divided into n time slots. The time slots are divided according to n consecutive signal units. Each signal unit corresponds to one time slot, and each time slot has a time slot number. Examples of the above definitions are as follows: For instance, the signal unit is 64 / 66b encoded, r=8, meaning 8 consecutive frames constitute a multiframe, s=2, there are 2 overhead signal units in one frame, t=9, one frame has a payload of 9 signal units, where the first overhead signal unit of the first multiframe is the frame header control coded block, thus obtaining a fixed-length frame, n=4, all signal units of the non-padding payload coded block in the payload are divided into 4 time slots, the time slots are divided according to 4 consecutive signal units, each signal unit corresponds to one time slot, and each time slot has a time slot number. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the signal format of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 9 As shown, one rectangular block corresponds to one 64 / 66b coded block. Note that when dividing the non-filled payload coded blocks in the payload into n time slots, it is also possible to divide x*n consecutive signal units into n time slots, where x is an integer greater than or equal to 1, meaning that every x consecutive signal units correspond to one time slot. A certain overhead in the multiframe is named the time slot number indicator overhead, indicating the time slot number of the first non-filled payload signal unit in the multiframe payload, or the time slot number indicator overhead indicates the time slot number corresponding to the first non-filled payload signal unit after this overhead. The time slot number indicator overhead needs to be reset when adding or deleting filled payload coded blocks in the payload.

[0126] Example 2:

[0127] A time-slot-based fixed-rate signal consists of two parts: overhead and payload. The overhead and payload are evenly distributed. The signal format is a fixed-length frame. A frame has s signal units of overhead and t signal units of payload. A signal unit is w bytes, where w is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A multiframe is formed by r consecutive fixed-length frames, where r is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. The s overhead signal units of each frame in the multiframe are defined as different overheads. A frame header overhead is included in the s overhead signal units of a fixed frame in the multiframe. The content of the frame header overhead is a specific value. Each multiframe has a payload of r multiplied by t signal units, of which at most one signal unit is a filler payload signal unit. All signal units of the non-filler payload signal units in the payload are divided into n time slots. The time slots are divided according to n consecutive signal units. A certain overhead in the multiframe is named the time slot number indicator overhead, which indicates the time slot number of the first non-filler payload signal unit in the multiframe, or indicates the time slot number corresponding to the first non-filler payload signal unit after this overhead. Additionally, a fill payload position indicator overhead is defined in the multiframe overhead to indicate whether the current multiframe has fill payload signal units and their positions within the multiframe. The slot number indicator overhead and fill payload position indicator overhead need to be reset when fill payload signal units are added or removed from the payload. An example based on the above definitions is as follows: w=8, s=2, t=9, r=8, n=4, meaning 8 consecutive bytes constitute one signal unit. One frame has 2*8=16 bytes of overhead, and 8 consecutive frames constitute one multiframe. The first 4 bytes of the first 8-byte overhead of the first frame of the multiframe are defined as the frame header overhead, containing 0xf6f62828 (0x represents the beginning of a hexadecimal number). Each multiframe has 8*9*8=576 bytes of payload, of which at most one 8-byte fill payload signal unit is present. All signal units in the payload other than fill payload signal units are divided into 4 time slots, with each time slot divided according to 4 consecutive signal units. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the signal format of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 10 As shown, one rectangular block corresponds to 8 bytes.

[0128] Example 3:

[0129] A time-slot-based fixed-rate signal consists of two parts: overhead and payload. The overhead and payload are not uniformly distributed. The signal format is frameless. The overhead consists of *s* signal units, where *s* is an integer greater than or equal to one, and is not a fixed integer. The signal units other than the overhead are the payload. The signal units are 64 / 66b encoded, or similar u / vb encoded, where u / v may be 256 / 257b, 512 / 513b, etc. The u / vb encoded blocks are divided into control encoded blocks and data encoded blocks. A special control encoded block is defined as an overhead identifier, which can be followed by multiple data encoded blocks. The payload is either a data encoded block or a control encoded block. A special control encoded block is defined as a fill payload encoded block. The non-fill payload encoded blocks in the signal payload are divided into *n* time slots, which are divided according to *n* consecutive signal units. A certain overhead is named a time slot number indicator overhead, indicating the time slot number of the first non-fill payload signal unit following this overhead. The time slot number indicator overhead needs to be reset when fill payload information is added or deleted in the payload. For example: the signal unit is 64 / 66b, with no frame structure. The overhead may be one overhead indicator plus one data coding block, or one overhead indicator plus two data coding blocks. Special fields in the overhead indicator determine the number of subsequent data coding blocks and the definition of some fields in the data coding blocks and overhead indicator coding blocks. n=4. All coding blocks in the payload, except for the overfill payload coding blocks, are divided into 4 time slots in units of 4 consecutive coding blocks. Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the signal format of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 11 As shown, one rectangular block corresponds to one 64 / 66b encoded block.

[0130] In summary, this invention provides a novel rate processing scheme for time-slot-based fixed-rate signals. When changing the rate of a time-slot-based fixed-rate signal, the time-slot structure can be ignored, and low-speed services within the time slot do not need to be decoded and reloaded beforehand. This reduces the implementation difficulty when the time-slot-based fixed-rate signal transparently passes through intermediate nodes. Compared with current OTN and SPN MTN methods, this scheme has significant technical advantages in intermediate point processing. This novel rate processing method for time-slot-based fixed-rate signals can be used in new flexO schemes, and may also be used in other new interface signal schemes of OTN, new interface signal schemes in the SPN standard, or improved versions of flexe.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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 signal rate processing method, characterized in that, include: Receive a fixed-rate signal with a first rate; A fixed-rate signal with a second rate is generated based on the fixed-rate signal with a first rate. in, The fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload. The payload includes filled payload and non-filled payload. The non-filled payload is divided into n time slots. The n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, where m and n are positive integers and m is less than or equal to n. The fixed-rate signal having a first rate includes a first overhead, a first fill payload, and a first non-fill payload; The fixed-rate signal with the second rate includes a second overhead, a second fill payload, and a first unfill payload.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fixed-rate signal includes signal units, the signal units are divided into overhead signal units and payload signal units according to their functions, and the payload signal units are divided into filled payload signal units and non-filled payload signal units, wherein, The overhead signal unit corresponds to the overhead of the fixed-rate signal, the payload signal unit corresponds to the payload of the fixed-rate signal, the fill payload signal unit corresponds to the fill payload, and the non-fill payload signal unit corresponds to the non-fill payload.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each signal unit consists of k bytes, a 64 / 66b coded block, or a u / vb coded block, where k is a positive integer, the 64 / 66b coded block or the u / vb coded block is divided into a data coded block and a control coded block, and u and v are integers greater than 1; The overhead signal unit and the payload signal unit constitute a frame. The overhead signal unit includes a frame header overhead, which is used to indicate the start position of the frame. Each frame consists of s overhead signal units and t payload signal units. R consecutive frames constitute a complex frame. S, t, and r are all positive integers. The values ​​of s and t remain unchanged for different frames. or, The overhead signal unit and the payload signal unit constitute a frame. The overhead signal unit includes a frame header overhead, which is used to indicate the start position of the frame. Each frame consists of s overhead signal units and t payload signal units. R consecutive frames constitute a complex frame. S, t, and r are all positive integers. The values ​​of s and t are variable for different frames.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each signal unit is composed of a 64 / 66b encoding block or a u / vb encoding block, wherein the 64 / 66b encoding block or the u / vb encoding block is divided into a data encoding block and a control encoding block, and u and v are integers greater than 1; The fixed-rate signal contains no frames, and the overhead signal unit is set in the payload signal unit according to a predetermined pattern or randomly.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When each signal unit consists of k bytes, the overhead signal unit includes: a padding payload indicator overhead, indicating whether the padding payload signal unit exists in the multiframe and the position of the padding payload signal unit in the multiframe.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, When each signal unit is composed of the 64 / 66b coding block or the u / vb coding block, the fill payload signal unit is composed of a control coding block with a specific code pattern and w data coding blocks with a specific code pattern, where w is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The overhead signal unit includes: a slot number indicator overhead, used to indicate the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location includes one of the following: The first non-filled payload signal unit in the first frame of the multiframe; The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead; The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit prior to the overhead; The first non-filled payload signal unit following the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe; The first non-filled payload signal unit preceding the overhead signal unit at a specified position in the multiframe.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The overhead signal unit includes: a slot number indicator overhead, used to indicate the slot number corresponding to the non-filled payload signal unit at a specific location, wherein the specific location includes one of the following: The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit after the overhead; The slot number indicates the first non-filled payload signal unit prior to the overhead; The first non-filled payload signal unit following an overhead signal unit at a specified location; The first non-filled payload signal unit preceding an overhead signal unit at a specified location.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, In the fixed-rate signal with the second rate, the slot numbering indication overhead is reset based on the second fill payload and the first non-fill payload.

10. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the fixed-rate signal with the second rate, the fill load indication overhead is reset based on the second fill load and the first non-fill load.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second fill payload is a fill payload regenerated based on the signal rate of the payload of the fixed-rate signal having the second rate and the signal rate of the first non-fill payload.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second overhead includes at least one of the following: A portion of the first expense; The third overhead of regeneration.

13. The method according to any one of claims 2-10, characterized in that, The non-filled payload is divided into n time slots, including: In the fixed-rate signal, every n×a consecutive non-filled payload signal units are divided into n time slots, where each a non-filled payload signal unit corresponds to one time slot, and each of the n time slots corresponds to a number, where a is a positive integer.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The fixed-rate signal includes at least one of the filler payloads within a predetermined time interval.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The second rate is generated by a local clock, and the deviation between the second rate and the ideal value of the rate of the fixed rate signal is within a predetermined speed adjustment range.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The deviation between the ideal values ​​of the first rate and the fixed rate signal is within a predetermined speed regulation range.

17. A signal rate processing device, characterized in that, include: A receiving module for receiving a fixed-rate signal with a first rate; A rate processing module is used to generate a fixed rate signal with a second rate based on the fixed rate signal with a first rate. in, The fixed-rate signal includes overhead and payload. The payload includes filled payload and non-filled payload. The non-filled payload is divided into n time slots. The n time slots are used to carry m sub-signals, where m and n are positive integers and m is less than or equal to n. The fixed-rate signal having a first rate includes a first overhead, a first fill payload, and a first non-fill payload; The fixed-rate signal with the second rate includes a second overhead, a second fill payload, and a first unfill payload.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

Images