An analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system

Abstract

This invention discloses a simulated point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system. The system includes a hardware entity and a software entity connected to the hardware entity via a control interface. The hardware entity is used to receive downlink signaling data or service data from a central office device via a physical link, or to send uplink signaling data or service data to the central office device via a physical link. The software entity is used to virtualize multiple virtual terminals. The hardware entity implements physical layer and link layer functions for each virtual terminal. The hardware entity also has a service interface for receiving or sending service data. The software entity implements functions including parameter configuration saving, operation status management, responding to signaling requests, event reporting, T-CONT and GEMPORT management, and custom frame reception and transmission. This invention simplifies the testing environment during the development of point-to-multipoint communication equipment, reduces the number of physical links and test equipment, lowers the difficulty of test environment configuration, and reduces the power consumption of the test environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to an analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication technology is widely used. Currently, the most important broadband access network is the passive optical network (PON). Its advantage is that multiple access terminals use the same physical link to communicate with the central office equipment, saving optical cable resources.

[0003] In the development of central office equipment for point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication, in order to test the completeness of equipment functions, measure various performance indicators, and determine the overall reliability of the system, it is necessary to build a relatively complex environment. Typically, one central office device connects hundreds or even thousands of terminal devices. This has drawbacks such as a large number of test environment devices, wiring, power adapters, high heat generation, high power consumption, and cumbersome equipment configuration and operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to address the shortcomings and defects of the existing technology, this invention provides an analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives of this invention, the technical solution adopted is as follows:

[0006] An analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system, the system comprising a hardware entity and a software entity connected to a control interface of the hardware entity;

[0007] The hardware entity is used to receive downlink signaling data or service data from the central office equipment via a physical link, or to send uplink signaling data or service data to the central office equipment via a physical link.

[0008] The software entity is used to create multiple virtual terminals; the hardware entity implements physical layer and data link layer functions for each virtual terminal.

[0009] The hardware entity is also provided with a business interface for receiving or sending business data.

[0010] The software entity implements functions including parameter configuration saving, running status management, responding to signaling requests, event reporting, T-CONT and GEMPORT management, and custom frame reception and transmission.

[0011] Preferably, all of the multiple virtual terminals use ranging methods and controllable transmission delay methods to enable each virtual terminal to use the physical network in an orderly manner in a time-division multiplexing manner.

[0012] Preferably, when sending signaling data or service data to the central office equipment via a physical link, a fixed delay for uplink data transmission by the hardware entity is configured to simulate the length of the transmission line.

[0013] Furthermore, by configuring a fixed delay for uplink data transmission in the hardware entity to simulate the length of the transmission line, including:

[0014] Let the information transmission speed be V meters per second, and the physical link length be L. i If the distance between a simulated virtual terminal and the central office equipment is L... m Then the hardware entity will have an additional fixed delay of T. d seconds, satisfying the following formula:

[0015] T d =2*(L m -L i ) / V.

[0016] Furthermore, when the hardware entity receives the first signaling frame downlink from the central office equipment via the physical link, the signaling frame carries a first identifier;

[0017] The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and deframe processing on the first signaling frame, and then encapsulates the first signaling frame into a custom frame according to the custom frame format, and sends it to the software entity through the control interface.

[0018] The software entity checks the custom frame type, parses and confirms the first signaling frame, and obtains the first identifier from the first signaling frame; it determines the virtual terminal corresponding to the first signaling frame based on the first identifier and sends it to the corresponding virtual terminal for processing.

[0019] Furthermore, when hardware entities transmit signaling data to the central office equipment via a physical link,

[0020] The virtual terminal in the software entity sends out a second signaling frame, which is then encapsulated in a custom frame format and sent to the hardware entity through the control interface.

[0021] The hardware entity receives the second signaling frame sent by the virtual terminal from the control interface, parses the encapsulated second signaling frame to extract the second signaling frame, and puts it into the buffer area;

[0022] After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first signaling frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first signaling frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay.

[0023] Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the first signaling frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

[0024] Furthermore, when the hardware entity receives the first service frame downlink from the central office equipment via the physical link, the first service frame carries a second identifier.

[0025] The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and frame de-framing processing on the first service frame, and then performs packet header processing on the first service frame; the packet header processing involves replacing the second identifier of the first service frame with a third identifier; the second identifier and the third identifier have a one-to-one correspondence.

[0026] Finally, the first service frame after header processing is sent out from the service interface of the hardware entity.

[0027] Furthermore, when the physical link of the hardware entity transmits service data to the central office equipment,

[0028] The hardware entity receives a second service frame from the service interface, and the second service frame carries a fourth identifier;

[0029] The second service frame is processed in the header, and the fourth identifier in the second service frame is replaced with the fifth identifier.

[0030] Place the second service frame, after header processing, into the buffer;

[0031] After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first service frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first service frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay.

[0032] Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the second service frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

[0033] Furthermore, after processing the frame synchronization, the hardware entity also performs a terminal activation process.

[0034] Furthermore, based on the custom frame, the software entity specifies the register address and read / write operation type through the custom frame, and the hardware entity returns the operation result through the custom frame.

[0035] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0036] This invention provides a simulated point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system, which simplifies the testing environment during the development of point-to-multipoint communication devices, reduces the number of physical links and test equipment, lowers the difficulty of test environment configuration, and reduces the power consumption of the test environment. It allows for rapid expansion of the testing scale and provides a foundation for improving the automation level of testing.

[0037] By simulating multiple terminals with hardware entities, it provides a simulation environment that more closely resembles real-world applications, achieving the same level of real-time performance as the actual system. Through software control, it can simulate terminals of different types and transmission distances, requiring only a single physical link to simulate point-to-multipoint communication scenarios. Internally adjustable latency parameters provide simulation capabilities for different transmission distances. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of a simulated point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a functional schematic diagram of the hardware entity described in this invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a functional principle diagram of the software entity described in this invention.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the hardware entity described in this invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the software entity described in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] GPON (gigabit-capable passive optical network) technology is currently the main technology for fiber optic broadband access networks. It uses a point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication method. In a GPON access network, the central office equipment is called an OLT (Optical Line Terminal), and the terminal equipment is called an ONU (Optical Network Unit). One OLT's PON port can connect to 128 ONUs via optical splitters and optical fibers. Setting up an entire GPON test environment requires hundreds to thousands of ONU devices, consuming significant equipment resources. Each ONU consumes approximately 10W, resulting in a total power consumption of over 10KW for the entire test environment. Setting up such a test environment requires more than two person-days of personnel.

[0047] Therefore, in order to simplify the testing environment during the development of point-to-multipoint communication devices, reduce the number of physical links and testing devices, reduce the difficulty of testing environment configuration, and reduce the power consumption of the testing environment.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system, the system including a hardware entity and a software entity connected to the control interface of the hardware entity;

[0049] The hardware entity is used to receive downlink signaling data or service data from the central office equipment via a physical link, or to send uplink signaling data or service data to the central office equipment via a physical link.

[0050] The software entity is used to create multiple virtual terminals; the hardware entity implements physical layer and data link layer functions for each virtual terminal.

[0051] The hardware entity is also provided with a business interface for receiving or sending business data.

[0052] The software entity implements functions including parameter configuration saving, running status management, responding to signaling requests, event reporting, T-CONT and GEMPORT management, and custom frame reception and transmission.

[0053] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the hardware entity is equipped with an ONU optical module for optical link communication with the ONU optical module in the central office equipment.

[0054] In this embodiment, as Figure 3As shown, the software entity implements functions including parameter configuration saving, operational status management, responding to signaling requests, event reporting, T-CONT and GEMPORT management, and custom frame reception and transmission. Signaling interaction is required when the central office equipment communicates with the hardware entity. Signaling is generally communicated in a request-response manner, and the hardware entity can also actively report events. Signaling interaction mainly involves distributing parameter configuration data. T-CONT and GEMPORT are logical objects for transmission management in the PON system, corresponding to different bandwidth configurations and different services.

[0055] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment uses an FPGA chip to implement the hardware functionality and a PC as the running platform for the software, building a simulated point-to-multipoint test environment. The FPGA chip is connected to the ONU optical module via a SERDES interface. The ONU optical module is a single-fiber bidirectional transmission module that performs photoelectric conversion, using 1310nm as the uplink wavelength and 1490nm as the downlink wavelength.

[0056] The FPGA chip implements the functions of the ONU-side MAC layer in GPON communication as specified in the ITU-T G.984 protocol, and performs the following functions in the receiving direction:

[0057] (1) Receive frame synchronization, receive embedded oam, ploam, omci and other signaling frame data sent by OLT;

[0058] (2) Extract bwmap information to obtain authorization for each virtual terminal to send messages;

[0059] (3) Receive GEM frames and extract service data packets.

[0060] The FPGA chip performs the following functions in the uplink data transmission direction:

[0061] (1) Send embedded oam, ploam, omci and other signaling frame data to the OLT;

[0062] (2) Management of internal time-division multiplexing: The FPGA chip transmits according to the transmission authorization time slice allocated by bwmap, extracts bwmap from the received data frame, and opens the transmission time window of a certain virtual terminal at regular intervals according to the bwmap information.

[0063] (3) Send signaling frame data and service frame data to the corresponding virtual terminal within the appropriate transmission authorization time slice, and distinguish the source of the data by identification information such as ONUID and GEMPORT.

[0064] (4) Encapsulate the business data into a GEM frame and send it.

[0065] The business interface functions of the FPGA chip:

[0066] (1) The service interface uses an Ethernet interface, which is compatible with 1Gbps and 2.5Gbps specifications.

[0067] (2) Process the packet header of the downlink data and add a VLAN identifier to it according to the GEMPORT value of the service data frame.

[0068] (3) Process the header of the uplink data and map it to the GEMPORT of the virtual terminal according to the VLAN identifier of the service data packet.

[0069] The control interface function of the FPGA chip:

[0070] (1) The control interface uses an Ethernet interface.

[0071] (2) A custom frame format is used to transmit ploam signaling information.

[0072] (3) Custom frame format is used to provide read and write access to FPGA internal registers.

[0073] (4) A custom frame format is used to transmit omci signaling information.

[0074] In one specific embodiment, in point-to-multipoint communication, multiple virtual terminals share the same physical network, and the impact of the distance between each virtual terminal and the central office equipment on transmission delay needs to be considered. To avoid mutual interference between data from multiple virtual terminals during uplink data transmission, all virtual terminals use ranging methods and controllable transmission delay methods to enable each virtual terminal to use the physical network in an orderly manner using time-division multiplexing.

[0075] In a specific embodiment, when sending signaling data or service data uplink to the central office equipment via a physical link, a fixed delay for uplink data transmission by the hardware entity is configured to simulate the length of the transmission line.

[0076] This embodiment uses a fixed delay for uplink data transmission in the hardware entity to simulate the length of the transmission line, including:

[0077] Let the information transmission speed be V meters per second, and the physical link length be L. i If the distance between a simulated virtual terminal and the central office equipment is L... m Then the hardware entity will have an additional fixed delay of T. d seconds, satisfying the following formula:

[0078] T d =2*(L m -L i) / V.

[0079] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, when the hardware entity receives the first signaling frame downlink from the central office equipment via the physical link, the hardware entity receives the first signaling frame sent by the ONU optical module; the signaling frame carries a first identifier;

[0080] The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and deframe processing on the first signaling frame, and then encapsulates the first signaling frame into a custom frame according to the custom frame format, and sends it to the software entity through the control interface.

[0081] The software entity checks the custom frame type, parses and confirms the first signaling frame, and obtains the first identifier from the first signaling frame; it determines the virtual terminal corresponding to the first signaling frame based on the first identifier and sends it to the corresponding virtual terminal for processing.

[0082] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, when a hardware entity sends signaling data uplink to the central office equipment via a physical link, it includes:

[0083] The virtual terminal in the software entity sends out a second signaling frame, which is then encapsulated in a custom frame format and sent to the hardware entity through the control interface.

[0084] The hardware entity receives the second signaling frame sent by the virtual terminal from the control interface, parses the encapsulated second signaling frame to extract the second signaling frame, and puts it into the buffer area;

[0085] After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first signaling frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first signaling frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay.

[0086] Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the first signaling frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

[0087] The transmission authorization time slice is the time allocated to a designated terminal in a time-division multiplexing system for using the transmission medium. In a PON system, if each ONU terminal sends packets arbitrarily, it will cause mutual interference. To avoid interference, communication must be performed according to the transmission authorization time slice given by the OLT. Because the distance between the ONU and the OLT varies, and there is a certain transmission delay, a fixed delay (different for each ONU) is added to PON technology to eliminate the effect of distance in order to eliminate this delay difference.

[0088] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, when the hardware entity receives the first service frame downlink from the central office equipment via the physical link; the first service frame carries a second identifier;

[0089] The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and deframe operation on the first service frame, and then performs packet header processing on the first service frame; the packet header processing involves replacing the second identifier of the first service frame with a third identifier; the second identifier and the third identifier have a one-to-one correspondence; in this embodiment, after performing frame synchronization processing on the service frame, a deframe operation is performed to obtain a GEM frame, and then packet header processing is performed.

[0090] Finally, the first service frame after header processing is sent out from the service interface of the hardware entity.

[0091] In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, when the hardware entity's physical link transmits service data to the central office equipment, it includes:

[0092] The hardware entity receives a second service frame from the service interface, and the second service frame carries a fourth identifier;

[0093] The second service frame is processed in the header, and the fourth identifier in the second service frame is replaced with the fifth identifier.

[0094] Place the second service frame, after header processing, into the buffer;

[0095] After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first service frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first service frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay.

[0096] Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the second service frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

[0097] In this embodiment, after processing the frame synchronization, the hardware entity also performs a terminal activation process. This terminal activation process is the initial procedure performed when an ONU accesses an OLT in a PON system.

[0098] In one specific embodiment, the format of the custom frame is as follows:

[0099] type Serial Number Request / Response length data

[0100] Note: The type field can take the following values:

[0101] 1 -- Read register value

[0102] 2 -- Write register value

[0103] 3--ploam frames

[0104] 4--omci frames

[0105] In this embodiment, the software entity and the hardware entity communicate through a control interface. According to the custom frame, the software entity specifies the register address and read / write operation type, and the hardware entity returns the operation result through the custom frame.

[0106] This embodiment simulates multiple terminals using hardware entities, providing a simulation environment closer to real-world applications and achieving the same level of real-time performance as the actual system. Through software control, it can simulate terminals of different types and transmission distances. Only one physical link is needed to simulate point-to-multipoint communication scenarios, and the internally adjustable latency parameters provide simulation capabilities for different transmission distances.

[0107] Example 2

[0108] Based on the system described in Example 1, this example uses the uplink and downlink signaling processing flow in a GPON test environment as an example, as follows:

[0109] I. The downlink communication process of the signaling frame is as follows:

[0110] S1: The OLT device sends a PLOAM signaling frame (DPL) to the virtual terminal. a The ploam signaling frame DPL carries an ONUID. a Logo.

[0111] S2: Hardware entity receives DPL from physical link a For DPL a Perform frame synchronization and deframe processing, then encapsulate using a custom frame with a type field value of 3, and pass it to the software entity through the control interface.

[0112] S3: The software entity checks the custom frame type, confirms it as a ploam frame, and retrieves it from the signaling DPL. a Obtaining ONUID a The signaling is identified as belonging to a virtual terminal and then transmitted to the virtual terminal for processing.

[0113] II. The uplink communication process of the signaling frame is as follows:

[0114] D1: The virtual terminal in the software entity sends a ploam frame UPL. aAfter being encapsulated in a custom frame, it is sent to the hardware entity through the control interface, where the frame type is 3.

[0115] D2: The hardware entity receives the custom frame sent by the virtual terminal from the control interface and decodes the UPL. a And put it into the cache.

[0116] D3: The hardware entity will send UPL within the virtual terminal's authorized time slice. a It is retrieved from the buffer and sent to the OLT via the physical link.

[0117] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system, characterized in that: The system includes a hardware entity and a software entity connected to the control interface of the hardware entity; The hardware entity is used to receive downlink signaling data or service data from the central office equipment via a physical link, or to send uplink signaling data or service data to the central office equipment via a physical link. The software entity is used to create multiple virtual terminals; the hardware entity implements physical layer and data link layer functions for each virtual terminal. The hardware entity is also provided with a business interface for receiving or sending business data. The software entity implements functions including parameter configuration saving, running status management, responding to signaling requests, event reporting, T-CONT and GEMPORT management, and custom frame reception and transmission; When sending signaling or service data to the central office equipment via a physical link, a fixed delay for uplink data transmission by the hardware entity is also configured to simulate the length of the transmission line. By configuring a fixed delay for uplink data transmission in the hardware entity, the length of the transmission line can be simulated, including: Let the information transmission speed be V meters per second, and the physical link length be L. i If the distance between a simulated virtual terminal and the central office equipment is L... m Then the hardware entity will have an additional fixed delay of T. d seconds, satisfying the following formula: T d = 2*(L m -L i ) / V When the hardware entity receives the first signaling frame downlink from the central office equipment via the physical link, the first signaling frame carries a first identifier; The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and deframe processing on the first signaling frame, and then encapsulates the first signaling frame into a custom frame according to the custom frame format, and sends it to the software entity through the control interface. The software entity checks the custom frame type, parses and confirms the first signaling frame, and obtains the first identifier from the first signaling frame; it determines the virtual terminal corresponding to the first signaling frame based on the first identifier and sends it to the corresponding virtual terminal for processing.

2. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple virtual terminals all use ranging methods and controllable transmission delay methods to enable each virtual terminal to use the physical network in an orderly manner in a time-division multiplexing manner.

3. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a hardware entity sends signaling data uplink to the central office equipment via a physical link, it includes: The virtual terminal in the software entity sends out a second signaling frame, which is then encapsulated in a custom frame format and sent to the hardware entity through the control interface. The hardware entity receives the second signaling frame sent by the virtual terminal from the control interface, parses the encapsulated second signaling frame to extract the second signaling frame, and puts it into the buffer area; After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first signaling frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first signaling frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay. Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the first signaling frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

4. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a hardware entity receives the first service frame downlinked from the central office equipment via a physical link; the first service frame carries a second identifier; The hardware entity first performs frame synchronization processing and frame de-framing processing on the first service frame, and then performs packet header processing on the first service frame; the packet header processing involves replacing the second identifier of the first service frame with a third identifier; the second identifier and the third identifier have a one-to-one correspondence. Finally, the first service frame after header processing is sent out from the service interface of the hardware entity.

5. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the physical link of the hardware entity transmits service data to the central office equipment, it includes: The hardware entity receives a second service frame from the service interface, and the second service frame carries a fourth identifier; The second service frame is processed in the header, and the fourth identifier in the second service frame is replaced with the fifth identifier. Place the second service frame, after header processing, into the buffer; After the hardware entity performs frame synchronization processing on the first service frame, it also extracts the bwmap information of the first service frame to obtain the transmission authorization time slice of each virtual terminal and configure a fixed delay. Within the authorized transmission time slice of the virtual terminal, the hardware entity retrieves the second service frame from the buffer and sends it to the central office equipment via the physical link.

6. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: After processing the frame synchronization, the hardware entity also performs a terminal activation process.

7. The analog point-to-multipoint time-division multiplexing communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Based on the custom frame, the software entity specifies the register address and read / write operation type, and the hardware entity returns the operation result through the custom frame.

Images