PON Bandwidth Allocation with Alloc_ID Control for Guard-Time Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive optical networks (PONs) face challenges in balancing bandwidth efficiency with low latency demands, particularly for real-time applications like online gaming and video conferencing, due to fixed-size time frames and guard times that create inefficiencies and delays.
Innovation Solution
Implement a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) mechanism with Alloc_ID for latency-sensitive applications, allowing for virtual timeslots and adaptive bandwidth allocation based on service type detection, using Alloc_ID as a reference point for OLT management, and incorporating a low latency controller to prioritize data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guard time is inserted between allocations to prevent data collisions, then reliability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to unused dead time slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) that adjusts allocation sizes and guard times based on real-time network conditions and application requirements. The OLT dynamically modifies allocation parameters in the bandwidth map to optimize the balance between collision prevention and bandwidth utilization, rather than using fixed allocation sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including allocation size, guard time duration, and bandwidth map configuration based on detected application types (e.g., real-time gaming vs. bulk data transfer). These parameter adjustments resolve the contradiction by adapting guard time to actual needs rather than applying uniform guard times.
2Productivity
If larger time slots are allocated to each ONT to minimize overhead, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but packet latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments bandwidth allocations into multiple smaller virtual timeslots within a frame, each with its own Alloc_ID. This segmentation allows the system to reduce allocation overhead while maintaining lower latency through more frequent, smaller transmission opportunities for latency-sensitive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality characteristics are applied to different allocations based on application type. Real-time applications (gaming, video conferencing) receive allocations with smaller sizes and reduced guard times for low latency, while bulk data transfers receive larger allocations optimized for bandwidth efficiency. The OLT detects application type and applies appropriate local optimization.
3Reliability
If constant bit rate allocation is used to provide constant allocation rate, then reliability is improved for operator services, but adaptability deteriorates for user applications with varying data demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that transitions from static CBR to dynamic VBR based on application requirements. The OLT detects whether an application requires constant rate (operator services) or variable rate (user applications like gaming and video conferencing), then adjusts allocation behavior accordingly in the bandwidth map.
Solution Approach 2:
The DBA mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides CBR-like reliability for operator services while simultaneously enabling VBR adaptability for user applications. The same allocation mechanism handles both deterministic and bursty traffic patterns by adjusting allocation parameters based on application type detection.
4Manufacturing precision
If complete frame data is waited for at the ONT before transmission, then manufacturing precision is improved for decoding, but loss of time increases for latency-sensitive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by prioritizing the transmission of critical frame data (e.g., P-frames in video conferencing) before the complete frame is assembled at the ONT. The OLT detects when partial frame data is sufficient for decoding and initiates transmission earlier, reducing latency while maintaining decoding quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The allocation mechanism dynamically adjusts transmission timing based on frame type and application requirements. For latency-sensitive applications, the system allows partial frame transmission when decoding can proceed without complete data, rather than waiting for the entire frame to be received at the ONT.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure describes systems (100, 300) and methods for bandwidth allocation in a passive optical network. An optical line terminal, OLT, (320) can communicate with one or more optical network terminals, ONTs (310). A dynamic bandwidth allocation, DBA, engine (345), configured within the OLT (320), can allocate constant bit rate, CBR, bandwidth for one or more transmission containers (340) from the upstream bandwidth capacity of the PON upon registration of the transmission containers (340). Each transmission container (340) can be used by an associated ONT (310) for one or more CBR applications. The OLT (320) can receive an indication of the status of a CBR application. The DBA engine (345), in response to receiving the indication, can adjust the CBR bandwidth usage for the corresponding ONTs (310) in a bandwidth map. The OLT (320) can communicate the updated bandwidth map to the ONTs (310).