Asymmetric OTN Traffic Support via AID and MSI

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Optical Transport Networks (OTNs), identifying target signals within the frame structure is challenging due to flexible containment relationships, which complicates network management and signal processing.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to determine and associate Access Identifiers (AIDs) and Optical Transport Network (OTN) Multiplexing Structure Identifiers (MSIs) for egress and ingress signals, allowing for precise identification and management of asymmetrical communication rates and patterns through network interfaces, using a processor and memory configuration within network elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flexible containment relationships are used in OTN, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring target signals worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment relationship flexibilityVSAvoidtarget signal identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using AID (Access Identifier) and MSI (Multiplexing Structure Identifier) fields as mediators between the flexible containment relationships and signal identification requirements. These intermediary fields provide a standardized reference framework that resolves the ambiguity caused by flexible containment, enabling unambiguous target signal identification while preserving OTN's adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter approach by introducing new identification parameters (AID and MSI) that remain constant despite variations in containment relationships. This allows the system to maintain flexible containment while using these stable parameters for consistent signal detection and measurement, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If asymmetric communication rates are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rate flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork element configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication configuration into independent directional components by using separate AID/MSI identifier sets for ingress and egress signals. This segmentation allows asymmetric communication rates to be configured independently in each direction, improving adaptability while managing device complexity through modular, direction-specific configuration rather than a monolithic approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9048967B2Asymmetric OTN network traffic support

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

A method of network communications includes determining an access identifier (AID) for an egress signal through a network interface of a network element, an Optical Transport Network (OTN) multiplexing structure identifier (MSI) associated with the egress signal through the network interface, another AID associated with a defined ingress signal through the network interface, another OTN MSI associated with the defined ingress signal through the network interface, and associating the egress signal and the defined ingress signal based on the AIDs and OTN MSIs. The first OTN MSI is not equal to the second OTN MSI.