Asymmetrical PON With Multiple Upstream Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks often exhibit asymmetrical upstream and downstream bandwidth, which is undesirable for symmetric applications like voice, video conferencing, and gaming, and can lead to underutilization of network switching and processing devices designed with symmetric interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A passive optical network (PON) configuration with an optical line terminal (OLT) and optical network units (ONUs) that includes multiple downstream channels and upstream receivers, allowing the number of upstream channels to be adjusted relative to downstream channels to improve bandwidth symmetry without altering downstream bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If asymmetrical bandwidth configuration is used in optical networks, then downstream bandwidth capacity is improved, but bandwidth symmetry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the upstream bandwidth into multiple independent channels (first upstream channel, second upstream channel, etc.) that can be separately configured and managed. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple upstream channels per downstream channel, enabling flexibility in achieving bandwidth symmetry while maintaining high downstream bandwidth capacity. The OLT can independently configure each upstream channel to match specific application requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If asymmetrical bandwidth configuration is used, then downstream bandwidth is increased, but device utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes network switching and processing devices universal by providing multiple upstream channels that can serve different applications and services simultaneously. The device can handle both high-volume downstream traffic and multiple upstream traffic streams with different bandwidth requirements, fully utilizing the symmetric interface capabilities of switching devices. This multi-functional approach eliminates the underutilization that occurs with asymmetrical configurations.
3Ease of operation
If multiple upstream channels are added to increase symmetry, then bandwidth symmetry is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple upstream channels into a unified PON system architecture that shares common infrastructure components such as the optical distribution network, OLT platform, and management system. While multiple upstream channels are provided, they are integrated into a single coordinated system rather than independent systems, reducing overall complexity. The channels can be managed through a unified configuration approach where the OLT controls all upstream channels centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A passive optical network (PON) system comprising a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) having one downstream receiver and one upstream transmitter, an optical line terminal (OLT) having a downstream transmitter and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein each upstream receiver is associated with a subset of the ONUs, and an optical distribution network (ODN) that connects the OLT to the ONUs is disclosed. An OLT for a PON, comprising a downstream transmitter, and a plurality of upstream receivers, wherein a downstream transmitter bandwidth is greater than each upstream receiver bandwidth is also disclosed. A network component comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising determining a downstream bandwidth and an upstream bandwidth for a PON, and increasing a number of upstream channels per downstream channel for the PON when asymmetry between the downstream bandwidth and the upstream bandwidth is greater than a threshold amount is also disclosed.