Data Transport System Rate Estimation for Protocol Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network technologies face challenges in multiplexing and demultiplexing data across different protocols and transmission rates, particularly in handling asynchronous clocks and varying protocols like Ethernet, which are not supported by existing techniques for SDH/SONET and OTN formats.
Innovation Solution
A data transport system comprising a transmitter and receiver with rate detectors, data unit composers/decomposers, and rate estimators that manage FIFO units to control data flow and estimate transmission rates, enabling multiplexing/demultiplexing of data across multiple interfaces with different protocols and rates without relying on specific protocol encodings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous detection techniques for SDH/SONET are used, then accurate clock synchronization is achieved, but asynchronous protocols like Ethernet cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The rate detector is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect both synchronous protocols (SDH/SONET) using traditional synchronous detection methods and asynchronous protocols (Ethernet) using pattern-based detection methods. This universal detector replaces the need for separate detection mechanisms for different protocol types, enabling the system to handle diverse protocols while maintaining reliable clock synchronization where applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection method is dynamically changed based on the protocol type being processed. For synchronous protocols, synchronous detection parameters are used to maintain accuracy. For asynchronous protocols, the system switches to pattern-based detection parameters. This parameter adaptation allows the same hardware to reliably detect different protocol types with their respective characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If OTN frame mapping is used for unified network control, then signal type independence is achieved, but multiple data transport devices are required for different OTN frame types
Solution Approach 1:
A single data transport device is designed to handle multiple protocol types (SDH, SONET, Ethernet, FibreChannel, InfiniBand) through a universal processing architecture. The device includes protocol-agnostic components such as the rate detector that can identify different protocols, FIFO units that buffer data regardless of protocol, and the data unit composer that standardizes output formats. This universal design eliminates the need for separate transport devices for different signal types while maintaining signal type independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate components that mediate between diverse input protocols and the transport system. The rate detector acts as an intermediary that identifies and characterizes incoming signals without being protocol-specific. The FIFO units serve as intermediaries that buffer and regulate data flow from different protocols. The data unit composer acts as an intermediary that converts various protocol formats into a unified transport format, enabling a single device to handle multiple signal types.
3Productivity
If protocol-specific encoding is used for Ethernet multiplexing, then protocol optimization is achieved, but devices cannot handle multiple protocols without extensive configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protocol-specific encoding requirements from the core transport function. Instead of requiring the transport device to be configured for each protocol's specific encoding (8b/10b, 64b/66b), the system separates protocol identification and handling into distinct modules. The rate detector identifies the protocol type, and protocol-specific processing is handled by dedicated modules that can be selectively activated, leaving the core transport mechanism protocol-agnostic and reducing configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its processing based on the detected protocol type. When an Ethernet signal is detected, the system dynamically activates the appropriate encoding/decoding modules. When SDH/SONET is detected, different processing paths are activated. This dynamic configuration allows the device to optimize for each protocol's specific requirements while maintaining a unified base architecture, reducing the need for static extensive configuration for multiple protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver includes a data unit decomposer for receiving data units transmitted via a transmission channel and extracting user data including invalid data and valid data by removing management data from the received data units, and a plurality of rate estimators for receiving data forwarded by the data unit decomposer and outputting the data to different output interfaces. Each rate estimator selects valid data from the user data forwarded by the data unit decomposer, inputs the selected valid data to a FIFO unit, controls read frequency of the FIFO unit based on an amount of remaining data in the FIFO unit, and estimates a transmission data rate of an associated input interface in the transmitter based on at least one of a write cycle in writing the valid data to the FIFO unit and the amount of remaining data in the FIFO unit.