Distributed Optical Transmitters for Interference-Free MAC Frame Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical data networks face interference and inefficiencies in transmitting Media Access Control (MAC) frames due to the lack of effective methods for parallel, interference-free transmission of encoded data streams across multiple optical transmitters.

Innovation Solution

A distributed optical access network is established by dividing MAC frames into fragments, encoding them into cells using network coding techniques, and transmitting these cells as distinct flows via multiple optical physical layer transmitter devices, such as LEDs, ensuring orthogonal-based coding that prevents interference and allows reconstruction with a minimum number of received cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple optical transmitters are used for parallel data transmission, then bandwidth capacity increases, but interference between transmitters occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC frame is divided into multiple fragments, and each fragment is encoded into multiple encoded cells using network coding. These encoded cells are then distributed across multiple optical transmitters as distinct flows, allowing parallel transmission while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the original data from any sufficient subset of transmitted cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies orthogonal-based coding to transform the encoded cells into distinct optical signals that can be transmitted simultaneously without interference. By changing the coding parameters to orthogonal forms, multiple transmitters can operate in parallel while maintaining signal independence and preventing mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If network coding is applied to encode frame fragments, then robust reception is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobust receptionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network coding is performed in advance at the source device before transmission. The MAC frame is divided into fragments and encoded into multiple encoded cells using orthogonal-based network coding, so that the encoding complexity is resolved before distribution across multiple transmitters. This preliminary encoding ensures robust reception while distributing the computational load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If distinct flows of encoded cells are transmitted via multiple optical transmitters, then transmission reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical transmitters are utilized to transmit distinct flows of encoded cells, allowing the system to achieve both reliable transmission and load distribution. The orthogonal-based coding ensures that each transmitter can operate independently while contributing to the overall transmission reliability, as the destination device can reconstruct the original data from any sufficient subset of received encoded cells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly increases bandwidth capacity, enabling multiple broadband data streams to be transmitted wirelessly without interference, with the ability to adapt to changes in device position and optical path obstructions, while maintaining security by ensuring only intended devices can decode the frames.

Implementation Method 1

optical physical layer transmitter devices, such as LEDs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3127255B1Distributed media access controller transmitting network coded cells via optical transmitters
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3127255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3127255B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by an apparatus, a Media Access Control (MAC) frame destined for a destination device; dividing, by the apparatus, the MAC frame into frame fragments; coding the frame fragments into encoded cells; and causing, by the apparatus, transmission of selected subsets of the encoded cells, as distinct flows of the encoded cells, by respective optical physical layer transmitter devices reachable by the destination device.