Ethernet Payload Decoding for Optical Reach Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed Ethernet networks face limitations due to optical or electrical signal degradation, which requires costly signal regeneration or sophisticated optical interfaces, while existing electrical domain solutions like Forward Error Correction (FEC) have limitations in cost and performance.
Innovation Solution
A system that decodes and re-encodes Ethernet packets to reduce payload size, encapsulates them with error correction codes, and transmits them over optical links using the Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) format, maintaining data integrity and reducing bit rate while adding redundancy for error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If signal regeneration or sophisticated optical interfaces are used to overcome signal degradation, then transmission distance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical domain solutions (signal regeneration, sophisticated optical interfaces) with electrical domain processing. Specifically, it uses electrical signal processing techniques including Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding and Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) encapsulation to achieve long-distance transmission without requiring expensive optical signal regeneration equipment or specialized optical interfaces, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining transmission distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the encoding parameters of Ethernet packets by applying FEC codes and GFP framing encapsulation. This parameter transformation allows the electrical signals to be more tolerant of transmission impairments, enabling longer transmission distances without signal regeneration. The encoding parameters are modified to add redundancy and structure that compensates for signal degradation over distance
2Reliability
If Forward Error Correction (FEC) is used to correct transmission errors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding before transmission, performing error correction preparation in advance. By pre-encoding FEC codes into the data stream, the system enables error detection and correction at the receiving end without requiring complex real-time processing, thus improving reliability while managing processing complexity through preliminary action
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces FEC codes as an intermediary layer between the original Ethernet data and the transmission medium. This intermediary FEC encoding layer handles the error correction function, allowing the base Ethernet protocol to remain simple while adding robustness through the FEC intermediary, thereby separating complexity from the core data transmission function
3Productivity
If payload size is reduced through decoding and re-encoding, then transmission efficiency is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes through decoding and re-encoding the payload portion of Ethernet packets. By changing the encoding parameters (e.g., from 8B/10B to other encoding schemes) and optimizing the payload structure through GFP framing, the system achieves more efficient transmission. The parameter transformation is designed to maintain data integrity while reducing overhead, thus improving transmission efficiency without significant information loss
Data Source
AI summary
According to another general aspect, an apparatus may include a receiver, a decoding engine, an envelope generator, an error code generator, and a transmitter. In one embodiment, the receiver may be configured to receive an Ethernet packet that includes a payload portion. In various embodiments, the decoding engine may be configured to decode at least the payload portion of the Ethernet packet such that the size of the payload portion is reduced. In some embodiments, the envelope generator may be configured to encapsulate the payload portion such that packet boundaries may be identified. In various embodiments, the error code generator may be configured to associate an error correction code with the encapsulated payload portion. In another embodiment, the transmitter may be configured to transmit the encapsulated payload and error correction code.