Ethernet Clock Sync Floating Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethernet networks face challenges in providing sufficient Quality of Service (QoS) for time division multiplexed (TDM) data due to jitter and data loss issues, particularly in public switched telephone networks, which existing enhancements fail to address effectively while maintaining flexibility and compatibility with existing technology.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Huawei-Enhanced Ethernet operational modes, including frequency-synchronized communication mode (H-Sync) and frequency-synchronized and phase-aligned communication mode (H-TDM), which utilize synchronization windows and overlay synchronous timeslot schemes to ensure deterministic data transfer and stringent QoS requirements, by inserting timestamps in inter-packet gaps and defining specific timeslots for high-priority data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Ethernet packets are transported through the network with resource arbitration and buffers at the nodes, then data loss is reduced, but network complexity increases and delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts TDM traffic from the best-effort Ethernet packet stream by using Ethernet packets with specific payload patterns (0x5555 or 0xFFFF) to delimit TDM frames. This separation allows TDM traffic to be identified and handled deterministically without requiring complex arbitration mechanisms, thus reducing network complexity while maintaining reliability for time-sensitive traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments Ethernet traffic into best-effort packets and TDM traffic by using distinctive payload patterns as delimiters. TDM frames are segmented within the Ethernet stream using these patterns, allowing receivers to extract and process TDM data deterministically without interfering with best-effort traffic handling, thereby reducing the need for complex buffering and arbitration.
2Reliability
If resource arbitration and buffers are implemented at the nodes, then data loss is reduced, but delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring Ethernet packets with specific payload patterns (0x5555 or 0xFFFF) that serve as delimiters for TDM frames. This preliminary marking allows receivers to identify and extract TDM traffic without requiring buffering or arbitration delays, enabling deterministic processing and reducing latency while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If TDM traffic is carried by highly synchronized networks like SONET and SDH, then QoS requirements are met, but flexibility and ease of implementation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling Ethernet infrastructure to carry both best-effort packet traffic and synchronized TDM traffic simultaneously using the same physical medium and protocol stack. By embedding TDM frames within Ethernet packets using distinctive payload patterns, the system provides SONET/SDH-like QoS guarantees over standard Ethernet, eliminating the need for separate specialized hardware and simplifying implementation.
4Reliability
If Ethernet enhancements like circuit emulation and pseudowires are implemented, then jitter and data loss issues are addressed, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts TDM traffic from the general Ethernet packet flow by using specific payload patterns as delimiters. This extraction method provides deterministic jitter control and data loss prevention for TDM traffic without implementing complex circuit emulation or pseudowire mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing network complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising initiating a synchronization window, and promoting the transmission of a frame comprising a control symbol, wherein the control symbol delineates a beginning of the frame, and wherein the control symbol is offset from the beginning of the synchronization window. Also disclosed is a system comprising an upstream node in communication with a downstream node, wherein the upstream node transmits a data stream comprising a plurality of frames to the downstream node, wherein the data stream is organized into a plurality of synchronization windows, and wherein the frames float within the synchronization windows. Included is a method comprising transmitting an Ethernet data stream comprising an Ethernet control symbol, wherein the Ethernet control symbol is transmitted within a synchronization window and delineates a start of a packet within the synchronization window.