Pluggable Optical Transceiver Integration of FEC and OAM&P

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pluggable optical transceivers, compliant with MSA specifications such as XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, and SFP+, are limited to short reach applications and lack advanced optical performance features like extended reach and carrier-grade management, requiring external circuitry or transponders for extended reach and advanced optical layer OAM&P.

Innovation Solution

Integration of G.709 framing with overhead for optical layer OAM&P and FEC into MSA-compliant pluggable optical transceivers, allowing on-chip access to OAM&P data and error correction, thereby extending reach and enabling carrier-grade performance without additional equipment or host system redesign.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If MSA specifications are tightly defined to maximize density and minimize cost, then manufacturing cost and device density are improved, but optical performance and reach capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidoptical performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transceiver functionality by integrating distinct modules for FEC (Forward Error Correction) and OAM&P (Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and Provisioning) within the pluggable transceiver. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently - the basic MSA-compliant transceiver maintains cost-effectiveness while the optional FEC and OAM&P modules provide enhanced optical performance and extended reach capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If MSA specifications are tightly defined for interoperability, then compatibility between vendors is improved, but advanced optical features and extended reach capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidextended reach capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a pluggable transceiver that universally supports both basic MSA-compliant operation and advanced optical features. The transceiver can function as a standard interoperable device or be configured with integrated FEC and OAM&P capabilities for extended reach applications, making it adaptable to multiple deployment scenarios while maintaining vendor compatibility through standardized interfaces.

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

3Length of moving object

If external circuitry or transponders are used for extended reach, then reach capability is improved, but device complexity and system cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereach distanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate functions (FEC, OAM&P, and transceiver operations) into a single integrated pluggable transceiver module. This consolidation eliminates the need for external circuitry or separate transponders, reducing system complexity while maintaining extended reach capability. The integrated design allows all necessary functions to coexist within one standardized form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If pluggable transceivers are standardized for short reach applications, then manufacturing and inventory control are improved, but performance enhancement and carrier-grade management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory controlVSAvoidcarrier-grade performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the transceiver capabilities configurable and adaptable. While the basic form factor and interface remain standardized for manufacturing efficiency, the transceiver can be dynamically configured with or without FEC and OAM&P features depending on the specific application requirements. This allows a single standardized platform to serve both short-reach enterprise applications and carrier-grade long-reach applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2078361B1Systems and methods for the integration of framing OAM&p, and forward error correction in pluggable optical transceiver devices
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 MENARA NETWORKS
  • EP2078361B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2078361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2078361B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention provides integrated framing in pluggable optical transceivers to extend the OTN framework into metro, regional, and core applications. Additionally, the present invention provides integrated FEC and optical layer OAM&P features Ênto pluggable optical transceivers. This integration is done with existing pluggable transceivers defined by MSAs such as, but not limited to, XFP, XPAK, XENPAK, X2, XFP-E, and SFP+. Further, the present invention can be extended to new, emerging pluggable transceiver standards and specifications. The integration of framing, FEC, and optical layer OAM&P is done so that the pluggable transceiver preserves the specifications in the MSAs. This allows systems designed for existing pluggable transceivers to realize carrier-grade, robust performance without needed additional equipment such as transponders and without redesigning host equipment such as the line card to support new specifications.