FlexE Detection Block Insertion Without Service Bit Block Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insertion of detection blocks in existing FlexE technologies leads to watermark fluctuations and service bit block loss due to the insertion of idle blocks, particularly in long processing lines or multiple processing steps.

Innovation Solution

The method involves inserting detection blocks into idle blocks within the bit block data flow, ensuring they occupy the bandwidth resources of idle blocks, thereby preventing service bit block loss and maintaining service bandwidth integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detection blocks are inserted into the bit block data flow for OAM function detection, then fault detection capability is improved, but watermark fluctuations occur causing service bit block loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidservice bit block loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces idle blocks as intermediary elements that absorb the watermark fluctuations caused by detection block insertion. These idle blocks act as a buffer between the detection blocks and the service data flow, preventing the fluctuations from propagating to service bits and causing bit block loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-allocates idle blocks in advance to cushion against watermark fluctuations. By having idle blocks ready before the fluctuations occur, the system can absorb the watermark variations without affecting service bit blocks, thus preventing service bit block loss while maintaining fault detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Loss of substance

If idle blocks are deleted to reduce watermark fluctuations, then service bit block loss is reduced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice bit block lossVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-inserting idle blocks into the data flow before detection blocks are inserted. This preliminary placement of idle blocks simplifies subsequent processing by providing a predetermined buffer structure that automatically handles watermark fluctuations without requiring complex real-time processing decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If detection blocks are inserted every N bit blocks for end-to-end fault detection, then detection coverage is improved, but watermark overflow occurs in long processing lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidservice bit block loss due to watermark overflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Idle blocks serve as intermediary elements distributed throughout the data flow at regular intervals. These intermediaries absorb and distribute the watermark fluctuations caused by periodic detection block insertion, preventing the accumulation of fluctuations that would lead to watermark overflow in long processing lines while maintaining comprehensive fault detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3648402B1Method for sending detection block and method for receiving detection block, and network device and system
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3648402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3648402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3648402B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

This application provides a detection block sending and receiving method, and a network device and system. The detection block sending method includes: obtaining, by a network device, an original bit block data flow; generating at least one detection block, and inserting the at least one detection block into a position of at least one idle block in the original bit block data flow; and sending a bit block data flow including the at least one detection block. In this application, a bandwidth resource of an idle block in a bit block data flow is occupied for sending a detection block, thereby resolving a problem of a service bit block loss.