FlexE Timeslot Mapping for Radio Fronthaul Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies cannot efficiently carry radio fronthaul interface signals using flexible Ethernet (FlexE), which limits the transmission efficiency and bandwidth usage in wireless communication networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves mapping radio fronthaul interface signals, such as CPRI, eCPRI, or NGFI signals, to FlexE service layer timeslots based on their rate, using encoding formats like 64B/66B, and adapting the rate to match the bandwidth of the FlexE service layer timeslots, thereby improving transmission efficiency and compatibility with existing Ethernet networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radio fronthaul interface signals are transmitted using conventional Ethernet technologies, then compatibility with existing networks is maintained, but transmission efficiency and bandwidth usage are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The radio fronthaul interface signal is segmented into multiple code blocks (64B/66B encoded) that can be independently mapped to FlexE service layer timeslots. This segmentation enables efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining compatibility with Ethernet networking principles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal mapping mechanism that can accommodate different types of radio fronthaul signals (CPRI, eCPRI, NGFI) and different signal rates by dynamically allocating FlexE timeslots based on the specific signal requirements, making the system adaptable to multiple scenarios while using a single FlexE infrastructure
2Productivity
If FlexE service layer timeslots are allocated based on signal rate, then bandwidth usage is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of timeslot allocation from fixed to dynamic, where the number of FlexE service layer timeslots (M) is determined based on the rate of the radio fronthaul interface signal. This parameter change enables optimized bandwidth usage while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized mapping procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If encoding format conversion is performed, then compatibility with FlexE is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs encoding format conversion (8B/10B to 64B/66B) as a preliminary action before mapping the radio fronthaul signal to FlexE timeslots. This preliminary encoding conversion simplifies subsequent processing steps and enables efficient integration with the FlexE framework, reducing overall processing time despite the initial conversion overhead
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a radio fronthaul interface signal transmission method, a device, and a system. A network device obtains a radio fronthaul interface signal including a plurality of code blocks. The network device maps the radio fronthaul interface signal to M flexible Ethernet FlexE service layer timeslots to generate a FlexE signal, where the FlexE service layer timeslots are determined based on a rate of the radio fronthaul interface signal, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. The network device sends the FlexE signal to one or more physical lanes. The radio fronthaul interface signal such as a CPRI signal, an eCPRI signal, or an NGFI signal is carried by using FlexE, and the FlexE service layer timeslots are divided based on the rate of the radio fronthaul interface signal.