Flexible Ethernet Data Processing for Switching Circuit Resource Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing flexible Ethernet switching circuits face inefficiencies due to a high speedup factor and excessive resource consumption when designed to handle maximum bandwidths, leading to unnecessary waste of circuit resources.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using a flexible Ethernet data processing method that converts client service flows into parallel client slot flows, allowing for dynamic configuration of input interfaces to match the fixed bandwidth capacity of each slot, thereby optimizing the switching circuit's capacity based on the physical interface's limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the switching circuit is designed according to the maximum bandwidth capacity of each client service flow, then the switching capacity is sufficient to handle peak demands, but the speedup factor becomes excessively large and circuit resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching capacityVSAvoidcircuit resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the client service flow into multiple time slots, each with a fixed bandwidth capacity. The switching circuit is then designed based on the bandwidth capacity of a single time slot rather than the aggregate maximum bandwidth of all service flows. This segmentation allows the switching circuit to be sized appropriately for actual usage patterns while maintaining sufficient capacity for peak demands in individual slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the total bandwidth of a client service flow is distributed across multiple time slots. The switching circuit dynamically switches between different time slots based on actual traffic demands, allowing the system to adapt to varying bandwidth requirements without needing to provision for the maximum possible aggregate bandwidth continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the switching circuit is designed with high bandwidth capacity to accommodate multiple client service flows, then the switching capacity reaches 500G for five 100G flows, but the actual utilization is limited to 100G per PHY interface, resulting in a speedup factor of 5 and excessive resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth configuration flexibilityVSAvoidswitching circuit design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the client service flow into discrete time slots, each with a fixed bandwidth capacity. This segmentation allows the switching circuit to be designed based on the bandwidth capacity of a single time slot rather than the aggregate maximum bandwidth of all service flows. For example, if a client service flow has a bandwidth range of [5G, 100G] and is divided into multiple time slots, each slot has a fixed bandwidth that the switching circuit can handle independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bandwidth parameter from a continuous variable to a discrete set of fixed bandwidth values corresponding to different time slots. Each time slot has a specific fixed bandwidth capacity, and the switching circuit is designed to handle this fixed bandwidth rather than the full range of possible bandwidth values. This parameter transformation simplifies the switching circuit design while maintaining flexibility through time-slot multiplexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the switching circuit is designed according to the maximum bandwidth of client service flows, then sufficient capacity is provided for peak demands, but the speedup factor becomes unnecessarily large, wasting circuit resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the client service flow into multiple time slots, each with a fixed bandwidth capacity. The switching circuit is then designed based on the bandwidth capacity of a single time slot rather than the aggregate maximum bandwidth of all service flows. This segmentation allows the switching circuit to be sized appropriately for actual usage patterns while maintaining sufficient capacity for peak demands in individual slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous operation of the switching circuit by maintaining a steady stream of time slots with fixed bandwidth capacities. Rather than designing for peak aggregate bandwidth that may not be continuously utilized, the system maintains continuous throughput at a lower, more sustainable rate that matches actual usage patterns, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3700150B1Method and relevant device for processing data of flexible ethernet
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3700150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700150B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3700150B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a flexible-Ethernet data processing method and a related device. The method includes: acquiring a to-be-switched first client service flow, where the first client service flow is a service flow suitable for transmission on a flexible Ethernet, for example, a service flow that meets a flexible Ethernet transmission standard; performing first rate adaptation from a source clock domain to a target clock domain on the first client service flow, to obtain a second client service flow that matches the target clock domain; and performing serial-to-parallel conversion on the second client service flow in the target clock domain, to obtain a parallel client slot flow. In this way, a proper speedup factor of a switching circuit can be acquired, avoiding waste of circuit resources.