FlexO Remote Deskew for Regenerator-Induced Interface Skew
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing FlexO networks face challenges in deskewing due to the introduction of complexity by regenerators, particularly in scenarios involving a mix of FlexO and OTUCn regens, where local deskewing is insufficient to correct for skew beyond its limits.
Innovation Solution
A remote deskew scheme is implemented using circuitry to detect skew between multiple interfaces and signal information to remote transceivers, allowing alignment across the network, utilizing FlexO overhead for communication and compensation at both local and remote transceivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If local deskewing is used at the receiver, then deskewing can be performed with simple local circuitry, but it cannot correct for skew beyond local limits
Solution Approach 1:
The deskewing function is segmented between local and remote components. The local receiver performs initial skew detection and generates deskew commands, while remote transceivers execute the actual alignment adjustments. This segmentation allows the system to overcome local limitations by distributing the deskewing function across multiple network elements, thereby extending the effective skew correction range beyond what a single receiver can achieve alone.
2Reliability
If regenerators are introduced in FlexO networks, then signal regeneration is achieved, but complexity in deskewing is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism where the receiver acts as a controller that generates deskew commands based on detected skew. These commands are transmitted through the network to remote transceivers, which execute the alignment adjustments. This intermediary control approach manages the complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic at the receiver while distributing the execution across regenerator elements, thereby maintaining signal regeneration capability without proportionally increasing overall deskewing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If skew detection and signaling is implemented, then remote alignment can be achieved, but additional overhead signaling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing FlexO overhead structures for multiple purposes: carrying deskew commands from the receiver to remote transceivers, transmitting alignment status information, and maintaining standard FlexO protocol functionality. By making the overhead signaling multi-functional, the system achieves remote alignment capability without requiring entirely new communication channels, thereby limiting the increase in signaling complexity while still enabling precise interface alignment across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for Flexible Optical Transport Network (FlexO) remote deskew procedure include, at a terminating receiver, detecting relative skew between multiple interfaces in a group in a FlexO network, and signal information based on the detected skew to one or more remote transceivers located in a backwards direction relative to the receiver. At a remote transceiver, the systems and methods include based on detected skew between multiple interfaces in a group in at a terminating receiver, receiving skew information therefrom, and causing alignment of the multiple interfaces based on the received skew information.