FlexO Service Mapping Across PHY Links for Lower Logic Complexity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The FlexO transmission method faces high mapping complexity and high occupancy of logical resources due to the binding of multiple PHY links, which complicates service transmission and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that map customer service data into N FlexO frames on M PHY links, ensuring the same number of cells and cell locations across each PHY link, reducing complexity and resource occupancy by logically merging the frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple PHY links are bound to carry large bandwidth service, then service capacity is improved, but mapping complexity and logical resource occupancy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capacityVSAvoidmapping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service data is segmented into multiple ODUflex containers, each with a standardized structure. These containers are then independently mapped to different PHY links, dividing the complex mapping task into manageable segments that can be processed in parallel, thereby reducing overall mapping complexity while maintaining high service capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by defining time slots within FlexO frames as an additional layer of organization. Services are mapped to specific time slots rather than directly to PHY links, creating a two-dimensional mapping structure (time slot × PHY link) that simplifies the mapping process and reduces logical resource occupancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ODUflex is mapped to time slot of any PHY link in FlexO frame, then service transmission flexibility is improved, but implementation complexity and logical resource occupancy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice transmission flexibilityVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different time slots within the same FlexO frame to have different service mappings. Each time slot can be independently configured for specific services, providing local flexibility without requiring complex global remapping operations. This enables adaptive service transmission while maintaining simplified implementation through standardized slot structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary action by pre-defining the FlexO frame structure with standardized time slots before service mapping. This predetermined framework allows services to be mapped to predefined slots without requiring complex real-time decisions, thereby maintaining transmission flexibility while reducing implementation complexity and logical resource requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3817311B1Service transmission method using flexible optical network, apparatus, device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ZTE CORP
  • EP3817311B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3817311B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3817311B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided are a service transmission method and device using a FlexO, equipment and a storage medium. The method includes: customer service data is mapped into N FlexO frames on M Physical Layer links of a FlexO transmission group, and then the N FlexO frames are sent through the FlexO transmission group; and a receiving end sequentially extracts the customer service data from the N FlexO frames. The FlexO transmission group comprises M PHY links. The customer service data occupies the same number of cells in the FlexO frame of each PHY link, and cell locations of the occupied cells are the same. A set of logic is used to directly map the customer service data into the N FlexO frames on the M PHY links of the FlexO transmission group, so as to minimize complexity and logical resources needing to be occupied.