Geographically Dispersed OLT Virtualization to Reduce PON Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive optical networks (PON) face challenges in managing geographically dispersed optical line terminals (OLTs) due to varying transmission delays and bandwidth allocation inefficiencies, particularly in upstream transmissions, which can lead to collisions and suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid cloud environment with geographically proximate edge servers to virtualize control plane workloads and maintain critical data plane functions locally, utilizing a combination of microservices and virtualized components to manage OLTs efficiently, and employing a REST API for flexible data model communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single centralized OLT is used to manage all ONTs, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission delays increase and bandwidth allocation becomes inefficient for geographically dispersed ONTs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OLT into multiple geographically dispersed OLTs, each serving a specific region. This segmentation reduces transmission delays for local ONTs while maintaining centralized coordination through the hybrid cloud environment, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and reduced transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional structure by deploying OLTs across multiple geographic locations rather than a single centralized location. This spatial dimensionality change enables local ONTs to connect to nearest OLTs, reducing transmission delays while the hybrid cloud maintains logical centralized management.
2Productivity
If control plane workloads are fully virtualized in the cloud, then resource utilization improves, but transmission delays for control signals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by keeping control plane workloads that require low latency (such as dynamic bandwidth allocation and ranging) at the local OLT, while virtualizing only those control functions that can tolerate higher latency in the hybrid cloud. This selective localization resolves the contradiction between resource utilization and control signal transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane is segmented into latency-sensitive functions handled locally at the OLT and non-latency-sensitive functions virtualized in the hybrid cloud. This functional segmentation enables differential handling of control workloads, optimizing both resource utilization and transmission delay performance.
3Productivity
If dynamic bandwidth allocation is implemented for upstream transmissions, then bandwidth utilization improves, but complexity of bandwidth management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithms at each OLT that autonomously monitor upstream transmission conditions, calculate optimal bandwidth allocations, and adjust resource distribution in real-time without manual intervention. This automation maintains high bandwidth utilization while reducing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where each OLT continuously monitors upstream transmission performance from its served ONTs and automatically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time conditions. This closed-loop feedback enables efficient bandwidth utilization while the automation reduces management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system supporting the geographically dispersed remote optical line terminals.