GFP Mapping for Synchronous Ethernet Timing Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting synchronous Ethernet signals over Optical Transport Network (OTN) based DWDM networks do not preserve timing integrity, requiring an underlying SONET/SDH infrastructure and lacking standardized mapping techniques that maintain timing information.
Innovation Solution
A mapping technique using Generic Framing Protocol (GFP) that fractionally multiplies the timing signal by integer ratios to preserve timing integrity, allowing synchronous Ethernet signals to be directly mapped onto OTN without intermediate layers, utilizing a fractional M/N clock generator and frame encoder to ensure synchronous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synchronous Ethernet signals are mapped into SONET/SDH networks using GFP, then timing integrity is preserved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing preservation function from the SONET/SDH infrastructure and implements it directly in the GFP mapping process. By removing the requirement for separate timing circuits and synchronization mechanisms, the solution preserves timing integrity while eliminating the need for complex intermediate networking layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the timing preservation function with the GFP mapping process itself. Instead of using separate timing circuits as required by traditional SONET/SDH approaches, the solution combines timing synchronization directly into the frame mapping mechanism, thereby preserving timing integrity while reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If synchronous Ethernet signals are transported over OTN using standard GFP mapping, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but timing integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of GFP mapping by maintaining synchronous clocking relationships throughout the mapping process. By keeping the clock domain synchronous rather than introducing asynchronous transformations, the solution achieves both high bandwidth efficiency through efficient GFP encoding and preserves timing integrity of the original synchronous Ethernet signals.
3Reliability
If Ethernet signals are multiplexed over optical networks using SONET/SDH, then timing synchronization is maintained, but loss of information occurs through character stripping and encoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transparent GFP mapping that creates a faithful copy of the original Ethernet signal characteristics while maintaining timing relationships. By preserving the original signal structure and timing without stripping characters or applying lossy encoding, the solution maintains both timing synchronization and complete data integrity throughout the optical transport.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods for mapping synchronous input signals, such as synchronous Ethernet, into Generic Framing Protocol (GFP) frames for using GFP directly on Optical Transport Network (OTN) while preserving the synchronous timing of the input signals. The present invention defines a mapping technique for GFP-based encapsulation that preserves timing information of an incoming client signal. The mapping technique makes use of the concept that a timing signal can be fractionally multiplied in frequency using factors that are ratios of integers without creating significant timing impairments.