Hybrid Optical Transmission Device Hardware Software Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transmission devices supporting OTN networks face challenges in efficiently processing high-speed signals due to the need for hardware circuits like FPGAs or ASSPs, which are costly and difficult to modify for new communication services or at the end of life of existing devices.
Innovation Solution
The optical transmission device combines hardware and software processing by implementing the reception, detection, and transmission units with hardware circuits and using a processor for software-based mapping of client data into OTU frames, allowing for flexible adaptation to communication services without large-scale circuit development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hardware circuits such as FPGA or ASSP are used to process main signals, then high-speed operation is achieved, but design flexibility and adaptability to new communication services deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function into two distinct parts: a hardware circuit that handles high-speed reception and transmission of optical signals, and a processor that handles software-based mapping and clock reproduction. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function while collectively providing both high speed and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary between the hardware circuit and the mapping function. The processor receives rate information from the hardware circuit and performs software-based mapping operations, serving as a flexible intermediary that can be programmed for different communication services without hardware changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If general-purpose CPU is used to process main signals, then design flexibility and adaptability are improved, but processing speed and clock reproduction accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing tasks by assigning time-critical high-speed operations to hardware circuits and software-based mapping operations to a processor, creating a hybrid architecture that leverages the strengths of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure hardware implementation with a hybrid hardware-software approach, using a processor to perform mapping operations that can be implemented through software algorithms rather than dedicated hardware logic, thereby gaining flexibility while maintaining performance through hardware acceleration of critical paths.
3Speed
If hardware circuits are used for signal processing, then processing speed is maintained, but development cost and time for modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the processor can be reprogrammed to handle different communication services and protocols without any hardware modifications. This dynamic reconfigurability through software allows rapid adaptation to new requirements while maintaining the high-speed performance of the hardware circuit for core signal processing functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Optical transmission device includes: a reception unit, a detector, a mapping unit and a transmission unit. The reception unit receives a first signal transmitted based on a first clock. The detector detects rate information for storing client data in the first signal in a transmission frame based on the first signal. The mapping unit generates the transmission frame by mapping the client data to a payload area of the transmission frame based on the rate information. The transmission unit outputs the transmission frame or a second transmission frame including the transmission frame to a network. The reception unit, the detector, and the transmission unit are implemented by a hardware circuit, and the mapping unit is implemented by software processing using a processor.