M:N Transceivers for Bit Rate Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in enabling efficient communication between network elements operating at different bit rates, such as 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s, requiring complex and expensive special-purpose equipment for bit rate translations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing a specific ratio of network elements operating at 40 Gb/s and transceivers operating at 100 Gb/s with M:N electrical interfaces, bypassing the communication interfaces of the network elements to interconnect electrical lanes, and using transceivers for data communication between elements operating at different bit rates, without the need for additional special-purpose equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If special-purpose equipment is used for bit rate translation between 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s network elements, then communication between different bit rates is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that includes a 40G to 100G translator and an optical cross-connect fabric. This intermediary translates between the 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s bit rates and provides flexible optical switching, enabling communication between network elements operating at different bit rates without requiring complex special-purpose equipment at each endpoint. The intermediary handles the bit rate conversion centrally, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication interfaces are used for bit rate translation, then data communication between different bit rates is possible, but loss of time occurs due to conversion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing optical paths and pre-configuring the optical cross-connect fabric before data transmission begins. The system pre-translates and buffers data at the intermediary device, so that when actual communication occurs, the bit rate conversion has already been prepared. This reduces the time loss during active data transmission by performing conversion operations in advance.
3Productivity
If existing equipment is utilized without bypassing communication interfaces, then interconnectivity is maintained, but network efficiency decreases due to interface overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication interfaces from the data path by bypassing them through the optical cross-connect fabric. Instead of routing data through the standard communication interfaces which add overhead and processing delays, the system extracts the optical signals and routes them directly through the optical switching fabric. This eliminates interface processing overhead and improves network communication efficiency while maintaining interconnectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enabling network elements (NEs) operating at a bit rate R1 to communicate with NEs operating at a bit rate R2 is described. A ratio of R2 to R1 is represented by a ratio M:N, M and N are positive integers, and M>N. The method includes providing a number M×K of the NEs operating at a bit rate R1, each of the M×K NEs including a communication interface communicating at the bit rate R1, where K is a positive integer, providing a number N×K of transceivers operating at the bit rate R2, each of the N×K transceivers including an M:N electrical interface which enables translation between bit rates whose ratio is represented by the ratio M:N, bypassing the communication interfaces of the M×K NEs by interconnecting electrical lanes of the M×K NEs with the M:N electrical interfaces of the N×K transceivers, and using at least one of the N×K transceivers for communicating data between at least one of the M×K NEs interconnected with the at least one of the N×K transceivers and at least one of the NEs operating at the bit rate R2. Related apparatus and methods are also described.