Media Access Controller for Optical Network Bandwidth Allocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in point-to-multipoint optical networks face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization and ATM cell routing, leading to increased delay and delay jitter due to cell-oriented arbitration and policing schemes that do not account for the actual payload size of IP packets.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a media access controller issuing data grants based on grouping information, allowing network units to transmit groups of consecutive ATM cells, which reflects the length of IP packets and optimizes bandwidth allocation through arbitration schemes that prioritize classes of service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cell-oriented arbitration and policing schemes are used to control upstream transmission, then media access control is simplified, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates and delay jitter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the arbitration parameter from cell-oriented to packet-oriented. Instead of arbitrating based on fixed ATM cell sizes, the system arbitrates based on actual IP packet lengths, allowing more efficient bandwidth allocation that matches real traffic patterns and reduces delay jitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic packet length information into the media access control process. The OLT receives upstream status reports containing packet length data and uses this dynamic information to adjust data grant allocations, making the system adaptive to actual traffic conditions rather than relying on static cell-based schedules.
2Device complexity
If ATM cells are routed independently without grouping information, then routing simplicity is maintained, but delay jitter increases due to lack of payload size awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by having network units attach grouping information to ATM cells before transmission. This grouping information identifies packets that originated from the same IP packet, allowing the OLT to route related cells together in the future, reducing delay jitter without requiring complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses feedback mechanisms where network units send upstream status reports containing packet length information back to the OLT. The OLT uses this feedback to adjust data grants and routing decisions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual traffic patterns and reduces delay jitter.
3Ease of operation
If upstream bandwidth is allocated based on fixed timeslots, then media access control is straightforward, but bandwidth allocation efficiency deteriorates when upstream data rate differs from downstream data rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes bandwidth allocation dynamic by using packet length information from upstream status reports to adjust data grant allocations. This allows the system to adapt to varying upstream data rates and traffic patterns, efficiently allocating bandwidth without wasting resources on empty timeslots.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the allocation parameter from fixed timeslot-based to packet-length-based. By using actual packet length data, the system can dynamically adjust the amount of bandwidth allocated to each network unit, improving efficiency when upstream and downstream data rates differ.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for upstream transmission and the media access control of upstream transmission of groups of fixed sized cells, such as ATM cells in a point to multipoint optical network, such as a passive optical network. The upstream media access control scheme is responsive to grouping information reflecting a parameter of a group of fixed sized cells. The parameter may reflect the length of the relevant payload of the group the fixed sized cells.