Micro-packets for Path Overhead in 64B/66B Metro Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
ITU-T Metro Transport Networks face inefficiencies in carrying Path Overhead (POH) data due to bandwidth constraints and interference with client packets, particularly when using separate Ethernet packets, and existing solutions are not transparent to all Ethernet layers below the Medium Independent Interface (MII).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of short 'micro-packets' within the 64B/66B-block communication link, specifically using /S/ and /T/ control blocks to carry POH data between Ethernet client packets, ensuring transparency and bandwidth efficiency by avoiding additional preamble or inter-packet gap idle bytes, and allowing for recognition and removal by the MTN Path sink node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If POH is carried in separate full Ethernet packets, then POH transmission is achieved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates and interference with client packets occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the POH transmission into micro-packets that are inserted between client packets rather than using full Ethernet packets. This segmentation allows POH to be transmitted in smaller, more efficient units that consume less bandwidth and cause less interference with client data traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds POH micro-packets within the existing Ethernet frame structure, nesting them between client packets. The micro-packets utilize the Ethernet preamble and existing frame boundaries, effectively hiding POH transmission within the existing Ethernet infrastructure without requiring separate full packets.
2Reliability
If POH is carried in Ordered set blocks, then POH transmission is achieved, but compatibility with Ethernet Transmit and Receive functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro-packets as an intermediary format that bridges Ordered set blocks and Ethernet frames. The micro-packets maintain the structured format needed for reliable POH transmission while conforming to Ethernet frame requirements, allowing compatibility with standard Ethernet Transmit and Receive functions without requiring modifications.
3Reliability
If normal Ethernet packets are used for POH, then POH transmission is achieved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates due to packet overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential POH transmission function from the full Ethernet packet structure, retaining only the necessary components (preamble, micro-packet data, and termination). By removing unnecessary Ethernet overhead such as destination/source addresses and full packet processing requirements, the micro-packets achieve high bandwidth efficiency while maintaining reliable POH transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting path overhead (POH) data blocks from a data stream in a 64B/66B-block communication link, the method includes receiving at a sink node a data stream in a 64B/66B-block communication link, detecting within the data stream at a PCS sublayer a micro-packet starting with an /S/ control block, including K POH data blocks, and ending with a /T/ control block, extracting the micro-packet from the data stream, and extracting the POH data blocks from the micro-packet.