Modular Optical Processing Apparatus for Cost-Effective Bandwidth Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Optical Line Termination (OLT) solutions are complex and costly, and they fail to meet user requirements for a more efficient and cost-effective optical processing system.

Innovation Solution

The development of an optical processing module and apparatus that includes a processing unit connected through multiple interfaces (first, second, and third) to facilitate data processing and bandwidth allocation, enabling efficient communication between upper-layer, user-side, and other optical processing modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional OLT with line card and main control board is used, then the optical processing capability is sufficient, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The OLT is divided into multiple independent optical processing modules, each capable of autonomous optical packet processing. Each module includes its own processing unit and interface units, eliminating the need for complex centralized control boards and line cards while maintaining sufficient processing capability through distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each optical processing module is designed as a universal unit that can handle multiple functions including optical packet reception, processing, and transmission. The modules can be interconnected through third interfaces to form flexible configurations, replacing the specialized line cards and control boards with multi-functional units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a SOC-based OLT with small capacity is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing capability and port quantity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprocessing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single SOC with limited capacity, the system segments the processing function into multiple optical processing modules. Each module maintains simplified structure while the collective system achieves high processing capability through parallel processing across multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimensional SOC architecture to a multi-dimensional modular architecture. Multiple modules can be interconnected through third interfaces, enabling horizontal scaling of processing capability while each individual module remains simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple optical processing modules are interconnected through third interfaces, then the system capacity and port quantity increase, but the bandwidth allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidbandwidth allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit receives bandwidth allocation information from the interface unit and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust data transmission between optical processing modules. The interface unit monitors the actual data bandwidth of third interfaces and provides feedback for optimization, enabling automatic bandwidth management without complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the processing unit can flexibly adjust data routing and bandwidth distribution based on real-time network conditions. The bandwidth allocation information is dynamically updated and applied to optimize data flow across interconnected modules without requiring complex static configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3896870B1Optical processing module and optical processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3896870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3896870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3896870B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application provides an optical processing module and an optical processing apparatus. The optical processing apparatus includes at least two optical processing modules. The optical processing module includes a processing unit, and further includes at least one first interface, at least one second interface, and at least one third interface. The first interface is used to connect to and communicate with an upper-layer device, the second interface is used to connect to and communicate with a user-side device, the third interface is used to connect to and communicate with a third interface of another optical processing module, and the processing unit is configured to process, according to a first control instruction, data received from the at least one first interface and the at least one third interface. The first control instruction indicates an actual data bandwidth allocated to the at least one first interface and an actual data bandwidth allocated to the at least one third interface in a downlink direction. A plurality of optical processing modules are interconnected to form a high-density box-shaped device or a medium-density box-shaped device. This solution is simple and cost-effective.