Network Time Allocation for Grant-Free Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management techniques in point-to-multipoint networks, such as passive optical networks, become inefficient as the number of downstream devices increase, leading to inefficient use of bandwidth and processing resources due to the need for grant messages to coordinate data transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A network device determines time allocations for each source based on information rates, such as committed and excess information rates, to manage data transmissions efficiently, storing data temporarily if processing would exceed the allocated time and delaying until the next cycle if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grant messages are used to coordinate data transmissions from multiple downstream devices, then data transmission coordination is achieved, but bandwidth and processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the grant message coordination mechanism from the system. Instead of using upstream grant messages to coordinate downstream transmissions, the system allows downstream devices to transmit autonomously based on pre-configured parameters, removing the overhead of grant message exchange while maintaining transmission coordination through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
Downstream devices are empowered to self-manage their transmissions without requiring continuous upstream coordination. Each device uses locally stored transmission parameters and autonomously determines when to transmit data, eliminating the need for grant messages and reducing both bandwidth consumption and processing requirements at the OLT.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of downstream devices sharing the communication medium increases, then network capacity is improved, but messaging efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grant message overhead from the system architecture. By eliminating the upstream-downstream-upstream messaging loop, the system can scale to accommodate more downstream devices without proportionally increasing messaging complexity. Each device operates independently based on pre-configured parameters, so adding devices does not linearly increase coordination traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into autonomous downstream devices that independently manage their transmissions. Each device operates as an independent unit with its own transmission parameters, allowing the network to scale by simply adding more segmented units without increasing the coordination overhead that would be required for centralized management of larger numbers of devices.
3Productivity
If time allocations are determined based on information rates, then resource utilization is optimized, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining time allocations and transmission parameters for each downstream device during network setup or configuration phases. These parameters are stored locally at each device, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations when data transmissions occur. The OLT simply retrieves and applies pre-computed values, significantly reducing processing complexity during actual data operations while maintaining optimized resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for managing data transmissions are disclosed. An example method can comprise determining a plurality of time allocations for a time cycle. The plurality of time allocations can comprise a first time allocation which can be determined based on an information rate, a committed information rate, an excess information rate, an effective bandwidth rate, other factors, or a combination thereof. Data can be received from multiple sources into a buffer, for example, and can be processed within a time cycle if processing the data will not exceed the time allocation.