ODU Service Transmission via Ethernet Encapsulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical channel data unit (ODU) service transmission systems face inefficiencies in forwarding ODU frames through Ethernet switching units, leading to potential service congestion and reduced transmission quality due to the inability to perform Ethernet switching on ODU time division multiplexing services effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an ODU service transmission apparatus comprising a first ODU service processing unit, a timeslot allocating unit, a switching output port allocating unit, an Ethernet switching unit, and a second ODU service processing unit, which encapsulates ODU frames into Ethernet frames based on a slice length and output port timeslot mapping tables, ensuring synchronized and interleaved timeslot allocation to facilitate efficient forwarding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ODU frames are forwarded through Ethernet switching units without encapsulation, then forwarding speed is maintained, but service congestion occurs and transmission quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidforwarding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ODU service transmission process into distinct functional modules: ODU service processing units that handle encapsulation and decapsulation, an Ethernet switching unit that performs switching operations, and timeslot allocation mechanisms that manage resource distribution. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall system reliability while maintaining forwarding efficiency through optimized workflows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary encapsulation layer where ODU frames are wrapped in Ethernet frames before being forwarded through the Ethernet switching unit. This intermediary structure enables the ODU service to leverage Ethernet switching capabilities while maintaining service integrity, thus improving transmission quality without sacrificing forwarding efficiency. The timeslot allocation mechanism acts as another intermediary to coordinate resource usage and prevent congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ODU services are transmitted without Ethernet switching capability, then device compatibility is improved, but forwarding flexibility and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidforwarding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal transmission framework where ODU frames are encapsulated in standard Ethernet frames, enabling them to be transmitted through any Ethernet switching unit regardless of vendor or model. This multi-functional approach allows the system to leverage existing Ethernet infrastructure while maintaining ODU service characteristics, thus improving device compatibility without compromising forwarding efficiency through the use of standardized protocols and interfaces.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex service classification is performed, then service types are properly managed, but processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice classification capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary service classification and timeslot allocation at the ingress ODU service processing unit before frames enter the Ethernet switching unit. By pre-configuring service classifications and establishing timeslot mappings in advance, the system avoids complex real-time classification operations during forwarding, thus reducing processing time while maintaining comprehensive service classification capability for managing multiple service types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2958279B1Service transfer device and method for optical channel data unit
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2958279B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2958279B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2958279B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of communication transmission, and in particular, discloses an optical channel data unit service transmission apparatus and method. The switching apparatus includes a first ODU service processing unit, a timeslot allocating unit, a switching output port allocating unit, an Ethernet switching unit, and a second ODU service processing unit, and forwards an ODU service according to a timeslot mapping table and a frame period timeslot table corresponding to the ODU service, which improves compatibility of the device, ensures that service congestion does not occur on a forwarding port of the switching apparatus, reduces a delay in forwarding the service and a cost of the switching device, and improves transmission quality of a communication network.