ONT Host Device Shared Memory Lock Registry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ONT management protocols, such as OMCI, face challenges in interacting with host devices managed by different protocols, requiring the host device to understand and manage ONT configuration parameters like QoS, bandwidth, and optical information, which is complex and not efficiently addressed by current diagnostic monitoring and memory management systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a shared memory with a lock registry between ONT and host devices, allowing for message exchange and configuration management using standardized interfaces like I2C, enabling the ONT to lock and unlock memory access for message transfer and response handling, and using vendor-specific memory areas for OMCI configuration data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the host device manages ONT configuration parameters directly using different protocols (SNMP, CWMP, Telnet), then the host device can interact with the ONT, but the complexity of protocol interaction and configuration management increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shared memory interface as an intermediary between the ONT and host device. This memory-based communication channel allows the ONT to expose its configuration parameters (QoS, bandwidth, optical information) to the host device without requiring the host to implement complex protocol stacks. The shared memory acts as a universal language that simplifies protocol interaction while maintaining adaptability to different host device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared memory interface provides a universal communication mechanism that can be used by any host device regardless of the management protocol it employs. Instead of creating protocol-specific interfaces for SNMP, CWMP, or Telnet, the patent implements a single multi-functional memory-based interface that serves all protocol types, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Productivity

If the ONT uses a shared memory with lock registry for message exchange, then the communication efficiency improves, but the memory access control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidmemory access control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock registry implements a self-service mechanism where the ONT autonomously manages its own memory access rights. When the ONT needs to write configuration parameters or read status information, it automatically checks the lock registry, acquires the necessary locks, performs its operations, and then releases the locks. This self-managed approach eliminates the need for complex external arbitration mechanisms while maintaining efficient communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lock registry performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing access rights and lock states before actual data exchange occurs. The ONT checks and secures memory access permissions in advance through the lock registry, ensuring that subsequent read/write operations can proceed without interruption or conflict, thereby improving communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3393135B1Ont connected to a host device
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3393135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3393135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3393135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Communication between an ONT (1) and a host device (2), which are connected to form a combined ONT-host unit, the communication being associated with an OMCI-configuration of the ONT-host unit. The communication uses a memory of the ONT, and the memory is accessible also to the host device, and comprises e.g. a lock registry. The ONT (1) could e.g. be mounted in an SFP, which is plugged into a suitable contact (3) in the host device (2).