Optical Network Unit MAC Segmentation for PON Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical network units (ONUs) face limitations in managing a large number of user network interface (UNI) ports due to restricted optical fiber resources, leading to inefficient use of communication lines and potential quality of service degradation when connecting multiple ONUs to an optical fiber line.

Innovation Solution

The optical network unit is configured with multiple media access control (MAC) processing units and user network interface (UNI) ports, along with an integration unit that sets communication paths and a distribution unit for downstream signals, allowing efficient management of multiple UNI ports and preventing upstream signal collisions, while also incorporating redundancy for continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple ONUs are connected to an optical fiber line, then the number of served users increases, but optical fiber resources are insufficient and quality of service degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of served usersVSAvoidquality of service

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ONU is divided into multiple MAC processing units (first MAC processing unit, second MAC processing unit, etc.) that can independently manage different UNI ports. This segmentation allows the single ONU to handle multiple users simultaneously through parallel processing, effectively increasing the number of served users without requiring additional optical fiber connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integration unit provides a shared communication path that can be dynamically allocated to different MAC processing units based on transmission needs. This multi-functional resource allows efficient utilization of the optical fiber connection by serving multiple users through a single shared interface, improving both user capacity and resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single MAC processing unit manages multiple UNI ports, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of manageable UNI ports is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidnumber of manageable UNI ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC processing function is segmented into multiple independent units, each capable of managing specific UNI ports. This segmentation removes the limitation on the number of manageable UNI ports while maintaining relatively simple individual unit structures, allowing scalable expansion of user interface capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple MAC processing units are combined within a single ONU device through the integration unit, which merges their communication paths to the optical transceiver. This combining approach enables the system to manage multiple UNI ports while keeping each MAC processing unit structurally simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple MAC processing units are introduced, then the number of manageable UNI ports increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of manageable UNI portsVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple MAC processing units are merged at the integration level through the integration unit, which provides a unified interface to the optical transceiver. This merging approach allows the system to handle multiple UNI ports while abstracting the complexity, as the integration unit manages the coordination between multiple MAC units and the single optical interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integration unit serves as a universal resource that can be allocated to any MAC processing unit that needs transmission. This multi-functional component handles the complexity of coordinating multiple MAC units, allowing them to work together efficiently without requiring complex interconnections between each individual MAC unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If multiple communication paths are integrated, then resource utilization improves, but signal collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsignal collision prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver provides feedback information (such as available transmission time slots or channel status) to the multiple MAC processing units. This feedback mechanism allows each MAC unit to adjust its transmission timing and avoid collisions, enabling efficient resource utilization while maintaining signal integrity through coordinated access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10291325B2Optical network unit, PON system, and method of controlling optical network unit

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An optical network unit according to one manner of the present invention includes an optical transceiver configured to be connected to an optical communication line, a plurality of media access control (MAC) processing units, a plurality of user network interface (UNI) ports each connected to one MAC processing unit of the plurality of MAC processing units, and an integration unit integrating a plurality of communication paths connected to the plurality of MAC processing units, respectively, and connected to the optical transceiver.