Optical Network Unit MSA Interface Management Signal Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In PON-type optical transmission systems, there is no means for external nodes to receive information about communication abnormalities, and the lack of means for reading operational information complicates manufacturing and maintenance, especially with the downsizing of optical network units (ONUs) which poses space constraints for mounting such means.
Innovation Solution
A customer premises optical network unit is designed with an MSA interface module that utilizes the I2C serial interface to read out management signals and output data from the external node, incorporating an electrical/optical converting section, an optical network unit functioning section, a serial/parallel converting section, and management processing sections to transmit and receive signals, enabling the extraction and output of management signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ONU is downsized to reduce device size, then the volume of the ONU is reduced, but the space for mounting means for reading operational information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management signal reading function into the existing MSA interface module by adding a serial interface (I2C) to the management processing section. This integration allows the ONU to output management signals through the sub-I/F section without requiring separate dedicated hardware for reading operational information, thus solving the space constraint issue while maintaining the ability to monitor ONU status.
2Device complexity
If no means is provided for external nodes to receive ONU information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect communication abnormalities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where management signals containing operational status information are continuously output from the ONU's management processing section through the serial interface to external nodes. This feedback loop enables external monitoring of communication abnormalities, link status, and other operational parameters without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If only physical data is output from the ONU, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information available for external monitoring is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sub-I/F section of the MSA interface module multi-functional by enabling it to output both traditional physical data and management signals containing operational status information. The serial interface allows the same hardware interface to serve multiple purposes: outputting physical layer data and higher-layer management information, thus eliminating information loss without increasing system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for improved maintainability of the customer premises optical network unit by enabling the external node to receive management signals and operational data, facilitating easier detection of communication abnormalities and simplifying the manufacturing and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transceiver section 906, an ONU functioning section 907... The optical transceiver section 906 converts an optical signal into an electrical signal or an electrical signal into an optical signal transmitted between the OLT 901 and the customer premises external node
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a customer premises optical network unit (ONU) capable of reading management signals and of outputting data through an external node by using I2C serial interfaces. In the ONU, an ONU functioning section has another serial signal terminal and is connected with a first management processing section through a sub-serial transmission path. The first management processing section is also connected with a MSA interface module through an additional monitoring signal transmission path and a monitoring signal transmission path. The monitoring signal transmission path on the side of the MSA interface module is connected with a sub-I/F section. A part of management signals set in an OAM layer of a signal transmitted between an OLT and the ONU may be outputted to an external node by using the first management processing section, the additional monitoring signal transmission path and the monitoring signal transmission path.