ONU Management via OMCI Translation Layer for GPON Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Networks (GPON), compatibility issues arise due to inconsistent standards among different manufacturers' Optical Line Terminal (OLT) devices, leading to high costs and long upgrade cycles for Optical Network Units (ONU) management and control.

Innovation Solution

A method where a management and control subsystem sends tasks to a corresponding OMCI subsystem based on an ONU identifier, generating OMCI data packets for coordinated management and control, enabling efficient and low-complexity execution of ONU management and control tasks, and reducing upgrade, maintenance, and version unification costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different manufacturers produce OLT devices with inconsistent OMCI standards, then device complexity and manufacturing variety increase, but compatibility between ONU and OLT devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidstandard inconsistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a translation layer between the OMCI management interface and the ONU device interface. This translation layer converts standardized OMCI management commands into manufacturer-specific ONU commands, enabling compatible communication across different manufacturers' devices. The translation layer acts as an intermediary that resolves standard inconsistency without requiring changes to the core OMCI standards or the ONU hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the management system into distinct functional modules: the OMCI management module that handles standardized management commands, the translation layer that handles protocol conversion, and the ONU control module that executes device-specific operations. This segmentation allows each module to be developed and maintained independently, improving compatibility while managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If ONU devices are upgraded to maintain compatibility with different OLT manufacturers, then compatibility improves, but upgrade cost and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidupgrade cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The translation layer serves as a mediator that absorbs the complexity of manufacturer-specific protocols, allowing ONU devices to maintain a single standardized implementation. When compatibility requirements change, only the translation layer needs updating rather than the entire ONU device, significantly reducing upgrade and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the OMCI management interface in the translation layer that mimics the behavior of different manufacturers' protocols. This virtual copying allows the ONU device to interact with multiple OLT manufacturers through a single standardized interface, eliminating the need for multiple hardware versions and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Stability of the object's composition

If ONU devices are upgraded frequently to maintain version unification, then version compatibility improves, but upgrade time and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversion unificationVSAvoidupgrade cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The translation layer acts as a stable intermediary that maintains version unification by providing consistent protocol conversion rules. When protocol updates are needed, the translation layer can be updated independently without affecting the core ONU functionality, significantly reducing the upgrade cycle and maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the translation layer with multiple manufacturer protocol profiles. This allows the system to adapt to different manufacturers and versions without requiring real-time upgrades, maintaining version unification while minimizing upgrade frequency and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4087270B1ONU management method, apparatus, device, and system, and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP4087270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4087270B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4087270B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention are an ONU management method, apparatus, device, system, and a computer readable storage medium. The method comprises: receiving a first management and control request for an ONU; and extracting an ONU identifier carried in the first management and control request, and sending the first management and control request to a corresponding OMCI subsystem based on the ONU identifier, so that the OMCI subsystem generates an OMCI data packet based on the first management and control request and sends same to a corresponding OLT device, and the OLT device manages and controls the ONU on the basis of the OMCI data packet.