Optical Core Network Endpoint Rate Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical core networks, setting up a transmission path after an interruption is time-consuming due to the need to determine and adjust the data transmission rate, especially when using FlexRate interfaces, which can lead to prolonged recovery times and reduced resilience.
Innovation Solution
An automated method to set the data transmission rate for a path section within the optical core network by iteratively adjusting the rate in discrete steps, using test sequences and rules stored in control units at the endpoints, without involving the network management system, to achieve reliable and high-speed reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data transmission rate is determined and adjusted using test sequences and network management system involvement, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but the time required to set up the transmission path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a set of rules in the control units at the endpoints before path setup. These rules contain predetermined criteria for determining the data transmission rate based on test sequence results. When a path needs to be established, the control units can immediately apply these pre-configured rules without waiting for network management system intervention, thereby reducing path setup time while maintaining reliable data transmission through the predefined decision logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the control units at the endpoints to autonomously determine the data transmission rate using locally stored rules and test sequence results. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-configuration by evaluating test sequence outcomes against predefined criteria and automatically selecting the appropriate transmission rate, eliminating the need for external network management system involvement and significantly reducing setup time.
2Productivity
If the data transmission rate is set to maximum value, then productivity is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio decreases leading to transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using test sequences to evaluate the actual transmission quality at different data rates. The control units send test sequences at progressively higher data rates and evaluate the results to determine the maximum rate that maintains acceptable signal-to-noise ratio. This feedback mechanism ensures that the selected transmission rate optimizes productivity while maintaining reliable data transmission within the specific network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the data transmission rate parameter based on evaluated transmission conditions. Instead of using a fixed maximum rate, the system modifies the transmission rate parameter according to the signal-to-noise ratio measurements obtained from test sequences, thereby optimizing both productivity and reliability for the specific path conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for setting a data transmission rate for user data for a path segment (3), namely for a data transmission path of a wide area network in the area between two endpoints (1, 2) of an optical core network formed by network elements with FlexRate interfaces. The setting of the data transmission rate between a minimum and a maximum value is carried out without involving a network management system (4) that otherwise controls the interaction of all network elements, by the endpoints (1, 2) negotiating the data transmission rate to be set among themselves in an iterative process.This is achieved by each of its transmitting components repeatedly sending out a signal sequence that represents a test sequence or a termination sequence in a time-synchronous manner, whereby the data transmission rate and the type of signal sequence sent out in each transmission process are variable depending on the signals received from the same endpoint (1, 2) during the previous transmission process and, like the termination criterion according to which the data transmission rate to be set is considered to have been determined, are determined by a set of rules stored in the control units of the endpoints (1, 2).