Optical Network Label Structure for OTN Signal Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transport network (OTN) technologies are unable to assign labels for new signal types and tributary slot types, due to limited expandability of the existing label structure, which restricts the support for emerging signal and tributary slot types.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for assigning and processing labels in optical networks that include a tributary slot type indication field and a tributary slot assignment indication field, allowing for the multiplexing or mapping of optical channel data units across different signal and tributary slot types, using General Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) signaling messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing label structure is used, then the OTN network can maintain simplicity in label processing, but the network cannot support new signal types and tributary slot types
Solution Approach 1:
The label structure is segmented into distinct functional fields: signal type indication field for identifying ODU signal types, tributary slot type indication field for specifying slot categories, and tributary slot assignment indication field for indicating specific slot assignments. This segmentation allows each field to independently support new signal and slot types without redesigning the entire label structure, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The label structure is designed with universal fields that can accommodate multiple signal types and tributary slot types through standardized indication mechanisms. The signal type indication field and tributary slot type indication field use coded values that can represent both existing and future signal/slot types, making the label structure multi-functional and adaptable to evolving OTN requirements without requiring separate label formats for different signal types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the label structure is extended to support new signal types and tributary slot types, then the network adaptability is improved, but the label processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The label structure incorporates dynamic indication fields that can adapt to different signal types and tributary slot types through coded values. The signal type indication field and tributary slot type indication field can dynamically represent various signal types (ODU0, ODU1, ODU2, ODU3, ODU4, ODUflex) and tributary slot types (2.5 Gb/s, 1.25 Gb/s) without requiring static, dedicated fields for each type. This dynamic approach enables label expandability while keeping processing complexity manageable through standardized interpretation rules.
3Productivity
If detailed tributary slot assignment information is included in the label, then the network can achieve precise resource allocation, but the label size and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tributary slot assignment information is extracted and indicated through a dedicated tributary slot assignment indication field that uses coded values to represent specific tributary slot assignments. Instead of including complete detailed information about all tributary slots, the field extracts and indicates only the necessary assignment information, achieving precise resource allocation while minimizing label information volume and processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for assigning and processing a label in an optical network. The method includes: learning that a label switched path is required to be established in an optical network; generating a label, in which the label is used for indicating that a first optical channel data unit is multiplexed to a second optical channel data unit; the label includes a tributary slot type indication field that is used for indicating a tributary slot type of the second optical channel data unit, and the label further includes a tributary slot assignment indication field that is used for indicating a tributary slot occupied in the second optical channel data unit into which the first optical channel data unit is multiplexed; and sending the label to a node on the label switched path by a signaling message of GMPLS.