Optical Network Connection Resize via LCR Protocol

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Hitless Adjustment of ODUflex(GFP) (HAO) protocol struggles to effectively resize the bandwidth of a protection path in optical transport networks, which is essential for flexible and efficient packet data transmission, especially when supporting protection switching.

Innovation Solution

The method involves executing the Link Connection Resize (LCR) protocol on both working and protection paths, while omitting the Bandwidth Resize (BWR) protocol on the protection path, allowing for resizing of network connections without affecting the transmission of ODUflex signals, even in the absence of errors or faults.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the HAO protocol is applied to resize the protection path bandwidth, then the network connection can be resized, but the protection switching function and transmission efficiency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connection resize capabilityVSAvoidprotection switching function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The HAO protocol is segmented into two independent parts: LCR protocol for link connection resize and BWR protocol for bandwidth resize. The patent applies only the LCR protocol to the protection path, separating the resize function from the bandwidth adjustment function, thereby maintaining protection switching reliability while enabling connection resize capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different resize protocols are applied to different paths based on their specific requirements: the working path uses both LCR and BWR protocols for full bandwidth adjustment, while the protection path uses only the LCR protocol to maintain its protective function. This localized application of protocols optimizes each path's performance according to its role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the BWR protocol is executed on the protection path, then the bandwidth can be adjusted, but the protection path cannot perform swift restoration during faults

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth adjustment capabilityVSAvoidrestoration speed during faults

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The BWR protocol is extracted from the protection path resize operation, leaving only the LCR protocol. This removal of the bandwidth resize function from the protection path ensures that the protection path maintains its original bandwidth characteristics and can perform swift restoration without the complexity of bandwidth adjustment operations during faults.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the LCR protocol is executed on the protection path, then the link connection can be resized, but the bandwidth remains unchanged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink connection resize operationVSAvoidbandwidth adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by executing only the LCR protocol (link connection resize) on the protection path while omitting the BWR protocol (bandwidth resize). This partial application is sufficient for the protection path's needs, as it enables connection resize operation without requiring full bandwidth adjustment capability, thereby simplifying the operation while maintaining adequate functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9136903B2Method for resizing network connection in the optical transport network supporting protection switching

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

There is provided a method for resizing a network connection in an optical transport network that supports protection switching and receives a flexible Optical channel Data Unit (ODUflex(GFP)) signal. In addition, at nodes located on a protection path for protection switching, only a Link Connection Resize (LCR) protocol, except for a Bandwidth Resize (BWR) protocol, of Hitless Adjustment of ODUflex(GFP) (HAO) procedure is executed. On the other hand, both the LCR protocol and the BWR protocol are executed at nodes located on a working path for protection switching.