Optical Node Latency Reduction via Advanced Time Slot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transmission networks face increased complexity and latency due to the need for precise fiber delay line adjustments and the propagation time introduced by delay elements, which complicates the alignment process and increases network latency.
Innovation Solution
The optical node design structures data and control channels into equidistant timeslots, where the control packet headers are carried one or more time slots ahead of the data packets, allowing the controller to process and disassemble data packets without requiring delay elements, thus reducing network latency and eliminating the need for complex fiber delay line adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If delay elements are used to allow controller processing time, then the controller has sufficient time to process control channel packets, but the propagation time and network latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control packet headers are transmitted in advance in earlier timeslots (t_i) before the corresponding data packets arrive (t_i+k). This preliminary transmission allows the controller to process control information ahead of time, eliminating the need for delay elements and reducing network latency while ensuring the controller is ready when data packets arrive.
2Manufacturing precision
If fiber delay line length is adjusted for precise alignment, then data channels and control channel are aligned at output, but the alignment process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Control packet headers are sent in advance with a predetermined time offset k timeslots before the data packets they describe. This temporal advance notification eliminates the need for precise fiber delay line adjustments, as the controller receives control information ahead of time regardless of minor synchronization variations, thereby reducing alignment complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Optical node (100) comprising: an input port (FI) suitable for receiving a WDM input signal comprising a plurality of data channels (λ1-λn) carrying data packets, and a control channel (λc) carrying control packets, wherein the data channels (λ1-λn) as well as the control channel (λc) are structured into equidistant timeslots, synchronized over all channels, each data channel carrying one packet per timeslot, the control packet carried on the control channel on time slot ti encapsulating a packet header for each data packet carried on a data channel on time slot ti+k, wherein k ≥ 1, a controller (10) being configured for disassembling the control packet carried on the control channel on time slot ti, and for disassembling the data packets carried on the data channel on time slot ti+k in function of the packet headers encapsulated in the control packet carried on the control channel on time slot ti.