Optical Port Feedback for Cascaded Network Data Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of incorrectly plugged fibers between adjacent stages of BBU bridge devices in a cascaded indoor distribution system leads to communication failures, reducing user experience and increasing operational difficulties.

Innovation Solution

An information backhaul method and data allocation method that utilize cascade information to determine the actual networking topology, ensuring correct data allocation even when fibers are plugged incorrectly, by feeding back optical port and identification information of networking units to a backhaul information processing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If two-fiber cascade mode is used to connect adjacent stages of BBU bridge devices, then fiber bandwidth resources are sufficient, but fibers may be plugged reversely or incorrectly causing communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber bandwidth resourcesVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fiber connection process by introducing separate transmit and receive fiber paths with distinct port identifiers. Each BBU bridge device has dedicated transmit ports (TX0, TX1) and receive ports (RX0, RX1) that are clearly distinguished and must be connected according to specific pairing rules, preventing reverse or incorrect plugging through physical and logical segmentation of the connection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where BBU bridge devices report their cascade connection status and port pairing information to the network management system. This feedback allows the system to detect and identify incorrect or reverse fiber connections by comparing reported topology with expected configuration, enabling automated diagnosis and correction of connection errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical ports are provided on each BBU bridge device, then data allocation flexibility is improved, but operation difficulty increases due to more ports and fibers involved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata allocation flexibilityVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and pre-identifying the functions of each optical port before actual fiber connection. Each port is assigned a unique identifier and specific function (transmit or receive) that is stored in the device's identification information. This preliminary identification guides the connection process and enables automatic verification, reducing operational difficulty despite the increased number of ports.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the network management system as an intermediary that mediates between the multiple optical ports and the fiber connections. This intermediary collects identification information from all devices, determines the actual cascade connection topology, and provides guidance for correct data allocation and fiber pairing, simplifying the operation of complex multi-port configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If cascade information feedback is implemented, then correct data allocation is ensured, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata allocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional identification information structure that serves multiple purposes: it identifies port functions (transmit/receive), provides device-level identification, enables topology determination, and supports both correct data allocation and error detection. This universal identification mechanism reduces the need for separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through automated processes where BBU bridge devices automatically report their cascade connection status and port identification information to the network management system without manual intervention. The system automatically determines the actual topology and identifies connection errors, reducing the need for manual configuration and complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4068840B1Backhaul method, unit, data allocation method and controller, network system, and medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP4068840B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4068840B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4068840B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is an information backhaul method, which is applied to a networking unit in a network system. The network system includes multiple stages of networking units that are cascaded, and each of the multiple stages of networking units includes multiple optical ports. The information backhaul method includes: acquiring cascade information of a networking unit in a current stage, where the cascade information of the networking unit in the current stage includes optical port information and identification information of the networking unit in the current stage; and feeding back the cascade information of the networking unit in the current stage. Further provided are a data allocation method, a networking unit, a data allocation controller, a network system and a computer-readable storage medium.