Optical Router Bandwidth Allocation for Flexrate Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telecommunications networks face challenges in efficiently managing data transmission with flexible data rates, particularly at higher speeds, due to limitations in handling asymmetrical interface capacities and changes in bandwidth availability, which affects network resilience and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to dynamically distribute path information across multiple transmission paths based on available bandwidth, allowing for flexible adjustment of traffic flows without requiring complex configuration changes, by generating and updating multiple MPLS labels during network operations, enabling efficient use of optical flexrate interfaces and improving network resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ECMP protocols are used for load distribution, then routing decisions can be made at the IP layer, but the asymmetrical bandwidth availability of optical interfaces cannot be utilized, resulting in suboptimal resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing decision process into two distinct layers: the IP layer handles conventional packet forwarding using ECMP, while a new optical layer component (optical router or controller) manages wavelength-level bandwidth allocation and interface capacity optimization. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with appropriate complexity, enabling adaptability to optical bandwidth variations without overwhelming the IP layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (optical router, ROADM, or controller) that sits between the IP layer and the optical interfaces. This intermediary translates IP-layer routing decisions into optical-layer wavelength assignments, monitoring bandwidth availability and dynamically adjusting wavelength allocations to match actual optical interface capacities, thereby bridging the gap between fixed-rate IP protocols and variable-rate optical interfaces
2Use of energy by moving object
If optical interfaces operate at reduced capacity to match demand, then energy consumption decreases, but the IP layer cannot utilize the full available bandwidth, leading to wasted transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic capacity adjustment at the optical layer by introducing wavelength-level control that can independently modulate the active bandwidth of each optical interface. Instead of uniformly reducing or maintaining interface capacity, the system dynamically activates or deactivates specific wavelengths based on real-time traffic demands and bandwidth availability, allowing optical interfaces to operate at optimal capacity levels that match actual needs, thereby reducing energy consumption without wasting transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of optical interfaces by introducing variable wavelength activation and modulation format selection. The optical router or controller can adjust parameters such as the number of active wavelengths, wavelength assignment patterns, and modulation schemes (e.g., QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) based on traffic demands and signal quality, enabling the system to optimize the trade-off between energy consumption and data transmission capacity at the physical layer without affecting IP-layer protocols
3Quantity of substance
If multiple wavelengths are used for a single data stream, then bandwidth capacity increases, but the complexity of managing and balancing traffic across wavelengths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical wavelength infrastructure universal by designing the optical router or controller to handle multiple functions: it performs wavelength assignment for new connections, dynamically reconfigures existing wavelength paths, monitors bandwidth utilization across all wavelengths, and coordinates with ECMP routing decisions. This multi-functional approach consolidates wavelength management complexity into a single universal component rather than distributing it across multiple specialized systems, thereby enabling increased bandwidth capacity while managing complexity centrally
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for more efficient data transmission in a telecommunications network is described, wherein the telecommunications network has a plurality of network nodes and data transmission paths between the network nodes, wherein path information is used to transmit a user data packet in the telecommunications network along a transmission path between a first edge network node and a second edge network node of the plurality of network nodes, wherein the telecommunications network has at least a first transmission path and a second transmission path for transmitting the user data packet from the first edge network node to the second edge network node.wherein the path information assigned to the user data packet is determined by the first edge network node depending on the second edge network node and depending on a first bandwidth availability of the first transmission path and a second bandwidth availability of the second transmission path in the telecommunications network between the first edge network node and the second edge network node, wherein the telecommunications network is operable in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode, wherein at least one of the first and second bandwidth availability differs in the second operating mode from that in the first operating mode, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, a plurality of possible path information for the data transmission of the user data packet from the first edge network node to the second edge network node is generated or updated in the telecommunications network,wherein the plurality of possible path information comprises a first subset of path information assigned to the first transmission path and a second subset of path information assigned to the second transmission path and disjoint from the first subset, or the plurality of possible path information corresponds to the first subset of path information assigned to the first transmission path, wherein the assignment of the plurality of path information to the first or to the second subset depends on the operating mode of the telecommunications network, -- in a second step following the first step, the path information for the transmission of the user data packet is determined - from the plurality of possible path information.where, in the first operating mode, the path information is an element of the first subset of the plurality of path information assigned to the first transmission path, and in the second operating mode, it is an element of the second subset of the plurality of path information assigned to the second transmission path.