OSC-OAM Mapping for Optical Layer Status Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack defined mechanisms and protocols for carrying Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) information over the Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) in optical transport networks, hindering effective management and maintenance of optical layers.
Innovation Solution
Mapping optical layer overhead OAM information to specific overhead bits and assigning these bits to specific OSC overhead bytes, enabling reliable exchange of OAM information between nodes, particularly in Super Channel and Optical Channel connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no specific mapping mechanism is defined for OAM information over OSC, then the OSC can be used for basic optical layer supervision, but OAM functions such as continuity, connectivity, and signal quality supervision cannot be effectively implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the OSC overhead bytes into specific assignments for different OAM functions. Each overhead byte is dedicated to specific OAM parameters (continuity check, connectivity status, signal quality metrics), allowing structured and systematic OAM information exchange without requiring complex dynamic mapping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal OAM mapping framework that can serve multiple OAM functions simultaneously using the same OSC overhead structure. The defined mapping enables continuity supervision, connectivity monitoring, and signal quality assessment all through the standardized overhead byte assignments, making the system multi-functional without additional complexity.
2Ease of operation
If OAM information is carried without defined protocols, then the system structure remains simple, but effective management and maintenance of optical layers is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary protocols for OAM information encoding and transmission over OSC before actual OAM operations are performed. The mapping framework is pre-defined with specific byte assignments and encoding rules, ensuring that OAM information is systematically captured and transmitted without loss during normal network operations.
3Reliability
If overhead bits are not specifically assigned to OSC overhead bytes, then the overhead structure remains flexible, but reliable exchange of OAM information between nodes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific OSC overhead bytes to specific OAM information types based on their functional requirements. Each overhead byte position is optimized for particular OAM data (e.g., continuity check bytes, connectivity status bytes), ensuring reliable exchange of each OAM information type through locally optimized assignments rather than uniform treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving, by circuitry of an optical node adapted for wavelength multiplexing and wavelength switching, a signal over OSC comprising overhead information indicative of status of at least one of an optical layer in an OTN; wherein the signal utilizes OC-N frame format comprising a first STS frame, a second STS frame, and a third STS frame, the STS frames having a format wherein the information is assigned to a number of bits designated for OAM information, wherein the bits are assigned to bytes within a transport overhead portion of the STS frame format within the OC-N frame format; terminating, by circuitry of the optical node, the signal at the optical node; and notifying, by circuitry of the optical node, software of the status of the optical layer in the OTN.