OTN Cross-Connect Mapping Variable Frames to Internal Clocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical transmission networks, existing cross-connect apparatuses struggle to efficiently perform cross-connection for frames with different periods, particularly in the OTN system, due to varying frame periods and transmission rates that do not align as integers, making it difficult to connect multiple cross-connect apparatuses for ODUk signals.
Innovation Solution
A transmitting apparatus that maps ODUk signals into internal frames with fixed frame periods and transmission rates, using a frame dividing circuit, and performs cross-connection in a time division multiplexing system based on a predetermined internal clock, allowing for efficient cross-connection of ODUk signals with different frame periods and transmission rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-connect apparatuses are used for ODUk signals with different frame periods, then cross-connection capability is provided, but the frame periods and transmission rates do not align as integers making it difficult to connect multiple apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ODUk signal processing into two independent parts: a mapping unit that converts variable-frame ODUk signals into fixed-frame internal frames, and a cross-connect unit that performs switching on these standardized internal frames. This segmentation allows the cross-connect unit to handle different ODUk signals uniformly without needing to understand their original frame period variations, thus enabling easy connection of multiple apparatuses while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces internal frames with fixed frame periods and transmission rates as an intermediary format between the variable-frame ODUk signals and the cross-connect switching mechanism. This intermediary representation standardizes the data format, allowing cross-connect apparatuses to be connected in series without compatibility issues, while still supporting diverse ODUk input signals through the mapping unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cross-connect apparatuses are connected for different ODUk values, then comprehensive cross-connection is achieved, but the non-integer alignment of frame periods and transmission rates creates connection difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cross-connect apparatus universally applicable to all ODUk signal types (ODU0, ODU1, ODU2, etc.) by using the mapping unit to convert any ODUk signal into the standardized internal frame format. The cross-connect unit then operates uniformly on these internal frames regardless of the original ODUk type, enabling a single apparatus design to handle multiple ODUk values and facilitating easy daisy-chaining of multiple apparatuses for comprehensive network coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmitting apparatus includes a frame dividing circuit that maps frame data of each of a plurality of frames whose period is different from each other into one or a plurality of internal frames having a fixed frame period and a fixed transmission rate, based on a predetermined internal clock; a cross-connect circuit that cross-connects the frame data of each in a time division multiplexing system based on the internal clock in units of the internal frames; and a frame combining circuit that demaps, into any of the plurality of frames, or multiplexes, data of one or a plurality of internal frames cross-connected by the cross-connect circuit.