OTN Data Frame Overhead for Multi-Multiframe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of multiframe alignment signals (MFAS) in optical transport networks (OTN) results in a waste of bandwidth due to occupying a large number of bits and increases complexity in insertion and parsing, reducing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A data frame transmission method that uses a target bit to indicate multiple multiframes, reducing the bit quantity required for frame boundary identification and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiframe alignment signal (MFAS) is used to indicate different multiframes, then frame identification function is achieved, but bandwidth resource is wasted due to occupying one byte (8 bits) per frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential frame identification function from the traditional MFAS mechanism. Instead of using a full byte (8 bits) to indicate multiframes, the invention uses a single target bit in the overhead area, removing the excessive bandwidth consumption while preserving the core functionality of multiframe identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frame identification from using 8 bits (one byte) to using 1 bit (target bit). This parameter change dramatically reduces the bandwidth resource consumption while maintaining the ability to distinguish between different multiframes, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource quantity.
2Reliability
If different quantities of bits are used to indicate different multiframes, then multiframe identification is achieved, but complexity of inserting and parsing MFAS increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using a uniform single-bit target bit structure across all multiframes. Each multiframe is identified by the same mechanism (target bit value), eliminating the need for complex variable-length bit sequences. This homogeneous approach simplifies both the insertion process at the transmitter and the parsing process at the receiver, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining identification reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional MFAS is used for frame alignment, then frame boundary identification is achieved, but efficiency is reduced due to large bit quantity and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential frame alignment function from the traditional MFAS mechanism. By using a single target bit instead of a full byte, the invention removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the ability to identify frame boundaries, thereby improving processing efficiency without sacrificing alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frame alignment from using 8 bits to using 1 bit. This parameter reduction simplifies the processing required for both insertion and parsing operations, directly improving productivity and processing efficiency while maintaining the reliability of frame boundary identification through the simplified target bit mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a data frame transmission method and a related device, to effectively improve utilization efficiency of a bandwidth resource for indicating a multiframe. The method includes: first, generating a data frame, where an overhead area of the data frame includes a target bit, the target bit simultaneously indicates at least two multiframes, the multiframe includes a plurality of consecutive data frames, different multiframes include different quantities of data frames, different overhead information is inserted into the different multiframes, and the data frame is an optical transport network OTN data frame; and then sending the data frame.