OTN Line Adaptation for Sub-100G Granularity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Optical Transport Network (OTN) architectures lack sufficient granularity for bandwidth versus performance/reach tradeoffs, particularly for next-generation devices, and do not support modulation rates that are not aligned to 100G boundaries, leading to complexity in implementing flexible line rates.

Innovation Solution

The proposed OTN line adaptation systems and methods split OTUCn into 10G tributary slots, transmitting only allocated slots and overhead, and use cell adaptation to create fixed-sized cells from multiple traffic streams, allowing for flexible bandwidth splitting across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional OTN architectures use fixed 100G boundaries for modulation rates, then standardization is simplified, but flexibility for sub-100G granularity and non-aligned rates is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for sub-100G granularityVSAvoidcomplexity in implementing flexible line rates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the OTUCn signal into multiple 10G tributary slots, allowing flexible combination of these slots to achieve sub-100G granularities (25G, 50G, etc.). This segmentation enables non-100G-aligned rates by selectively activating specific numbers of 10G slots, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic rate adaptation by allowing the system to flexibly adjust the number of active 10G tributary slots based on traffic requirements. This dynamic configuration enables rates like 25G (1 slot), 50G (2 slots), 75G (3 slots), etc., providing adaptability while maintaining a standardized 10G base unit that simplifies implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If signals are distributed across multiple modem engines, then bandwidth capacity is increased, but bandwidth splitting complexity and logic requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidbandwidth splitting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total bandwidth into fixed 10G tributary slots that can be evenly distributed across multiple modem engines. This segmentation simplifies bandwidth splitting by using uniform units, reducing logic complexity compared to arbitrary rate distributions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns specific 10G tributary slots to specific modem engines based on local capacity requirements. Each engine processes a defined set of slots, creating local quality differentiation that simplifies the overall distribution logic while maximizing total bandwidth utilization across the multi-engine system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If lane-based resizing is used to achieve flexible rates, then rate adaptation is possible, but logic complexity and implementation challenges increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverate adaptation capabilityVSAvoidlogic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical signal into electrical 10G tributary slots that can be independently controlled. This segmentation replaces complex lane-based resizing with simpler slot activation/deactivation, reducing logic complexity while maintaining rate adaptation capability for 25G, 50G, 75G, and other sub-100G rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from lane width to slot count for rate adaptation. Instead of resizing physical lanes, the system varies the number of active 10G slots, providing a simpler parameter-based control mechanism that reduces implementation complexity while achieving the same adaptability goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3780425B1OTN adaptation for support of subrate granularity and flexibility and for distribution across multiple modem engines
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 CIENA CORP
  • EP3780425B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3780425B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3780425B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of signals each from a corresponding optical modem of a plurality of optical modems, wherein each of the plurality of signals was received by the corresponding optical modem and reassembling the plurality of signals into an Optical Transport Network (OTN) signal.