OTN Power-Save via Overhead Idle Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical Transport Networks (OTNs) are inefficient in managing short-term packet rate variations and consume excessive energy due to always-active underlying OTN circuits, even when no client traffic is present, lacking adaptive mechanisms independent of IP/MPLS router signaling and third-party equipment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method within OTNs to dynamically adjust processing resources by inserting indicators in optical data units to signify idle payload data, allowing downstream nodes to reduce or switch off processing resources, and using Generic Framing Procedure for encapsulation, enabling power-saving modes without frame-by-frame analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If OTN circuits are kept always active to ensure continuous transport capacity, then network reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of OTN circuit states by introducing an idle indicator mechanism that allows circuits to transition between active and low-power states based on actual traffic demand. The idle indicator inserted in the overhead area enables downstream nodes to recognize when no payload data is present, allowing processing resources to be reduced or switched off while maintaining the ability to quickly resume normal operation when traffic arrives.
2Use of energy by moving object
If processing resources are reduced during idle periods, then energy consumption decreases, but the ability to handle sudden traffic increases may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a two-phase approach with preliminary action in the first phase where idle indicators are inserted and recognized before full power-down occurs. This allows downstream nodes to prepare for reduced processing requirements in advance, and the system maintains the capability to quickly transition back to full processing capacity when traffic resumes, as the idle indicator mechanism itself requires minimal processing resources to detect and respond to.
3Measurement precision
If frame-by-frame analysis is performed to detect idle payload data, then accuracy of idle detection is improved, but processing overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inserts idle indicators in the overhead area of optical data units as a preliminary action before payload data processing occurs. This allows downstream communication nodes to detect idle conditions at the overhead level without needing to perform frame-by-frame analysis of the payload area, significantly reducing processing overhead and energy consumption while maintaining accurate idle detection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ODUflex resizing is used to adapt to traffic changes, then long-term adaptability is improved, but the system becomes dependent on IP/MPLS router signaling and third-party equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism within the OTN layer by inserting idle indicators directly into the overhead area of optical data units without requiring external signaling from IP/MPLS routers or third-party equipment. The OTN system autonomously detects idle conditions and communicates them to downstream nodes through the standardized overhead fields, making the adaptability mechanism independent of client signal characteristics and external signaling protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and devices for an optical transport network for load-adaptive adjustment of processing resources. The optical transport network comprises a first communication node (10) configured to provide an interface between a client (2) and the optical transport network (1), wherein optical data units comprising an overhead area (5) and a payload area (6) are generated and wherein ingress packet data is encapsulated into frames and said frames are mapped into the optical data units. The method comprises the step of determining, at said first communication node (10), whether or not ingress packet data is currently being received. If it has been determined that no ingress packet data is currently being received at said first communication node (10), reducing or switching off of available data processing resources at said first communication node (10) and inserting an indicator in the overhead area (5) of an optical data unit, wherein the inserted indicator indicates that the payload area (6) of said optical data unit does not contain any valid payload data.