OTN Payload Block Mapping for Small-Bandwidth Service Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transport networks (OTN) face significant bandwidth waste when carrying small-bandwidth services like Fast Ethernet, STM-1, and E1 services due to the minimum time slot granularity of 1.25 Gbps, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to map small-bandwidth services into service containers using payload blocks within the OTN frame, with indication information carried in the overhead area to delineate block boundaries, allowing flexible mapping and multiplexing to optimize bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the minimum time slot granularity of 1.25 Gbps is used to carry small-bandwidth services, then the service can be transmitted through the optical transport network, but the bandwidth utilization rate becomes extremely low with waste as high as 99%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice transmission capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the payload area into multiple payload blocks, where each payload block can independently carry a service container. This segmentation allows small-bandwidth services to be allocated to specific payload blocks rather than requiring a full 1.25 Gbps time slot, thereby reducing bandwidth waste while maintaining reliable service transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional time slot division with 1.25 Gbps granularity is used, then the optical transport network can carry various services, but it cannot efficiently accommodate small-bandwidth services with bandwidth lower than 1.25 Gbps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice type compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic payload block allocation where the network can flexibly assign different numbers and sizes of payload blocks to different services based on their actual bandwidth requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to efficiently accommodate various service types including small-bandwidth services, rather than being constrained by fixed 1.25 Gbps time slot granularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If payload blocks are introduced with indication information in overhead area, then flexible mapping and multiplexing is achieved, but the overhead information requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemapping flexibilityVSAvoidoverhead information volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the indication information in the overhead area to serve multiple functions: it identifies payload block boundaries, indicates the number and size of payload blocks, and supports both fixed and flexible mapping modes. This multi-functional design allows the overhead information to achieve flexible mapping and multiplexing without requiring separate signaling mechanisms for each function, thereby minimizing the overall overhead information volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4131806B1Service processing method and apparatus in optical transport network, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ZTE CORP
  • EP4131806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4131806B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4131806B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Provided is a service processing method in an optical transport network, including: mapping a client service into a service container; mapping the service container into an optical transport network frame, wherein a payload area of the optical transport network frame is composed of payload blocks, and the payload blocks are used for carrying the service container; and carrying indication information of the payload block in an overhead area of the optical transport network frame. A service processing apparatus in an optical transport network, an electronic device and a computer-readable medium are also provided.