OTN Aggregation via Virtual Channel Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Optical Transport Networks (OTN) struggle to efficiently transport non-OTN client signals, such as 32G Fibre Channel signals, due to limitations in bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that maps Lower Order Optical Data Units (LO ODU) into Optical Data Tributary Units (ODTU) and aggregates them into Higher Order ODU signals using an adapted OTN multiplex structure, allowing for asynchronous mapping and multiplexing, and further processing to create Optical Transport Units (OTU) with enhanced overhead management and error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional OTN mechanisms are used to transport non-OTN client signals, then the transport infrastructure is maintained, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transport capacity by introducing virtual channel identifiers (VCIs) that divide a single physical OTN interface into multiple virtual channels. Each VC can independently carry different client signals (e.g., 32G Fibre Channel, 16G Fibre Channel, Ethernet) with different bandwidth requirements, allowing efficient allocation and utilization of the total bandwidth without waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The OTN interface is enhanced with multi-functionality by implementing a virtual channel multiplication mechanism that allows a single physical interface to serve multiple client signal types simultaneously. The system can dynamically allocate bandwidth to different client signals based on their needs, making the transport infrastructure universally applicable to various non-OTN client signals while maximizing bandwidth utilization.
2Device complexity
If multiple client signals are transported over a single OTN interface, then infrastructure complexity is reduced, but signal isolation and management capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a virtual dimension to the physical OTN interface by introducing virtual channel identifiers (VCIs) as an additional layer of abstraction. This allows multiple client signals to be transported over a single physical interface while maintaining logical separation and independent management through the virtual channel dimension, thus preserving signal isolation and management flexibility without increasing physical interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual channel identifier (VCI) acts as an intermediary between the physical OTN interface and multiple client signals. It provides logical separation and management capability by uniquely identifying each virtual channel, enabling the system to manage multiple client signals flexibly while transporting them over a single physical interface without direct complexity at the physical layer.
3Productivity
If LO ODU signals are aggregated into HO ODU signals, then transport capacity utilization is improved, but mapping and multiplexing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mapping parameters by introducing virtual channel identifiers (VCIs) and allowing flexible mapping rules that can adapt to different aggregation scenarios. Instead of fixed mapping relationships, the system uses configurable mapping parameters that can be adjusted based on the specific client signals and bandwidth requirements, simplifying the multiplexing process while maintaining high transport capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexing structure is made dynamic by allowing flexible allocation and reconfiguration of virtual channels based on real-time bandwidth requirements. The system can dynamically adjust the mapping between LO ODU signals and HO ODU signals through configurable VCIs and mapping rules, enabling adaptive capacity allocation that simplifies management while maximizing transport efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An invention provides a method for efficient utilization of a transport capacity provided by an Optical Transport Network, OTN, the method comprising the steps of:(a) mapping (S1) client signals comprising Lower Order, LO, Optical Data Units, LO ODUk, into Optical Data Tributary Units, ODTU, each requiring a number of Tributary Slots, TS, of an aggregate OPU_N payload area having a size corresponding to the available aggregated OPU payload areas of Nx independent Higher Order, HO, Optical Data Units, HO ODUk, to be transported; (b) multiplexing (S2) the Optical Data Tributary Units, ODTU, into the aggregate OPU_N payload area; (c) mapping (S3) the Tributary Slots, TS, of the aggregate OPU_N payload area into Tributary Slots, TS, provided by the OPU payload areas of the Nx independent Higher Order, HO, Optical Data Units, HO ODUk, according to a predefined mapping rule, MR; and (d) further multiplexing the Nx independent Optical Data Units, ODUk, containing the OPU payload areas or transmitting them as Optical Transport Units, OTUk