PHY Aggregation via Remote Discovery Register and Handshaking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current link aggregation techniques are inadequate for effectively combining multiple communication links to achieve higher data rates.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a PHY aggregation method using a remote discovery register (RDR) and handshaking messages based on ITU-T Recommendation G.994.1, with additional control fields to manage PHY allocation and de-allocation between Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and Central Office (CO) nodes, ensuring exclusive allocation and de-allocation of Physical Media Interfaces (PHYs) for forming a single logical link.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple PHYs are aggregated to form a logical link, then data transfer rate is improved, but device complexity increases due to allocation and de-allocation management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidPHY allocation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote discovery register (RDR) as an intermediary mechanism to manage PHY allocation. The RDR stores allocation status and enables automated detection and management of PHY aggregation states, reducing the complexity of manual allocation management while enabling higher data transfer rates through multiple PHY aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If PHY aggregation is implemented without proper allocation management, then data rate increases, but conflicts and reliability issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through handshaking messages exchanged between CPE and CO nodes. These messages provide real-time information about PHY allocation status, enabling the system to detect and resolve conflicts automatically, thereby maintaining communication reliability while achieving high data rates through aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The remote discovery register is pre-configured with allocation status information before PHY aggregation occurs. This preliminary setup allows the system to preemptively manage allocation conflicts and establish reliable communication paths before data transmission begins, preventing conflicts rather than reacting to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual PHY allocation methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but aggregation efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveallocation management complexityVSAvoidaggregation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation through the remote discovery register and handshaking messages. The CPE and CO nodes automatically detect PHY aggregation opportunities, negotiate allocation status, and manage aggregation without manual intervention. This self-organizing capability achieves high aggregation efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7804851B2Discovery technique for physical media interface aggregation

Publication Date: 2010.09.28 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Various discovery techniques are described for physical media interface aggregation.