PON Aggregation Node Using Cascaded OLT and ONU Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing PON technologies face poor coordination between connection-oriented PON and connectionless ETH, lacking strict Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms and operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) functions, which degrades user experience and increases network construction and operation costs.

Innovation Solution

A connection-oriented PON-based aggregation network is constructed using PON cascading technology, incorporating an aggregation OLT and ONU to aggregate and re-aggregate service data, supporting TDM and variable-length packet services, and leveraging passive PON properties to reduce complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If connectionless ETH technology is used for aggregation, then network flexibility and adaptability are improved, but QoS mechanism and connection management capabilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidQoS mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregation network into multiple PON layers (first PON layer with OLT1/ONU1, second PON layer with OLT2/ONU2), allowing each layer to operate with connection-oriented PON protocols that provide both flexibility and QoS guarantees. This multi-layer segmentation enables the system to maintain adaptability while ensuring reliable service quality through hierarchical connection management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary aggregation node (ONU1/OLT2) that bridges the user side and network side. This intermediary performs service data aggregation and implements QoS policies, acting as a mediator that provides connection management and QoS mechanisms while maintaining network flexibility. The intermediary translates between different protocol requirements and ensures service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If active ETH-based aggregation network is deployed, then connection management capability is improved, but network construction cost and operation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection management capabilityVSAvoidnetwork construction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional active ETH-based aggregation network with a passive PON-based aggregation network. By using passive optical components (optical fibers, optical splitters, optical couplers) instead of active electronic equipment, the system eliminates the need for powered devices at aggregation points, reducing construction costs and operational expenses while maintaining connection management capabilities through protocol-level implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive PON network enables self-service operation where the optical infrastructure automatically routes and aggregates traffic without requiring powered equipment or complex active management at intermediate points. The system uses upstream and downstream optical signals to automatically establish connections and manage services, eliminating the need for powered aggregation devices and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional OLT and ONU architecture is used, then service delivery capability is improved, but network scalability and aggregation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery capabilityVSAvoidnetwork scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple service data streams from different users and services into aggregated data flows at the PON layers. By combining traffic aggregation, service delivery, and connection management into the PON architecture, the system improves scalability and efficiency while maintaining strong service delivery capabilities. The merging of functions at optical layers reduces the need for separate dedicated infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the network architecture with multiple PON layers. This vertical dimensionality allows services to be delivered through layered aggregation points, improving scalability by enabling incremental network expansion. The multi-layer structure provides new dimensions for service routing and aggregation that enhance both scalability and delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8285142B2Aggregation node device of passive optical network and passive optical network system
Publication Date: 2012.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • US8285142B2 patent drawing
  • US8285142B2 patent drawing
  • US8285142B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An aggregation node device of a passive optical network (PON) is provided which includes an aggregation optical line terminal (OLT) and an aggregation optical network unit (ONU). The aggregation OLT is connected to a user-side ONU. The aggregation OLT aggregates service data transmitted by a user-side ONU and transmits the aggregated service data to the aggregation ONU. The aggregation ONU is adapted to transmit the received aggregated service data to a network-side OLT. A PON system is further provided. The device and system can not only support the conventional time division multiplexing (TDM) services but also support the services based on variable-length packets and the multicast service. Moreover, it is not necessary to build an equipment room and supply power for an intermediate optical distribution network (ODN) which greatly reduces the network construction and operation costs.