PON FEC Codeword Structure for Embedded OAM Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical network systems face challenges in efficiently managing and diagnosing PON networks, particularly in high-bandwidth and low-latency environments such as 5G bearer networks, with a need for cost-effective optical fiber resources and effective OAM information transmission.

Innovation Solution

Implementing Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding and decoding processes at various points within the network, including PON OLT and ONU devices, to create a codeword structure that includes OAM information, ensuring low latency and high bandwidth while maintaining compatibility with existing standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If OAM information is transmitted by replacing padding bits or selecting synchronization sequences, then OAM communication capability is improved, but device complexity and protocol compatibility become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOAM information transmission capabilityVSAvoidencoder/decoder complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges OAM information with existing FEC codeword structures by utilizing reserved bits and synchronization sequences that are already part of the standard encoding framework. This integration allows OAM communication without adding separate transmission channels or increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The FEC encoding structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: error correction, synchronization, and OAM information transmission. By making the codeword structure multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate OAM transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining OAM capability.

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

2Reliability

If FEC encoding is implemented at PON OLT and ONU devices, then transmission reliability is improved, but processing latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

FEC encoding is performed in advance on data blocks before they are transmitted over the optical network. By pre-processing the data with error correction codes, the system ensures that reliability is built into the transmission stream beforehand, eliminating the need for complex real-time error handling that would increase latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs efficient FEC algorithms that can be computed and decoded rapidly, allowing the encoding and decoding operations to be completed quickly without becoming a bottleneck. The streamlined processing enables the system to rush through the FEC operations with minimal added latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Productivity

If 25 Gbit/s data rates are supported with transparent service transmission, then bandwidth is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves 25 Gbit/s transmission by optimizing encoding parameters and data block structures rather than fundamentally changing the system architecture. By adjusting parameters such as codeword length, data block size, and FEC rate, the system reaches high speeds using existing hardware capabilities, thereby avoiding proportional increases in complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If OAM information is embedded in FEC codeword structure, then protocol compatibility is improved, but information capacity of codeword is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidinformation capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides OAM information into multiple segments that are distributed across different codewords or different bit positions within codewords. This segmentation allows OAM data to be embedded within the existing FEC structure without requiring any single codeword to carry excessive overhead, thereby maintaining both protocol compatibility and adequate information capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3787206B1Data processing method and device and communication system generating a codeword structure comprising OAM information
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3787206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3787206B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3787206B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This application discloses a data processing method and apparatus, and a communications system. The method includes: receiving, by a source network device, S first data blocks at a physical coding sublayer, adding first information, and performing FEC encoding on the S first data blocks and the first information to generate a code word structure, where the first information includes code word synchronization information and OAM information; sending, by the source network device, the code word structure to a target network device; synchronizing, by the target network device, the code word structure based on the code word synchronization information and obtaining the OAM information. In this way, an OAM function is provided between the source network device and the target network device, and a management function of a communications system is implemented.