PON Frame Alignment via Variable Sync Pattern Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current frame alignment techniques in communication systems are inefficient as they rely on fixed synchronization patterns that do not carry additional information, leading to suboptimal frame processing efficiency and reliability, especially in high-bandwidth networks like GPON and NGA systems.

Innovation Solution

An improved synchronization pattern is introduced that indicates the beginning and end of frames and includes additional data-specific information, which can change with each frame, along with a synchronization state machine to predict the synchronization pattern in subsequent frames with high accuracy, enhancing frame alignment and synchronization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed synchronization patterns are used for frame alignment, then the frame alignment process is simple, but the frame processing efficiency and reliability are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe processing efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization pattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the synchronization pattern from fixed to variable by incorporating data-specific information. The synchronization pattern now includes frame identification information, data rate information, and timing information that vary with each frame, enabling more efficient and reliable frame processing without requiring complex additional synchronization mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies frame boundaries, carries data-specific information, enables synchronization, and provides frame validation. This multi-functionality improves frame processing efficiency while avoiding the need for separate dedicated structures for each function

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

2Reliability

If fixed synchronization patterns are used, then the synchronization structure is simple, but the reliability of frame alignment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe alignment reliabilityVSAvoidsynchronization pattern structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization pattern incorporates variable parameters including frame identification information and data-specific information that change with each frame. This enables reliable frame alignment by providing unique identifiers and validation data, while the structured organization of these parameters maintains reasonable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization pattern includes data-specific information that provides feedback about the frame content and validity. This feedback mechanism enables the receiver to verify frame integrity and maintain reliable synchronization, with the feedback embedded within the synchronization pattern structure itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If synchronization patterns do not carry additional information, then the processing overhead is low, but the frame processing efficiency is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe processing efficiencyVSAvoidinformation carried by synchronization pattern
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization pattern is designed to carry multiple types of information simultaneously: frame boundary identification, frame identification information, data rate information, and timing information. This multi-functional approach improves frame processing efficiency by providing all necessary information in a single structure, while the compact encoding minimizes information loss

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

Data Source

PatentEP3091676B1Frame alignment in a PON
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3091676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3091676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3091676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a frame alignment processor coupled to a receiver, wherein the frame alignment processor is configured to align a first frame and a second frame in the receiver by matching a first synchronization (sync) pattern predicted using a first sync field in the first frame with a second sync pattern obtained from a second sync field in the second frame. Included is an apparatus comprising at least one component configured to implement a method comprising receiving a first frame, subsequently receiving a second frame that was transmitted after the first frame, predicting a first sync pattern from a first sync field in the first frame, obtaining a second sync pattern from a second sync field in the second frame, and determining that the first frame and the second frame are aligned when the first sync pattern matches the second sync pattern.