PON MAC Power Reduction via Idle Frame Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

PON MACs consume a constant amount of power regardless of traffic volume due to the generation of idle XGEM frames, leading to inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

Generate a first bitstream with reduced idle data units, process it through partial processing stages, determine appendix data based on stage constraints, and transmit a third bitstream in a PON PHY layer size to reduce power consumption while maintaining compliance with standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If idle XGEM frames are generated to fill the Framing Sublayer payload section space according to current standards, then the PON MAC structure compliance is maintained, but the power consumption increases due to constant processing of full-sized frames

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePON MAC power consumptionVSAvoidPON MAC structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes idle XGEM frames from the bitstream before processing through the PON MAC pipeline. By taking out the unnecessary idle data units that would otherwise be processed, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining structural compliance. The extraction occurs at the input stage, preventing idle frames from consuming processing resources throughout the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the bitstream processing based on actual traffic conditions. The system dynamically determines whether to insert idle XGEM frames or process only actual traffic, adjusting the processing pipeline activity accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the PON MAC to adapt its power consumption to the actual workload while maintaining standard compliance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the PON MAC processes full-sized frames with idle data units to maintain standard compliance, then the frame structure requirements are met, but the processing efficiency decreases due to unnecessary processing of idle data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidframe structure compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bitstream processing into distinct stages: first identifying and separating actual traffic data from idle XGEM frames, then processing only the necessary portions through the PON MAC pipeline. This segmentation allows efficient processing of actual traffic while maintaining the ability to reconstruct compliant frame structures when required by the standard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portion of the bitstream (actual traffic data) rather than the full frame size including idle data units. The system performs exactly the amount of processing needed for the actual traffic, avoiding excessive processing of idle frames, while still producing outputs that meet standard compliance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by stationary object

If idle XGEM frames are inserted in the beginning of the downstream pipeline to fill payload space, then the frame filling requirement is satisfied, but the power consumption remains constant regardless of traffic volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoididle data units
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent discards idle XGEM frames by removing them from the processing pipeline before they consume processing resources. The system recovers power by preventing the processing of unnecessary idle data units, while still maintaining the capability to generate compliant frame structures when actual traffic requires it. This discard-and-recover approach directly reduces power consumption proportional to the reduction in idle data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP4576809A1Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in PON mac
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4576809A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4576809A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4576809A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses an apparatus for use in a transmitter in a passive optical network, PON, comprising means for: generating a first bitstream (211, 311) in a predetermined frame size (221, 321), wherein the first bitstream (211, 311) comprises service data units, SDUs, (231P, 331P) intended for a recipient in the PON and a number of idle data units (231i, 331i); and wherein, the number of idle data units is smaller than another number of idle data units used to fill a Framing Sublayer, FS, payload section space; generating a second bitstream (214, 313) by processing the first bitstream (211, 311) through at least part of a plurality of processing stages (202, 203, 204; 302, 303, 304) used for transmission preparation, till after a predefined processing stage (204, 303); determining an appendix data (250, 350) based on constrains of said at least part (202, 203, 204; 302, 303) of the plurality of processing stages; obtaining a third bitstream (215, 315) in a PON Physical, PHY, layer size (225, 325) based on the second bitstream (214, 313) and the appendix data (250, 350), and transmitting the third bitstream (215, 315) via the PON.