PON Wavelength Bonding for Peak Data Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passive Optical Networks (PONs) face challenges in meeting peak data rate demands that exceed the capacity of a single wavelength, as the required bandwidth for packet flows often surpasses the maximum capacity of a single wavelength, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) controller that configures bonded XGEM (bXGEM) and bonded Transmission Containers (bT-CONT) across multiple wavelengths, allowing for dynamic bandwidth allocation and simultaneous transmission of packet data on multiple wavelengths, thereby increasing the effective peak data rate and balancing traffic loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple wavelengths are used to increase capacity, then peak data rate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeak data rateVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data packets into multiple XGEM (Ethernet over PON) frames that can be transmitted over different wavelengths simultaneously. Each XGEM frame carries a portion of the original data, allowing parallel transmission across multiple optical channels. This segmentation enables the system to achieve peak data rates exceeding single-wavelength capacity by distributing data across multiple wavelength divisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple wavelength channels into a unified bonded transmission path. By combining the capacity of multiple wavelengths through wavelength bonding, the system creates an aggregated data rate that exceeds individual wavelength limits. The OLT controller coordinates the merging of data streams from different wavelengths, effectively consolidating their combined capacity into a single high-speed logical channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bandwidth is allocated dynamically across multiple wavelengths, then bandwidth availability is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth availabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the OLT controller continuously monitors network conditions and adjusts wavelength assignment for XGEM frames in real-time. This dynamic approach allows bandwidth to be flexibly allocated based on current traffic demands, ensuring optimal utilization of available wavelength capacity while adapting to changing network conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the OLT controller receives status information from multiple wavelengths and uses this feedback to make intelligent bandwidth allocation decisions. The controller monitors transmission quality, load conditions, and wavelength availability, then adjusts the bonding configuration accordingly to maintain optimal performance and balance traffic loads across the wavelength ensemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3446490B1PON wavelength bonding for providing higher-rate data services
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 ADTRAN INC
  • EP3446490B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3446490B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3446490B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus for Passive Optical Network (PON) wavelength bonding are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical line terminal (OLT) controller comprises: a first communications interface over which the OLT controller interacts with an OLT; a second communications interface that enables the OLT controller to interact with multiple optical network units (ONUs); and one or more processors that configure a control plane of the OLT and the multiple ONUs by performing operations comprising: assigning, in two or more physical ports of the OLT, a bonded XGEM (bXGEM) to a first optical network unit (ONU) from among multiple ONUs that are connected to the OLT; assigning, to each of multiple access node interfaces (ANIs) in the first ONU, a bonded Transmission Container (bT-CONT); associating, using a bonded group list (BGL), the bXGEM that is assigned to the first ONU with multiple different bT-CONTs of the first ONU; and wherein the BGL association of the bXGEM with the multiple different bT-CONTs configures the first ONU to transmit data packets to the OLT over the bXGEM using multiple different wavelengths corresponding to the multiple different bT-CONTs.