In-band Overhead Communication via SD-FEC Field Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication networks rely on out-of-band channels for overhead information, which may not be available or reliable, necessitating in-band communication methods to access overhead data without affecting user data traffic.
Innovation Solution
Modulating optical carriers to carry additional data within the soft decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) data field of a data frame, allowing for in-band communication of overhead information between source and destination nodes without accessing user data traffic, using methods like encoding automatic protection switching bytes and network control information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If out-of-band channels are used for overhead information, then communication reliability is improved, but channel availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical carrier wavelength serve dual functions: carrying both user data traffic and overhead information simultaneously. By encoding overhead data in the SD-FEC field of the same wavelength that carries user traffic, the system eliminates the need for separate out-of-band supervisory channels, thereby improving channel availability while maintaining communication reliability through the in-band overhead mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If in-band communication is implemented, then channel availability is improved, but data integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data frame structure into distinct fields: user data payload and overhead information field (SD-FEC). This segmentation allows the overhead data to be extracted and processed separately from the user traffic, enabling reliable in-band communication without compromising the integrity of the primary data stream. The overhead field can be independently encoded, transmitted, and decoded.
Solution Approach 2:
The SD-FEC (Soft Decision Forward Error Correction) field acts as an intermediary structure that carries overhead information within the data frame. This intermediary field provides a dedicated space for encoding supervision data, automatic protection switching bytes, and network control information, allowing in-band communication while maintaining data integrity through error correction capabilities.
3Productivity
If additional data is encoded in SD-FEC field, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the optical transport network to self-configure and self-manage by embedding control information directly in the transmitted data stream. The overhead fields contain automatic protection switching bytes and network control information that allow the system to autonomously detect failures, switch protection paths, and manage resources without external intervention, thereby improving communication efficiency while the standardized encoding processes keep processing complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and efficient in-band communication of overhead data, improving network reliability and management capabilities by utilizing unused bits in the SD-FEC data field for bi-directional, high-speed communication.
Implementation Method 1
modulating optical carriers to carry additional data within a format of a soft decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) data field
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for modulating, with circuitry of a source node in a communication network, at least one optical carrier to carry data utilizing a format of a soft decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) data field of an overhead portion of a data frame; encoding, with the circuitry of the source node, first data being SD-FEC data and second data being additional data into the SD-FEC data field, the first and second data being accessible without accessing client data traffic; and transmitting, with the circuitry of the source node, the data frame including the soft decision forward error correction data field. In one implementation, the second data comprises automatic protection switching bytes.