Virtual Concatenation for SDH Overhead Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SDH or SONET-based synchronous digital transport networks face challenges in connecting private sub-networks without conflicts between network management systems and with restrictions on managing multiplex structures, especially when transitioning between different virtual container configurations, and there is a need for a method to transmit frame-structured synchronous multiplex signals without accessing the overhead section.
Innovation Solution
A method that maps frames, including their unchanged overhead sections, as payload in newly formed multiplex units, allowing for the creation of virtual concatenations that can be transmitted without altering existing network elements, enabling the construction of virtual private networks and facilitating the transmission of proprietary overhead bytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frames are transmitted as payload in newly formed multiplex units, then network management autonomy is improved and conflicts between management systems are avoided, but device complexity increases due to the need to create and manage virtual concatenations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transmission system into distinct functional layers: the overhead section remains managed by public network operators while the payload section is segmented into virtual containers that can be independently managed by private operators. This segmentation allows autonomous management of company networks without interfering with public network management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces virtual concatenation as an intermediary mechanism that bridges private company networks and public transport networks. The virtual containers act as mediators, allowing private operators to encapsulate their frames while the public network transports them through standard SDH/SONET infrastructure without requiring agreements between different management systems.
2Ease of operation
If overhead sections are accessed to manage multiplex structures, then network control is improved, but conflicts between company network management and public network management arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the management control from the overhead section and relocates it to the payload section through virtual containers. Private operators can now control their network parameters, multiplex structures, and protection circuits within the payload without accessing or conflicting with the public network's overhead management system.
Solution Approach 2:
The management functions are segmented into two independent domains: public network management handles the overhead section while private operator management handles the payload section. This segmentation eliminates conflicts by ensuring that company network management operations do not interfere with public network management systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing network elements are replaced to support new transmission methods, then transmission flexibility is improved, but loss of substance increases due to infrastructure replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes existing SDH/SONET network elements universal by enabling them to handle both traditional virtual container traffic and new virtual concatenation traffic simultaneously. The multiplexers can operate in multiple modes, supporting both conventional and proprietary overhead formats without requiring hardware replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the optical network functionality through software-based virtual concatenation in existing electrical multiplexers. Instead of replacing physical optical network elements, the system copies the desired transmission flexibility through virtualization, allowing proprietary formats to coexist with standard SDH/SONET infrastructure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If virtual concatenations are created to transmit frames as payload, then transmission of proprietary overhead bytes is enabled, but transit time differences increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic buffer management and adjustable timing compensation mechanisms that adapt to varying transit times through the virtual concatenation structure. The system can dynamically adjust to different path lengths and processing delays while maintaining synchronization, allowing proprietary overhead formats to be transmitted without excessive timing variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Network elements of a first synchronous transport network are to be connected to one another via a second synchronous transport network. For this purpose a frame (STM-4) to be transmitted, including the unchanged overhead sections (MS-OH, RS-OH, AU-PTR) thereof, is packed as payload in a concatenation (VC-4-5v) of newly formed multiplex units (VC-4v) and transmitted in newly formed transport modules via the second transport network.