Span-Ring Optical Burst Switching for Metro Core Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet exchanges in optical networks face challenges with high costs, high energy consumption, and inflexibility, particularly in supporting dynamic and high-speed data services, and lack an effective solution for span-ring optical burst transport network services.
Innovation Solution
A method enabling span-ring Optical Burst channel service in an optical burst transport network by connecting main nodes across ring networks via optical fibers, using a span-ring service request and response mechanism to align OB packets and adjust Fiber Delay Lines, ensuring efficient bandwidth allocation and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional optical circuit-switched networks (WDM, OTN) are used, then high speed and large volume transmission is achieved, but the network lacks flexibility in electric packet switching and cannot effectively bear data services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical signal into optical bursts (OBs) that can be independently controlled and switched. Each OB represents a unit of data transmission that can be dynamically routed, combining the high speed of optical transmission with the flexibility of packet switching. This segmentation allows the system to maintain optical layer speed while enabling granular control for data services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical packet switching mechanisms with optical burst switching. By using optical layer control signals to manage burst transmission directly in the optical domain, the system eliminates the need for electrical conversion and switching, thereby maintaining high speed transmission while achieving packet-level flexibility through optical means.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current electric layer packet exchanges are used, then flexibility and statistical multiplexing are achieved, but costs and energy consumption increase and process bottlenecks appear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical packet switching with optical burst switching, eliminating the need for repeated electrical-optical conversions at each network node. By performing switching operations directly in the optical domain using optical bursts, the system maintains packet-level flexibility while dramatically reducing energy consumption associated with electrical layer processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup and control signal exchange before actual data transmission. Control channels establish burst parameters, timing, and routing in advance, allowing the main data bursts to traverse the network with minimal processing. This preliminary action reduces real-time energy consumption during data transmission while maintaining flexibility.
3Productivity
If GPON technology is used, then statistical multiplexing and bandwidth utilization are improved, but the technology is not suitable for metro core networks with dominant east-west traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical burst switching framework that can adapt to different network topologies and traffic patterns. The same optical burst mechanism can serve access networks (similar to GPON), metro core networks with east-west traffic, and other configurations. This universality is achieved through flexible control channel design and topology-agnostic burst routing, allowing a single system to replace multiple specialized solutions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If span-ring optical burst transport network service is implemented, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but control frame transmission and service establishment mechanisms are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into separate control channels and data channels operating at different wavelengths. Control frames carry setup, management, and teardown information independently from data bursts. This segmentation simplifies the control mechanism by separating control plane and data plane functions, making the system easier to manage while maintaining high flexibility in service establishment and teardown.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a cross-ring service implementation method and corresponding main nodes in an optical burst transport network herein. After receiving an Optical Burst (OB) channel service request added in a node of a first ring network and dropped in a node of a second ring network, a first main node transmits a cross-ring service request to a second main node for applying bandwidth resources for an OB channel service; after receiving the cross-ring service request, the second main node configures a bandwidth map for the OB channel service, and returns to the first main node a cross-ring service response carrying transmission time information of an OB packet of the OB channel service designated to the first main node by the second main node; after receiving the cross-ring service response, the first main node determines the transmission time of the OB packet according to the transmission time information, starts to transmit the OB packet of the OB channel service in the first ring network at the transmission time, and turns on an optical switch from the first main node to the second main node.