Super ODU Signal Multi-Wavelength Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Virtual Concatenation Group (VCG) approach in Optical Transport Networks (OTNs) creates operational difficulties for network operators, including loss of one-to-one correspondence between services and ODU instances, requiring monitoring of multiple ODU connections, and complicating troubleshooting and restoration processes due to the use of multiple ODU server layers and varying bit rates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a super ODU signal that combines lower-rate ODU signals and is supported by multiple wavelengths, allowing for a one-to-one relationship with OTU signals and enabling transparent mapping of client signals, with enhanced forward error correction and flexible bit rates, thereby simplifying network management and reducing the need for concatenated ODU connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing VCG approach is used to support services with fragmented bandwidth across multiple wavelengths, then the network can support end-to-end connections with distributed bandwidth, but the operational complexity increases and network operators lose the one-to-one correspondence between services and ODU instances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ODU signal into multiple lower-rate ODU signals that can be independently routed across different wavelengths. Each segmented ODU signal is mapped to a separate OTU signal, allowing flexible bandwidth distribution while maintaining manageable granularity in the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal mapping mechanism where a single super ODU signal can be distributed across multiple wavelengths through standardized ODU and OTU signal processing. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to handle various bandwidth requirements without requiring separate specialized handling for each service type.
2Reliability
If multiple ODU connections are monitored to gather alarms and performance information, then comprehensive network monitoring is achieved, but the operational difficulty and time required for troubleshooting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the monitoring of multiple ODU connections into a unified monitoring framework. By establishing a one-to-one correspondence between super ODU signals and OTU signals, the system consolidates alarm and performance information gathering, allowing network operators to monitor multiple connections through a standardized interface rather than managing multiple separate monitoring processes.
3Reliability
If independent restoration/reroute of each ODU connection is supported, then network resilience is improved, but the coordination complexity to ensure end-to-end skew within acceptable range increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic skew adjustment mechanisms that automatically compensate for latency variations during restoration operations. The system dynamically monitors and adjusts the timing relationships between restored ODU connections to maintain end-to-end skew within acceptable ranges, eliminating the need for manual coordination of restoration parameters.
4Adaptability or versatility
If services can be set up with or without VCG and restoration may use VCG containing multiple lower bit rate ODU containers, then service flexibility is improved, but the difficulty of troubleshooting and fixing network issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the VCG functionality as an optional feature rather than a mandatory requirement. Services can be set up with a single ODU container when simple, and VCG is only invoked when bandwidth fragmentation requires it. This extraction simplifies troubleshooting by eliminating VCG complexity from routine operations while preserving the ability to use VCG when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A node is configured to receive first optical channel data unit (ODU) signals; encapsulate the first ODU signals into a second ODU signal; distribute data of the second ODU signal to a group of third ODU signals; encapsulate each of the third ODU signals into a respective optical channel transport unit (OTU) signal; and transmit each of the OTU signals on a respective optical channel of a group of optical channels. Each optical channel, of the group of optical channels, has a corresponding one of group of wavelengths. The data of the second ODU signal is carried by the group of optical channels.