Time Slot Allocation for Shared Mesh Protection Bundled Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) protection and recovery mechanisms face challenges in efficiently managing time slot allocation and sharing in large optical shared mesh networks, particularly in bundled links, leading to complexities in maximizing bandwidth utilization and service differentiation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine unused time slots, sort connections based on used time slots, and assign them optimally to new circuits, utilizing a controller with memory and logic circuit to manage time division multiplexed transmission, ensuring maximum bandwidth usage and handling multiple failure scenarios while differentiating service classes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple protect circuits share the same time slots on bundled links, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but time slot allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time slot allocation process into distinct phases: identifying available time slots on bundled links, evaluating protection criteria for different service classes, and systematically assigning time slots to protect circuits. This segmentation transforms the complex allocation problem into manageable steps, reducing allocation complexity while maintaining high bandwidth utilization through shared time slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and evaluation of time slots before actual allocation. By pre-assessing which time slots are available on bundled links and evaluating protection criteria in advance, the system prepares allocation data structures that simplify the subsequent assignment process, thereby reducing real-time allocation complexity while maximizing bandwidth sharing.
2Loss of energy
If time slots are shared among multiple protect circuits, then network resource efficiency is improved, but the risk of bandwidth fragmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor time slot usage patterns and protection circuit activation status. This feedback enables the system to dynamically adjust time slot assignments, consolidating bandwidth usage and preventing fragmentation. The feedback loop ensures that shared time slots remain efficiently utilized while maintaining stable bandwidth allocation across protect circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes allocation parameters based on observed network conditions and protection circuit performance. By adjusting time slot assignment criteria and re-evaluating protection requirements, the system optimizes bandwidth sharing while preventing fragmentation. Parameter changes allow flexible adaptation to maintain both resource efficiency and bandwidth stability.
3Reliability
If service differentiation is implemented for different classes of protect circuits, then quality of service is improved, but allocation management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing service differentiation at specific allocation decision points rather than throughout the entire system. Different protection criteria and time slot assignment rules are applied locally based on service class requirements, enabling quality of service improvement while containing management complexity to specific manageable areas of the allocation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of service class classification into the time slot allocation system. By adding this dimensional layer, the system can differentiate quality of service for various protect circuits while managing complexity through structured classification. This dimensional approach organizes allocation management in a systematic way that improves reliability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for time slot allocation of time slots for bundled links in a shared mesh GMPLS for protect paths with different of COS may include time slot allocation divided into multiple phases with each phase having some qualification criterion to go to next phase or exit if the criterion is not met. For example, allocation of time slots for a circuit may include three phases—component selection phase, a connection admission phase, and an optimization phase.