Optical Transceiver Digital Diagnostics Parameter Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceivers experience interruptions in digital diagnostic communications and internal controls when updating digital diagnostic parameters in persistent memory, as direct access to persistent memory stalls other software logic and processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that loads digital diagnostics parameters into system memory, resets non-persistent parameters, and writes updates to persistent memory, allowing parallel processing and minimizing writes to persistent memory, thus eliminating stalls and enabling continuous communication and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital diagnostic parameters are stored directly in persistent memory, then parameter persistence is achieved, but access to persistent memory stalls during update operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter persistenceVSAvoidaccess stall time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces system memory (volatile RAM) as an intermediary between the host and persistent memory. The host writes parameters to system memory first, and a background updater process periodically copies updated parameters to persistent memory. This mediator approach eliminates the stall condition because the host never blocks waiting for persistent memory updates, while still achieving parameter persistence through the background copy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading parameters into system memory before they are needed by the host. The background updater process proactively copies updated parameters to persistent memory in advance or during idle periods, so that when the host needs to access parameters, they are already available in system memory without causing stalls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the controller waits for host to finish storing parameters in persistent memory, then data integrity is ensured, but other software logic and processes are stalled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsoftware process throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the parameter storage function into two distinct locations: system memory for active host access and persistent memory for long-term storage. The background updater process handles the synchronization between these two memory types independently. This segmentation allows the host to freely access system memory without blocking, while data integrity is maintained through the background copy operation that ensures persistent memory reflects the latest changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

System memory serves as an intermediary buffer that decouples the host's immediate access needs from the asynchronous persistence operation. The host writes to system memory without waiting for persistent memory updates, maintaining high productivity. The background updater process ensures data integrity by periodically synchronizing system memory contents to persistent memory, eliminating the need for the controller to wait.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If frequent writes are made to persistent memory, then parameter updates are reflected immediately, but memory lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter update freshnessVSAvoidmemory lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by accumulating parameter updates in system memory before they are copied to persistent memory. The background updater process batches multiple updates together and performs periodic bulk writes to persistent memory rather than immediate individual writes. This approach maintains parameter freshness (measurement precision) while significantly reducing the frequency of persistent memory writes, thereby extending memory lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through the background updater process that operates at scheduled intervals rather than continuously writing to persistent memory. The updater checks for changes in system memory and performs batched copies to persistent memory at periodic intervals. This periodic approach ensures parameters are updated fresh enough for operational accuracy while minimizing write frequency to extend persistent memory lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8295337B2Digital diagnostics parameter storage

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 II VI DELAWARE INC

AI summary

A method of managing storage of digital diagnostics parameters on a transceiver device may include loading persistent digital diagnostics parameters from a persistent memory into a system memory and resetting non-persistent digital diagnostics parameters, receiving updates to the non-persistent digital diagnostics parameters in the system memory, and writing the updates to the non-persistent digital diagnostic parameters in the system memory to the persistent memory.