Universal Line Card for Multi-Rate Optical Signal Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current line cards require separate hardware for different optical signal transmission rates, leading to high development and maintenance costs due to the need for multiple line cards to support various transmission rates.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus that splits and modulates data into multiple pieces to achieve multiple transmission rates without changing the line card, using modulation schemes and optical-to-electrical conversion to transmit signals over a single line card.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate line cards are used for different optical signal transmission rates, then transmission rate compatibility is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rate compatibilityVSAvoidline card configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal line card design that can handle multiple transmission rates (10G, 25G, 40G, 100G) through a single hardware platform. The line card uses configurable serializers/deserializers and programmable logic to adapt to different optical signal rates, eliminating the need for multiple specialized line cards while maintaining full transmission rate compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The line card employs configurable parameters including adjustable serialization depth, dynamic clock rate adjustment, and reconfigurable logic to adapt to different transmission rates. By changing these parameters rather than the physical hardware, the system achieves multi-rate support with a single line card configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple line cards are deployed to support various transmission rates, then transmission rate compatibility is improved, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rate compatibilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By deploying a single universal line card model that supports all transmission rates, the system eliminates the need to maintain multiple specialized line card inventories. This reduces maintenance costs through standardized spare parts, simplified troubleshooting procedures, and reduced training requirements for maintenance personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single line card supports multiple transmission rates, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission rate compatibility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline card configurationVSAvoidtransmission rate compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The line card architecture segments the data processing function into multiple parallel serializers/deserializers, each capable of handling different transmission rates. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low overall complexity while achieving multi-rate compatibility through modular, independent processing units that can be configured as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The line card employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the logic and data processing units can be programmatically adjusted to match the required transmission rate. This dynamic adaptability ensures full transmission rate compatibility while maintaining a simple, unified hardware platform that doesn't require physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the transmission of signals at multiple rates using a single line card, reducing development and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for multiple hardware configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical module is configured to perform optical-to-electrical conversion on the first data received by the receiving unit, to obtain ninth data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical-to-electrical conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3382908B1Method and apparatus for processing data with multiple rates
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3382908B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3382908B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3382908B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

This application provides a method and an apparatus for processing data of multiple rates, so that signals of multiple transmission rates can be obtained without changing a line card, helping to reduce development and maintenance costs. The method provided in this application includes: receiving, by a data processing apparatus, first data whose transmission rate is a first rate and second data whose transmission rate is a second rate; obtaining, by the data processing apparatus, N1 pieces of third data and N2 pieces of fourth data according to the first data; obtaining, by the data processing apparatus, M1 pieces of fifth data and M2 pieces of sixth data according to the second data; obtaining, by the data processing apparatus, serial seventh data according to the N1 pieces of third data, the N2 pieces of fourth data, and a first modulation scheme; and obtaining, by the data processing apparatus, serial eighth data according to the M1 pieces of fifth data, the M2 pieces of sixth data, and a second modulation scheme.