Variable Rate Optical Transponder Hitless Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical network technologies face challenges in adapting to changing traffic patterns without interrupting connectivity, leading to inefficiencies in energy and spectrum usage due to the lack of hitless service provisioning during transponder rate adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A variable rate transponder system with a hitless service provisioning module that adjusts communication rates in response to end-of-transmission and start-of-transmission messages, allowing for seamless changes without data loss, coordinated by a centralized controller to ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If transponder rate adjustment is performed to adapt to changing traffic patterns, then energy efficiency and network resource utilization improve, but connectivity interruption and data loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending EoT messages and training patterns before the actual rate change takes effect. The receiver is notified in advance and prepares for the configuration change, allowing the transponder to adjust its rate without causing service interruption. This preliminary notification and preparation phase ensures that the rate adjustment occurs seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control messages (EoT, SoT, and training pattern messages) as intermediaries between the transmitter and receiver during rate adjustment. These intermediary signals coordinate the configuration change process, ensuring both ends synchronize their state transitions without data loss. The control messages act as mediators that manage the handover between different transmission rates.
2Reliability
If static configuration is used to maintain stable connectivity, then hitless service is achieved, but energy efficiency and bandwidth utilization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration by enabling the transponder to adjust its transmission rate according to actual traffic conditions. The system transitions from a static fixed-rate configuration to a dynamic adaptive configuration where the rate can be modified in real-time based on traffic patterns, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining connectivity through the hitless service mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter (data rate) dynamically by receiving control messages that trigger rate adjustments. The transponder modifies its operating parameters based on traffic conditions, switching between different data rates to optimize energy consumption and resource utilization while the hitless service provisioning ensures these parameter changes occur without service interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent rate adjustments are made to match traffic capacity, then spectrum efficiency improves, but configuration stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends preliminary control messages (EoT, training patterns, SoT) before executing rate changes, which stabilizes the configuration transition process. This preliminary action ensures that both transmitter and receiver are synchronized and prepared for the rate adjustment, preventing configuration instability and ensuring smooth transitions even when rate changes occur frequently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver acknowledges receipt of control messages and confirms its state. This feedback loop ensures that rate adjustments are coordinated and stable, preventing conflicting configurations. The feedback mechanism maintains configuration stability by verifying that both ends of the communication link are synchronized before and after rate changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for variable rate control include determining a new communications rate in response to measured data traffic patterns. A receive change message is transmitted to a receiver that triggers the receiver to wait for an end of transmission (EoT) message and to set a new communications rate. A transmit change message is transmitted to a transmitter that triggers the transmitter to send the EoT message to the receiver, to set the new communications rate, and to send a start of transmission (SoT) message to the receiver before resuming data communications.