Virtual OLT Bandwidth Allocation via Segmented Software Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hardware-based OLTs are inflexible and uneconomical for function changes, leading to inefficiencies in service deployment and increased delay in virtual OLT devices due to fluctuations in frame processing time and bandwidth allocation timing.

Innovation Solution

A virtual subscriber line terminal station device with a software component and general-purpose hardware, featuring individual and common units for bandwidth allocation, allowing different algorithms to be used for each ONU, ensuring compatibility and reducing delays by isolating time-critical functions and performing common processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hardware-based OLT is used, then device stability is ensured, but function changes require new devices which reduces adaptability and increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction change capabilityVSAvoidequipment replacement requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The OLT device is segmented into separate functional components: a reusable hardware platform and interchangeable software modules. This allows the hardware to remain stable while software functions can be independently updated or changed, resolving the contradiction between device stability and function change capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic software modules that can be loaded, unloaded, and updated without replacing the entire hardware device. This enables flexible function changes while maintaining hardware stability, directly addressing the adaptability versus device complexity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If virtualization is implemented in OLT, then service deployment speed is improved, but frame processing time fluctuates causing delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice deployment speedVSAvoidframe processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The virtualized OLT is segmented into time-critical functions and non-time-critical functions. Time-critical functions are isolated in dedicated processing units to ensure deterministic frame processing times, while non-time-critical functions can utilize virtualization for flexible service deployment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between productivity improvement and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If different bandwidth allocation algorithms are used for different ONUs, then allocation flexibility is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth allocation flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of ONUs based on their service requirements before bandwidth allocation. ONUs are pre-categorized into different groups, and appropriate algorithms are pre-selected for each group. This preliminary action simplifies the processing complexity while maintaining allocation flexibility, as the complex algorithm selection is done in advance rather than in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3641236B1Virtual subscriber line terminal station device and control method for virtual subscriber line terminal station device
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP3641236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A virtual subscriber line terminal station device includes a software component including software to be added in accordance with a service requirement; and hardware having general-purpose functions; wherein the hardware includes a communication unit that receives a bandwidth allocation request transmitted by a subscriber line termination device; and the software component includes a bandwidth allocation component. The bandwidth allocation component has an individual unit that, based on an algorithm for allocating bands, computes a bandwidth to be allocated to the subscriber line termination device that transmitted the bandwidth allocation request; a common unit that, in accordance with the bandwidth allocated by the individual unit, allocates the bandwidth to the subscriber line termination device; and an interface between the individual unit and the common unit. The common unit converts the bandwidth allocation request received by the communication unit to a format that can be used by the individual unit. The individual unit computes the bandwidth to be allocated to the subscriber line termination device that transmitted the bandwidth allocation request that is converted, by the common unit, to a format that can be used by the individual unit.