Enhancement and optimization of FlexE technology within metro transport networks

Abstract

Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) technology represents a groundbreaking solution for addressing diverse service requirements and network slicing demands in 5G networks, enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency, and efficient multi-service transmission. However, the current FlexE technology suffers from inefficient bandwidth adjustment, primarily due to its slow overhead insertion mechanism, particularly evident in metro transport networks (MTNs). This inefficiency not only prolongs service reconfiguration time but also leads to significant bandwidth resource wastage along end-to-end network paths. Furthermore, the latency overhead configuration necessitates substantial buffer capacity at network nodes to store pending data, imposing considerable storage pressure on network equipment. In this study, we propose an innovative overhead frame insertion mechanism that addresses these critical limitations while maintaining full compliance with FlexE standards. The proposed method features a streamlined overhead block structure that enables simultaneous and continuous transmission of all overhead information, significantly accelerating service-to-timeslot mapping and reducing link establishment time. Moreover, the proposed mechanism seamlessly integrates with the alignment marker insertion in Physical Coding Sublayer (PCS) and maintains full compatibility with IEEE 802.3 standard, simplifying overhead block extraction and data processing at the receiving end. Simulation results demonstrate that compared to existing FlexE technology, our solution achieves up to a 20-fold improvement in bandwidth adjustment time while substantially reducing buffer requirements and optimizing bandwidth utilization across the entire network infrastructure.