Apparatus and method for pseudo-inverse multiplexing/de-multiplexing transporting

A pseudo-inverse multiplexing method comprising:

• determining a type of a tributary slot to map a client signal, and segmenting a virtual concatenated optical channel payload unit (OPUk-Xpv) into at least one tributary slot based on the determined tributary slot type;
• mapping a received client signal to a payload of the OPUk-Xpv using the tributary slot;
• and
• generating frame configuration information related to the tributary slot and inserting the frame configuration information into an overhead of the OPUk-Xpv.

A pseudo-inverse de-multiplexing apparatus comprising:

• an overhead detection unit to detect a type and number of tributary slots to which client signals have been mapped, using an overhead of a received virtual concatenated optical channel payload unit (OPUk-Xpv);
• a payload segmentation unit to segment the OPUk-Xpv into the tributary slots according to the detected type and number of the tributary slots;
• and
• a demapping unit to detect the client signals according to the tributary slots.

A pseudo-inverse de-multiplexing method comprising:

• detecting a type and number of tributary slots to which client signals have been mapped, using an overhead of a received, virtually concatenated optical channel payload unit OPUk-Xpv;
• segmenting the OPUk-Xpv into the tributary slots based on the detected type and number of the tributary slots;
• and
• detecting the client signals according to the tributary slots.