Method and apparatus for mapping and de-mapping in an optical transport network

An apparatus for processing data in an optical transport network (OTN), the apparatus comprising:

• a processor and a computer readable non-transitory medium having a plurality of computer executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• map a low order optical channel data unit (LO ODU) signal into a payload area of an optical channel data tributary unit (ODTU) signal, wherein the ODTU signal occupies M time slots of the HO OPU, and M is an integer larger than 1, wherein the ODTU signal carries overhead information in an overhead area of the ODTU signal, the overhead information is only presented in an overhead area associated with the last tributary slot among tributary slots that are occupied by the ODTU signal;
• and
• multiplex the ODTU signal into the HO OPU.

A method for processing data in an optical transport network (OTN), the method comprising:

• mapping a low order optical channel data unit (LO ODU) signal into a payload area of an optical channel data tributary unit (ODTU) signal that includes an overhead area for carrying overhead information, wherein the ODTU signal occupies M time slots of the HO OPU, and M is an integer larger than 1, wherein the overhead information is only presented in an overhead area associated with the last tributary slot among tributary slots that are occupied by the ODTU signal;
• multiplexing the ODTU signal into a high order optical channel payload unit (HO OPU);
• mapping the HO OPU into a high order optical channel data unit (HO ODU);
• mapping the HO ODU into a high order optical channel transport unit (HO OTU) signal;
• and
• sending the HO OTU signal.