Submarine cable system

Abstract

In order to improve the flexibility of the structure to be added, the submarine optical cable system according to the present invention includes a first switching device connected to a first land station by means of a first submarine optical cable, a second switching device connected to a second land station by means of a second submarine optical cable, and a third submarine optical cable connected to the first switching device and the second switching device, wherein the first switching device includes a first optical fiber core connection unit and a first optical switch group, and the second switching device includes a second optical fiber core connection unit and a second optical switch group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to communications via submarine optical cables. Background Art

[0002] Submarine optical cable systems that establish optical communications between land stations have been widely used for intercontinental and large-capacity communications, etc.

[0003] Figure 1 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a submarine cable system 50 as an example of a general-purpose submarine cable system. The submarine cable system 50 includes land stations 31 to 34, repeater amplifier devices 2a to 2f, branch devices 11 and 12, and submarine cables 81 to 83.

[0004] Submarine optical cables 81 to 83 are primarily installed on the seabed or in seawater. Each of these cables consists of an optical fiber pair and a power cord. A fiber pair is a pair of optical fiber cores through which light signals travel in opposite directions. Furthermore, the power cord is a conductor used to supply power to branch equipment, relay amplifiers, and other devices connected to the submarine cable.

[0005] The land stations 31 to 34 are installed on land and each transmits an optical signal to another land station and receives an optical signal to be transmitted from another land station. Each land station 31 to 34 also supplies power to a power line included in the connected submarine optical cable.

[0006] Each of the relay amplifier devices 2a to 2f optically amplifies in two directions the optical signal transmitted via the optical fiber pair included in the inserted submarine optical cable. The relay amplifier devices 2a to 2f are installed on the seabed or in seawater. These issues are similar for other relay amplifier devices to be described later.

[0007] Branching devices 11 and 12 are installed on the seabed or in the seawater. Similar issues apply to other branching devices described later. Branching device 11 connects submarine optical cable 81 and submarine optical cable 82 to each other. This connection includes connecting the optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cable 81 to the optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cable 82, as well as connecting the power lines included in submarine optical cable 81 to the power lines included in submarine optical cable 82.

[0008] The branching device 12 connects the submarine optical cable 81 and the submarine optical cable 83 to each other. This connection includes the connection (branching) of the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 81 with the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 83, and the connection (branching) of the power line included in the submarine optical cable 81 with the power line included in the submarine optical cable 83.

[0009] With the above configuration, the submarine optical cable system 50 enables optical communication between the land stations 31 to 34 .

[0010] In fact, each of the branching devices 11 and 12 is an optical connection switching device that switches the connection between the optical fiber cores, and such optical connection switching devices are generally referred to as branching devices. Therefore, in the description given below, such optical connection switching devices are also referred to as branching devices in some cases.

[0011] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A conceptual diagram of a state in which a fault has occurred in submarine optical cable system 50. Due to a fault at location A, the communication path between branch equipment 11 and branch equipment 12 is unusable. Consequently, optical communication with significant traffic cannot be established between land stations 31 and 32. This situation persists until submarine optical cable 81 recovers from the fault. In this way, when a fault occurs in a submarine optical cable, optical communication via the submarine cable cannot be established until the submarine cable is replaced, for example.

[0012] Here, PTL 1 discloses an optical cable system including a redundant optical cable having one end connected to an optical branching device and having built-in first and second elongated branch optical fiber pairs.

[0013] Furthermore, PTL 2 discloses a branching device including a backup circuit system including cables branched to multiple directions and capable of performing switching from an active system having a failure to the backup circuit system when a failure occurs.

[0014] [Citation List]

[0015] [Patent Document]

[0016] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H07-087013

[0017] [PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H04-137828 Summary of the Invention

[0018] [Technical Issues]

[0019] A problem with general-purpose submarine optical cable systems arises when additional facilities for optical communication with other land stations are planned to be installed in the future. This is because when additional branching equipment, submarine optical cables, etc. are planned to be installed in the future for connecting to other land stations, the configuration of the additional facilities to be installed must be determined from the outset.

[0020] For example, Figure 3 As shown in (a), it is assumed that a configuration connected to the land station 35 is additionally installed in the submarine cable system 50 in the future. Figure 3 In the submarine cable system 50 in (a), not shown Figure 1The relay amplification equipment 2a, 2d, 2e and 2f, the branch equipment 11 and 12, the land stations 33 and 34, and the submarine optical cables 82 and 83.

[0021] In this case, before the additional installation, the branch device 13 needs to be pre-installed. This is because, in order to perform the additional installation later, the large-volume optical communication between the land stations 31 and 32 needs to be stopped during the additional installation period. Such a stop cannot be performed in practice. Therefore, for example, when the branch device 13 is composed of Figure 3 (b) shows a 1×2 switch configuration, it is practically impossible to change the configuration to Figure 3 (c) 2×2 switch shown. Therefore, there is also a limit to the degree of flexibility in selecting which optical fiber core included in the submarine cable 81 is to be connected to the optical fiber core included in the submarine cable to establish a connection with the land station 35.

[0022] An object of the present invention is to provide a submarine optical cable system or the like which increases the degree of flexibility in the configurations to be additionally installed.

[0023] [Solution to the problem]

[0024] A submarine optical cable system according to the present invention includes: a first switching device connected to a first land station via a first submarine optical cable; a second switching device connected to a second land station via a second submarine optical cable; and a third submarine optical cable connected to the first switching device and the second switching device, wherein the first switching device includes: a first optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and a first optical switch group that switches the connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable to either the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable or the first optical fiber core connection unit based on transmitted first optical connection switching information, and the second switching device includes: a second optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and a second optical switch group that switches the connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable to either the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable or the second optical fiber core connection unit based on transmitted second optical connection switching information.

[0025] [Advantageous Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The submarine optical cable system or the like according to the present invention increases the degree of flexibility in configurations to be additionally installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a general-purpose submarine optical cable system.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram showing a state where a failure occurs in a general submarine optical cable system.

[0029] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which additional installations can be performed in a general submarine optical cable system.

[0030] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a submarine optical cable system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a portion related to optical signal transmission in the submarine optical cable system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a branch device according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a portion related to a power supply in the submarine optical cable system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a submarine optical cable system that is redundantly configured by additionally installing an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0035] Figure 9 It is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a portion related to optical transmission in a submarine optical cable system that is redundantly configured by additionally installing an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0036] Figure 10 It is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a portion related to a power supply in a submarine optical cable system that is redundantly configured by additionally installing an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0037] Figure 11 It is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a failure occurs in a submarine optical cable system that is redundantly configured by additionally installing an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0038] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a submarine optical cable system in which a configuration for establishing optical communication with another land station is additionally installed in an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0039] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a portion related to optical transmission in a submarine optical cable system, in which a configuration for establishing optical communication with another land station is additionally installed in an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0040] Figure 14is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a portion related to a power supply in a submarine optical cable system, in which a configuration for establishing optical communication with another land station is additionally installed in an additional installation predetermined portion.

[0041] Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a minimum configuration of a submarine optical cable system according to example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 4 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a submarine optical cable system 50 as an example of a submarine optical cable system according to the present exemplary embodiment. The additional installation scheduled portion 91 is a portion scheduled for additional installation.

[0043] exist Figure 4 In submarine optical cable system 50, branching device 13 is connected to submarine optical cable 811, and branching device 14 is connected to submarine optical cable 812. Branching device 13 and branching device 14 are interconnected via submarine optical cable 84. This connection involves an optical connection using an optical fiber pair and an electrical connection using a power cord. Here, an optical fiber pair is a pair of optical fiber cores through which optical signals travel in opposite directions. The number of optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cable 84 is, for example, equal to the number of optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cables 811 or 812.

[0044] The branching device 13 allows the optical signal transmitted from the land station 31 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 811 to enter the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 84. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 13 can also distribute the optical signal to the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable included in the additionally installed portion.

[0045] The branching device 13 further allows the optical signal transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 84 to enter the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 811. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 13 can also allow the optical signal transmitted from the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable included in the additional installation portion to enter the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 811.

[0046] Branching device 13 includes an optical switch that switches the incoming optical signals. For example, the optical switch switches the optical fiber core serving as the connection destination based on optical connection switching information transmitted from land station 31 via the optical fiber core of submarine optical cable 811. This optical connection information may be transmitted from land station 32 via the optical fiber core of submarine optical cable 84.

[0047] The branching device 13 also connects the power line included in the submarine optical cable 811 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable 84. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 13 can also connect the power line of the submarine optical cable 811 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable included in the additional installation portion.

[0048] The branch device 13 includes a connection switching unit (electrical switch) for performing such connection switching. For example, the connection switching unit switches the power line serving as the connection destination based on power switching information transmitted from the land station 31 via the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable 811. The power switching information may be transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable 84.

[0049] The branch device 14 has a configuration similar to that of the branch device 13 and performs similar operations.

[0050] In other words, the branching device 14 causes the optical signal transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 812 to enter the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 84. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 14 is also capable of distributing the optical signal transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 812 to the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable included in the additional installation portion.

[0051] The branching device 14 further allows the optical signal transmitted from the land station 31 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 84 to enter the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 812. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 14 can also allow the optical signal transmitted via the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable included in the additional installation portion to enter the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 812.

[0052] Branching device 14 includes an optical switch that switches the optical signal. For example, the optical switch switches the optical fiber core serving as the connection destination based on optical connection switching information transmitted from land station 32 via the optical fiber core of submarine optical cable 812. Optical connection switching information can be transmitted from land station 31 via the optical fiber core of submarine optical cable 84.

[0053] The branching device 14 also connects the power line included in the submarine optical cable 812 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable 84. It should be noted that when the additional installation predetermined portion 91 is additionally installed, the branching device 14 can also connect the power line of the submarine optical cable 812 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable included in the additional installation portion.

[0054] The branch device 14 includes a connection switching unit (electrical switch) for performing such connection switching. For example, the connection switching unit switches the power line serving as the connection destination based on power switching information transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable 812. Alternatively, the power switching information may be transmitted from the land station 31 via the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable 84.

[0055] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A conceptual diagram of an example of a configuration of a portion related to optical signal transmission in a submarine optical cable system 50. Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 A conceptual diagram of a configuration example of the branch device 13 in FIG.

[0056] Land stations 31 and 32 include transmission equipment 31b and 32b. Submarine optical cable 811 includes optical fiber pairs 71 to 73. Submarine optical cable 812 includes optical fiber pairs 7a to 7c. Submarine optical cable 84 includes optical fiber pairs 74 to 76.

[0057] The branching device 13 includes optical switch pairs 1 to 3, a receiving unit 13c, and a control unit 13b. The optical signal extracted from the lower optical fiber core of the optical fiber pair 73 by the coupler 51 is transmitted to the receiving unit 13c. Figure 5 The transmission device 31b in FIG. 1 transmits an optical signal to the transmission device 32b, and in some cases, a control signal to the branch device 13 may be superimposed on the optical signal.

[0058] Receiving unit 13c receives control information addressed to branch device 13 and transmits the received signal to control unit 13b. When the control signal includes optical connection switching information for switching the connection destinations of optical switch pairs 1 to 3, control unit 13b complies with the optical connection switching information. In other words, control unit 13b complies with the optical connection switching information and causes each of optical switch pairs 1 to 3 to switch the connection destinations of each of optical fiber pairs 71 to 73 to each of optical fiber pairs 74 to 74 or to each of optical fiber pairs 77 to 79. Optical fiber pairs 77 to 79 constitute optical fiber pair group 61.

[0059] Figure 5 The branch device 14 in is similar to this.

[0060] It should be noted that Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the present invention, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the number of optical fiber pairs included in one submarine optical cable is three pairs, and the number of optical fiber pairs included in one submarine optical cable is freely selected. Generally, the number of optical fiber pairs included in one submarine optical cable is four or more pairs.

[0061] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6In the submarine optical cable system 50, optical switch pairs 1 to 3 of branching device 13 connect optical fiber pairs 71 to 73 to optical fiber pairs 74 to 76. Furthermore, the ends of each optical fiber pair in optical fiber pair group 61, including optical fiber pairs not connected to any of optical fiber pairs 71 to 73 and optical fiber pairs 74 to 76, are open. When additional installation is subsequently performed, optical fiber pair group 61 is pulled out of branching device 13 via an optical cable, connected to the optical fiber pairs of the submarine optical cable for additional installation, and one end of each optical fiber is housed in a connection housing. Inside the connection housing, each optical fiber undergoes end termination to prevent reflection at the end surface, and the ends are open.

[0062] The branch device 14 is similar to this.

[0063] Figure 7 It shows Figure 4 A conceptual diagram of the power supply-related portion of the submarine optical cable system 50. Land stations 31 and 32 include power supply devices 31a and 32a. Power lines 811a and 84a are included in Figure 4 The power lines in the submarine optical cables 811 and 84 are used to supply power from the power supply devices 31a and 32a to the branch devices and the relay amplifier device. The branch devices 13 and 14 include power switching units 13a and 14a.

[0064] The power switching unit 13a connects the power line 811a to the power line 84a. Figure 4 When the additional installation scheduled portion 91 in the branch device is additionally installed, the power switching unit 13a follows the power switching information included in the control information transmitted from the land station 31 or 32. In other words, the power switching unit 13a follows the power switching information, and the power line associated with the additional installation scheduled portion 91 in the submarine optical cable included in the actual additional installation portion is switched to the connection destination of the power line 811a. For example, the land station 31 or 32 transmits the power switching information to the branch device 13 via any one of the optical fiber pairs connected to the branch device 13. The method of transmitting the power switching information is similar to the above-mentioned method of transmitting the optical connection switching information transmitted for switching the optical switch pair. For example, Figure 6 The receiving unit 13c can receive the power switching information, and the control unit 13b can switch based on the power switching information. Figure 7 The power switching unit 13a.

[0065] Power switching unit 14a is also similar to power switching unit 13a.

[0066] exist Figure 7In the submarine optical cable system 50, power terminal 85aa, which is not connected to either power line 811a or 84a, is housed in the aforementioned housing for connection outside branching device 13 and protected in such a manner that it can be connected to the power line of an additional submarine optical cable when additional installation is performed later. Power terminal 85aa is grounded by connecting the power line connected to power terminal 85aa to ground 87a in branching device 13. Ground 87a is, for example, the sea ground.

[0067] The branch device 14 is similar to this.

[0068] exist Figure 4 There are two main methods for performing additional installation in the portion 91 to be installed. In one method, the portion 91 to be installed is configured similarly to the configuration including the submarine optical cable 84 and the relay amplifiers 2g and 2h, and is redundantly configured. In the other method, a device capable of optical communication with another land station is additionally installed in the portion 91 to be installed.

[0069] First, the case of redundant configuration will be described. Figure 8 is shown by additionally installing Figure 4 A conceptual diagram of a submarine optical cable system 50 configured for redundancy by additionally installing predetermined portions.

[0070] Figure 8 The branching device 13 in the embodiment can distribute the optical signal transmitted from the land station 31 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 811 to the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 84 and the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 85. The branching device 13 can also distribute the optical signal transmitted via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 811 to either of the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 84 and the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 85.

[0071] The branching device 13 is further capable of causing the optical signal transmitted from the land station 32 via the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cables 84 and 85 to enter the optical fiber pair included in the submarine optical cable 811 .

[0072] exist Figure 8 In the state of being connected, the branch device 13 connects the power line included in the submarine optical cable 811 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable 84. The right end portion of the power line included in the submarine optical cable 84 is connected to the ground 87c through the branch device 14. Thus, current flows from the power supply device included in the land station 31 to the ground 87c, and power is supplied to the submarine optical cables 811 and 84.

[0073] exist Figure 8In the state of the left submarine optical cable 812, the branch device 14 connects the power line included in the left submarine optical cable 812 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable 85. The left end portion of the power line included in the submarine optical cable 85 is connected to the ground 87a through the branch device 13. As a result, current flows from the power supply device included in the land station 32 to the ground 87c, and power is supplied to the submarine optical cables 812 and 85.

[0074] The branching device 13 can change the connection destination of the power line included in the submarine optical cable 811 from Figure 8 to the power line included in the submarine optical cable 85. In addition, the branch device 14 can switch the connection destination of the power line included in the submarine optical cable 812 from Figure 8 The state is switched to the power line included in the submarine cable 84. In this way, Figure 8 The submarine optical cable system is redundantly configured in the portion between the branch device 13 and the branch device 14 .

[0075] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 A conceptual diagram of an example of a configuration of a portion related to optical transmission in a submarine optical cable system 50. Figure 10 It shows Figure 8 Conceptual diagram of a power supply system in a submarine optical cable system 50. It is assumed that the contents of these drawings can be analogized and understood from the explanation given above, and therefore, the explanation thereof is omitted to avoid complexity.

[0076] Figure 11 It shows Figure 8 A conceptual diagram of a state where a fault occurs in the submarine optical cable system 50. Figure 11 In the submarine optical cable system 50, the branching device 13 connects the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 811 to the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 85. Furthermore, the branching device 13 connects the power line of the submarine optical cable 811 to the power line of the submarine optical cable 85. Furthermore, the branching device 14 connects the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 812 to the optical fiber pair of the submarine optical cable 85. Furthermore, the branching device 14 connects the power line of the submarine optical cable 812 to the power line of the submarine optical cable 85.

[0077] As described above, even when a failure occurs at the position A of the submarine optical cable 84 , the land stations 31 and 32 can establish optical communication with each other by using the submarine optical cable 85 .

[0078] Then, a configuration capable of optical communication with another land station is additionally installed. Figure 4 The situation in the additional installation predetermined part 91 is explained.

[0079] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a submarine optical cable system 50 in which a configuration for establishing a connection with another land station is additionally installed. Figure 4 The additional installation scheduled portion 91 is configured as the additional installation portion 92. The additional installation portion 92, which is the additionally installed portion, includes the submarine optical cables 85 and 86, the branching device 15, the relay amplification devices 2i to 2k, and the land station 35.

[0080] Branching device 15 connects some or all of the optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cable 85 to the optical fiber pairs included in submarine optical cable 86. Branching device 15 includes an optical switch for switching connections. The optical switch follows optical connection switching information transmitted from any of land stations 31, 32, and 35 and switches the connections of the optical fiber pairs between the submarine optical cables. For example, the method described above for transmitting control information from land station 31 to branching device 13 is also applicable to the method for transmitting optical connection switching information from land stations 31, 32, or 35.

[0081] The branch device 15 further includes a connection switching unit (electric switch) that switches the connection destination of the power supply line included in the submarine optical cable 86 based on the above-mentioned control information.

[0082] Using the above configuration, Figure 12 The submarine optical cable system 50 can establish optical communication between the land station 35 and either or both of the land stations 31 and 32 .

[0083] Figure 13 It shows Figure 12 A conceptual diagram of the portion of the submarine optical cable system 50 related to optical signal transmission. Figure 13 , the branching device 15 connects any one of the optical fiber pairs 77 to 79 to the optical fiber pair 7d included in the submarine optical cable 86, which is connected to the transmission device 35b included in the land station 35. Thus, the transmission device 35b can perform optical communication with one or both of the transmission devices 31b and 32b.

[0084] The branching device 15 connects any freely selected pair of the optical fiber pairs 77 to 79 to the optical fiber pair 7d. Furthermore, the internal configuration of the branching device 15 used to establish this connection is freely selected. Furthermore, the branching device 15 can be configured in such a manner that the submarine optical fiber cable 86 includes optical fiber pairs other than the optical fiber pair 7d, and each of these optical fiber pairs is connected to any one of the optical fiber pairs 77 to 79.

[0085] Figure 14 It shows Figure 12 A conceptual diagram of the power supply-related portion of the submarine optical cable system 50. Figure 14 In the embodiment, the power supply switching unit 15a included in the branch device 15 connects the power line 85a supplied from the power supply device 35a included in the land station 35 to the power supply device 35a included in the land station 35. Figure 12 The power line 86a in the submarine optical cable 86.

[0086] It should be noted that a configuration may be adopted in which the power supply line 86a is not connected to the power supply line 85a. In such a case, the power supply switching unit 15a may be omitted.

[0087] As can be understood from the explanation given above, the configuration of the branching equipment 15, the submarine optical cable 86 and the land station 35 is highly flexible. Figure 4 The submarine optical cable system 50 enables such additional installations to be carried out in a highly flexible manner without interrupting the high-capacity optical communications between the land station 31 and the land station 32.

[0088] In this way, in Figure 4 In the submarine cable system 50 shown before the additional installation, Figure 3 Compared to the general submarine optical cable system 50 shown, a high degree of design flexibility is ensured regarding the configuration of the additional installation predetermined portion 91.

[0089] [Effect]

[0090] The submarine optical cable system according to this exemplary embodiment implements an additional installation that provides a communication path between two branch devices with a redundant configuration. Therefore, even when a failure occurs in one communication path, communication can be established by first performing an additional installation that provides a redundant configuration between those branch devices using the other communication path.

[0091] Furthermore, when additional installation is performed in the section between those branch devices to establish optical communication with another land station, the submarine optical cable system enables additional installation of a configuration for establishing optical communication with another land station in another communication path while maintaining optical communication between existing land stations in one communication path. Thus, the submarine optical cable system enables a higher degree of configuration flexibility in additional installation for establishing optical communication with another land station.

[0092] Figure 15 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of a submarine optical cable system 50x, which is a minimum configuration of a submarine optical cable system according to an exemplary embodiment. Submarine optical cable system 50x includes a first switching device 13x, a second switching device 14x, and a third submarine optical cable 84x. First switching device 13x is connected to a first land station via a first submarine optical cable. Second switching device 14x is connected to a second land station via a second submarine optical cable. Third submarine cable 84x is connected to both first switching device 13x and second switching device 14x.

[0093] The first switching device 13x includes a first optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable associated with the third submarine optical cable 84x is allowed to be connected. The first switching device 13x also includes a first optical switch group that switches the connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable to either the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable 84x or the first optical fiber core connection unit based on the transmitted first optical connection switching information.

[0094] Second switching device 14x includes a second optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of the submarine optical cable associated with third submarine optical cable 84x is connected. Second switching device 14x also includes a second optical switch group that switches the connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable based on the transmitted second optical connection switching information. The second switch group switches the connection destination to either the optical fiber core included in third submarine optical cable 84x or the second optical fiber core connection unit.

[0095] With the above configuration, submarine optical cable system 50x enables additional installations in a redundantly configured communication path between first switching device 13x and second switching device 14x. Furthermore, submarine optical cable system 50x enables additional installations in a manner that establishes optical communication between at least one of the first and second land stations and the other land station while maintaining optical communication between the first and second land stations. Furthermore, submarine optical cable system 50x enables additional installations without interrupting optical communication between the first and second land stations, thereby ensuring a degree of flexibility in configurations for additional installations that establish optical communication with another land station.

[0096] As described above, the submarine optical cable system 50x improves the degree of flexibility of the configuration of the additional installation. Therefore, with the above configuration, the submarine optical cable system 50x exerts the effects described in the [Advantageous Effects of the Invention] section.

[0097] While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be added without departing from the basic technical concept of the present invention. For example, the configurations of the elements shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not limited to the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0098] The whole or part of the exemplary embodiments disclosed above can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0099] (Supplementary Note 1)

[0100] A submarine optical cable system comprising:

[0101] a first switching device connected to the first land station via a first submarine optical cable;

[0102] a second switching device connected to the second land station via a second submarine optical cable; and

[0103] A third submarine optical cable is connected to the first switching device and the second switching device, wherein

[0104] The first switching device includes:

[0105] a first optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and

[0106] a first optical switch group that switches a connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable to any one of the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable and the first optical fiber core connection unit based on the transmitted first optical connection switching information, and

[0107] The second switching device includes:

[0108] a second optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and

[0109] The second optical switch group switches the connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable to either the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable or the second optical fiber core connection unit based on the transmitted second optical connection switching information.

[0110] (Supplementary Note 2)

[0111] The submarine optical cable system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein

[0112] The first optical fiber core connection unit exists inside the housing of the first switching device, and the second optical fiber core connection unit exists inside the housing of the second switching device.

[0113] (Supplementary Note 3)

[0114] The submarine optical cable system according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein

[0115] The first optical fiber core connection unit and the second optical fiber core connection unit are protected.

[0116] (Supplementary Note 4)

[0117] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein

[0118] The first optical connection switching information and the second optical connection switching information are transmitted from any one of the first terrestrial station and the second terrestrial station.

[0119] (Supplementary Note 5)

[0120] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein

[0121] The first optical connection switching information is sent via the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and

[0122] The second optical connection switching information is sent via the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

[0123] (Supplementary Note 6)

[0124] The submarine optical cable system according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein

[0125] The first optical connection switching information is sent via an optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and

[0126] The second optical connection switching information is transmitted via an optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

[0127] (Supplementary Note 7)

[0128] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein

[0129] The first switching device includes:

[0130] a first power line connection unit to which a power line of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and

[0131] a first electric switch that switches a connection destination of a power line included in the first submarine optical cable to a first power line connection unit based on first power switching information transmitted from the first land station or the second land station, and

[0132] The second switching device includes:

[0133] a second power line connection unit to which a power line of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and

[0134] A second electric switch switches a connection destination of a power line included in the second submarine optical cable to the second power line connection unit based on second power switching information transmitted from the first land station or the second land station.

[0135] (Supplementary Note 8)

[0136] The submarine optical cable system according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein

[0137] The first power line connection unit exists inside the housing of the first switching device, and the second power line connection unit exists inside the housing of the second switching device.

[0138] (Supplementary Note 9)

[0139] The submarine optical fiber cable system according to Supplementary Note 7 or 8, wherein

[0140] The first power line connection unit and the second power line connection unit are protected.

[0141] (Supplementary Note 10)

[0142] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 9, wherein

[0143] The first power switching information and the second power switching information are transmitted from any one of the first land station and the second land station.

[0144] (Supplementary Note 11)

[0145] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 7 to 10, wherein

[0146] The first power switching information is sent via the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and

[0147] The second power switching information is sent via the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

[0148] (Supplementary Note 12)

[0149] The submarine optical cable system according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein

[0150] The first power switching information is sent via an optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and

[0151] The second power switching information is transmitted via an optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

[0152] (Supplementary Note 13)

[0153] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, further comprising at least one of a first submarine optical cable and a second submarine optical cable.

[0154] (Supplementary Note 14)

[0155] The submarine optical cable system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, further comprising at least one of the first land station and the second land station.

[0156] Here, examples of the association between the terms in the supplementary explanation given above and the terms used before the supplementary explanation are as follows. "First land station" is associated with, for example Figure 4 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 In addition, the "first submarine optical cable" is associated with the land station 31 in Figure 4 or Figure 5 In addition, the "first switching device" is associated with the submarine optical cable 811 in Figure 4 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 Branch device 13 or Figure 15 The first switching device 13x in is associated.

[0157] Furthermore, the “second land station” is connected to e.g. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 In addition, the "second submarine optical cable" is associated with the land station 32 in Figure 4 or Figure 5 In addition, the "second switching device" is associated with the submarine optical cable 812 in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 Branch device 14 or Figure 15 The second switching device 14x in is associated.

[0158] Furthermore, the “third submarine cable” is connected to e.g. Figure 4 or Figure 5 Submarine cable 84 or Figure 15 In addition, the "first optical fiber core connection unit" is associated with the third submarine optical cable 84x in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 or Figure 6 In addition, the "first optical connection switching information" is associated with the open end of the optical fiber pair group 61 in the optical fiber pair group 61. Figure 6 The connection switching information in the control information received by the receiving unit 13c is associated with the connection switching information.

[0159] Furthermore, the “first optical switch group” and the Figure 6 The optical switch groups of the optical switch pairs 1 to 3 in FIG. 1 are associated with each other. In addition, the “second optical fiber core connection unit” is associated with, for example, Figure 5 In addition, the "second optical connection switching information" is associated with the connection switching information included in the control information received by the receiving unit, which is included in the control information received by the receiving unit. Figure 6 In the "second switching device" associated with the receiving unit 13c in.

[0160] Furthermore, the "second optical switch group" is associated with, for example, an optical switch group including an optical switch pair, the optical switch group including Figure 6 In the "second switching device" associated with the optical switch pairs 1 to 3 in . In addition, the "submarine optical cable system" is related to, for example Figure 4 、 Figure 5 or Figure 7 Submarine cable system 50 or Figure 15 Associated with the submarine cable system 50x.

[0161] Furthermore, the "first power line connection unit" is different from, for example, Figure 7 In addition, the "first power supply switching information" is associated with the power supply terminal 85aa in the Figure 6 The power switching information in the control information received by the receiving unit 13c in the embodiment is associated with the power switching information. In addition, the "first power switch" is associated with, for example, Figure 7 In addition, the "second power line connection unit" is associated with, for example, the power switching unit 13a. Figure 7 In addition, the "second power supply switching information" is associated with the power supply switching information included in the control information received by the receiving unit, which is included in the control information received by the receiving unit. Figure 6 The receiving unit 13c is associated with Figure 7 In the branch device 14. In addition, the "second electric switch" is similar to, for example, Figure 7 Associated with the power switching unit 14a in.

[0162] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims.

[0163] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2020-141351, filed on August 25, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0164] [Reference Signs List]

[0165] 1,2,3 optical switch pair

[0166] 11,12,13 branch equipment

[0167] 13a, 14a power switching unit

[0168] 13b Control Unit

[0169] 13c Receiving unit

[0170] 13x First Switching Device

[0171] 14x Secondary Switching Devices

[0172] 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2i, 2j, 2k relay amplifier equipment

[0173] 31,32,33,34,35 land stations

[0174] 31a, 32a, 35a power supply equipment

[0175] 31b, 32b, 35b transmission equipment

[0176] 50,50x submarine cable system

[0177] 51 Coupler

[0178] 61 fiber pairs

[0179] Fiber pairs 71,72,72,74,75,76,77,78,79,7a,7b,7c,7d

[0180] 91 Additional installation scheduled part

[0181] 81,811,812,82,83,84,85 submarine cables

[0182] 84x Third Submarine Cable

[0183] 81a, 85a power cord

[0184] 87a, 87b, 87c, 87d

Claims

1. A submarine optical cable system comprising: a first switching device connected to a first land station via a first submarine optical cable; a second switching device connected to a second land station via a second submarine optical cable; as well as a third submarine optical cable connected to the first switching device and the second switching device, wherein The first switching device includes: a first optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and a first optical switch group that switches a connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable to any one of the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable and the first optical fiber core connection unit based on the transmitted first optical connection switching information; and The second switching device includes: a second optical fiber core connection unit to which the optical fiber core of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; and a second optical switch group that switches a connection destination of the optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable to either the optical fiber core included in the third submarine optical cable or the second optical fiber core connection unit based on the transmitted second optical connection switching information.

2. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 1, wherein The first optical fiber core connection unit exists inside the housing of the first switching device, and the second optical fiber core connection unit exists inside the housing of the second switching device.

3. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first optical fiber core connection unit and the second optical fiber core connection unit are protected.

4. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first optical connection switching information and the second optical connection switching information are transmitted from any one of the first land station and the second land station.

5. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first optical connection switching information is sent via the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and The second optical connection switching information is sent via the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

6. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 5, wherein The first optical connection switching information is sent via an optical fiber core included in the first submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable, and The second optical connection switching information is transmitted via an optical fiber core included in the second submarine optical cable or the third submarine optical cable.

7. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first switching device includes: a first power line connection unit, to which a power line of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; as well as a first electrical switch that switches a connection destination of a power line included in the first submarine optical cable to the first power line connection unit based on first power switching information transmitted from the first land station or the second land station, and The second switching device includes: a second power line connection unit, to which a power line of a submarine optical cable equivalent to the third submarine optical cable is allowed to be connected; as well as a second electrical switch that switches a connection destination of a power line included in the second submarine optical cable to the second power line connection unit based on second power switching information transmitted from the first land station or the second land station.

8. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 7, wherein The first power line connection unit exists inside the housing of the first switching device, and the second power line connection unit exists inside the housing of the second switching device.

9. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 7, wherein The first power line connection unit and the second power line connection unit are protected.

10. The submarine optical cable system according to claim 7, wherein The first power switching information and the second power switching information are transmitted from any one of the first land station and the second land station.

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