Passive optical network for utility infrastructure resiliency

Abstract

A secure, layered, robust and deterministic converged communication architecture is described that is capable of supporting multiple distribution automation devices / components with support for fiber failover protection.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing related applications

[0002] This application is an international application claiming priority to U.S. Application No. 17 / 222,710, filed April 5, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Maintaining data integrity and maximum system availability are critical objectives for power distribution systems. For example, substations and associated equipment / components require zero recovery time redundancy to ensure uninterrupted power supply to end users. As legacy infrastructure becomes obsolete, the integrity of power distribution systems is compromised. Power distribution systems with advanced sensing, communication, and rapid failover protection are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It should be understood that the following general description and detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting. Methods and systems for passive optical networks (PONs) for utility infrastructure resilience are described.

[0005] A method is described comprising: determining a fault by at least one of a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with a substation power distribution system, the fault being associated with a portion of a plurality of sections of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system, wherein each of the plurality of optical communication nodes communicates with at least one portion of the plurality of sections of the first optical fiber communication path and at least one power recloser associated with at least one portion of the first optical fiber communication path; based on the fault, switching the connection to the portion of the first optical fiber communication path to a connection to a portion of a plurality of sections of a second optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system; causing the at least one power recloser to associate the power connection associated with the portion of the first optical fiber communication path with the portion of the second optical fiber communication path; and causing information transmitted via at least another portion of the plurality of sections of the first optical fiber communication path to be transmitted via the portion of the second optical fiber communication path.

[0006] A method comprising the following is also described: determining a fault by a first optical communication node among a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with a substation power distribution system, the fault being associated with a second optical communication node among the plurality of optical communication nodes, wherein the second optical communication node is associated with a portion of a plurality of portions of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system; and, based on the fault, causing information transmitted via the first optical fiber communication path to the second optical communication node to be transmitted via the second optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system to the first optical communication node.

[0007] This invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the disclosure, but merely to outline certain features and variations thereof. Other details and features will be described in the following sections. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate examples and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

[0009] Figure 1 Example system is shown;

[0010] Figure 2 Example system is shown;

[0011] Figure 3 Example system is shown;

[0012] Figure 4 Example system is shown;

[0013] Figure 5 Example system is shown;

[0014] Figures 6A-6B Example system is shown;

[0015] Figure 7 The test results of the example system are shown;

[0016] Figure 8 Example methods are shown;

[0017] Figure 9 Example methods are shown; and

[0018] Figure 10 A block diagram of a computing device for implementing the example system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass plural objects unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. A range may be expressed herein as beginning “about” one particular value and / or ending “about” another particular value. When such ranges are expressed, another configuration includes one particular value and / or ending at another particular value. When a value is expressed as an approximation using the preposition “about”, it should be understood that the particular value forms another configuration. It should also be understood that the endpoints of each range are obvious relative to and independent of the other endpoint.

[0020] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the event or situation described below may or may not occur, and the description includes both the possibility that the event or situation will occur and the possibility that it will not occur.

[0021] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to” and are not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers, or steps. “Exemplary” means “an instance of…” and is not intended to convey indications of preferred or ideal configurations. “Like” is not limiting but for purposes of interpretation.

[0022] It should be understood that while specific references may not be explicitly provided for describing the composition, subsets, interactions, groups, etc., of each component when describing their combination, subsets, interactions, etc., each is specifically considered and described herein. This applies to all parts of this application, including but not limited to the steps in the described methods. Therefore, if various additional executable steps exist, it should be understood that each of these additional steps can be performed using any particular configuration or combination of configurations of the described methods.

[0023] As those skilled in the art will understand, hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware can be implemented. Furthermore, a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-transitory) has processor-executable instructions (e.g., computer software) embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium can be used, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, memristors, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), flash memory, or combinations thereof.

[0024] Throughout this application, reference is made to the block diagrams and flowcharts. It should be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowcharts, as well as combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flowcharts, can be implemented by processor-executable instructions. These processor-executable instructions can be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the processor-executable instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0025] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the processor-executable instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of writing comprising processor-executable instructions for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks. The processor-executable instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the processor-executable instructions executing on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart blocks.

[0026] Therefore, the blocks in block diagrams and flowcharts support combinations of means for performing a specified function, combinations of steps for performing a specified function, and program instruction means for performing a specified function. It should also be understood that each block in a block diagram and flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks in block diagrams and flowcharts, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions that performs the specified function or steps.

[0027] This detailed description may refer to a given entity performing certain actions. It should be understood that, in some cases, this language may mean that a system (e.g., a computer) owned and / or controlled by a given entity is actually performing actions.

[0028] The Passive Optical Network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience described herein is a communication infrastructure configured to provide a secure, layered, robust, and deterministic converged communication architecture. The described system supports and / or provides infrastructure for applications such as Distribution Automation (DA), Voltage Optimization (VO), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and / or any other utility applications. The core communication network supporting the PON can, for example, provide a main path to network management devices (e.g., data center devices, Network Operations Center (NOC) devices, cabin devices, etc.) and enable fast data communication (e.g., Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) data, Generic Substation Status Event (GSSE) data, enterprise applications, etc.) and failover support between substations and / or associated components (e.g., Optical Line Terminal (OLT), Optical Network Terminal (ONT) devices, endpoint devices, etc.). For example, the system described herein can operate between nodes (e.g., leaf devices, ridge devices, CPEs, etc.) at data rates of less than 10 milliseconds, with failover response (e.g., protection switching, etc.) times of less than 15 milliseconds. The core is highly robust with no single point of failure.

[0029] Passive Optical Networks (PONs) for Utility Infrastructure Resilience describe a system that includes redundant management and control of devices such as distribution automation (DA) equipment. In the event of a disaster that renders a system component, such as a communications hut / assembly room, inoperable, another component at a different location, such as another communications hut / assembly room, takes over communication with the DA equipment and / or any other devices, components, devices, and / or resources of the system to ensure management and control. The system may utilize a multi-ring structure, which includes at least a primary fiber optic signal path and auxiliary fiber optic signal paths (e.g., via 1GE protection links, 10GE protection links, etc.) that are monitored and managed. For example, the system may include a self-healing, dual-fiber path protection switching ring configuration. The path protection switching ring configuration may include, for example, at least two generator / receiver groups per location / node, with at least one generator / receiver group in each direction of the ring. For example, each location / node of the ring may include one or more circuits (and / or communication configurations) of a plurality of circuits interconnected and / or communicating with the ring. The generation and reception directions of each of the plurality of circuits can propagate along the same path around the ring. In the event of a single-fiber failure (and / or any other issues / problems, etc.) affecting only one transmission direction, both the transmitting and receiving sections of the selected circuit should be able to switch simultaneously to minimize the difference in propagation delay between transmission and reception.

[0030] The system can support multiple configurations, such as tree configuration, linear configuration, ring (e.g., multi-ring) configuration, ring branch configuration, etc. The system can, for example, support any industry-standard protocol and operate in a deterministic manner, thereby enabling a clear understanding of latency, throughput, capacity, routing algorithms, peer-to-peer communication, data prioritization, encryption, and failover schemes.

[0031] Figure 1System 100 is shown, which can be configured with / serves as a passive optical network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience. System 100 shows communication huts (e.g., communication assembly rooms, etc.) 101 and 102. Communication huts 101 and 102 may each contain multiple devices / components (e.g., optical line terminal units, gigabit switches (leaf / spine), electrical equipment, smart grid devices, distribution automation devices, utility control and / or facilitation devices, etc.). For example, communication hut 101 may contain an optical line terminal (OLT) 103 connected to a passive optical splitter / combiner 104, and communication hut 102 may contain an optical line terminal (OLT) 105 connected to a passive optical splitter / combiner 106. OLTs 103 and 105 can be common aggregation points for communications / services from field devices / assets such as optical network terminals, terminal access devices, etc. OLTs 103 and 105 can provide redundancy and / or failover protection to each other. For example, if OLT 103 is damaged, inoperable, and / or malfunctions, OLT 105 can take over the communications and / or services provided / performed by OLT 103, and vice versa. For instance, OLTs 103 and 105 can each communicate with splitters / combiners 104 and 106 respectively to connect to and / or communicate with Optimal Network Terminals (ONTs) 109-114 via protected fiber optic communication lines / connections 107 and 108. Splitters / combiners 104 and 106 create / enable fiber optic physical access for multiple ONTs to share a single OLT and can be configured for bidirectional communication, shared communication, single-trunk fiber optic communication, etc.

[0032] ONTs can be configured, for example, on poles. For instance, ONTs 109-114 can be located on poles distributed throughout the area and / or zone. For example, ONTs 109-110 can be located on pole 115, ONTs 111-112 on pole 116, and ONTs 113-114 on pole 117. For each pole, the ONT can be the primary ONT, and the other ONT can be the secondary ONT. ONTs 109 and 110 can provide redundancy and / or failover protection to each other. For example, if ONT 109 is damaged, inoperable, and / or fails, ONT 110 can take over the communications and / or services provided / performed by ONT 109, and vice versa. ONTs 111 and 112 can provide redundancy and / or failover protection to each other. For example, if ONT 111 is damaged, inoperable, and / or fails, ONT 112 can take over the communications and / or services provided / performed by ONT 111, and vice versa. ONTs 113 and 114 can provide redundancy and / or failover protection for each other. For example, if ONT 113 is damaged, inoperable, and / or fails, ONT 114 can take over the communications and / or services provided / performed by ONT 103, and vice versa.

[0033] The ONTs 109-114 can each have a small footprint and can be configured as / configured with power distribution automation devices and endpoint devices. For example, when using PON and ONT for network applications, the system 100 utilizes less IP addressing at each endpoint compared to using routers deployed at each endpoint.

[0034] Each of the ONT 109-114 units can individually feature low power consumption and flexible control / configuration options. Each ONT 109-114 can be individually temperature-hardened (e.g., trouble-free or non-degrading operation in a temperature range of -40 to +70 degrees Celsius (-40 to +158 degrees Fahrenheit) under conditions of 5 to 90% relative humidity without condensation), lightweight, and easy to install (e.g., modular, etc.). For example, a large external cabinet is not required to mount the ONT 109-114 on poles 115-117.

[0035] Figure 2 This illustrates an example of an advanced configuration of a Passive Optical Network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience. System 200 can be used to support and expand communication for increased traffic and backup data paths for distribution automation devices after any network issues that redirect traffic to alternative or protective paths.

[0036] System 200 may include a main chain 201 (e.g., a main chain ring, etc.). Main chain 201 may be a high-capacity fiber optic communication path. Main chain 201 may be configured to prevent any single point of failure. For example, main chain 201 may connect all primary site (hub) redundant data centers 202 and 203. Data centers 202 and 203 may provide redundancy and / or failover protection to each other. For example, if data center 202 is damaged, inoperable, and / or fails, data center 203 may take over the communications and / or services provided / performed by data center 202, and vice versa.

[0037] Smaller area rings 205 and 206 can be connected to the main chain 201 via two different links 207 and 208 (e.g., fiber optic links, etc.), for example via communication cabins such as cabins 204a and 204d. Area ring 205 can be, for example, a high-speed and / or high-capacity fiber optic communication link and includes multiple redundant communication cabins configured with redundant communication paths, such as communication cabins 209a-e (e.g., OLT units, leaf / ridge units, OLT 104-105, etc.). Area ring 206 can include a high-speed and / or high-capacity fiber optic communication link and can be configured for power distribution. For example, area ring 206 can include multiple terminal access devices 210a-d associated with power distribution (e.g., power DA units, ONT units, ONT 109-114, etc.).

[0038] Figure 3This is a Passive Optical Network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience. System 300 may include multiple communication hut units 301-306 (e.g., leaf / ridge units, OLT units, OLT units 103 and 105, DA units 209a-e, network units, etc.) downstream of substation 307. Although shown as a single unit, each communication hut unit 301-306 may each contain multiple units. Communication hut units 301-306 may be located in / at a communication hut (e.g., a communication assembly room, etc.), each of which contains multiple units / components (e.g., optical line terminal units, gigabit switches (leaf / ridge), electrical equipment, smart grid units, distribution automation units, utility control and facilitation units, etc.). Communication hut units 301-306 enable the power associated with distribution assets to be remotely monitored and coordinated for optimal operation, for example, with or without manual intervention. This includes monitoring the health status of the communication infrastructure units at layers 1 to 3, the main communication path and secondary communication paths, and the endpoints. When infrastructure device or path failure or traffic pattern change occurs, alarms and alerts can be generated and propagated, and maintenance procedures (e.g., service failover, automatic reclosers, etc.) can be performed to quickly resolve the fault. The device according to claim can send a notification indicating at least one of the location of the fault, the potential cause of the fault, and the estimated repair time of the fault.

[0039] For example, each of communication booths 301-306 can be configured to determine / detect operating conditions of power distribution (e.g., via substation 307, via the power grid, etc.) and adjust operating conditions to improve overall power flow and optimize performance. Each of communication booths 301-306 may contain multiple PON components and / or switching devices / devices. Each of communication booths 301-306 can be configured to provide early detection of any device / component that may be damaged, inoperable, and / or faulty, allowing utilities to replace the device / component before a failure occurs. Each of communication booths 301-306 can be configured to immediately determine interruptions and / or similar events and identify specific devices that may be damaged, inoperable, and / or faulty. Communication booths 301-306 can be configured for redundancy to automatically detect and route problems, and ensure power / service restoration. For example, each of communication booths 301-306 can generate a continuity check message (CCM). Communication booths 301-306 can be configured for local switching for all peering traffic. During a partial PON failure, peer-to-peer traffic can be switched, for example, by the leaf / spine switches of communication cabins 301-306. System 300 can be configured such that it determines which endpoint device (e.g., ONT 317-320, etc.) has moved, depending on each communication cabin and / or associated DA device / app. For example, each DA device can determine the active / active communication path.

[0040] Each of the communication units 301-306 can communicate with, for example, a redundant unit of redundant units 307-314. Each redundant unit can be configured, for example, similar to system 100. For example, as shown in redundant unit 301, each redundant unit 307-314 may contain a redundant passive optical splitter / combiner that communicates with at least one of the communication units 301-306. For example, redundant unit 307 may contain a splitter / combiner 315 that communicates with communication unit 303 and a splitter / combiner 316 (e.g., a DA device, etc.) that communicates with communication unit 306. The splitter / combiner of each redundant unit 307-314 creates / enables fiber optic physical access for multiple ONTs (e.g., DA devices, etc.) of, for example, ONTs 317-320, to share the communication units (e.g., communication units 301-306, etc.), and can be configured for bidirectional communication, shared communication, single-trunk fiber optic communication, etc. As shown in the figure, each redundant unit 307-314 may include a splitter / combiner communicating with a communication cabin (e.g., communication cabins 301-306, etc.), wherein the splitter / combiner, such as 315, is configured (indicated by gray coloring) to operate along an active / working communication path, and the splitter / combiner, such as 316, is configured (indicated by white coloring) to operate along an inactive / failover communication path. For example, system 300 may include a high-speed and / or high-capacity fiber optic active / working communication path / loop 321 and a high-speed and / or high-capacity fiber optic inactive / failover communication path 322.

[0041] The ONT of each of the redundant units 307-314 can be configured, for example, on utility poles distributed throughout the area and / or zone. The redundant units 307-314 can provide redundancy and / or failover protection to each other.

[0042] Substation 307 may contain multiple substations and / or "drain points". Substation 307 may contain multiple intelligent power control and management devices conforming to grid standards. For example, substation 307 may contain at least two distinct and / or redundant routing devices 323 and 324. Routing devices 323 and 324 may be configured to act as a single logical entity using methods such as MC-LAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group), VRRP (Virtual Redundancy Protocol), and / or similar methods.

[0043] Figure 4 This shows an example configuration of system 300. For example, Figure 4System 300 with a spine / leaf architecture is shown. The spine / leaf architecture of system 300 can be configured with 1:1 Ethernet Linear Protection Switching (ELPS) on each CPE communicating with redundant units 307-314. Each CPE can be configured to select an active / active communication path. System 300 can be configured for a multi-chassis LAG to the core network, and for each additional leaf switch in a neighboring communication cabin. System 300 can be configured for active / standby LAGs. System 300 can be configured such that a Continuity Check Message (CCM) is generated by the local CPE closest to each communication cabin. System 300 can be configured for link state awareness on each leaf LAG interface to disable CCM if a path to the main spine switch is determined / detected by monitoring the physical links to the main spine switch. If a fault is detected, traffic can be forced into a protected path. System 300 can be configured for local switching within the OLT for all peer traffic. During a partial PON failure of system 300, peer traffic can be switched by the leaf / spine switches. System 300 can be configured to allow non-peer traffic to leave the network at the spine switch. System 300 can be configured, for example, for MACSec between the spine / leaf switch and multi-service access nodes.

[0044] Figure 5 This shows an example configuration of system 300. For example, Figure 5 System 300 with a root / leaf architecture is shown. The root / leaf architecture of system 300 can be configured with 1:1 Ethernet Linear Protection Switching (ELPS) on each CPE communicating with redundant units 307-314. Ethernet interfaces can provide bridging between two or more physically separated 1GE, 10GE, 10 / 100 / 1000Mb / s Ethernet / IEEE 802.3 LANs or chassis. The bridging can be protected via self-healing high-speed and / or high-capacity fiber rings and will switch traffic to an alternative path within 5 milliseconds or less after detecting loss on the working path. The interface can act as an intelligent bridge between chassis, LANs, and PON modules, exchanging only frames not locally addressed. The Ethernet interface can incorporate both Ethernet functionality and multiplexing and VLAN functionality in a single module to interface with PON network node optical transceiver modules. Ethernet interfaces allow users to allocate payload data rates (maximum to line rate) between 10Kb / s and 10Gb / s for inter-bridge transmission, depending on the Ethernet traffic between sites and the requirements for achieving speeds up to 10Gb / s at 1000M. A 10Gb / s rate may require the use of multiple protected 10GE-enabled switch uplink modules.

[0045] Each CPE can be configured to select a valid / active communication path. System 300 can be configured for a multi-chassis LAG to the core network, and for each additional leaf switch in a neighboring communication cabin. System 300 can be configured for active / standby LAGs. System 300 can be configured to generate a Continuity Check Message (CCM) by the local CPE closest to each communication cabin. System 300 can be configured to perform link-state awareness on each leaf LAG interface to disable CCM if a path to the main spine switch is determined / detected by monitoring the physical links to the main spine switch. If a fault is detected, traffic can be forced into a protection path. System 300 can be configured to perform local handover for all peering traffic within the OLT. During a partial PON failure of System 300, peering traffic can be handover by the leaf / spine switch. System 300 can be configured to allow non-peering traffic to leave the network at the spine switch. System 300 can be configured, for example, for MACSec between the spine switch and the leaf switch.

[0046] Figure 6A and 6B This document illustrates an example test configuration 600 for a passive optical network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience. Test configuration 600 can be used to verify the operation (e.g., redundancy / failover operation, etc.) of the systems described herein (e.g., systems 100-300, etc.). Test configuration 600 includes a spine-leaf aggregation configuration between a PON OLT chassis and configured routers. The routers are used to simulate different substation / cabin routers. Industrial spine and leaf switches are used. The OLT modules are designated TA5K-1 and TA5K-2.

[0047] EXFO.10.3.3.2 simulates a device / server with PON mainline infrastructure. Twenty (20) EXFO testers 111-130 are configured with 20 Mbps of untagged traffic to / from EXFO.10.3.3.2, totaling approximately 400 Mbps.

[0048] Twenty (20) EXFO testers 111-130 were configured with 20 Mbps unlabeled traffic streams between each other in a peer-to-peer communication scenario to simulate some DNP3 scenarios.

[0049] Figure 6B A better illustration of the G.8031 field is provided. Figure 6B This illustrates the G.8031 relationships between spine switches other than and / or alternatives to multi-chassis LAG groups. It is worth noting that the G.8031 domain extends from an endpoint (e.g., EXFO130) to either spine-02 or spine-01 switch.

[0050] Test configuration 600 is used to verify system configurations designed for automatic fault protection recovery. Protection switching provides path-level switching for fault detection and protection of 1GE, 10GE, and PON OLT port signals.

[0051] Figure 7 This section outlines the faults that occurred within Test Configuration 600 and the corresponding times for switching from the active working path to the backup protection path at various points in the distribution automation test bench. The network configuration consists of a spine-leaf aggregation switch configured between a PON OLT chassis and a Nokia router. Nokia 7705 routers are used to simulate different substation / cabin routers (e.g., routing units 323 and 324, etc.). Switching is completed in an average of <5 milliseconds.

[0052] exist Figure 8 In the embodiments shown, any device / component described herein may be configured to perform method 800, the method comprising: at 810, determining a fault by at least one of a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with a substation power distribution system, the fault being associated with a portion of a plurality of portions of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system, wherein each of the plurality of optical communication nodes communicates with at least a portion of the plurality of portions of the first optical fiber communication path and at least one power recloser associated with said at least a portion of the first optical fiber communication path.

[0053] At 820, based on a fault, the connection to the portion of the first optical fiber communication path is switched to a connection to a portion of a plurality of portions of a second optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system.

[0054] At 830, the at least one power recloser associates the power connection associated with the portion of the first fiber optic communication path with the portion of the second fiber optic communication path.

[0055] At 840, information transmitted via at least another portion of the plurality of portions of the first optical fiber communication path is transmitted via the portion of the second optical fiber communication path.

[0056] exist Figure 9 In the embodiments shown, any device / component described herein may be configured to perform method 900, the method comprising: at 910, determining a fault by a first optical communication node among a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with a substation power distribution system, the fault being associated with a second optical communication node among the plurality of optical communication nodes, wherein the second optical communication node is associated with a portion of a plurality of portions of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system.

[0057] At 920, based on a fault, information sent to the second optical communication node via the first optical fiber communication path is sent to the first optical communication node via the second optical fiber communication path associated with the power distribution system.

[0058] Figure 10 A system 1000 for a passive optical network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience is illustrated. Any device / component described herein may be and / or include a computer 1001, such as Figure 10 As shown in the image.

[0059] Computer 1001 may include one or more processors 1003, system memory 1012, and a bus 1013 that couples various components of computer 1001, including one or more processors 1003, to system memory 1012. In the case of multiple processors 1003, computer 1001 can utilize parallel computing.

[0060] Bus 1013 may include one or more of several possible types of bus structures, such as memory bus, memory controller, peripheral bus, accelerated graphics port, and processor or local bus using any of the various bus architectures.

[0061] Computer 1001 can operate on and / or include various computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory). Computer-readable media can be any available medium accessible to computer 1001, and includes non-transitory, volatile and / or non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. System memory 1012 has computer-readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or in the form of non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). System memory 1012 can store data, such as service interrupt data 1007, and / or program modules, such as operating system 1005 and failover software 1006, accessible and / or operable by one or more processors 1003.

[0062] Computer 1001 may also include other removable / non-removable, volatile / non-volatile computer storage media. Mass storage device 1004 can provide non-volatile storage for computer code, computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for computer 1001. Mass storage device 1004 may be a hard disk, removable disk, removable optical disk, magnetic tape cassette or other magnetic storage device, flash memory card, CD-ROM, digital multifunction disc (DVD) or other optical storage device, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc.

[0063] Any number of program modules can be stored on mass storage device 1004. Operating system 1005 and failover software 1006 can be stored on mass storage device 1004. One or more (or a combination thereof) of operating system 1005 and failover software 1006 may include program modules and failover software 1006. Service interruption data 1007 can also be stored on mass storage device 1004. Service interruption data 1007 can be stored in any of one or more databases known in the art. The databases can be centralized or distributed across multiple locations within network 1015.

[0064] Users can input commands and information into computer 1001 via input devices (not shown). Such input devices include, but are not limited to, keyboards, pointing devices (e.g., computer mice, remote controls), microphones, joysticks, scanners, tactile input devices such as gloves and other body coverings, motion sensors, etc. These and other input devices can be connected to one or more processors 1003 via human-machine interface 1002 coupled to bus 1013, but can be connected via other interfaces and bus structures such as parallel ports, game ports, IEEE 1394 ports (also known as FireWire ports), serial ports, network adapter 1008, and / or Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0065] Display device 1011 can also be connected to bus 1013 via an interface such as display adapter 1009. It is anticipated that computer 1001 may have more than one display adapter 1009 and more than one display device 1011. Display device 1011 may be a monitor, LCD (liquid crystal display), light-emitting diode (LED) display, television, smart lens, smart glass, and / or projector. In addition to display device 1011, other output peripherals may include components such as speakers (not shown) and printers (not shown), which may be connected to computer 1001 via input / output interface 1010. Any step and / or result of the method may be output (or cause to be output) to an output device in any form. Such output may be any form of visual representation, including but not limited to text, graphics, animation, audio, tactile feedback, etc. Display 1011 and computer 1001 may be part of or separate from a single device.

[0066] Computer 1001 can operate in a networked environment using a logical connection to one or more remote computing devices 1014a, b, c. The remote computing devices 1014a, b, c can be personal computers, computing stations (e.g., workstations), portable computers (e.g., laptops, mobile phones, tablets), smart devices (e.g., smartphones, smartwatches, activity trackers, smart clothing, smart accessories), security and / or monitoring devices, servers, routers, network computers, peer-to-peer devices, edge devices, or other common network nodes. The logical connection between computer 1001 and the remote computing devices 1014a, b, c can be established via a network 1015, such as a local area network (LAN) and / or a wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be established via a network adapter 1008. The network adapter 1008 can be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Such networked environments are common and routine in residential, office, enterprise computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

[0067] Application programs and other executable program components, such as operating system 1005, are shown herein as discrete blocks; however, it should be recognized that such programs and components may reside at various times in different storage components of computing device 1001 and be executed by one or more processors 1003 of computer 1001. Implementations of failover software 1006 may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer-readable medium. Any of the disclosed methods may be executed by processor-executable instructions embodied on a computer-readable medium.

[0068] Although a specific configuration has been described, it is not intended to limit the scope to the specific configuration described, as the configurations in this article are expected in all respects to be possible rather than restrictive.

[0069] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is not intended to interpret any method described herein as requiring its steps to be performed in a particular order. Therefore, unless a method claim explicitly enumerates the order in which its steps are to be followed, or unless the claims or description specifically state that the steps should be limited to a particular order, it is in no way intended that the order can be inferred. This applies to any possible non-explicit basis of interpretation, including: logical questions concerning the arrangement of steps or operational procedures; simple meanings derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of configurations described in the specification.

[0070] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practices described herein. The specification and described configurations are intended to be considered exemplary only, wherein the true scope and spirit are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for a passive optical network for utility infrastructure resilience, comprising: A fault is determined by at least one of a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with a substation power distribution system, the fault being associated with a portion of a plurality of portions of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the substation power distribution system, wherein each of the plurality of optical communication nodes communicates with at least a portion of the plurality of portions of the first optical fiber communication path and at least one power recloser associated with a portion of the first optical fiber communication path, wherein the plurality of optical communication nodes are in a spine / leaf architecture or a root / leaf architecture; Based on the fault, the connection to the portion of the first optical fiber communication path is switched to a connection to a portion of a plurality of portions of the second optical fiber communication path associated with the substation power distribution system. The at least one power recloser associates the power connection associated with the portion of the first optical fiber communication path with the portion of the second optical fiber communication path. as well as Information transmitted via at least another portion of the plurality of portions of the first optical fiber communication path is transmitted via the portion of the second optical fiber communication path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein switching the connection to the portion of the first optical fiber communication path to the connection to the portion of the second optical fiber communication path comprises switching the connection to the portion of the first optical fiber communication path to the connection to the portion of the second optical fiber communication path within 15 milliseconds or less.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fault is determined based on one or more signals of a protocol associated with a Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MC-LAG).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical communication node comprises a distribution automation (DA) device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical communication node comprises a communication cabin.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the communication cabin comprises at least one of an optical line terminal unit, a gigabit switch, electrical equipment, a smart grid device, and a utility management device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the gigabit switch comprises at least one of a line gigabit switch and a spine gigabit switch.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a notification indicating at least one of the location of the fault, the potential cause of the fault, and the estimated time to repair the fault.

9. An apparatus for a passive optical network for utility infrastructure resilience, comprising: One or more processors; as well as A memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

10. A system for a passive optical network (PON) for utility infrastructure resilience, comprising: A power distribution network, wherein the power distribution network is configured with a first optical fiber communication path and a second optical fiber communication path; Multiple power reclosers; At least one computing device among a plurality of computing devices, said at least one computing device being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

11. A method for a passive optical network for utility infrastructure resilience, comprising: A fault is determined by a first optical communication node among a plurality of optical communication nodes communicating with the substation power distribution system. The fault is associated with a second optical communication node among the plurality of optical communication nodes. The second optical communication node is associated with a portion of a plurality of portions of a first optical fiber communication path associated with the substation power distribution system. The plurality of optical communication nodes are in a ridge / leaf architecture or a root / leaf architecture. as well as Based on the fault, information sent to the second optical communication node via the first optical fiber communication path is sent to the first optical communication node via the second optical fiber communication path associated with the substation power distribution system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical communication nodes comprises a distribution automation (DA) device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one optical communication node comprises a communication cabin.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication cabin comprises at least one of an optical line terminal unit, a gigabit switch, electrical equipment, a smart grid device, and a utility management device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gigabit switch comprises at least one of a line gigabit switch and a spine gigabit switch.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a notification indicating at least one of the location of the fault, the potential cause of the fault, and the estimated time to repair the fault.

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