Active Optical Module Physical Layer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physical layer management (PLM) systems are patch panel-centric and lack the ability to track connections made at other devices such as switches, routers, and host devices, due to differences in cabling, particularly the use of active optical modules that are not integrated into these devices, resulting in limited access to connection information.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly with an active optical module attached to one end of an optical fiber, including a storage device with an identifier, and a passive optical connector at the other end with information associating it with the active module, allowing for the aggregation of physical layer information across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional patch panel-centric PLM systems are used, then connection tracking at patch panels is achieved, but connection tracking at host devices with active optical modules is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the passive optical connector and its storage device serve multiple functions: traditional patch panel connection tracking plus extended host device connection tracking. The passive-end storage device stores both patch panel port information and host device port information, enabling a single PLM system to manage connections across the entire network from patch panels to host devices, thereby eliminating the loss of connection information at host devices.
2Loss of information
If active optical modules are integrated into host devices, then connection tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection tracking functionality from the host device and places it in the passive optical connector's storage device. Instead of integrating active management capabilities into the host device, the solution uses the passive connector's storage to hold connection information, which is then accessed by the PLM system. This extraction approach enables connection tracking without adding complexity to the host device.
3Loss of information
If PLM systems are extended to track host device connections, then connection visibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the passive optical connector's storage device automatically store and provide connection information without requiring active management or complex processing. The storage device passively stores patch panel port information and host device port information, and the PLM system simply reads this pre-stored information to establish connections. This self-service approach extends PLM capabilities while minimizing added system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein are directed to a cable assembly including at least a first optical fiber extending from a first end to a second end and an active optical module (AOM) attached to the first end of the first optical fiber and including a first storage device that is electrically connected to the electrical connector. The cable assembly also includes a passive optical connector terminating the second end of the first optical fiber and including a second storage device. The first storage device includes an AOM identifier stored therein identifying the active optical module and the second storage device includes first information stored therein indicating that the first end of the first optical fiber is associated with the AOM identifier.