Adaptive Optical Modem Configuration for Transient Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical modems employ a static provisioning approach that is suboptimal for dynamic operating conditions, leading to inefficient use of signal-to-noise ratio margin due to uniform distribution assumptions about noise sources like polarization transients, which are not uniformly distributed, resulting in excessive bandwidth usage during periods of low transient activity.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive method for dynamically provisioning optical modem operating modes based on statistical properties of disturbances, such as arrival time and probability of transients, allowing for reduced margin allocation during low transient probability periods and increased tracking capability during transient events, using measurements and machine learning to adjust settings in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the maximum polarization tracking rate is increased to handle transient events, then the ability to track SOP transients is improved, but the quiescent noise from the tracking circuit increases which reduces available SNR margin

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSOP transient tracking capabilityVSAvoidquiescent noise from tracking circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the polarization tracking rate based on detected transient conditions. The system transitions from a static tracking rate to a variable tracking rate that increases during transient events and decreases during normal operation, resolving the contradiction by making the tracking capability adaptive rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameter (tracking rate) based on detected conditions. By monitoring for transient events and adjusting the tracking rate parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between tracking capability and noise generation, allowing high tracking rates only when transients are detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If static provisioning is used to guarantee performance during transient events, then reliability during transients is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to excess bandwidth usage during low transient activity periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance guarantee during transientsVSAvoidexcess bandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring of transient conditions and adjusts tracking operations accordingly. By detecting transient events and activating enhanced tracking only during these periodic occurrences rather than continuously, the system maintains reliability during transients while avoiding excess resource consumption during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-detection capabilities to identify transient events and automatically adjusts tracking parameters without external intervention. The polarimeter or other detection mechanisms enable the system to service its own performance requirements dynamically, allocating resources based on actual needs rather than static provisioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3785379B1Adaptive optical modem configuration based on operating conditions
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 CIENA CORP
  • EP3785379B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3785379B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP3785379B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

Systems and methods for operating an optical modem include operating with first operating settings; and, responsive to detection or expectation of a disturbance in an operating condition associated with the optical modem, operating with second operating settings for a time period based on statistical properties of the disturbance. The systems and methods can further include reverting to the first operating settings after the time period. The disturbance can be a polarization transient or a transient affecting a laser or a clock. The second operating settings can cause a reduced margin relative to the first operating settings for the time period.