Add/Drop Multiplexer Dynamic Attenuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional add/drop multiplexers have a fixed attenuation amount for optical signals, limiting the ability to change connected devices.
Innovation Solution
An add/drop multiplexer with a communication unit that selectively transfers wavelength multiplex optical signals and a control unit that adjusts attenuation based on the transfer destination, allowing dynamic changes in connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the attenuation amount of optical signals is fixed in conventional add/drop multiplexers, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to change connected devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic attenuation control by replacing fixed attenuators with variable optical attenuators that can adjust their attenuation amount based on the connected device. The control unit dynamically changes the attenuation amount according to the type of device connected (e.g., optical amplifier, optical transmitter, client device), enabling the multiplexer to adapt to different devices while maintaining proper signal power levels. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by making the device structure adaptable without requiring complete redesign for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attenuation parameter from a fixed value to a variable value that can be adjusted based on the connected device characteristics. The control unit stores different attenuation amounts corresponding to different device types and selects the appropriate attenuation amount when a device is connected. This parameter change approach allows the same hardware structure to work with multiple device types by simply changing the attenuation parameter, thus improving adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the attenuation amount is adjusted according to the connected device, then the signal power balance is maintained, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that monitors the connected device type and automatically adjusts the attenuation amount accordingly. The control unit receives information about the connected device and selects the appropriate attenuation amount from stored values, creating a feedback loop that maintains signal power balance. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by automatically compensating for power differences between different device types without requiring manual intervention or complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-stores multiple attenuation amounts corresponding to different device types before actual operation. When a device is connected, the control unit simply retrieves the appropriate pre-calculated attenuation amount rather than computing it in real-time. This preliminary preparation simplifies the control system by avoiding complex real-time calculations while still maintaining accurate signal power balance for different device types.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wavelength path communication node device with no collision of wavelengths and routes, capable of outputting arbitrary wavelengths, and capable of outputting them to arbitrary routes. An add/drop multiplexer (11) includes a communication unit (101) that communicates an optical signal with at least one client device and at least one network and a control unit (102) that indicates a transfer destination of the optical signal according to an attribute of the received optical signal to the communication unit (101). The control unit (102) indicates an attenuation amount of the optical signal to the communication unit (101) for each connected device. When a connected device is changed, the control unit (102) instructs the communication unit (101) to change the attenuation amount. The communication unit (101) attenuates the optical signal with the attenuation amount indicated by the control unit (102) and transfers the attenuated optical signal to a transfer destination.