All-Optical 1+1 Bidirectional Protection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical networks with 1+1 protection require complex information exchanges between nodes, making the protection mechanism cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing optical splitters and switches at the primary protocol level in each node to manage signal traffic between working and protection optical fibers, allowing for seamless switching and restoration without the need for electrical signal conversion, thereby simplifying the protection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high level SONET/SDH protection switching protocol is used, then signal traffic protection is achieved, but device complexity increases due to complex information exchanges between nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical signal-based protection switching protocol (SONET/SDH) with an all-optical implementation. Optical switches and modulators directly manipulate optical signals without electrical conversion, eliminating the need for complex protocol processing and information exchanges between nodes. This substitution of electrical-mechanical systems with optical systems maintains protection reliability while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex protocol processing layer from the protection switching mechanism. By implementing protection switching entirely in the optical domain using optical switches and modulators, the system eliminates the need for upper-layer protocol processing, information exchanges, and electrical signal conversions that characterize conventional SONET/SDH systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical signals are converted to electrical signals for protection switching, then protocol processing is enabled, but productivity decreases due to additional conversion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal conversion and processing with direct optical signal manipulation. Optical modulators and optical switches operate natively in the optical domain, eliminating the need for optical-to-electrical conversion steps. This maintains adaptability for protocol processing while dramatically improving productivity by removing conversion overhead and enabling faster protection switching.
3Ease of operation
If conventional protection switching with electrical signal conversion is used, then node control is simplified, but loss of time occurs due to conversion and protocol processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical signal conversion and processing with direct optical domain operations. Optical switches and modulators can manipulate optical signals instantaneously without the delays inherent in optical-to-electrical conversion and back. This maintains ease of node control while eliminating time losses associated with protocol processing and signal conversion, enabling near-instantaneous protection switching.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces complexity and enhances the efficiency of signal protection and restoration in optical networks by operating at a lower protocol level, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission and simplifying node operations.
Implementation Method 1
Each node for the link has an optical splitter having an input terminal for receiving network optical signals to transmit across the link
Implementation Method 2
a first optical modulator connected between the first optical splitter output terminal and a first terminal for connection to a first transmission optical fiber
Implementation Method 3
a first photodiode coupled to the first input terminal of the third optical switch
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical network a 1+1 bidirectional protection system is presented. Each node across a link has photodiodes to monitor the power of signals received by the node on receiving working and protection optical fibers and also optical switches connected to transmission working and protection optical fibers to modulate signals to its counterpart node across the link. When a node detects a fault in the receiving working optical fiber, not only does the node switch to the receiving protection optical fiber, but it also switches to the transmission protection optical fiber to signal the fault to the node across the link. The optical switches on transmission working and protection optical fibers allow the two nodes across the link to signal each other at a protocol-less or primary protocol level for the link to revert back to its initial state.