Autonomous Boot Module for Pluggable OLT Power Surge Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passive optical networks (PONs) require complex management configurations and external controllers for plug-and-play operations, which can lead to power surges and inefficiencies when multiple pluggable OLTs are powered simultaneously, and may not function effectively without continuous management.

Innovation Solution

A pluggable optical line terminal (OLT) with an autonomous boot module that includes non-volatile storage for configurations, enabling plug-and-play operations by powering on with a random delay based on MAC address, registering ONUs independently, and operating without external management messages, allowing for VLAN-unaware and pre-configured default service level agreements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple pluggable OLTs are powered on simultaneously for plug-and-play operations, then deployment speed and ease of operation are improved, but power surges and system stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-and-play deploymentVSAvoidpower surge stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration actions by storing default PON configurations in non-volatile memory before deployment. When the OLT is plugged in, it automatically loads these pre-stored configurations without requiring external controllers, enabling immediate operation while avoiding power surges through controlled initialization sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic action through randomized boot delays for different OLTs in the network. Each OLT introduces a random delay before powering on its optical transceiver, which distributes the power consumption over time rather than having all devices power on simultaneously, thus preventing power surges while maintaining plug-and-play capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Extent of automation

If external controllers are used for PON management configuration, then system control and monitoring are improved, but device complexity and operational independence deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized management controlVSAvoidexternal controller dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The OLT performs self-service by automatically loading default PON configurations from its internal non-volatile memory during boot-up. It can independently register ONUs and manage basic PON operations without requiring external controllers, thereby reducing device complexity and external dependencies while maintaining operational automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Default PON configurations including service level agreements, VLAN settings, and ONU registration parameters are pre-configured and stored in the OLT's non-volatile memory before deployment. This preliminary action enables the OLT to operate autonomously immediately upon plugging in, eliminating the need for external controllers for basic operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If default PON configurations are pre-stored in non-volatile memory for autonomous operation, then operational independence and deployment speed are improved, but memory requirements and manufacturing complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous boot speedVSAvoidconfiguration storage integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The non-volatile memory component serves multiple functions: it stores the operating system, stores default PON configurations, and provides persistent storage for operational data. By making the memory multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated storage components, thereby improving productivity through autonomous boot while minimizing the impact on manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of energy

If random delay is introduced for optical transceiver power-on based on MAC address, then power surge reduction is improved, but boot time variability and system predictability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower surge magnitudeVSAvoidboot time consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action with randomized intervals by having each OLT calculate a random boot delay based on its MAC address before powering on the optical transceiver. This approach reduces power surge magnitude by distributing the power consumption over time, while the MAC-address-based calculation ensures the delay is deterministic and reproducible for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the boot parameter from a fixed time delay to a randomized delay calculated based on the MAC address. This parameter change allows the system to reduce power surges through temporal distribution of power-on events while maintaining predictability through the deterministic MAC-address-based calculation method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10863256B2Plug-and-play PON systems with autonomous boot mode

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 CIENA CORP

AI summary

One embodiment provides a pluggable optical line terminal (OLT) in a passive optical network (PON). The OLT can include an optical transceiver, a non-volatile storage device storing configurations of the pluggable OLT, and an autonomous boot module configured to access the configurations stored in the storage device when booting the pluggable OLT, thereby enabling plug-and-play operations of the pluggable OLT.