Band Identifying Circuit for Wavelength-Multiplexed Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density multiplexing transmission systems, identifying the occupied wavelength bands of optical signals with varying bit rates and modulation schemes is challenging due to non-equidistant wavelength intervals, especially in flexible grid and multicarrier/super-channel technologies.
Innovation Solution
A band identifying circuit and system that adjusts the optical intensity of target transmitters and measures the resulting spectrum changes to accurately identify occupied bands, using an optical intensity control means, spectrum acquisition means, and band identifying means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-density multiplexing transmission is implemented with flexible grid and multicarrier technology, then transmission capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but the ability to clearly identify occupied wavelength bands deteriorates due to non-equidistant wavelength intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measurement result acquisition unit obtains spectrum information and the band identification unit determines occupied bands based on measured spectrum changes. This feedback loop enables accurate band identification in flexible grid systems by continuously monitoring and analyzing spectral characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intensity control unit as an intermediary that modulates the intensity of optical signals from individual transmitters. This intermediary mechanism enables selective measurement of specific transmitter bands by controlling which transmitters are active during measurement, thereby solving the band identification problem in high-density multiplexing.
2Quantity of substance
If optical signals with different bit rates and modulation schemes are multiplexed, then spectral efficiency is improved, but wavelength band discrimination becomes difficult due to unequal wavelength intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal into individual transmitter contributions by controlling the optical intensity of each transmitter separately. The measurement result acquisition unit measures spectrum information for each transmitter individually, enabling precise band identification even when signals have different bit rates and modulation schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical intensity parameter of target transmitters using the optical intensity control unit to enable measurement. By modulating intensity and measuring spectrum changes, the system can identify occupied bands with high precision regardless of the underlying signal characteristics such as bit rate or modulation scheme.
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
Enables precise identification of occupied bands in wavelength-multiplexed optical signals even when signals are not arranged in equidistant wavelength intervals, enhancing accuracy in high-density multiplexing environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical intensity control means for changing, by a prescribed level, an optical intensity of an optical signal outputted from a target-of-identification optical transmitter
Implementation Method 2
a spectrum acquisition means for measuring an optical intensity of each wavelength of the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal and outputting a result of the measurement as a spectrum
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to identify occupied bands in a prescribed optical transmitter with high accuracy, even in a case where a plurality of optical signals constituting a wavelength-multiplexed signal are not arranged in wavelength units in equidistant intervals as a result of the application of a digital technique, a super channel, or the like, provided is a band identifying circuit 10 that comprises the following: an optical intensity control means 20 that changes, by only a prescribed level, the optical intensity of an optical signal output from a target-of-identification optical transmitter 6k, such optical signal being from among a plurality of optical signals which are respectively output from a plurality of optical transmitters 61, 62 ... 6n, which form a wavelength-multiplexed signal, and which have mutually different wavelengths; a spectrum acquisition means 30 that measures the optical intensity of each wavelength of the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal and outputs the results as a spectrum; and a band identifying means 40 for identifying the band occupied by the target-of-identification optical transmitter 6k, on the basis of the change amount of the output spectrum.