Coherent Optics Channel Control Without Shared Laser Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coherent optical devices face issues in selectively disabling individual data channels without affecting others, leading to network disruptions and increased communication overhead due to the shutdown of shared laser sources, which is exacerbated in systems where multiple channels rely on a single optical source.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques for independent channel control in coherent optics systems that allow selective disabling of individual data channels without shutting down the shared laser source, using existing standards and protocols to assert remote fault signals, enabling compatibility with non-CMIS 5.2 compliant devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a data channel is disabled in a coherent optical device, then the channel can be taken offline for maintenance or resource management, but the shared laser source is turned off causing network disruptions and affecting other channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of the laser source from the control of individual data channels. Instead of treating the laser source and channels as an inseparable unit, the system allows independent control where channels can be enabled or disabled without necessarily shutting down the laser source, unless all channels are disabled. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing channel-level operations without forcing system-level disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control logic that adapts the laser source state based on the configuration of data channels. The laser source remains active as long as at least one channel is enabled, and only shuts down when all channels are disabled. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain reliability during partial channel disabling while still providing operational flexibility.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the laser source is shut down when a channel is disabled, then power is saved and resources are managed, but communication overhead increases and network disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by shutting down the laser source only when absolutely necessary (i.e., when all data channels are disabled), rather than shutting it down whenever any single channel is disabled. This partial approach minimizes power consumption only when needed while avoiding the communication overhead and network disruptions that would result from more frequent shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback logic that continuously monitors the state of all data channels and dynamically adjusts the laser source state accordingly. The laser source is maintained in an active state as long as feedback indicates at least one channel is enabled, and only transitions to inactive when feedback shows all channels are disabled. This feedback mechanism optimizes the balance between power savings and communication overhead.
3Device complexity
If multiple channels share a single optical source, then device complexity is reduced and resources are optimized, but independent channel control becomes difficult and network disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality to operate at the channel level rather than the source level. Each data channel can be independently controlled through software or management interfaces, allowing selective enabling and disabling of individual channels while sharing the same optical source. This segmentation provides high adaptability and versatility without requiring multiple physical sources, thus maintaining low device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication device includes a first data interface providing a first channel and one or more additional data interfaces providing one or more additional channels. A multiplexer generates a multiplexed signal encoding the first channel and the one or more additional channels. An optical transmitter transmits the multiplexed signal over an optical link to a remote device. A controller receives a disable signal identifying the first channel, and in response to receiving the disable signal, causes the optical transmitter to transmit a remote fault signal to the remote device on the first channel of the multiplexed signal, disables the first channel, causes the multiplexer to generate a modified multiplexed signal encoding the one or more additional channels and not the first channel, and causes the optical transmitter to transmit the modified multiplexed signal to the remote device over the optical link.