Distributed Optical Block Filter Pairs for Fiber Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fiber optic links often experience underutilization of bandwidth in cable networks, particularly in shared network environments where efficient expansion and utilization of optical resources are challenging due to the need for multiple fibers for each channel, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a block filter pair system within the optical network, where bi-directional block filters redirect optical carriers within specific wavelength ranges onto or off the fiber optic link, allowing multiple service groups to share a single fiber strand, and the use of multiplexer resources with optical filters and circulator components to separate and redirect carriers effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fibers are used for each channel in conventional fiber optic networks, then each channel has dedicated bandwidth, but fiber resources are wasted and bandwidth utilization is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wavelength channels onto a single fiber optic link using WDM technology. Multiple service groups share the same physical fiber infrastructure by allocating different wavelength ranges to different channels, thereby consolidating fiber resources and improving bandwidth utilization without sacrificing dedicated channel capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic link is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously by carrying multiple wavelength channels, each serving different service groups. The same physical fiber infrastructure performs multiple communication functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated fibers for each channel and enabling efficient resource sharing.
2Productivity
If block filter pairs are implemented to redirect optical carriers, then multiple service groups can share a single fiber, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical spectrum is segmented into distinct wavelength ranges, with each block filter pair responsible for a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows for modular deployment and management of filters, where each filter handles a defined portion of the spectrum, making the overall complex system manageable through division of labor.
Solution Approach 2:
Block filter pairs act as intermediary devices that redirect optical carriers between the fiber optic link and multiplexer resources. These filters serve as mediators that enable wavelength-specific routing without requiring complex switching logic, simplifying the control plane while maintaining efficient resource sharing.
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 enables more efficient use of optical resources by allowing multiple channels to be connected across a single fiber, conserving fiber resources and improving data transmission efficiency by redirecting specific wavelength ranges, thereby supporting increased service groups without the need for individual fibers to remote equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the first block filter can be a bi-directional device that redirects optical carriers within a particular block wavelength range onto or off of the fiber optic link depending on a direction of the optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The optical circulator is configured to receive a first set of optical carriers from a first optical input port, redirect transmission of the first set of optical carriers from a first bi-directional optical port, receive a second set of optical carriers as inputs to the first bi-directional optical port, and redirect the second set of optical carriers to a second optical input port
Data Source
AI summary
An optical network includes a fiber optic link and one or more distributed block filter pairs. A given block filter pair includes a first block filter and a second block filter disposed at disparate locations along the fiber optic link. The first block filter of a respective pair is a bi-directional device that redirects optical carriers within a particular block wavelength range onto or off of the fiber optic link depending on a direction of the optical signals. The second block filter of a respective pair also is a bi-directional device that redirects carriers within the particular block wavelength range onto or off of the fiber optic link depending on a direction of the optical signal. The block filter pairs enable bi-directional communications over the fiber optic link between corresponding nodes disposed at different locations along the fiber optic link. Since the wavelength range in a block includes multiple carriers in both directions, the wavelength range in its entirety can be connected to a single subtended fiber and transmitted a significant distance before the carriers are separated and provided individual ports for connection to equipment. This feature thus provides multi-wavelength fiber conservation not only in the main fiber line as in conventional multi-wavelength systems, but in the subtended fiber lines as well.