Dummy Light Compensation in Submarine Cable Transport Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In submarine cable systems with OADM function, compensating signal power levels using dummy light across multiple terminal apparatuses can interfere with each other, leading to ineffective power compensation.
Innovation Solution
A transport apparatus and method that adjusts signal intensity based on reception quality, using dummy light to maintain constant signal power levels, thereby reducing interference between apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each terminal apparatus compensates signal power using dummy light independently, then the power level of individual signals can be maintained, but the compensation actions interfere with each other and overall compensation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dummy light compensation actions of multiple terminal apparatuses into a coordinated system. Instead of independent compensation that causes interference, the apparatuses work together with centralized control to achieve effective overall compensation while eliminating mutual interference between apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the system monitors the actual signal power levels and adjusts the dummy light compensation dynamically. This feedback mechanism ensures that compensation actions are coordinated across multiple apparatuses, preventing interference while maintaining effective power level compensation throughout the network.
2Reliability
If multiple terminal apparatuses use dummy light for compensation simultaneously, then individual signal power can be maintained, but power level changes across the system increase due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compensation operations of multiple terminal apparatuses into a unified coordinated system. By combining their dummy light generation and adjustment actions under centralized control, the system maintains stable power levels across all signals while preventing the interference that would otherwise cause power level fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback control to monitor and adjust power levels system-wide. This ensures that when multiple apparatuses perform compensation simultaneously, their actions are coordinated to maintain overall power level stability rather than causing fluctuations through interference.
3Reliability
If dummy light is used to compensate signal power in submarine cable systems, then signal intensity can be maintained, but device complexity increases due to additional generation and adjustment units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the dummy light generation and adjustment units multi-functional, serving both individual terminal apparatus compensation and system-wide coordinated compensation. This universal design reduces overall device complexity by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the ability to generate and adjust dummy light for power compensation across the entire submarine cable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the dummy light generation and adjustment functionality across multiple terminal apparatuses into a coordinated system. By merging these functions under centralized control, the system reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective signal intensity maintenance through shared resources and coordinated operation.
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
Ensures effective compensation of signal power levels even when multiple terminal apparatuses use dummy light, maintaining communication quality by minimizing power level changes across the system.
Implementation Method 1
a dummy light generation unit configured to generate dummy light having a wavelength corresponding to a wavelength component of the group of wavelength-division multiplexed signals
Implementation Method 2
a light multiplex/demultiplex unit configured to combine the optical signal with the dummy light
Implementation Method 3
a variable optical attenuator configured to adjust an intensity of the dummy light to maintain a power level of the combined signal constant
Data Source
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AI summary
When a plurality of transport apparatuses perform their respective signal compensations using dummy lights, such compensations performed by the plurality of transport apparatuses affect each other in multiplex, with the result that such compensations produce no expected effects. A transport apparatus of the invention is characterized in that the transport apparatus comprises: a transmission unit that transmits a first signal; a generation unit that generates a dummy signal for compensating the first signal transmitted by the transmission unit; and a combination unit that combines the first signal with the dummy signal; wherein the generation unit adjusts the intensity of the dummy signal, which is to be generated, such that a second signal obtained by combining the first signal with the dummy signal will have a constant intensity.