DWDM Subcarrier Segmentation for Flexible Spectrum Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) systems are inflexible and inefficient in accommodating variations in user requirements and dynamics, leading to inefficiencies in fiber-based communication services.

Innovation Solution

The approach involves subdividing the frequency spectrum into primary and secondary subcarriers, allowing for dynamic allocation of spectrum resources by transmitting and receiving data using different secondary subcarriers within primary subcarriers, enabling flexible resource utilization across a fiber medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If DWDM is used to combine multiple wavelengths on a single fiber, then the efficiency and utilization of the fiber are enhanced, but the system becomes inflexible and cannot account for variations in user requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber utilization efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility to accommodate user requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments each DWDM wavelength channel into multiple orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers. This segmentation allows the available spectrum to be divided into smaller, independently allocatable units, enabling flexible resource allocation to different users and services while maintaining high fiber utilization through the underlying DWDM framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If DWDM channel plans are fixed with 40 channels at 100 GHz spacing, then the system structure is simplified, but the system fails to account for dynamics in services and subscriber requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDWDM system structureVSAvoidresponse to service and subscriber dynamics

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation by implementing OFDM modulation on DWDM channels, where subcarriers can be dynamically assigned and reassigned based on real-time user requirements and service demands. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining the simplified fixed grid structure of DWDM for channel planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables flexible resource allocation by changing the allocation parameters of subcarriers within each DWDM channel. By adjusting which subcarriers are assigned to which users and services, the system can adapt to varying requirements without changing the fundamental DWDM channel structure, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240162961A1Apparatuses and methods for enhancing flexibility and capacity in a provisioning of communication services utilizing a fiber medium

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, via a fiber, first data from a first user equipment using a first secondary subcarrier included in a first plurality of secondary subcarriers, the first plurality of secondary subcarriers being included as part of a first primary subcarrier, and transmitting, via the fiber, second data to a second user equipment using a second secondary subcarrier included in a second plurality of secondary subcarriers, the second plurality of secondary subcarriers being included as part of a second primary subcarrier that is different from the first primary subcarrier. Other embodiments are disclosed.