Dynamic Spectrum Allocation in Grid-less Optical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of provisioning services in grid-less optical networks, where the multitude of options for spectral distribution, data rates, and modulation formats makes network planning and resource optimization difficult, and existing methods fail to provide the most favorable solutions.
Innovation Solution
A service provisioning tool that dynamically adjusts bandwidths and data rates for individual optical signals, considering cost values that change based on link utilization, service lifetime, time available for establishment, modulation format, and signal power, to select the most favorable implementation by combining cost factors related to data rates, equipment installation, and bandwidth, thereby optimizing resource use and avoiding spectral fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guard bands are enlarged to decrease filter penalties, then optical signal transmission reliability is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates and transmission capacity is sacrificed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the frequency slot width adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the frequency slot width based on the optical channel requirements, allowing the network to optimize between guard band size and spectral efficiency in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to use smaller guard bands when conditions permit, thereby improving spectral efficiency while maintaining transmission reliability through intelligent adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency slot width from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to channel requirements. By modifying this key parameter, the system can optimize the balance between guard band protection (reliability) and spectral utilization (spectral efficiency), resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If flex-grid networks allow selective channel bandwidth and spectral grid allocation, then spectral efficiency is improved, but network planning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a set of standardized frequency slot widths that can be selected based on channel requirements. This approach allows the system to maintain the flexibility of flex-grid networks while simplifying network planning, as the preliminary establishment of standard options reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making and resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages complexity by transforming the continuous parameter space of frequency slot widths into a discrete set of standardized options. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain spectral efficiency through flexible allocation while reducing network planning complexity by limiting the choice to predefined standard widths, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If fixed-grid networks use periodic frequency slots, then network operation simplicity is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to wasted bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static, periodic frequency slot allocation to dynamic, demand-driven allocation. The system automatically adjusts frequency slot widths and positions based on real-time channel requirements, maintaining operational simplicity through automation while dramatically improving spectral efficiency by eliminating the wasted bandwidth inherent in fixed-grid approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a service provisioning tool and method for determining favorable implementations of a service in a grid-less optical network, wherein said service provisioning tool is configured to assign total cost values to a given implementations, select the implementation or a group of implementations having the lowest cost, wherein said total cost values are based on —cost values regarding selectable data rates on individual links, —cost values regarding necessity to install additional equipment, —cost values regarding selectable signal frequency bands. One or more of said cost values are dynamically changing as a function of one or more of the degree of utilization, the lifetime of the service, the time available for establishing the service, a modulation format and a signal power. The cost value per band width varies, depending on one or more of the size of the selected frequency band, and to what extent the selected frequency band fills gaps between occupied spectral ranges or creates gaps remaining between occupied spectral ranges.