Extended Branching Device Segmentation for Submarine Cable Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In submarine cable systems, changing terminal station specifications or adding new terminal stations requires bringing the branching device up from the sea floor, leading to high engineering costs and disruption of communication services, as existing technologies necessitate halting the system for replacement and reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The extended branching device separates into a main branching unit and a sub branching unit, allowing for the addition of new terminal stations and reconfiguration of branching functions without stopping the main unit, enabling engineering work on the sub unit alone, thus minimizing communication disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the branching device is brought up from the sea floor for specification changes or adding terminal stations, then the branching device can be replaced or reconfigured, but the engineering cost increases and communication services are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The branching device is divided into a main branching unit and a sub branching unit that can be independently replaced. The sub branching unit is designed as a separate replaceable module, allowing it to be brought up from the sea floor independently while the main branching unit remains in place and continues to handle communication traffic between existing terminal stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The main branching unit acts as an intermediary that maintains communication paths between terminal stations during the replacement of the sub branching unit. Optical switches in the main branching unit redirect traffic away from the sub branching unit being replaced, enabling seamless continuation of communication services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the branching device is brought up from the sea floor for engineering work, then the branching device can be upgraded or replaced, but the engineering cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The branching device is segmented into main and sub units with the sub unit designed as a independently replaceable module. This segmentation allows only the necessary sub unit to be retrieved for upgrades rather than the entire branching device, reducing engineering costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The main branching unit is designed with universal optical switch capabilities that can handle various routing configurations. This universality allows the main unit to continue serving multiple terminal stations regardless of changes to the sub unit, reducing the need for costly complete replacements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire branching device is replaced to change specifications or add terminal stations, then the required functionality is achieved, but communication services must be halted during replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the branching device into main and sub units, the system allows replacement of only the sub unit while maintaining communication through the main unit. This ensures service continuity for existing terminal stations during the upgrade process.
Solution Approach 2:
The main branching unit continues to perform its useful action of routing communication traffic between terminal stations throughout the replacement process. Optical switches maintain active communication paths while the sub unit is being replaced, ensuring uninterrupted service.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In order to provide an extended branch device in which construction work is easy and communication is not significantly affected by construction work, and a method for controlling the extended branch device, the extended branch device of the present invention is provided with: a first branch unit provided with a first port coupled to a first terminal station, a second port coupled to a second terminal station, a third port, a fourth port, and a switch for coupling the first port with the second or third port and coupling the second port with the fourth port; and a first separation unit provided with a fifth port coupled to the third port, a sixth port coupled to the fourth port, and a seventh port coupled to a third terminal station, the first separation unit outputting, from the sixth port, an optical signal having a first wavelength among the optical signals inputted from the fifth port, and outputting, from the seventh port, an optical signal having a second wavelength among the optical signals inputted from the fifth port. The extended branch device is further provided with a second branch unit configured so as to be separable from the first branch unit.