Optical Fiber Fault Localization via Logical-to-Physical Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of manually locating and repairing faulty optical fibers in optical networks due to complex pipe cabling and burial locations, which prolongs fault recovery time and reduces communication stability.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a management device to determine faulty logical fibers based on fiber cut alarm information, establish an optical fiber mapping relationship, and utilize ranging information to identify the fault physical location, thereby avoiding manual checks and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual checking of pipe cabling and optical fiber burial locations is performed to locate faulty optical fibers, then the physical location can be determined, but the efficiency is reduced and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (digital twin) of the optical fiber network that replicates the physical infrastructure. This virtual model includes spatial location information, pipe cabling data, and burial location details. When a fault occurs, the system queries the virtual model to automatically obtain the physical location of the faulty optical fiber, eliminating the need for manual field investigation while maintaining accurate location identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location information management system as an intermediary between the optical fiber network and the fault location process. This system maintains a database mapping logical optical fiber identifiers to physical location information. When a fault alarm is received, the system uses this intermediary to automatically translate the alarm into precise physical location data, avoiding direct manual checking of complex pipe cabling and burial locations.
2Reliability
If manual checking of pipe cabling and optical fiber burial locations is performed, then the faulty optical fiber can be identified, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing a comprehensive virtual model of the optical fiber network before faults occur. This model includes all pipe cabling routes, burial locations, and spatial relationships. When a fault occurs, the system simply queries this pre-prepared model rather than performing complex manual investigations, thereby maintaining reliable fault identification while significantly simplifying the actual fault location process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy (digital twin) of the complex physical infrastructure including pipe cabling and burial locations. This virtual model simplifies the fault location process by allowing queries to be made against the model rather than requiring physical inspection of the complex real-world infrastructure. The copy maintains all necessary spatial and topological relationships for accurate fault identification.
3Productivity
If digital management system is implemented to automatically locate faults, then the efficiency is improved and recovery time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (digital twin) of the optical fiber network that replicates physical infrastructure characteristics including spatial locations and topological relationships. This virtual copy enables automated fault location by allowing the system to query location information from the model rather than performing manual field investigations, thereby improving efficiency while keeping the added system complexity manageable through the use of a simplified virtual representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a location information management system as an intermediary layer between the optical fiber network and fault management processes. This intermediary maintains a database mapping logical fiber identifiers to physical location data from the virtual model. By inserting this intermediary, the system achieves automated efficient fault location while managing complexity through a standardized query interface rather than requiring direct integration with all network components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical fiber fault location method and apparatus are disclosed, and relate to the field of optical communication technologies. A management device may determine a faulty logical fiber in an optical network based on fiber cut alarm information of the optical network. Further, the management device determines, based on an optical fiber mapping relationship of the optical network, a faulty optical fiber associated with the faulty logical fiber, obtains a fault physical location of a fault point in the faulty optical fiber, and outputs the fault physical location. In this way, a process of manually checking a drawing based on the faulty logical fiber to determine the faulty optical fiber corresponding to the faulty logical fiber is avoided, and a process of manually detecting the physical location of the fault point in the faulty optical fiber on site is avoided. This helps improve optical fiber fault location efficiency in the optical network, and reduce fault recovery time of the optical network.