Focused CV Scanning for Optical Node Connection Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Connection Validation (CV) scans in optical networks are excessively time-consuming, requiring up to 34 minutes to complete, especially when optical cables are disconnected and reconnected, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance and deployment processes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a focused CV scanning method that targets specific cables recently connected or reconnected, utilizing a centralized controller to interrupt ongoing CV processes and execute targeted scans, skipping unused or in-service ports, and optimizing the 'ghost channel algorithm to identify 'known good connections' immediately, thereby reducing CV cycle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional CV scans are performed on all ports in an optical network, then connection validation reliability is improved, but CV processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection validation reliabilityVSAvoidCV processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CV scanning process by dividing ports into two categories: active ports and inactive ports. The system performs CV scans selectively on active ports while skipping inactive ports, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining validation reliability for connections that are actually in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by treating different ports differently based on their operational status. Active ports receive full CV scanning attention with appropriate dwell times, while inactive ports are skipped entirely. This localized approach optimizes resource allocation and reduces unnecessary processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If Rx dwell time is increased to reliably catch transmitted packets, then measurement precision is improved, but CV cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket detection reliabilityVSAvoidCV cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic Rx dwell time adjustment based on the operational status of ports. For active ports, the system uses appropriate dwell times to ensure reliable packet detection. For inactive ports, the system skips scanning entirely, dynamically adapting the scanning behavior to current network conditions and reducing overall cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses port status information to self-determine which ports require scanning. By automatically identifying active versus inactive ports and adjusting scanning behavior accordingly, the system eliminates unnecessary scanning operations while maintaining detection reliability for active connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a second scanning process is performed to alleviate ghost packet manifestations, then connection validation reliability is improved, but CV processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection validation reliabilityVSAvoidCV processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scanning process to perform CV scans only on active ports in a single pass, rather than performing multiple scans on all ports. By focusing scanning resources on ports that are actually in use, the system reduces the need for multiple scanning cycles while maintaining the ability to detect and validate connections reliably.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing CV scanning only on the subset of active ports rather than all ports. This selective approach reduces processing time while maintaining sufficient validation coverage for connections that matter, avoiding the excessive action of scanning inactive ports multiple times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4214860B1Reducing connection validation (CV) time in an optical node
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 CIENA CORP
  • EP4214860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4214860B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4214860B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for conducting various types of Connection Validation (CV) are provided for reducing the overall CV scan time of regular CV scans. A method, according to one implementation, includes a step of receiving a request to perform a focused CV on one or more communication cables after the one or more communication cables are physically connected or reconnected into a portion of a network. The method also includes the steps of interrupting an ongoing CV running in the portion of the network and executing the focused CV to target a CV scan on the one or more communication cables.