Frequency-Division Multiple-Access Optical Subcarriers for Leaf Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical communication systems face increased costs due to the need for multiple lasers, modulators, and high-speed circuitry, and inefficiencies in transmitting data and operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) information, limiting customer data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A network architecture using optical subcarriers transmitted over fiber connections with frequency division multiplexing, allowing leaf nodes to receive data from a hub node with reduced components and dynamically adjusting bandwidth and capacity based on requirements, using dedicated subcarriers for OAM information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple lasers and modulators are employed to increase system capacity, then the data transmission capacity is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical signals at different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Instead of requiring separate lasers and modulators for each data stream, the system merges multiple wavelength channels onto one fiber, significantly reducing the number of required components while maintaining high data transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber infrastructure is designed to carry multiple wavelength channels simultaneously, making it a multi-functional medium that can transmit multiple data streams through a single physical channel. This universality allows the same fiber to serve multiple purposes and carry multiple signals without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each channel
2Productivity
If high-speed circuitry and components are provided at the receive end to detect and distribute data, then the data detection capability is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the high-speed processing requirements to only the hub node, while remote nodes perform simpler detection and forwarding functions. This segmentation allows expensive high-speed circuitry to be concentrated where it is most needed (at the hub) rather than distributed to all nodes, reducing overall system cost while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hub node acts as an intermediary that performs the complex detection and processing functions, then distributes processed data to remote nodes. This intermediary approach allows the expensive high-speed circuitry to be located at the hub where it can serve multiple remote nodes, rather than requiring each remote node to have its own high-speed detection capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If more OAM information is transmitted in each frame, then the system control capability is improved, but the amount of customer data that can be transmitted decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system moves OAM information from the time domain (separate overhead bytes in each frame) to the frequency domain (dedicated subcarriers). By allocating specific frequency subcarriers for OAM purposes, the system can maintain comprehensive control information while allowing the remaining frequency resources to be fully dedicated to customer data transmission, effectively increasing data capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A network or system in which a hub or primary node may communicate with a plurality of leaf or secondary nodes. The hub node may operate or have a capacity greater than that of the leaf nodes. Accordingly, relatively inexpensive leaf nodes may be deployed to receive data carrying optical signals from, and supply data carrying optical signals to, the hub node. One or more connections may couple each leaf node to the hub node, whereby each connection may include one or more spans or segments of optical fibers, optical amplifiers, optical splitters/combiners, and optical add/drop multiplexer, for example. Optical subcarriers may be transmitted over such connections, each carrying a data stream. The subcarriers may be generated by a combination of a laser and a modulator, such that multiple lasers and modulators are not required, and costs may be reduced. As the bandwidth or capacity requirements of the leaf nodes change, the number of subcarriers, and thus the amount of data provided to each node, may be changed accordingly. Each subcarrier within a dedicated group of subcarriers may carry OAM or control channel information to a corresponding leaf node, and such information may be used by the leaf node to configure the leaf node to have a desired bandwidth or capacity.