L0CP Controller Backup Route Reordering for Photonic Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Layer 0 Control Plane (L0CP) systems in photonic networks do not allow implicit backup routes to be attempted before explicit routes, leading to inefficient route recovery and increased costs due to the prioritization of regeneration paths, which are costly and may not meet Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR) requirements.

Innovation Solution

The system reorders the backup route list to prioritize implicitly-computed backup routes over explicitly-configured routes, designating explicit routes as 'last resort' only when all other routes are unavailable, allowing regeneration paths to be used only when no other feasible paths exist, and enabling the L0CP controller to compute non-regeneration paths to restore service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If explicit backup routes are attempted first before implicit backup routes, then user-defined routes are prioritized, but costly regeneration paths are used unnecessarily and service recovery efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice recovery efficiencyVSAvoidcost of regeneration paths

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional route attempt order by designating certain explicit routes as 'last resort' and reordering the Designated Transit List to attempt implicit routes first. This inversion resolves the contradiction by ensuring that costly regeneration paths are only used when necessary, thereby improving service recovery efficiency while reducing unnecessary resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic route prioritization where the system can adaptively adjust the order of route attempts based on route characteristics. By dynamically designating explicit routes as 'last resort' and flexibly reordering the DTL, the system optimizes the balance between using user-defined routes and avoiding costly regeneration paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If explicit backup routes are attempted first, then user-defined routes are utilized, but the number of available backup routes is effectively reduced and route flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute selection flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of available backup routes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the traditional route attempt order and designating explicit routes as 'last resort', the patent enables the system to explore implicit routes first, thereby increasing the effective number of available backup routes and improving route selection flexibility without losing access to user-defined routes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If regeneration paths are prioritized in the backup route list, then explicit user-defined routes are used, but service degradation increases and traffic impact is minimized less effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice integrityVSAvoidservice degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the route attempt hierarchy to place implicit routes before explicit regeneration paths. This inversion maintains service integrity by ensuring reliable implicit routes are attempted first, while reducing service degradation by avoiding the use of costly and less desirable regeneration paths unless absolutely necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11509978B1Reordering low-priority explicit backup routes to follow implicit backup routes

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for utilizing backup paths to restore service in a network are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes obtaining a route list as defined by a user, the route list including a plurality of explicitly-configured backup routes for restoring service between a source node and a destination node in a network when a working route is unavailable. The method also includes receiving input designating one or more of the explicitly-configured backup routes as one or more last-resort routes. In response to determining that the working route is unavailable and that the plurality of explicitly-configured backup routes, excluding the one or more last-resort routes, are unavailable, the method includes automatically computing one or more implicitly-computed backup routes. For restoring service between the source node and destination node, the method also includes utilizing one of the one or more implicitly-computed backup routes before utilizing one of the one or more last-resort routes.