Loop-Free Photonic Routing via Wavelength Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photonic networks face challenges in routing individual optical channels due to complexity arising from functions like regeneration, amplification, and non-linear impairments, and struggle with restoration from line faults at the speed required for protection, especially in campus, metro, and regional networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a loop-free path in optical networks using techniques like spanning tree, shortest path tree, and Ethernet Ring Protection Switching, with wavelength blocking configured to prevent loops and ensure single paths, employing a processor and memory system to execute these protocols in broadcast and select or all-broadcast architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional photonic networks use traditional routing methods considering regeneration, amplification, and non-linear impairments, then routing completeness is improved, but device complexity and computation time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes complex routing considerations (regeneration, amplification, non-linear impairments) from the photonic network routing problem. By declaring these factors 'not applicable' for campus, metro, and regional networks, the invention simplifies the routing decision process while maintaining adequate reliability for these specific network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter set used for routing decisions. Instead of using comprehensive parameters like regeneration capability, amplification requirements, and non-linear impairment thresholds, the patent adopts simplified parameters based on degree size and distance thresholds, making the routing process computationally efficient while sufficiently reliable.
2Reliability
If conventional photonic networks use traditional routing methods with comprehensive impairment checks, then routing accuracy is improved, but speed of restoration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of networks into campus, metro, and regional categories with predetermined routing rules. This preliminary action allows the system to bypass complex impairment calculations during restoration events, enabling rapid path computation while maintaining adequate routing accuracy for each network class.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the computational parameters from detailed impairment analysis to simplified distance and degree-based metrics. This parameter transformation enables fast restoration by computing loop-free paths using basic network topology information rather than complex optical performance calculations.
3Device complexity
If photonic networks eliminate routing considerations for campus, metro, and regional networks based on degree size and distance, then device complexity is reduced, but routing reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring routing complexity to specific network types. Campus, metro, and regional networks with small degree sizes and short distances use simplified routing rules, while the system maintains the capability to handle more complex scenarios when needed. This localized approach optimizes the balance between complexity and reliability for each network context.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by implementing only the necessary routing considerations for specific network types. Instead of applying full complex routing analysis to all networks, the patent applies simplified rules that are sufficient for campus, metro, and regional networks, avoiding excessive computation while maintaining adequate routing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for routing wavelengths in an optical network include responsive to a path request for a wavelength or group of wavelengths, determining a path through the optical network; determining a location on the path where wavelength blocking should occur to form a loop-free path in the optical network; and setting the wavelength blocking at the location. The optical network can utilize a broadcast and select architecture and the wavelength blocking is configured to prevent the wavelength or group of wavelengths from looping back on a port where the wavelength or group of wavelengths has already been received on. The optical network can utilize an all-broadcast architecture and the wavelength blocking is configured to prevent multiple paths for the wavelength or group of wavelengths by constraining the wavelength or group of wavelengths to a single path through the optical network.