Optical Network MCh Width Mapping for Spectral Fragmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical network technologies face challenges in managing the complexity of service provisioning due to an exponential increase in media channel (MCh) formats, leading to increased provisioning times and spectral fragmentation issues, as existing methods are inefficient in handling the vast array of deployable formats and do not effectively prevent fragmentation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically reduce the number of MCh widths by mapping original widths to larger or identical values, using an optimization algorithm to penalize combinations prone to fragmentation and maintain spectral efficiency, thereby decreasing the number of MCh widths and reducing provisioning complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of MCh formats is increased to provide more transmission options, then spectral efficiency and adaptability are improved, but provisioning complexity and fragmentation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission optionsVSAvoidprovisioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting MCh format parameters (modulation format, symbol rate, FEC overhead, number of carriers) based on network conditions and service requirements. This allows the system to optimize transmission performance without permanently maintaining all possible format combinations, thereby reducing provisioning complexity while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling transponder modules to change modulation format, symbol rate, and FEC overhead dynamically rather than being fixed. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying network conditions in real-time, reducing the need for static provisioning of multiple format options and thereby simplifying overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If multiple carriers are aggregated into MCh to increase capacity, then spectral efficiency is improved, but provisioning complexity and fragmentation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidprovisioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the spectrum into multiple carriers that can be independently managed and aggregated. This allows the system to selectively combine carriers based on service requirements, optimizing capacity utilization while maintaining manageable provisioning complexity through modular carrier management rather than treating the entire spectrum as a single resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If granular control of MCh formats is increased to optimize spectral efficiency, then spectral efficiency is improved, but network fragmentation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork fragmentation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing transponder modules that can perform multiple functions - supporting various modulation formats, symbol rates, and FEC overhead levels within a single module type. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized hardware for each format, thereby optimizing spectral efficiency while minimizing fragmentation caused by hardware incompatibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Use of energy by moving object

If transponder modules support varying modulation formats and symbol rates, then spectral efficiency is improved, but service provisioning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidservice provisioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by implementing automated service provisioning systems that can independently select and configure optimal MCh formats based on network conditions and service requirements. This automation reduces the manual provisioning complexity associated with supporting multiple formats while maintaining high spectral efficiency through intelligent format selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11139893B2Method and system for media channel format set management in optical transport networks

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 XIEON NETWORKS SARL

AI summary

A set of media channel (MCh) widths is determined for an optical network. Based on a topology of the network, a first set of original MCh widths are computed for tentative use in the optical network, the first set of original MCh widths defining a target spectral efficiency. A reduced set of new MCh widths are generated from the first set of MCh widths by respectively mapping each of the original MCh widths of the first set of original MCh widths to a corresponding, or respective, new MCh width. An optimization algorithm is used in an example embodiment to facilitate the mapping.