Multi-Wavelength Optical Transceiver for Flexible ONU Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional optical communication systems, ONUs can only use one wavelength, making operation management and procurement inconvenient, and there is a need for wavelength flexibility to ensure smooth communication between ONUs and OLTs.

Innovation Solution

A communication system where the master station device assigns and notifies the wavelength to be used by the slave station device, allowing the optical transceiver to switch between multiple wavelengths for both upstream and downstream communications, enabling efficient wavelength selection and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an ONU is designed to use only one wavelength, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate because the ONU cannot flexibly switch between wavelengths for different communication scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ONU is designed with multi-wavelength capability, allowing a single device to operate across multiple wavelengths (e.g., 1270 nm, 1310 nm, 1320 nm). This universal design enables the ONU to adapt to different communication scenarios and wavelength assignments without requiring hardware changes, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized multi-wavelength components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If an ONU is designed to use only one wavelength, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability deteriorates because the ONU cannot be reassigned to different wavelengths for load balancing or network optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ONU incorporates dynamic wavelength switching capability, allowing it to change operating wavelengths based on real-time network conditions, load balancing requirements, or OLT assignments. This dynamic adaptability is achieved through programmable wavelength tunability in the optical transceiver, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing network demands while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If wavelength assignment is left to random selection by the ONU, then the system operation is simpler, but the communication reliability deteriorates because wavelength conflicts or suboptimal assignments may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback-based wavelength assignment mechanism where the OLT actively manages and assigns wavelengths to ONUs based on network conditions, traffic patterns, and resource availability. The OLT receives feedback about wavelength usage and network state, then makes informed assignment decisions that optimize communication reliability while simplifying operational complexity through centralized control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2840742B1Communication system, master station apparatus, slave station apparatus, control apparatus, and communication control method
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2840742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2840742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2840742B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication system in which a master station device (10) is connected to a plurality of slave station devices (20) by an optical transmission line (30) and a plurality of wavelengths are used to perform at least one of downstream communication and upstream communication. The master station device (10) includes: a control unit (11) that assigns a wavelength to be used in communication to the slave station device (20), and that generates a control signal for notifying the slave station device (20) of the assigned wavelength; and an optical transmitter (14) that transmits the control signal generated by the control unit (11) to the slave station device (20). The slave station device (20) includes an optical receiver (23) and an optical transmitter (24) that carry out communication with the master station device (10) using the wavelength based on the control signal received from the master station device (10).