Multi-Core Fiber Fault Detection via Segmented Cores

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication networks using multi-core fibers, existing technologies face challenges in quickly detecting faults and specifying fault locations, which can disrupt high-capacity signal transmission and affect communication between multiple nodes.

Innovation Solution

A communication system and method that includes a multi-core fiber with a detection signal output unit to transmit fault detection signals and a fault detection unit in each node to determine faults, allowing for rapid identification and location of issues within the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multi-core fiber is used to increase transmission capacity, then transmission capacity is improved, but fault detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capacityVSAvoidfault detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-core fiber is segmented into multiple independent detection paths, with each core capable of carrying dedicated detection signals. This segmentation allows individual fault detection in each core, transforming the complex problem of detecting faults in a high-capacity multi-core system into simpler, independent detection tasks for each core, thereby resolving the contradiction between high transmission capacity and fault detection difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated detection signal is introduced as an intermediary element that travels through the multi-core fiber alongside data signals. This detection signal serves as a mediator that carries fault information back to detection devices, enabling indirect but effective fault detection without interfering with the primary high-capacity data transmission function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If fault detection signal is transmitted through communication core, then detection capability is improved, but communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the multi-core fiber functionality by assigning specific cores to detection purposes and others to communication purposes. This functional segmentation allows detection signals to be transmitted through dedicated cores without interfering with communication signals in other cores, thereby improving detection capability while maintaining communication quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection function is extracted from the communication function by using separate, dedicated cores for detection signal transmission. This extraction eliminates the interference between detection and communication signals, allowing high-precision fault detection without degrading communication quality in the data-bearing cores

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3367590B1Communication system and fault detection method
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP3367590B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3367590B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3367590B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A communication system which includes: three or more nodes; a multi-core fiber having a plurality of cores, the multi-core fiber being used in at least a partial segment of a connection between the nodes; a detection signal output unit configured to output a fault detection signal transmitted by the core provided in the multi-core fiber configured to connect together the nodes; and a fault detection unit configured to determine whether a fault has occurred between the nodes on the basis of a detection result of the fault detection signal.