Node Apparatus Spectrum Segmentation for Submarine Signal Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
In submarine communication systems, existing technologies fail to prevent unnecessary optical signals from being intercepted at branch stations without significantly reducing the power of the transmission path, compromising the security of optical signals not addressed to the branch station.
Innovation Solution
A node apparatus equipped with a 3-port wavelength filter, a narrowband interleaver, and couplers that split and remove a portion of the spectrum of unnecessary optical signals, making them difficult to intercept while maintaining the power of the transmission path by using wavelength selective switches (WSS) or optical interleavers to invalidate trunk signals at the node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical signals are transmitted to branch stations, then the input power to optical submarine relay devices can be maintained within rating range, but unnecessary optical signals can be intercepted at branch stations compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal spectrum is segmented into multiple wavelength bands using a narrowband interleaver. By dividing the spectrum into fine wavelength channels, the system can selectively remove only the specific wavelength bands containing unnecessary trunk signals while preserving other wavelength bands, thus maintaining sufficient total power for relay devices while preventing interception of unwanted signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using a 3-port wavelength filter to direct different wavelength bands to different destinations. The filter provides locally differentiated signal routing: trunk signals are directed to trunk stations while branch signals are directed to branch stations. This local differentiation at the wavelength level enables precise control over which signals reach which destinations, enhancing security without sacrificing overall system power.
2Power
If all optical signals are transmitted to branch stations, then the power input to relay devices is maintained, but the security of trunk signals is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific wavelength bands containing unnecessary trunk signals from the optical signal before transmission to the branch station. Using the narrowband interleaver and wavelength filter, the system identifies and extracts only the problematic wavelength components, leaving the rest of the signal intact. This selective extraction maintains sufficient total power while eliminating the security risk of unnecessary signal interception.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spectral parameter of the transmitted optical signal by removing specific wavelength bands. Instead of transmitting the complete original signal, the patent modifies the signal's frequency domain characteristics by eliminating only the wavelength ranges containing trunk signals. This parameter change in the spectral domain achieves security enhancement while preserving adequate power levels through the remaining wavelength bands.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a wavelength filter is used to block unnecessary signals, then security is improved, but the power of the transmission path is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a broad wavelength filter that blocks large portions of the spectrum, the patent segments the spectrum into fine wavelength channels using a narrowband interleaver. This segmentation enables selective removal of only the specific narrow wavelength bands containing unnecessary signals, preserving the majority of the spectral power. The segmented approach maintains transmission power while achieving security through precise wavelength-selective filtering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents interception of unnecessary optical signals at branch stations while ensuring the security of the transmission, maintaining the power of the optical submarine relay devices within a rating range through self-healing effects.
Implementation Method 1
a narrowband interleaver for dividing the spectrum of the first optical signal into a plurality of wavelength bands and outputting the first optical signal as the fourth optical signal after removing a portion of each wavelength band of the plurality of wavelength bands of the first optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a 3-port wavelength filter for splitting the first and second optical signals outputted from the first optical unit into the first optical signal and the second optical signal
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to prevent, without significantly reducing the power of a transmission path, a signal unnecessary for a branch station from being intercepted at the branch station, a node apparatus comprises: a first optical unit that outputs a first optical signal received from a first terminal station and addressed to a second terminal station and also outputs a second optical signal received from the first terminal station and addressed to a third terminal station; and a second optical unit that receives the first and second optical signals outputted from the first optical unit, optically removes a portion of the spectrum of the first optical signal, thereby generating a fourth optical signal, and passes the second optical signal as it is, thereby transmitting the second optical signal together with the fourth optical signal to the third terminal station.