Optical Network Terminal Connectivity Monitoring via Power Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the connectivity of an optical network terminal to an optical output port in optical access networks require unnecessary measurements and data transmission from the remote node to the controller, increasing complexity and potential for errors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a network analyzer that transmits control signals to modulate the power level of downstream signals at dedicated output ports, with the optical network terminal reporting reception levels to a management information base, allowing the analyzer to derive potential connections without requiring data from the remote node, thus simplifying the monitoring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current methods are used for monitoring connectivity, then the remote node can perform measurements and transmit data to the controller, but this increases device complexity and potential for errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the remote node and relocates it to the network analyzer. The network analyzer transmits test signals and receives measurements directly from the optical network terminal, eliminating the need for the remote node to perform measurements and transmit data. This extraction reduces the remote node's complexity while maintaining monitoring accuracy through direct measurements at the terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The network analyzer acts as an intermediary device that mediates between the controller and the optical network terminal for connectivity monitoring. Instead of the remote node directly measuring and reporting to the controller, the network analyzer performs measurements and provides results to the controller, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing error potential.
2Reliability
If the remote node performs measurements and transmits data to the controller, then connectivity can be monitored, but this increases the number of data transmission steps and potential error sources
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement and data transmission functions are extracted from the remote node and consolidated at the network analyzer. This eliminates multiple data transmission steps between the remote node and controller, reducing the time required for connectivity monitoring while improving reliability through fewer intermediate steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The network analyzer directly measures connectivity parameters at the optical network terminal and immediately provides results to the controller, skipping the intermediate step of remote node measurement and data transmission. This rushing through the monitoring process reduces overall time while maintaining accuracy.
3Device complexity
If the network analyzer derives connections from reception levels stored in the management information base, then the monitoring process is simplified and errors are reduced, but this requires accurate reception level reporting from the terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network terminal continuously reports reception levels to the network analyzer, which stores this feedback data in the management information base. The network analyzer uses this accumulated feedback to derive connectivity information, simplifying the monitoring process while maintaining measurement precision through continuous accurate reporting from the terminal.
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
This approach eliminates the need for remote node measurements and data transmission, streamlining the monitoring process and reducing errors by relying on reported reception levels stored in the management information base, enhancing connectivity monitoring efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
activating an optical modulation device present at the dedicated output port
Implementation Method 2
indicating reception levels of a received downstream signal for successive time instances
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a method of monitoring a connectivity of an optical network terminal to an optical output port of a remote node in an optical access network. A network analyzer transmits a control signal that indicates a request for modulating a power level of an optical downstream signal at a dedicated optical output port of a remote node. A controller receives the control signal from the network analyzer and transmits an output control signal indicating the output port to said remote node. The remote node receives the output control signal and activates an optical modulation device present at the output port. An optical network terminal indicates reception levels of a received downstream signal for successive time instances. The network analyzer retrieves reception level data and furthermore derives a potential connection of the optical network terminal to the dedicated output port.