Open Optical Access Network Wavelength Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical access networks are limited in allowing multiple service providers to share a single optical infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for separate wavelength control systems and limited service provision to subscribers.

Innovation Solution

An open optical access network system utilizing an optical line terminal (OLT), optical network unit (ONU), and optical dividing/coupling unit, which enables wavelength and frequency independence, allowing subscribers to select and change services flexibly by using an arrayed waveguide grating or frequency selective filters for wavelength and frequency selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a single optical infrastructure is shared by multiple service providers, then infrastructure cost is reduced and use efficiency is enhanced, but service provider access control and wavelength management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure costVSAvoidwavelength control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wavelength management system as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple service providers and the shared optical infrastructure. This system automatically assigns, monitors, and manages wavelength resources, preventing conflicts while allowing multiple providers to share the infrastructure without direct interference, thus reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual wavelength assignment and control mechanisms with automated optical switching and wavelength management systems. This substitution reduces the complexity of manual coordination between service providers while enabling efficient sharing of the optical infrastructure through automated resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wavelength tunable lasers and filters are used for intelligent wavelength selection, then infrastructure sharing is enabled, but access difficulty increases due to single wavelength control circuit sharing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provider accessVSAvoidwavelength control access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wavelength control functionality by providing dedicated wavelength control circuits for each service provider rather than sharing a single control circuit. This segmentation allows each provider to independently manage their wavelength resources without interference, improving ease of operation while maintaining the ability to share the optical infrastructure through coordinated wavelength assignments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed wavelength assignment is used in WDM-PON with OXC, then infrastructure stability is improved, but subscriber service flexibility deteriorates due to wavelength limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical infrastructure stabilityVSAvoidsubscriber service selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic wavelength assignment capabilities that allow wavelengths to be reassigned and reallocated based on service requirements. The system maintains stable infrastructure through controlled management while enabling flexible service selection for subscribers by dynamically adjusting wavelength assignments according to demand, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration allows multiple service providers to connect through a common optical infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in service provision, enabling subscribers to receive services from various providers without the need for new infrastructure, thus reducing costs and improving service delivery.

Implementation Method 1

The optical dividing/coupling unit is configured to divide or couple the optical signal transmitted and received between the OLT and the ONU

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal division and coupling:

Implementation Method 2

The ONU is configured to separate and receive an optical signal of a predetermined transport channel from the optical signal of the some transport channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal separation:

Implementation Method 3

send the OLT an optical signal which is obtained by modulating the optical signal of the predetermined transport channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS8824890B2Open optical access network system

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

The present invention relates to an open optical access network system in which one optical access network is open to enable a plurality of service providers and a plurality of subscribers to simultaneously use the optical access network, to thereby improve the efficiency of using the optical access network, wherein each subscriber can be provided with a plurality of different services from the plurality of service providers, thereby enabling the flexible selection of services and the flexible change in services, thus improving the efficiency of using an optical infrastructure.