Optical Amplifier Self-Provisioning Through Local Span Loss Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical networks face challenges in dynamically adjusting optical amplifier gains due to varying components and conditions in the optical path, often requiring manual settings that are prone to human errors and inefficient without direct communication channels between nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing autonomous gain provisioning for optical amplifiers using Finite State Machines (FSMs) that measure local conditions such as span loss and insertion loss to set amplifier gains independently at each node, eliminating the need for direct communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual gain setting is used for optical amplifiers, then human error increases and efficiency decreases, but communication channels between nodes are required which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The optical amplifier automatically determines its own gain settings by measuring the optical signal power at its input and calculating the required gain based on predetermined parameters. The amplifier self-configures without needing communication with remote nodes, eliminating the need for complex communication channels while achieving full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gain determination process is divided into independent local measurements and calculations at each amplifier site. Each amplifier independently measures its input signal characteristics and computes its own gain settings, rather than relying on centralized control or inter-node communication, thus simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed component assumptions are used for gain calculation, then system deployment is simplified, but adaptability to specific network conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses predetermined parameters (such as target output power levels and span loss values) that can be configured for different network scenarios. These parameters are adjusted based on specific deployment conditions, allowing the same automated gain calculation mechanism to adapt to various network configurations without increasing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical network element detects an input optical signal at a preamplifier input and sets an output power level of the preamplifier at a predetermined Automatic Power Reduction (APR) power level. The optical network element starts an APR timer that expires after a first predetermined time period. While the APR timer is running, the optical network element measures an input power level of the input optical signal and calculates a span loss as a function of the difference between the predetermined APR power level and the measured input power level. After the expiration of the APR timer, the optical network element adjusts the output power level of the preamplifier output based on the calculated span loss.