Optical Bandwidth Manager for Spectrum Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical transport networks, frequent set-up and tear-down of optical routes lead to significant fragmentation of spectral resources, resulting in unused spectrum slots and reduced data transport capacity due to spectrum continuity and optical carrier consecutiveness constraints, causing waste of expensive spectral resources and increased blocking.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates allocation recommendations to reduce fragmentation by identifying available channels with contiguous spans and recommending their allocation for new optical paths, using a fragmentation heuristic to optimize spectrum usage without increasing fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frequent set-up and tear-down of optical routes is performed to accommodate dynamic traffic demands, then network adaptability is improved, but spectral resource fragmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of spectral resource availability and fragmentation status before establishing new optical routes. By proactively identifying contiguous spectral slots and evaluating potential fragmentation impacts, the system can make informed allocation decisions that prevent fragmentation from occurring in the first place, thus maintaining network adaptability while preserving spectral resource stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors spectral resource allocation status and fragmentation levels across the optical network. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of route setup decisions, allowing the system to adapt to changing traffic demands while actively managing fragmentation by selecting allocation strategies that maintain spectral resource stability
2Reliability
If spectrum allocation follows strict continuity and carrier consecutiveness constraints, then optical signal integrity is improved, but spectral resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts spectral allocation parameters by identifying and allocating contiguous spectral slots that satisfy both continuity constraints and utilization optimization goals. By flexibly selecting different spectral parameters (wavelengths, frequency slots) based on current network state, the system maintains optical signal integrity while improving overall spectral resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system approaches spectrum allocation from multiple dimensions by considering not only the traditional wavelength domain but also the spatial dimension of available spectral slots across different fibers and routes. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to find contiguous allocations that satisfy constraint requirements while maximizing utilization of previously underused spectral resources
3Productivity
If spectral defragmentation is performed periodically to consolidate spectrum allocation, then spectral resource efficiency is improved, but network operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing defragmentation periodically after fragmentation occurs, the system performs preliminary fragmentation prevention by analyzing spectral allocation requests before execution. By proactively identifying and allocating contiguous spectral slots that avoid fragmentation, the system achieves spectral resource efficiency without requiring complex periodic defragmentation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service spectral management by automatically analyzing allocation requests, identifying suitable contiguous spectral slots, and making optimization decisions without requiring manual intervention or complex external control mechanisms. This automated approach improves spectral efficiency while keeping operational complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a setup request for an optical path between a source entity of network entities in an optical network and a destination entity of the network entities, identify a first channel and a second channel having one or more contiguous first span with an allocation status of available and being configurable to provide the optical path between the source entity and the destination entity; analyze network configuration data indicative of the first channel and the second channel with a fragmentation heuristic to generate an allocation recommendation recommending the first channel to be allocated to the optical path; and provide the allocation recommendation identifying the first channel for allocation to the optical path.