Optical Branching Ratio Control for APN Signal Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In All-Photonics Networks (APN), management control information is inefficiently transmitted due to the superimposition of slower Auxiliary Management and Control Channel (AMCC) signals on main signals, leading to excessive light branching that reduces the energy efficiency of main signal transmission, especially when transmission distances vary between user terminals and optical gateways.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication system with an optical switch, measurement part, and instruction part that adjusts the branching ratio of optical signals based on calculated transmission distances to ensure minimal light power loss, allowing for optimal reception of AMCC signals while maximizing main signal transmission distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed branching ratio is used for all user terminals, then the AMCC signal can be received by terminals at the minimum transmission distance, but the transmission distance of the main signal is reduced due to excessive light power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the branching ratio variable rather than fixed. The optical branching part changes the branching ratio dynamically based on the transmission distance of each user terminal, allowing the system to adapt to different distances and optimize both AMCC signal reception and main signal transmission distance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of branching ratio according to transmission distance. By adjusting this parameter based on measured round trip times and calculated distances, the system optimizes the balance between extracting sufficient AMCC signal power and maintaining adequate main signal power for extended transmission
2Reliability
If the branching ratio is increased to ensure AMCC signal reception, then management control information can be extracted reliably, but the energy efficiency of main signal transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the branching ratio based on actual transmission conditions. For terminals closer to the optical gateway, a smaller branching ratio is used, reducing energy loss. For terminals at the minimum transmission distance, a larger branching ratio ensures reliable AMCC signal extraction, thus optimizing energy efficiency across different scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The branching ratio parameter is changed according to transmission distance calculations. This parameter adjustment allows the system to minimize energy loss for close terminals while ensuring sufficient signal extraction for distant terminals, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency
3Device complexity
If light is extracted at the same branching ratio from all transmission paths, then the system configuration is simple, but extra light is branched off that exceeds the minimum photosensitivity required for AMCC signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of branching ratios for different transmission paths based on measured transmission distances. The control apparatus calculates the distance using round trip time measurements and determines the appropriate branching ratio for each path, optimizing power distribution without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of round trip times and calculation of transmission distances before establishing the optimal branching ratio. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate branching configuration for each user terminal, avoiding both excessive complexity and energy loss
Data Source
AI summary
An optical switch having a plurality of ports outputs an optical signal received from a first port that is one of the plurality of ports connected to an optical communication device from a second port that another one of the plurality of ports according to a transmission path of an optical signal. An optical branching part branches an optical signal which has been output from a second port in accordance with a branching ratio. A measurement part measures a round trip time by transmitting and receiving an optical signal to and from an optical communication device through an optical switch, and calculates a transmission distance of the optical signal on the basis of the measured round trip time. An instruction part instructs, the optical branching part, of the branching ratio determined on the basis of the calculated transmission distance.