Optical Broadcast Network Control Plane Wavelength Contention Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical broadcast networks require advanced bandwidth management and control plane extensions to handle unique operational behaviors, such as distributed bandwidth management and wavelength contention detection, which existing control planes like SDN and GMPLS do not adequately address, especially when integrating with non-broadcast networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a control plane that tracks wavelength presence across all links, performs horizontal synchronization for link recovery, and allows for wavelength retuning to resolve contention, using signaling mechanisms like broadcast and domino effect signaling to manage bandwidth and validate network topology in optical broadcast networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing control planes (SDN, GMPLS) are used in optical broadcast networks, then standard control functionality is provided, but bandwidth management and wavelength contention detection are inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth managementVSAvoidcontrol plane adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane functionality is segmented into distributed control plane nodes, each responsible for managing bandwidth and detecting wavelength contention within its domain. This segmentation allows the control plane to be adapted to the specific requirements of optical broadcast networks while maintaining standard control functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control plane is designed to be dynamic, enabling it to adapt its behavior based on network conditions. The control plane can dynamically detect wavelength contention and manage bandwidth allocation in response to changing network states, making it versatile for both broadcast and non-broadcast network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If bandwidth management is applied to all links in the network, then wavelength contention is detected, but control plane complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength contention detectionVSAvoidcontrol plane complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into multiple domains, each managed by a distributed control plane node. This segmentation reduces the complexity of bandwidth management by limiting the scope of control plane operations to specific domains rather than requiring global network management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each control plane node autonomously performs bandwidth management and wavelength contention detection within its domain without requiring centralized coordination. This self-service approach reduces control plane complexity while maintaining reliable contention detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If optical broadcast network integrates with non-broadcast network, then network versatility is improved, but topology validation and bandwidth updates become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork integrationVSAvoidtopology management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distributed control plane acts as an intermediary between optical broadcast and non-broadcast networks. It manages topology validation and bandwidth updates at the interface between different network types, simplifying the integration process while maintaining network versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control plane is designed with universal functionality that can handle both broadcast and non-broadcast network topologies. This multi-functionality allows the same control plane infrastructure to manage diverse network types without requiring separate specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If horizontal synchronization is implemented for node recovery, then network reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenode recoveryVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal synchronization process is segmented into domain-specific recovery operations. Each control plane node performs synchronization only within its domain, reducing the overall signaling overhead while maintaining network reliability through localized recovery actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3051725B1Control plane extensions for optical broadcast networks

Publication Date: 2020.04.08 CIENA CORP

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AI summary

A method for bandwidth management in an optical broadcast network includes signaling, for a new optical broadcast service, from an originating node 12A to all nodes 12 in the optical broadcast network, wherein the signaling identifies a wavelength or portion of spectrum 14 associated with the new optical broadcast service; at each of the nodes, checking for contention by the new optical broadcast service; responsive to identifying contention at one of the nodes, signaling the identified contention back to the originating node; and responsive to no contention at any of the nodes, processing the signaling, storing an update of the new optical broadcast service, and either forwarding the signaling to peer nodes or terminating the signaling.