Optical Bypass Node Upgrade Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical networks face challenges in efficiently managing capacity growth and changes without disrupting service, as they often require costly upgrades and may result in either insufficient capacity or excess capacity due to unpredictable future needs, and existing upgrade methods necessitate network shutdowns, which is costly in industries like telecommunications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical bypass capabilities in existing networks, allowing for modular upgrades and flexible capacity management through the use of drop and add taps, bypass devices, and blocking filters, enabling upgrades without service disruptions by maintaining optical signal flow and dynamically managing power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical bypass capabilities are implemented through modular upgrades, then network adaptability and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like drop taps, add taps, and bypass devices
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network is segmented into modular components including drop taps, add taps, and bypass devices that can be independently configured and upgraded. This segmentation allows the network to implement optical bypass capabilities at specific nodes without replacing the entire network infrastructure, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The drop taps and add taps are designed with multi-functionality to serve both as optical bypass components and as part of the existing WDM network infrastructure. These universal components can handle multiple functions including wavelength division multiplexing, optical bypass routing, and network protection, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and thus managing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire network is replaced to meet future needs, then long-term capacity requirements are satisfied, but short-term financial costs increase and service disruption occurs during upgrade
Solution Approach 1:
The network is pre-configured with drop taps and add taps at OEO nodes during the initial deployment phase, enabling future optical bypass capabilities to be activated without physical network replacement. This preliminary action allows the network to prepare infrastructure for future needs while maintaining current service operations, avoiding service disruption during upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The network configuration is made dynamic through the ability to activate or deactivate optical bypass paths at different nodes based on current traffic demands and future projections. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the network to adapt to changing capacity requirements without physical replacement, satisfying long-term needs while avoiding service disruption through software-based control rather than hardware replacement.
3Reliability
If optical signals undergo OEO conversion at all nodes, then network reliability is maintained through regeneration, but capacity efficiency decreases and express traffic must be routed through unnecessary conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the OEO conversion function from all nodes and applies it selectively only at nodes where regeneration is actually needed. By using optical bypass paths, express traffic can skip intermediate nodes that would otherwise perform unnecessary OEO conversion, thereby improving capacity efficiency while maintaining reliability through targeted regeneration only where required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing complete OEO conversion at every node along the entire path, the system applies partial action by enabling optical bypass for express traffic that does not require regeneration. This partial application of OEO conversion only at necessary nodes improves capacity efficiency by eliminating redundant conversions while maintaining sufficient reliability through regeneration at strategic locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Optical bypass node upgrade configurations are disclosed: (1) a configuration where optical taps are pre-positioned in wavelength division multiplex (WDM) line systems terminating at optical-electrical-optical (OEO) core switching nodes to allow for future upgrade of the nodes to degree-two or higher optical bypass; (2) a configuration where the taps are pre-positioned in a degree-two optical bypass node to allow for future upgrade to a degree-N optical bypass node; and (3) a configuration and procedure for upgrading OEO core switching nodes to optical bypass when the taps have not been pre-positioned in the WDM line systems. These configurations do not introduce bit errors for non-upgraded optical paths.