Optical Channel Protection with Electrical Layer Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical channel protection mechanisms in OTN/DCI networks rely solely on optical power detection, failing to trigger protection switching when electrical layer performance deteriorates, leading to post-FEC errors and communication disruptions due to dynamic changes in performance tolerance and optical loss.
Innovation Solution
Implement a mechanism for coordinated monitoring and switching protection between the electrical and optical layers, using fault information from both layers to trigger optical channel switching based on priority, reducing communication disruptions and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical power detection is used for protection switching, then the protection mechanism is simple to implement, but it fails to detect electrical layer performance deterioration leading to post-FEC errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical layer monitoring and electrical layer monitoring into a unified protection switching mechanism. The electrical layer monitoring module detects signal quality parameters (post-FEC errors, signal-to-noise ratio) and feeds this information to the protection switching module, which integrates with the optical layer's protection switching logic to make coordinated switching decisions based on both optical power and electrical signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electrical layer monitoring module continuously monitors signal quality parameters and provides feedback to the protection switching module. This feedback loop enables the system to detect electrical layer deterioration and trigger protection switching even when optical power remains within normal ranges, thereby improving protection accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If optical layer only monitoring is used, then the system is easier to operate, but it cannot respond to dynamic changes in electrical layer performance tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function into two independent modules: optical layer monitoring and electrical layer monitoring. Each module operates independently with its own detection parameters and thresholds, but both feed information to the protection switching module. This segmentation maintains operational simplicity for each layer while enabling comprehensive monitoring at the system level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability to the protection switching mechanism. The system can dynamically adjust protection switching thresholds and priorities based on real-time electrical layer performance conditions. When electrical layer signal quality deteriorates, the system dynamically lowers the threshold for triggering protection switching, enabling adaptive response to changing network conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If electrical layer monitoring is added to optical channel protection, then post-FEC errors can be detected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical layer monitoring module is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It not only monitors post-FEC errors and signal-to-noise ratio for protection switching decisions but also provides diagnostic information for network maintenance and optimization. The same monitoring infrastructure serves multiple purposes: real-time protection triggering, performance analytics, and fault localization, thereby justifying the added complexity through enhanced functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, method, apparatus, and medium for optical channel protection have been disclosed. A method for exemplary optical channel protection may comprise: in response to receiving fault information in an optical transmission network, performing alarm evaluation based on the fault information, wherein the fault information comprises first fault information associated with an electrical layer of the optical transmission network; and generating an action instruction for optical channel switching at least based on the evaluation result.