Optical Control Plane for DWDM Path Feasibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical control planes in DWDM networks do not adequately consider optical impairments when determining communication paths, leading to slowed routing operations and potential signal degradation, as they are adapted from electronic network technologies that lack detailed optical performance information.
Innovation Solution
An optical control plane (OCP) is introduced, distinct from the electronic control plane, to assess the optical feasibility of paths by gathering optical parametric information and determining if signals meet predetermined criteria, generating error messages and requesting new routes if impairments exceed thresholds, ensuring optically feasible paths without disrupting existing networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes are packed with optical parametric information to enable proper routing calculation, then optical path feasibility can be determined, but routing operations are slowed due to excessive computing power and time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control plane into electronic and optical components. The electronic control plane handles basic routing using existing protocols, while a separate optical control plane component collects optical parameters and determines optical feasibility. This segmentation allows routing operations to proceed without being burdened by complex optical calculations, thus maintaining routing speed while ensuring optical path feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical control plane that acts as a mediator between the electronic control plane and the optical network. This intermediary collects optical parametric information from network elements and provides optical feasibility assessments to the electronic control plane, enabling proper optical routing without requiring the electronic control plane to process complex optical parameters directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic control plane technologies are used in optical networks, then existing network operations can be maintained, but optical impairments such as attenuation and chromatic dispersion are not considered in path selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic control plane and optical control plane into a unified control architecture. The electronic control plane maintains its existing routing functions using standard protocols, while the optical control plane adds optical parameter collection and feasibility assessment capabilities. The two planes work together to determine complete lightpaths that satisfy both electronic routing requirements and optical signal quality constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane is designed with multi-functionality, combining electronic routing capabilities with optical path determination. The optical control plane component can collect optical parameters from various network elements, assess optical feasibility for different wavelengths, and provide this information to the electronic control plane, enabling a single control system to handle both electronic and optical network requirements.
3Reliability
If optical parametric information is collected and processed at each node, then proper optical path selection can be made, but the complexity of the control plane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical control plane functionality from the traditional electronic control plane node structure. Instead of packing each node with comprehensive optical parametric information processing capabilities, the optical control plane is separated as a distinct component that collects optical parameters from network elements and provides feasibility assessments. This extraction reduces node complexity while maintaining accurate optical path determination.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical control plane (OCP) distinct from an electronic control plane helps the setup of path routes in a DWDM network. The OCP determines the optical feasibility of any path route selected by the electronic control plane, such as operated under GMPLS protocol, and asks the electronic control plane for another path route if the optical feasibility is determined to be negative. The OCP can be set in a server or distributed across the nodes of the network.