Optical Network Control Seams for Faster Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In optical networking, the time taken for photonic service restoration is constrained by optical hardware limitations and the need for non-service affecting capacity changes, leading to slow restoration speeds due to spectral impairments such as amplifier gain ripple, Stimulated Raman Scattering, and Spectral Hole Burning, which impact existing photonic services.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves proactively estimating available margins of existing photonic services along the protection optical path to determine optimal restoration speeds, pre-programming controller settings, and sequencing control actions to minimize restoration time while ensuring non-service affecting changes, thereby improving restoration speed and reducing spectral impairments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If photonic service restoration is performed using conventional sequential control actions, then service restoration is achieved, but restoration speed is slow due to hardware limitations and spectral impairments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration speedVSAvoidrestoration time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal controller settings and control action sequences before failures occur. When a failure happens, the pre-computed restoration plan is immediately executed, eliminating the need for real-time calculation and enabling faster restoration without causing spectral impairments to existing services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts controller settings and control action sequences based on the specific failure scenario and network state. By optimizing the control sequence for each particular situation rather than using a fixed sequential approach, the system achieves faster restoration speeds while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If control actions are performed faster to improve restoration speed, then spectral impairments such as amplifier gain ripple, Stimulated Raman Scattering, and Spectral Hole Burning increase, impacting existing photonic services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration speedVSAvoidspectral impairments

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates the optimal control action sequence that achieves restoration while maintaining spectral integrity. By determining the precise sequence of control actions beforehand, the system can execute faster restorations without exceeding spectral impairment thresholds, as the pre-computed sequence inherently accounts for these constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor spectral conditions during restoration. The pre-computed control sequences are adjusted based on real-time spectral measurements, ensuring that restoration speed is maximized while spectral impairments remain within acceptable limits for existing photonic services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables faster and more efficient photonic service restoration by optimizing controller settings and sequencing control actions, reducing the impact of spectral impairments on existing services and improving overall network performance.

Implementation Method 1

spectral impairments such as amplifier gain ripple, Stimulated Raman Scattering, and Spectral Hole Burning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStimulated Raman Scattering:

Data Source

PatentUS10536235B2Logical control seams in optical networks to improve restoration speed or timing for capacity adds

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods include, in a controller, responsive to a request to add one or more channels to a path in an optical network which has in-service channels, determining a plurality of logical control seams to split the path, wherein the path includes a plurality of optical sections and each logical control seam has a boundary at an associated optical section; determining controller speed for each of the plurality of logical control seams based on corresponding optical margin; and performing, for each of the plurality of logical control seams, control at the determined controller speed to add the one or more channels with the in-service channels.