Optical Domain Interface Control Without O/E/O Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical networks face challenges in providing reliable end-to-end optical spectrum services across multiple transparent optical network domains due to the need for optical-electrical-optical conversion points, which increase complexity, energy consumption, and limit network flexibility and upgradability, while existing SDN-based solutions require hardware upgrades and lack interoperability among different network operators.
Innovation Solution
A transparent optical overlay network with network domain interface devices and an overlay network controller that monitor and adjust optical signals across domain boundaries, eliminating intermediate O/E/O conversion points and enabling independent hardware operation, while collecting telemetry data for performance monitoring and managing end-to-end services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional O/E/O conversion points are used at domain boundaries, then reliable interworking and domain separation are achieved, but device complexity, energy consumption, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the O/E/O conversion function from the domain boundary interface and relocates it to edge routers within each domain. This removes the conversion points from the transparent optical path, eliminating the associated complexity and energy consumption while preserving domain separation through logical routing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control plane intermediary that manages domain boundary interactions through software-based routing decisions. This intermediary handles the coordination between domains without requiring physical conversion points, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable interworking through centralized control.
2Reliability
If O/E/O conversion points are deployed at domain boundaries, then domain separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy-consuming O/E/O conversion operation from the transparent optical path and relocates it to edge routers where conversion is only performed for traffic entering or leaving the optical domain. This maintains domain separation while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary conversions in the transparent path.
3Reliability
If conventional interfaces with specific data rates and signal formats are used, then reliable interworking is achieved, but network flexibility and future upgradability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signal format and data rate adaptation at edge routers through software-based forwarding planes. This allows the network to adapt to different signal formats and rates without requiring dedicated hardware for each format, maintaining reliable interworking while providing network flexibility and future upgradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal edge router interfaces that can handle multiple signal formats and data rates through a single reconfigurable platform. This multi-functional interface maintains reliable interworking across different domains while providing the flexibility to support future protocols and formats without dedicated hardware.
4Adaptability or versatility
If SDN overlay controllers are used for transparent interconnection, then some form of transparent interconnection is achieved, but interoperability problems arise when operators do not agree to external control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture into autonomous domain controllers that operate independently within each operator's domain. Each domain controller manages its own domain without requiring external control, while still enabling transparent interconnection through standardized interface protocols. This preserves operator autonomy while achieving the adaptability of SDN-based transparent interconnection.
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent optical overlay network (1) for providing end-to-end optical spectrum services over multiple transparent optical network domains (2) is described. The transparent optical overlay network (1) includes network domain interface devices, NDIDs, (3) provided at domain boundaries between adjacent transparent optical network domains (2). The network domain interface device, NDID (3), monitors and adjusts incoming optical signals received by the NDID (3) from a first transparent optical network domain (2-1) and monitors and adjusts outgoing optical signals output by the NDID (3) to an adjacent second transparent optical network domain (2-2). An overlay network controller (5) manages and controls the end-to-end optical spectrum services by controlling the NDIDs (3). The overlay network controller collects telemetry data (TDATA) for optical spectrum service characterization and SLA policing of the optical spectrum services.