Optical Network Fault Isolation Using Wavelength Tracker
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication networks, identifying the root cause of faults is a time-consuming and arduous task for network operators due to the generation of multiple alarms at various points, which can delay service restoration.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for network-wide fault isolation in optical networks using Wavelength Tracker technology to identify and display root cause alarms by constructing lists of affected Optical Channel paths, analyzing alarms in both transmit and receive directions, and masking non-root cause alarms, thereby isolating the root cause of faults efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual alarm analysis is performed by network operators, then fault identification can be achieved, but the time required for fault detection and service restoration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic fault isolation through self-diagnosis capabilities. The processor automatically analyzes alarm data, constructs affected OCh path lists, identifies root cause alarms, and masks correlated alarms without human intervention, allowing the network management system to serve itself in fault detection tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of alarm analysis with an automated electronic system. The processor electronically processes alarm data, performs logical analysis to identify root causes, and automatically masks correlated alarms, substituting human operators' manual work with automated computational processes
2Loss of information
If all alarms are displayed to network operators, then complete fault information is available, but the complexity of alarm analysis and difficulty of identifying root cause increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and displays only the root cause alarm from the complete set of alarms. By identifying and separating the root cause alarm from correlated alarms through automated analysis, the system presents only the essential information needed for fault resolution, eliminating the complexity of analyzing all alarms simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments alarms into root cause alarms and correlated alarms. The processor analyzes alarm relationships and divides the alarm set into distinct categories, displaying root cause alarms while masking correlated alarms. This segmentation simplifies the alarm landscape while preserving complete fault information in the system's analysis
3Productivity
If automatic fault isolation systems are implemented, then fault detection time is reduced, but the system complexity and algorithmic processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-constructing lists of affected OCh paths and pre-analyzing alarm correlations before fault occurrence. The processor maintains readiness by having alarm relationship data structured and available, enabling immediate automatic fault isolation when alarms occur, thus reducing detection time without requiring complex real-time analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for network wide fault isolation in an optical network are described. A single fault in a network can produce a large number of alarms at different points in an optical network. The described method and system identify the root cause alarm while masking all correlated alarms. In the embodiment of the invention, the method and system are based on a wavelength tracker technology allowing identification and tracking of individual channels in the optical network.