Optical Transmission Interface Configuration Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring optical transmission interfaces in optical networks with optical band-pass filters where the effective passband and carrier wavelength are a priori unknown, especially in temperature-dependent environments, is challenging, leading to potential detuning issues that affect signal transmission quality.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring method that tracks the difference level between codewords received and transmitted by devices to adjust the optical transmission interface configuration, ensuring the carrier wavelength matches the passband of the optical band-pass filter, using techniques such as difference level monitoring, discontinuity detection, and signal temporal shape analysis to determine detuning and adjust accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If temperature control is implemented to stabilize the passband of optical band-pass filters, then the stability of carrier wavelength matching is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring powered or air-conditioned environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of passbandVSAvoidcomplexity of temperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own transmission quality through bidirectional communication between optical network units. The ONU detects transmission errors and automatically adjusts its operating wavelength to match the filter passband, eliminating the need for external temperature control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the operating wavelength parameter of the ONU based on real-time transmission quality feedback. By adjusting the wavelength to match the filter passband, the system compensates for temperature-induced drift without requiring active temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If temperature control is implemented to stabilize the passband of optical band-pass filters, then the reliability of wavelength matching is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring powered or air-conditioned environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of wavelength matchingVSAvoidease of deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ONU automatically detects transmission quality issues and adjusts its own wavelength without requiring manual intervention or controlled environmental conditions. This self-adjusting capability simplifies deployment to unpowered locations while maintaining reliable wavelength matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from transmission error monitoring to automatically adjust the operating wavelength. The ONU receives feedback about transmission quality and modifies its wavelength accordingly, ensuring reliable operation without requiring controlled environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the carrier wavelength is adjusted to match the passband of the optical band-pass filter, then the transmission quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring monitoring and adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission qualityVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ONU uses its existing bidirectional communication capability for both data transmission and monitoring transmission quality. The same communication interface is used to detect errors and to receive adjustment commands, eliminating the need for separate monitoring hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The ONU autonomously monitors its own transmission quality by detecting errors in received signals and automatically adjusts its operating parameters without external control. This self-adjusting capability improves transmission quality while minimizing additional device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If configuration parameters are modified to change the carrier wavelength, then the adaptability to temperature changes is improved, but the loss of information increases because the terminal is not aware of the effective carrier wavelength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to temperature changesVSAvoidknowledge of effective wavelength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes feedback loops where transmission quality information flows back to the ONU, enabling it to infer the effectiveness of its wavelength configuration. This feedback mechanism allows the terminal to adapt to temperature changes while maintaining awareness of its operational state through error rate monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2782286B1Method and device for determining whether a configuration of an optical transmission interface has to be adjusted
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC R&D CENTRE EUROPE BV
  • EP2782286B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2782286B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2782286B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

For determining whether a configuration of an optical transmission interface of a first device has to be adjusted for transmitting optical signals to a second device via an optical band-pass filter, the second device having an optical reception interface configured to enable receiving optical signals output by said optical band-pass filter and transmitted by the first device on a carrier wavelength when said carrier wavelength is comprised in the passband of the optical band-pass filter, said carrier wavelength and/or said passband of the optical band-pass filter being a priori unknown, a monitoring device performs: monitoring an evolution of a difference level between codewords received by the second device via said optical signals and corresponding codewords transmitted by the first device; and determining whether the configuration of the optical transmission interface of the first device has to be adjusted, on the basis of said monitoring.