Optical-Layer Multipath Protection for Resource Overbuild Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks face high resource overbuild and processing costs due to the need for link-disjoint routing and granular traffic in multi-path protection schemes, particularly in SONET/SDH layers, which limits flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-path provisioning approach in the optical layer that divides signals into sub-signals at the source node, allowing for independent routing and iterative reduction of backup traffic bandwidth without requiring link-disjoint routing or granular traffic, using a traffic distributor to dynamically adjust traffic distribution patterns based on network states and failure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-path protection with 1+1 protection is used, then complete protection against failure is achieved, but resource overbuild reaches 100%
Solution Approach 1:
The primary traffic is segmented into multiple sub-signals that can be routed over multiple paths simultaneously. This segmentation allows the backup resources to protect multiple primary paths sharing the same physical links, thereby reducing the total backup resources needed compared to traditional 1+1 protection where each primary path requires dedicated backup resources.
2Quantity of substance
If multi-path protection schemes are used, then resource overbuild is reduced and reliability is increased, but constraint on bandwidth availability and transmission impairment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the distribution of primary and backup traffic across multiple paths based on real-time network conditions, bandwidth availability, and transmission impairment characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the multi-path protection scheme to optimize resource utilization while maintaining protection capabilities, reducing the constraints on bandwidth availability compared to static multi-path schemes.
3Reliability
If VCAT/LCAS is used for multi-path protection in SONET/SDH layer, then protection capability is provided, but processing cost, power consumption, and control complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex digital processing and control mechanisms of VCAT/LCAS in the SONET/SDH layer with optical-layer signaling and control. By implementing multi-path protection at the optical layer, the system eliminates the need for digital-to-optical conversion and complex electronic processing at intermediate nodes, thereby significantly reducing processing cost, power consumption, and control complexity while maintaining protection capability.
4Productivity
If optical layer multi-path provisioning is used, then processing resources and signaling overhead are reduced, but sub-signals cannot be split at intermediate nodes due to integrality constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal functionality by implementing both optical layer signaling for efficient control and electrical layer processing capabilities at intermediate nodes for traffic splitting. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain the processing efficiency and reduced signaling overhead of optical layer provisioning while also enabling traffic splitting at intermediate nodes when needed, thereby overcoming the integrality constraint.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-path provisioning scheme is provided to ensure full protection while reducing or minimizing resource overbuild. A signal to be provisioned is divided at a source node into a plurality of sub-signals that are independently routed from the source node to a destination node. Bandwidth for back-up traffic B is allocated in addition to bandwidth for primary traffic T. In some embodiments, the initial bandwidth B of the backup traffic equals the bandwidth of the primary traffic. The T+B traffic is initially distributed so that no link carries more than B traffic. The traffic distribution pattern is then iteratively revised to reduce the bandwidth requirements for the backup traffic while still meeting requirements for protection.