Optical Network Light Path Scheduling and Impairment Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication networks face inefficiencies in scheduling light paths due to time-consuming manual processes for adding or deleting wavelengths, leading to prolonged channel setup and potential data loss from transient impairments in EDFA amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically scheduling data transmission in wavelength-division multiplexed optical networks by storing network topology information and using it to quickly select available wavelengths and start times, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing impairments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual processes are used for adding or deleting wavelengths in optical networks, then operators can control channel changes, but the process becomes time-consuming and causes prolonged channel setup time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic assessment and scheduling of light paths by having the network infrastructure itself evaluate channel impairments and make scheduling decisions without manual intervention. The automated system assesses traffic impairments, identifies suitable wavelengths, and schedules light paths independently, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes while maintaining reliability through algorithmic optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic systems. Instead of operators manually adding or deleting wavelengths, the system uses automated algorithms to assess channel conditions, calculate impairments, and execute wavelength changes electronically, dramatically reducing setup time while maintaining control.
2Speed
If wavelengths are changed quickly in EDFA amplifiers, then channel reconfiguration speed increases, but transient impairments cause data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of channel impairments and identifies optimal scheduling opportunities before executing wavelength changes. By pre-evaluating the impact of potential light path changes and selecting timing that minimizes transient effects, the system enables faster reconfiguration while protecting against data loss through advance planning and impairment analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors channel conditions and uses this feedback to make informed scheduling decisions. By assessing real-time impairment levels and adjusting wavelength change timing accordingly, the system can execute faster reconfigurations when conditions are favorable while avoiding changes that would cause excessive transients and data loss.
3Productivity
If automated scheduling algorithms are implemented, then light path scheduling time decreases, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling problem is divided into manageable segments by assessing impairments for individual channels and light paths separately. The system breaks down the complex network-wide optimization into smaller, independent assessments that can be processed efficiently, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining scheduling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the scheduling problem by changing parameters from evaluating all possible wavelength combinations to assessing only the marginal impact of adding or removing specific channels. This parameter transformation simplifies the computational task while preserving the ability to make optimal scheduling decisions, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A single-wavelength light path is selected between a source access node and a destination access node of a wavelength-division multiplexed optical network, including selecting an illuminated wavelength of the light path and selecting a start time and duration for a data transfer that would not interfere with other data transfers. If no start time/wavelength combination is available with duration sufficient to transport the data, an additional wavelength is automatically selected, based on modeling, that would not impair traffic being carried by other wavelengths in the network, and without a time-consuming manual process of the prior art. The scheduling process may include selecting a set of optical fibers, a wavelength, a start time and an end time to transport proposed traffic. A novel scheduler avoids checking every possible start time, thereby saving significant processing time. The scheduler schedules single-wavelength light paths, rather than relying on complex wavelength shifting schemes.