Optical Link Switching for Fast Failover in Passive Ethernet Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Ethernet passive aggregation networks, data transmission efficiency is affected due to the need to wait for a failed link to recover, leading to inefficiencies in communication.

Innovation Solution

A link switching method that involves determining the failure status of multiple links using optical power and interval duration thresholds, enabling timely switching from a failed link to a secondary link for data transmission, ensuring normal communication is maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system waits for a failed link to recover before switching to an alternative link, then link stability is maintained, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to waiting delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink stabilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of link failure status using optical power thresholds and interval duration monitoring before switching is required. By continuously monitoring the optical signal characteristics and detecting failures in advance, the system prepares for potential switching without waiting for complete link collapse, thereby reducing transmission delays while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors optical power levels and transmission intervals on active links. When failure conditions are detected (optical power below threshold or interval exceeding duration), the system receives feedback about the failure status and automatically triggers switching to backup links, eliminating the need to wait for manual intervention or complete link recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the system implements real-time link failure detection using optical power and interval monitoring, then data transmission efficiency is improved through immediate switching, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system operates autonomously using self-service principles. The monitoring apparatus automatically detects link failures by measuring optical power levels and transmission interval durations without requiring external intervention. The system compares detected parameters against predefined thresholds and autonomously determines failure status, reducing the need for complex external control systems while maintaining high detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system simplifies detection complexity by focusing on changes in key parameters (optical power level and transmission interval duration) rather than monitoring all possible link characteristics. By establishing threshold values for these critical parameters, the system achieves effective failure detection through simple parameter comparison, avoiding the need for complex analysis of multiple variables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system uses dual detection methods (interval duration and optical power), then link failure detection accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two detection methods (interval duration monitoring and optical power measurement) into a unified failure detection framework. Both methods detect the same underlying condition (link failure) through different physical parameters, and their results are combined to improve detection accuracy. The optical power threshold and interval duration threshold work together to confirm failures, reducing false positives while maintaining simple implementation through parallel independent measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enhances data transmission efficiency by allowing immediate switching to a functional link, thereby avoiding delays associated with link recovery, and supports high-bandwidth data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

the optical splitter is configured to receive a first optical signal sent by a multiplexer, split the first optical signal into a first branch optical signal and a second branch optical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical signal splitting:

Data Source

PatentEP4651512A1Link switching method and system, and electronic device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 RUIJIE NETWORKS CO LTD
  • EP4651512A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651512A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4651512A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a link switching method and system, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The method includes: determining a failure status of a first link; when it is determined that the first link fails, determining whether a second link fails; and when the second link does not fail, switching from the first link to the second link for data transmission.