Asymmetric Optical Link Power Reduction via Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical communication systems cannot effectively manage the activation and deactivation of the Automatic Power Reduction (APR) process for asymmetric and unidirectional paths, particularly in non-main optical channels, which poses a risk to human safety during fiber repairs or testing.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that includes a controller, source board, and destination board asymmetrically and unidirectionally connected through an optical fiber, where the destination board detects abnormal signals and sends a communication abnormality message to the controller, which then instructs the source board to reduce output power, and subsequently restores normal operation upon signal recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single-ended APR process is implemented for asymmetric and unidirectional paths, then human safety is protected during fiber repairs or testing, but the system complexity increases due to additional activation and deactivation control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehuman eye safetyVSAvoidAPR control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that manages the APR process. The controller receives abnormality notifications from the destination board, determines the need for power reduction, and sends control instructions to the source board. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic for APR activation and deactivation, rather than requiring complex distributed control mechanisms across asymmetric and unidirectional paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the destination board detects abnormal signals and triggers power reduction, then optical power safety is ensured, but the response time may be delayed due to the notification and control instruction transmission process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical power safetyVSAvoidAPR response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the destination board continuously monitor optical signals and maintain readiness to detect abnormalities. When an abnormal condition is detected (such as fiber breakage or connector unplugging), the destination board immediately sends a notification to the controller, which then promptly issues power reduction instructions to the source board. This prepared state ensures that the APR process activates as quickly as possible upon detecting safety threats, minimizing the time delay between abnormality occurrence and power reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the APR process is activated for asymmetric and unidirectional paths, then protection coverage is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring abnormal conditions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidabnormal condition detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the destination board continuously monitors the optical signal quality and provides real-time status information to the controller. When the source board reduces optical power in response to an abnormality, the system maintains continuous monitoring to detect when normal conditions are restored. This feedback loop ensures comprehensive protection coverage for asymmetric and unidirectional paths while simplifying abnormal condition detection through automated monitoring and status reporting between components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3163768B1Automatic power reduction protection method and device, and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 ZTE CORP
  • EP3163768B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3163768B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3163768B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention discloses an Automatic Power Reduction (APR) protection device. A controller is in communication connection with a source board and a destination board; and the source board and the destination board are asymmetrically and unidirectionally connected through an optical fiber, herein the destination board is arranged to send a communication abnormality message including destination board information to the controller when detecting that an optical signal is abnormal; the controller is arranged to find corresponding source board information according to the destination board information, and send a first control instruction to the source board according to the source board information; and the source board is arranged to reduce output power of the optical signal. The present invention also discloses an APR protection method and a computer storage medium.