Optical Signal Loopback for OEO-Free Path Normality Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the normality of optical signal paths in all-photonics networks (APN) require optical-electrical-optical conversion at loopback points, which is inefficient and introduces delays.
Innovation Solution
A communication system and method that allows loopback of optical signals without performing optical-electrical-optical conversion by using loopback devices to transmit and receive optical signals as light, enabling normality determination based on acquired optical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical-electrical-optical conversion is performed at loopback points for signal path normality determination, then the optical signal path normality can be determined, but communication delays increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical conversion function from the loopback path by using an optical tap to separate a portion of the optical signal for monitoring purposes. This allows the main optical signal to loop back without undergoing OEO conversion, while a tapped portion is used for normality determination through optical measurement techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical tap as an intermediary device that enables signal sampling and monitoring without interrupting the main optical signal flow. This intermediary allows normality determination to be performed on a copied optical signal while the original signal continues through the loopback path without conversion delays.
2Reliability
If optical-electrical-optical conversion is performed at loopback points, then signal path normality can be determined, but device complexity and conversion overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for complex OEO conversion equipment at loopback points by extracting only a small portion of the optical signal through optical tapping. This eliminates the requirement for optical-electrical and electrical-optical converters, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining normality determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the signal using an optical tap, allowing the original signal to proceed through the loopback path unchanged while the copied signal is used for monitoring. This copying approach avoids the need for complex conversion equipment and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If optical signals are looped back as electrical signals, then normality determination can be performed, but high-speed communication efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous optical signal flow through the loopback path without interruption for conversion. By using optical tapping to sample the signal continuously, the system enables ongoing normality determination while preserving the uninterrupted high-speed optical communication, thus maintaining communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical conversion process with an all-optical solution. Instead of converting optical signals to electrical signals and back, the system uses optical measurement techniques to determine normality, substituting the conversion mechanism with a direct optical measurement approach that preserves communication speed and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes an instruction device that transmits a loopback instruction for an optical signal; a transceiver device that transmits the optical signal; and a loopback device that loops back the transmitted optical signal to the transceiver device as light based on the loopback instruction. The transceiver device acquires the looped-back optical signal and determines whether a path of the optical signal is normal based on the acquired optical signal. The transceiver device may determine that the path of the optical signal is normal in a case where an attenuation amount of the acquired optical signal is a predetermined attenuation amount. The transceiver device may determine that the path of the optical signal is normal in a case where a time length during which the optical signal is looped back is equal to a predetermined time length.