Optical Mesh Network Power Control via Virtual Input Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing and simulating dynamic cross-connecting optical mesh networks face challenges in providing a well-based, highly probable traffic matrix, making detailed traffic planning impossible, and requiring information about probable traffic patterns that are usually unavailable at the design stage.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines an operational regime for network nodes based on strategic assumptions about traffic development, using virtual power values calculated from expected path capacities to control optical amplifiers and other nodes, allowing for optimal power management without exact channel allocation or traffic prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detailed traffic planning is attempted using existing methods, then traffic matrix accuracy may improve, but the complexity of obtaining and processing traffic data increases significantly, making it impossible without unavailable information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simulator as an intermediary system that generates virtual traffic matrices based on network topology and traffic engineering parameters. This mediator translates complex, unavailable real-world traffic data into usable simulated traffic matrices, allowing detailed traffic planning without direct access to actual traffic patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs traffic matrix generation and simulation in advance during the network design phase, before actual traffic patterns are known or available. By preliminarily creating virtual traffic scenarios based on topological constraints and engineering requirements, the system enables detailed traffic planning without waiting for unavailable real-world data.
2Reliability
If virtual power values are calculated and used for power control, then output power stability improves, but the complexity of the power control mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the power control approach by changing from direct physical power measurement to virtual power value calculation. By computing virtual power values based on traffic engineering parameters and network topology rather than relying on complex real-time physical measurements, the system achieves output power stability while managing control mechanism complexity through parameter transformation.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for controlling power of a network node in an optical mesh network, comprising: determining a number of optical paths ingressing or expected to ingress the node, determining capacity or expected capacity of each of the paths; calculating for each of the paths a virtual input power Pvirtual, based on estimation of relative capacity of a specific path with respect to total capacity of all the paths; applying to the network node a power control mechanism, while utilizing a corresponding virtual input power Pvirtual as input power of any of the paths.