Optical Module Compute Resources for Local Data Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical networking systems face bandwidth limitations, preventing the transmission of vast amounts of performance monitoring data from optical modules to external systems, which hinders proactive performance monitoring and optimization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing optical modules with compute resources that allow for the execution of user-defined applications in a sandboxed environment, enabling local analysis and processing of data, including data from external sources, without interfering with core optical functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all captured optical measurement data is provided to the external system, then complete performance monitoring information is available, but bandwidth limitations prevent transmission of the vast amount of data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance monitoring dataVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary performance monitoring data from the vast amount of captured optical measurement data through local processing on the optical module. The compute resources on the module itself perform analysis and extract key performance indicators, sending only these extracted results to the external system rather than transmitting all raw data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer (compute resources on the optical module) between the data capture point and the external system. This intermediary performs local analysis, filtering, and extraction of performance monitoring data, acting as a mediator that reduces data volume while preserving essential information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user defined applications are executed on the optical modules, then sophisticated performance monitoring and optimization is enabled, but the core optical functions may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance monitoring capabilityVSAvoidoptical function stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical module into distinct functional areas: core optical functions and user-defined application execution environments. This segmentation allows user applications to run independently on the module without interfering with the stability and reliability of the core optical transmission functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the optical module to serve itself by executing user-defined applications locally on the module's compute resources. The module performs its own performance monitoring and analysis without requiring external intervention, while maintaining isolation between user applications and core functions through self-contained execution environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10097263B2User defined applications executed on optical modules for performance monitoring in optical networks

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 CIENA CORP

AI summary

An optical module adapted to operate in an optical network to perform an optical function therein includes optical components adapted to perform one or more functions associated with the optical module; processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the optical components and adapted to obtain data generated during operation of the one or more functions; and compute resources communicatively coupled to the processing circuitry and adapted to receive an application for local execution on the compute resources in a sandboxed manner, and analyze, by the application, the data to perform one or more functions.