Optical Module Management Signal Extraction for PON Upgrades

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-wavelength passive optical networks face challenges in managing devices like mobile bearers and switches due to the lack of a management signal processing module, which complicates the upgrade and management of these devices, especially in scenarios where out-of-band management is required.

Innovation Solution

An optical module that extracts and distinguishes between module management signals and device management signals, allowing for independent management and control of the physical layer parameters without relying on external devices, using techniques such as frequency or wavelength differentiation, and provides a shared interface for data and management signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If out-of-band management is implemented using existing optical modules, then device configuration remains simple, but management signal processing cannot be performed by the optical module itself requiring external MAC chips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidmanagement signal processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical module is designed to perform management signal processing autonomously without requiring external MAC chips or management signal processing modules in network devices. The optical module extracts, processes, and handles management signals internally, enabling self-service operation that simplifies device configuration while providing full management functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If management signals are transferred through external MAC chips, then existing network devices can be used, but smooth upgrade to multi-wavelength PON cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing devicesVSAvoidupgrade efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By embedding management signal processing capability within the optical module itself, existing network devices can be directly upgraded to multi-wavelength PON without requiring external MAC chip modifications. The optical module handles all management functions internally, enabling smooth upgrade while maintaining compatibility with existing device architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If in-band management is used, then physical layer hardware modification is not needed, but large delay jitters and difficulty in multi-rate compatibility occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware modification requirementVSAvoidmanagement signal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical module acts as an intermediary that receives management signals, processes them internally using appropriate timing and rate matching mechanisms, and transmits processed management information to the network device. This intermediary processing capability eliminates delay jitters and multi-rate compatibility issues while avoiding the need for complex physical layer hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3425826B1Method for managing multi-wavelength passive optical network, and optical module
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ZTE CORP
  • EP3425826B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3425826B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3425826B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6

AI summary

A method for managing a multi-wavelength passive optical network, comprising: an optical module extracting a module management signal from a reception signal input from an optical signal interface, where the module management signal carries a management message related to the optical module. The solution can solve the problem that an optical module of a multi-wavelength passive optical network in the related art cannot support the smooth upgrade of a related device to the multi-wavelength passive optical network.