Optical Network Commissioning Using Internal ASE Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for commissioning and upgrading optical networks are inefficient due to the need for manual movement of external laser sources, resulting in long commissioning times and additional hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing internal Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) light as a source to measure losses within and between nodes, eliminating the need for external laser sources and enabling faster, cost-effective commissioning and upgrading of optical networks by setting amplifier gains to compensate for losses and correct OSNR and Spectral Filtering errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If external laser sources are manually moved between nodes for commissioning, then network commissioning can be completed, but commissioning time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the optical network to generate its own test signal through the ASE light source built into each node. Instead of requiring external equipment to be manually moved between nodes, each node autonomously provides the necessary light source for commissioning and testing, eliminating manual intervention and dramatically reducing commissioning time.
2Measurement precision
If external laser sources are used for network commissioning, then measurements can be performed, but additional hardware costs and logistics problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the optical network nodes to perform multiple functions. Each node not only performs its primary routing function but also serves as an ASE light source for commissioning and testing. This eliminates the need for separate external laser sources and reduces overall hardware complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If amplifier gains are adjusted to compensate for losses, then network performance is optimized, but OSNR and Spectral Filtering errors must be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the feedback principle by using the measured loss values (after OSNR and Spectral Filtering corrections) to automatically adjust amplifier gains. The system continuously monitors network conditions, corrects for measurement errors, and adjusts amplifier parameters to maintain optimal performance, creating a closed-loop control system that improves both reliability and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces commissioning time and costs, allows for modular segmented network commissioning, and provides flexibility in upgrading or changing node configurations within the network.
Implementation Method 1
A method for managing an optical network including nodes, the method comprising one or more of the following steps: commissioning an optical network by using an internal Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) light inherently present in the optical network as a light source
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a method for commissioning and upgrading an optical ring network using its internal amplifiers as Automatic Spontaneous Emission sources of light that are used in making measurements. A modular segmented approach is adopted and the network is commissioned segment by segment. A flexible method is used for upgrading a commissioned network by adding or deleting a node or changing the internal configuration of a node. The method uses techniques for the correction of the Optical Signal to Noise Ratio induced error as well as the Spectral Filtering Error during the loss computation required for adjusting the gains of the amplifiers at each network node to an appropriate value. Since the method does not require an external laser source that needs to be moved manually from node to node it greatly reduces the commissioning time. Since it uses only the components of the network itself and does not deploy any additional device it also leads to a significant saving in cost.