Optical Network Control System Domain Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical networks face challenges in scalability, flexibility, and cost due to the need for electrical interconnections and conversions, which limit their ability to handle complex topologies and growth, and are prone to cascading effects and non-linear interactions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that divides the optical network into domains with peer-to-peer communication and domain controllers to manage optical transport parameters, allowing for self-organization, self-optimization, and self-healing without the need for extensive electrical conversions, enabling flexible and extensible network management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical interconnections and conversions are used in optical networks, then system availability and control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical interconnections and optical-to-electrical conversions with all-optical switching and routing mechanisms. Optical cross-connects and wavelength routers enable direct optical signal routing without electrical conversion, eliminating the need for electrical interconnections while maintaining network reliability and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical domain controllers and control planes as intermediaries that manage optical networks directly through optical signaling protocols. These controllers coordinate optical resources and routing decisions without requiring electrical conversion, serving as mediators between network management systems and optical infrastructure.
2Productivity
If optical networks are expanded to satisfy increasing demand and geographic reach, then network capacity is improved, but cascading effects and non-linear interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments optical networks into independent domains or slices, each managed by domain controllers. This segmentation isolates cascading effects within individual domains and prevents them from propagating network-wide. Optical channel grouping and domain-based management allow network expansion while containing non-linear interactions locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parameter adjustment including optical power control, wavelength allocation, and routing optimization to mitigate non-linear interactions. By changing operational parameters such as power levels and channel spacing, the system prevents cascading effects while maintaining network capacity and performance.
3Reliability
If ring-based systems are deployed for high availability, then resiliency is improved, but adaptability to geographical layout and traffic demands decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mesh networks that can adapt their topology in real-time based on geographical requirements and traffic demands. Optical cross-connects enable dynamic reconfiguration of network paths, allowing the system to transition between ring-like protective topologies and arbitrary mesh configurations as needed, providing both resiliency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optical network architecture that can implement multiple topological configurations including rings, meshes, and arbitrary layouts using the same optical cross-connect infrastructure. This multi-functional system provides ring-based protection when needed while also supporting geographically-optimized arbitrary topologies, eliminating the need for separate ring-based systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mesh architectures are implemented for scalability and flexibility, then network growth is improved, but control complexity and coordination between domains increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large-scale mesh networks into smaller, independently-controlled domains or optical network slices. Each domain is managed by its own domain controller, reducing control complexity while maintaining overall network scalability. This hierarchical domain architecture allows mesh networks to expand without proportionally increasing control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local control within optical domains where domain controllers make routing and resource allocation decisions autonomously based on local conditions. This distributed local control reduces the coordination burden on central controllers and simplifies overall network management, allowing mesh architectures to scale while maintaining manageable control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical control system is described which is capable of maintaining and optimizing a fiber-optic transport system within it's domain of control while interacting with other optical systems which are controlled independently. This allows the optical system to be incorporated as a building block into a larger optical network in a relatively arbitrary fashion. This provides an underlying control system for a non-linear system like optics network that is flexible and extensible.