Optical Network Planning Tool for Regenerator and Amplifier Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical regenerators and amplifiers, including Raman amplifiers, are expensive and require extensive maintenance, necessitating a reduction in their use within optical networks to minimize costs and maintenance efforts, especially in geographically distant locations.
Innovation Solution
A method for planning optical network configuration that determines candidate locations for placing pre- or post-amplifiers and regenerator modules based on signal loss, traffic patterns, and regeneration locations, selecting the most cost-effective configuration among options that include regenerators, pre- or post-amplifiers, or a combination of both to maintain signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical regenerators and amplifiers are deployed to maintain signal strength in long spans, then signal reliability is improved, but device cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-planning optimal regenerator and amplifier locations during network design phase. The system determines candidate locations based on signal loss characteristics, traffic patterns, and span lengths before deployment, thereby avoiding ad-hoc maintenance decisions and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number, type, and location of regenerators and amplifiers based on calculated signal loss parameters and traffic demands. The system varies configuration parameters (regenerator spacing, amplifier placement) to optimize the balance between signal reliability and maintenance complexity.
2Reliability
If more regenerators and amplifiers are installed to maintain signal strength, then signal quality is improved, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by deploying regenerators and amplifiers selectively at specific locations where signal degradation is most severe, rather than uniformly across the entire network. The system identifies critical spans based on loss characteristics and places equipment only where needed to maintain signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by implementing regenerator and amplifier deployment only for the minimum necessary number of locations required to maintain acceptable signal quality. The system calculates optimal equipment quantities based on span lengths and traffic patterns, avoiding over-provisioning while ensuring adequate signal maintenance.
3Length of stationary object
If regenerators and amplifiers are placed at geographically distant locations, then signal coverage is extended, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and pre-planning maintenance-accessible locations for regenerators and amplifiers during network design. The system considers geographic accessibility factors when determining equipment placement, ensuring that even distant equipment is positioned at locations that facilitate future maintenance operations.
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 minimizes the combined cost of regeneration and amplification by strategically placing pre- or post-amplifiers and regenerator modules, reducing the need for costly maintenance and equipment installation, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of optical network communications.
Implementation Method 1
Raman amplifiers are a type of optical amplifiers that operate based on the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) phenomenon. Raman amplification is stimulated when a lower frequency signal photon induces inelastic scattering of a higher frequency photon in an optical medium.
Data Source
AI summary
Optical regenerators and amplifiers are expensive to implement and maintain. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to an optical planning tool that plans an optical network configuration by determining a plurality of costs for maintaining signal strength in corresponding network configurations including (i) a configuration of regenerators, (ii) a configuration of pre-or post-amplifiers, and (iii) a configuration of pre- and post-amplifiers in candidate locations and regenerator modules. The candidate locations for placing pre-or post-amplifiers are determined based on loss in each span, expected traffic patterns, and proposed regeneration locations along paths of expected traffic. The regeneration modules are located in locations determined based on the candidate locations. The example embodiment selects a configuration from among the network configurations as a function of the plurality of costs, helping reduce the cost of network deployment.