Optical Transport Network Protection Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications networks face challenges in providing effective disaster recovery and protection for baseband unit hotels, especially in centralized radio access networks (C-RAN), due to high bandwidth and stringent jitter and latency requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communications network remote node with a downstream optical circuit capable of switching between working and protection modes, along with processing circuitry that enables encapsulation and extraction of client signals and alignment data, facilitates a self-contained optical domain for disaster recovery protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If WDM optical transport is used to meet high bandwidth requirements, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but fiber resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines working and protection optical paths into a single fiber using WDM technology. The working signal and protection signal are multiplexed onto different wavelengths and transmitted through the same fiber, effectively merging two separate physical paths into one shared medium. This reduces fiber consumption while maintaining the required bandwidth capacity for both working and protection channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the wavelength dimension to differentiate between working and protection signals. Instead of using separate spatial paths (different fibers), the solution moves to the spectral domain by assigning different wavelengths to working and protection channels. This dimensional transition allows multiple signals to coexist in the same fiber without interference.
2Reliability
If BBU hotel is duplicated at central location for disaster recovery, then service availability is improved, but security concerns and disaster risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BBU functionality into distributed Remote Units (RUs) and a centralized Remote Radio Unit Pool (RRUP). Instead of concentrating all BBUs in a single vulnerable hotel, the baseband processing capabilities are distributed across multiple RUs that can independently operate. The RRUP provides centralized management but doesn't concentrate all critical functions, reducing the impact of potential disasters or security breaches at any single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-configured protection paths and standby RUs that are prepared in advance for disaster recovery. When a disaster occurs, the system can immediately switch to pre-established protection paths and activate standby RUs without requiring complex real-time decision-making. This preliminary preparation ensures service continuity while distributing risk across multiple pre-positioned resources.
3Reliability
If protection switching is implemented using higher layer protocols, then service protection is achieved, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces higher-layer protocol-based protection switching with physical layer optical switching. Instead of using complex software protocols that require message exchange and processing, the system implements optical cross-connect switching at the physical layer that can rapidly reconfigure protection paths. This substitution of mechanical/optical switching for software-based protocol processing dramatically reduces recovery time while maintaining service protection.
4Quantity of substance
If single fiber solution is used for WDM optical transport, then fiber resource efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical circuit to perform multiple functions using the same components. The optical cross-connect switch simultaneously handles working and protection path routing, wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing, and protection switching operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the sophisticated requirements of single-fiber WDM operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network remote node having a downstream optical circuit configured to receive downstream, DS, optical signals from an active main node and from a standby main node, the downstream optical circuit switchable between a working mode and a protection mode. Optical receivers are configured to receive the demultiplexed downstream optical signals and output encapsulated downstream client signals. Optical transmitters are configured to receive encapsulated upstream client signals and to transmit upstream, US, optical signals at upstream wavelengths carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals. An upstream optical circuit is configured to multiplex the upstream optical signals carrying the encapsulated upstream client signals and to send the upstream optical signals to both main nodes. Processing circuitry is configured to extract downstream client signals and alignment data from encapsulated downstream client signals and form encapsulated upstream client signals by encapsulating upstream client signals and alignment data.