Optical Network Failure Recovery via Dynamic Spectrum Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical networks utilizing flexibly allocated optical spectra face challenges in efficiently recovering from failures, such as communication disruptions or degradations, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processor-based apparatus that allocates protection frequency slots to protection paths within an elastic optical network, allowing for flexible allocation and reallocation of bandwidth to ensure recovery from failures, utilizing a control plane interface to provision and manage these paths effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protection frequency slots are allocated to multiple protection paths in elastic optical networks, then recovery capability from failures is improved, but device complexity increases due to flexible spectrum allocation management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical spectrum into multiple frequency slots of different widths (narrow, medium, wide slots) that can be independently allocated to different protection paths. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple recovery paths with different bandwidth capacities, improving reliability while managing complexity through structured slot division.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of protection frequency slots where the processor can allocate, reallocate, and adjust slot assignments based on network conditions and failure scenarios. The system supports dynamic switching between working and protection paths, and can adaptively allocate spectrum resources to M protection paths out of N available paths, enhancing recovery capability while maintaining flexible resource management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible allocation of optical spectrum is implemented, then adaptability of the network is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring spectrum resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical spectrum management with an automated processor-based control system. The processor automatically detects, allocates, and manages frequency slots across the optical spectrum, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing the difficulty of measuring and tracking spectrum resources. The control plane interface provides automated monitoring and management of spectrum allocation status.
3Productivity
If M protection paths are provisioned for N working paths where N>M>1, then productivity of recovery operations is improved, but loss of information about path configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the control plane interface that continuously monitor and report the status of working paths, protection paths, and frequency slot allocations. The system provides feedback on path configuration states, allocation status, and failure conditions, enabling the processor to make informed decisions about resource allocation and recovery operations while maintaining accurate tracking of path configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for enabling recovery from failures in up to M working paths of a set of N working paths that are allocated N frequency slots of L different slot widths, where M, N and L are positive integers, N≧L>1, and N>M>1. The apparatus includes a processor and a control plane interface. The processor is operative to allocate protection frequency slots to M protection paths in different manners depending on whether M is greater than L, equal to L or less than L. The control plane interface is operatively associated with the processor and is operative to effect provisioning of the M protection paths for supporting recovery from the failures. Related network, apparatus and methods are also disclosed.