Hardware-configured optical network self-provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical network configurations rely heavily on centralized command and user intervention for configuration and management, limiting scalability and efficiency, especially in high-capacity, high-channel-count systems that require real-time performance monitoring and dynamic traffic routing.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-configured network that uses low-frequency modulation of optical signals to transmit control information across the network, allowing optical elements to self-provision and self-monitor, reducing the need for centralized control and enabling automated configuration and error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If centralized command and user intervention are used for configuration and management, then control and management are achieved, but scalability and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-provisioning and self-monitoring capabilities where optical network elements automatically configure themselves without centralized control. Each element exchanges control information with its neighbors to autonomously determine its role and configuration, eliminating the need for complex centralized management systems while achieving full automation.
2Quantity of substance
If more transceivers are used for high-capacity systems, then capacity increases, but real-time performance monitoring and automation demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables optical network elements to automatically provision and monitor themselves, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each additional transceiver. The self-configuring protocol allows elements to autonomously integrate into the network and perform real-time monitoring without increasing operational overhead, maintaining high productivity even as the number of transceivers scales to thousands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic and reconfigurable optical networks are implemented, then network flexibility and bandwidth utilization improve, but real-time configuration demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary self-provisioning actions where optical network elements pre-determine their configuration roles through automatic exchange of control information. This preliminary action occurs during network initialization, allowing the system to respond dynamically to traffic demands without requiring time-consuming real-time configuration decisions, thus maintaining both flexibility and speed.
4Extent of automation
If automated configuration is implemented, then human operations are reduced, but control information transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal control information exchange protocol that allows optical network elements to perform multiple functions through a single communication mechanism. The same control information channels used for initial self-provisioning are also used for ongoing monitoring and reconfiguration, eliminating the need for separate complex control systems while enabling full automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring hardware-configured optical links includes generating a first optical signal comprising a slow scan of wavelength channels where the slow scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel. A second optical signal is generated comprising a fast scan of wavelength channels, where the fast scan has a dwell time on a particular wavelength channel and a complete channel scan time where the slow scan dwell time is greater than or equal to complete channel scan time. The first optical signal is transmitted over a link and a portion is then detected. A pulse of light having a duration that is less than the dwell time on the particular wavelength channel of the fast scan is then detected. Client data traffic is then sent over the link in response to the detected pulse of light and the detected portion of the first optical signal.