Optical Network SNR Visualization for Segment-Level Impairment Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical networks lack effective solutions to identify which components contribute most to service degradation and their impact level, requiring significant optical expertise and manual analysis for troubleshooting, which complicates and lengthens the process.
Innovation Solution
A network monitoring system that integrates with a management system to visualize and quantify SNR impairments, providing a single pane of glass interface to identify specific causes of SNR changes across network components, allowing operators to prioritize maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection and analysis methods are used to identify component contributions to service degradation, then operators can assess network performance, but the troubleshooting process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical network into discrete components (amplifiers, modems, fiber spans, multiplexers) and calculates noise contributions from each segment independently. This segmentation enables precise identification of which specific component contributes most to service degradation, eliminating the need for manual inspection of entire service paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network management system with automated calculation capabilities that acts as an intermediary between raw network data and operator decision-making. This intermediary automatically computes noise contributions, SNR margins, and impairment sources, providing operators with processed insights rather than raw data requiring manual analysis.
2Loss of information
If detailed analysis of all network components is performed to identify noise sources, then accurate troubleshooting information is obtained, but the system complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical diagnostic information needed for troubleshooting - specifically the noise contribution of each component and the identification of the dominant noise source. Rather than presenting all possible parameters and requiring operators to analyze everything, the system extracts and presents only the essential information about which component is causing degradation and why.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing detailed diagnostic information specifically at the location and component where it is most needed - the identified noise source. The system concentrates analytical resources on pinpointing the specific problematic component rather than uniformly analyzing all network elements with equal detail, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete diagnostic capability where required.
3Productivity
If automated systems are implemented to quantify SNR impairments, then troubleshooting efficiency improves, but the initial system setup and integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a network management system that performs multiple functions: it monitors network performance, calculates noise contributions from various components, identifies impairment sources, and provides diagnostic information all in one integrated platform. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate tools and processes, improving troubleshooting efficiency while managing integration complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Quantifying and visualizing system impairments in an optical network includes, subsequent to determining baseline noise impairment values for a plurality of segments in an end-to-end path for a photonic service, determining current noise impairment values for the plurality of segments, wherein the baseline noise impairment values and the current noise impairment values relate to Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) margin for the photonic service; and displaying a visualization of the end-to-end path for the photonic service, at a level of each segment of the plurality of segments, wherein the visualization includes a delta between the baseline noise impairment values and the current impairment noise values and associated impact on overall noise values for the photonic service. The quantifying and visualizing system can include receiving a selection of a segment in the visualization and displaying a health tile visualization illustrating one or more components in the segment.