Optical Communication Network Dynamic Wavelength Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication networks face challenges in providing wide transmission bands at low costs and with small-scale equipment, as they either suffer from reduced communication speed per subscriber or require extensive and costly equipment due to fixed wavelength management.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication network that combines time-division multiplexing and wavelength-division multiplexing, using fewer wavelengths than the number of subscribers, allowing flexible band allocation and efficient signal transmission by controlling optical wavelengths and output timing for each signal string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wavelength-division multiplexing is used to provide wide transmission bands, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but equipment scale and cost increase due to fixed wavelength management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength assignment where wavelengths are allocated based on actual transmission needs rather than fixed assignments. The control signal dynamically adjusts which wavelength each subscriber uses, allowing flexible bandwidth allocation without requiring dedicated wavelength management infrastructure for every possible subscriber configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal wavelength assignment system where a limited set of wavelengths can be dynamically assigned to multiple subscribers. Instead of assigning dedicated wavelengths to each subscriber (which would require N wavelengths for N subscribers), the system allows any subscriber to use any available wavelength, achieving multi-functionality with fewer resources.
2Device complexity
If time-division multiplexing is used to share optical fiber among subscribers, then equipment scale is reduced, but transmission speed per subscriber decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines time-division multiplexing (temporal dimension) with wavelength-division multiplexing (spectral dimension) to create a two-dimensional resource allocation system. This allows multiple subscribers to be served simultaneously both in time and across different wavelengths, effectively increasing the total available bandwidth while maintaining manageable equipment scale through coordinated control.
3Ease of operation
If fixed wavelength assignment is used for each subscriber, then wavelength management is simplified, but flexibility in band allocation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed wavelength assignment to dynamic wavelength assignment controlled by control signals. The control signal continuously monitors transmission needs and reallocates wavelengths accordingly, providing both manageable operation through centralized control and high flexibility through dynamic reconfiguration based on actual demand.
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 enhances flexibility and transmission efficiency while reducing equipment scale and cost, offering a wider transmission band even with multiple subscribers, and eliminates the need for precise temperature management.
Implementation Method 1
an optical coupler for generating a time-division multiplexed signal, for which wavelength-division multiplexing has been performed, by superimposing light waves which are output from the subscriber terminal devices respectively
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication network using a communication system which is combined optical time-division multiplexing and optical wavelength-division multiplexing. The electric/optical converter converts an electric signal strings, which are input from the outside, into optical burst signals by selectively using a plurality of types of optical wavelengths. The network controller controls the optical wavelength selected by the electric/optical converter and the output timing of the optical burst signals for each one of the optical burst signals so that the optical burst signals received by the OLT are time-division multiplexed and wavelength-division multiplexed. By combining optical time-division multiplexing and optical wavelength-division multiplexing, an optical communication network of which the transmission band is wider than a TDMA system can be provided with a lower cost and lower facility scale than a WDM system.