Optical Node Delay Line for Collision Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical communications networks face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization due to the need for numerous optical-electronic-optical conversions and lack of flexibility in wavelength division multiplexing systems, particularly in managing collisions between optical data bursts, which requires significant electrical resources and reduces network transparency.

Innovation Solution

A method for managing collisions in optical data streams by using a node with a variable delay line that determines and applies delays based on a routing tree policy, eliminating the need for control packets and wavelength converters, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing electrical consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If optical-electronic-optical conversions and multiplexing/demultiplexing operations are used in WDM systems, then bandwidth requirements can be met, but electrical resource consumption increases and network transparency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidelectrical resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control function from the data path by using separate control packets that travel independently from the optical data bursts. This allows the main data transmission to remain in the optical domain without conversion, while control operations are handled separately, reducing the need for optical-electronic-optical conversions and associated electrical resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces control packets as intermediaries that carry routing and resource reservation information. These control packets enable the network to manage bandwidth and resources without requiring continuous optical-electronic-optical conversions of the actual data traffic, thereby maintaining network transparency and reducing electrical consumption while still meeting bandwidth requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wavelength converters are used to manage collisions between optical data bursts, then collision resolution is achieved, but device complexity and electrical resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision managementVSAvoidwavelength converter requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by reserving resources in advance through control packets before optical data bursts are transmitted. The control packets negotiate and reserve wavelength and time slot resources ahead of time, ensuring that when data bursts arrive, collisions are avoided because the resources are already allocated. This eliminates the need for wavelength converters that would be required for dynamic collision resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical approach of using wavelength converters to resolve collisions with a control-plane-based reservation mechanism. Instead of physically converting wavelengths at collision points using complex hardware, the system uses control packets to pre-coordinate resource allocation, substituting a simpler control mechanism for complex optical hardware intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If control packets are used to reserve optical resources, then resource reservation is achieved, but the need for optical-electronic-optical conversions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource reservation capabilityVSAvoidconversion operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication function into separate control packets and data bursts. Control packets handle resource reservation and routing information, while data bursts carry the actual payload. This segmentation allows control operations to be performed independently without requiring conversion of the data path, maintaining optical transparency for data transmission while enabling adaptive resource reservation through separate control channel operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9172466B2Method for switching an optical data stream, computer program product and corresponding storage means and node

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 ORANGE SA

AI summary

A method and apparatus for switching an optical data stream via an optical network node, capable of switching optical data received at input ports to output ports. The method includes the following steps performed by a processing chain upon detection of a stream at a given wavelength by a given input port: determining a resource of the node based on a predetermined routing policy such that, for a given wavelength common to source and destination nodes of the stream, routing within the network is carried out according to a routing tree covering the network, a root of the tree being the destination node; consulting an occupancy table for the resource, indicating if at least one possible preceding stream is using the resource; determining a delay to be applied by the processing chain to prevent a collision between the stream and the possible preceding stream; and configuring the processing chain to apply the delay.