Optical Network Path Selection Using Pre-calculated Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical networks, selecting the best path based on latency is challenging due to the complexity of calculating path latency, which includes fiber, dispersion compensating module (DCM), and re-configurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) latencies, and determining channel availability for continuous paths is difficult, often requiring channel switching that increases latency and resource inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves calculating link latency using the equation (link length * fiber type latency + DCM type latency + ROADM type latency) and path latency (sum of link latencies + interface card latency + ROADM latency), identifying the least latency path using the Dijkstra algorithm, and determining channel availability to find either contiguous or minimally switched channel combinations for optimal path selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If channel switching is performed to determine path availability, then path selection flexibility is improved, but latency increases and resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores latency values for all possible optical paths between network nodes before actual path selection is needed. When a path selection request occurs, the system simply retrieves pre-computed latency data and channel availability from databases, avoiding real-time calculations and channel switching operations. This preliminary computation approach eliminates the latency penalty that would otherwise result from performing channel switching and path analysis at the moment of selection.
2Measurement precision
If complex latency calculations including fiber, DCM, and ROADM components are performed, then path latency accuracy is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total path latency calculation is segmented into distinct components: fiber latency (based on link length and fiber type), DCM latency (based on number and type of dispersion compensating modules), and ROADM latency (based on number of re-configurable optical add-drop multiplexers). Each component is calculated separately using standardized formulas and then summed to obtain the total path latency. This segmentation maintains high accuracy while simplifying the overall calculation process by breaking it into manageable, independently computable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Latency parameters for individual network components (fiber types, DCM modules, ROADMs) are pre-measured and stored in databases during network setup. When calculating path latency, the system retrieves these pre-stored component parameters and applies simple arithmetic operations rather than performing complex real-time measurements. This preliminary characterization of network elements maintains calculation accuracy while dramatically reducing computational complexity during operational path selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer device may include logic configured to receive a selection of a start node and an end node in an optical network and obtain network topology information relating to the optical network. The logic may be further configured to determine link latencies for particular links in the optical network; determine a least latency path between the start node and the end node based on the obtained network topology information and the determined link latencies, and wherein the least latency path includes one or more of the particular links; determine one or more alternate paths to the determined least latency path; determine channel availability for the least latency path and the one or more alternate paths; and generate a user interface that relates the least latency path and the one or more alternate paths to the determined channel availability.