Optical Network Path Selection with Linear OSNR Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical network routing and wavelength assignment methods face a trade-off between optimal pathing and computational load, leading to longer connection establishment times and increased network processing complexity, especially in next-generation networks with dynamic connection requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method that evaluates network utilization parameters to selectively apply linear or non-linear calculations for routing and spectrum assignment, prioritizing paths with high linear OSNR and minimizing non-linear calculations based on threshold levels, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PLI-aware RSA strategies are used to improve connection performance, then network performance is improved, but computational load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection performanceVSAvoidcomputational load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of calculation complexity by selectively applying linear OSNR calculations for most paths and reserving non-linear calculations only for the selected best path. This parameter change reduces the overall computational load while maintaining connection performance, as non-linear calculations are performed only once instead of for all candidate paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the path selection process into two stages: first evaluating multiple candidate paths using computationally simple linear OSNR calculations, then performing non-linear calculations only on the single best-selected path. This segmentation divides the computational work into low-complexity and high-complexity phases, reducing total processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If theoretically optimal pathing is used to achieve best network performance, then connection quality is improved, but connection establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the evaluation parameter from complex non-linear OSNR calculations to simpler linear OSNR calculations for the initial path selection phase. This parameter change enables faster path evaluation and comparison, reducing connection establishment time while still achieving optimal path selection through subsequent non-linear verification on the single best path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary path evaluation using linear OSNR calculations before committing to non-linear calculations. This preliminary action identifies the most promising path candidates quickly, allowing the system to avoid time-consuming non-linear calculations for all paths and only apply them to the single best candidate, thus reducing overall establishment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If non-linear calculations are performed for all paths to ensure optimal selection, then path selection accuracy is improved, but network processing resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath selection accuracyVSAvoidnetwork processing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the calculation parameter from non-linear OSNR to linear OSNR for the majority of path evaluations, and only applies non-linear calculations to the single selected best path. This parameter change dramatically reduces the number of expensive non-linear calculations from potentially many paths down to just one, conserving network processing resources while maintaining selection accuracy through the two-stage approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies non-linear calculations partially - only to the single best path selected by linear evaluation - rather than excessively applying them to all candidate paths. This partial application of the more accurate but resource-intensive non-linear method achieves sufficient path selection accuracy while minimizing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3430776B1System and method for communication network service connectivity
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3430776B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3430776B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3430776B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for assigning a network path after receiving a connection request to connect a first node with a second node of a network. The method including evaluating a network utilization parameter of the network, such as a network load or blocking probability, at that point in time. If the network utilization parameter is below a minimum threshold level, the method includes carrying out the steps of identifying a set of n network paths through the network that connect the first node with the second node and are absent non-linear links, performing network path selection by selecting p network paths from the set of n network paths that have the best linear OSNR, and, selecting a network path from the set of p network paths that balances the wavelength utilization between the first node and the second node of a network.