Optical Path State Assessment via Spectrum Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical submarine cable systems, the reliability of the transmission system is reduced due to the need for additional components in optical path switching devices to ascertain the switching state of optical paths, which increases the complexity and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
An optical path state assessment device that includes an optical receiving unit, an optical spectrum generation unit, and a switching state assessment unit, which assesses the switching state of the optical path switching device using optical spectrum information without requiring notifications from the device, thereby reducing the number of components needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a communication function is implemented in the optical path switching device to ascertain the switching state, then the switching state can be ascertained, but the number of components increases and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
An optical spectrum analyzer is introduced as an intermediary device to assess the switching state of the optical path switching device. The analyzer receives propagation light from the optical transmission line and generates optical spectrum information to determine the switching state, eliminating the need for a communication function within the optical path switching device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the communication-based assessment method with an optical-based assessment method. Instead of using electrical communication signals to query the switching state, the system uses optical spectrum analysis of the propagation light to non-invasively determine the switching state.
2Measurement precision
If additional components are mounted in the optical path switching device to enable state assessment, then the switching state can be monitored, but the device complexity increases and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The state assessment function is extracted from the optical path switching device and placed in a separate optical spectrum analyzer. This externalizes the monitoring capability, allowing the optical path switching device to remain simple while still enabling precise switching state monitoring through the dedicated analysis device.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as an intermediary that performs the measurement function externally. It analyzes the optical spectrum of propagation light to infer the switching state without requiring any additional components to be integrated into the optical path switching device.
3Loss of information
If a communication function is added to the optical path switching device, then the switching state can be ascertained, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical spectrum analyzer acts as an intermediary device that obtains switching state information through optical spectrum analysis rather than through a communication function. This approach retrieves the required information without adding communication components to the optical path switching device.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path switching device maintains its original simple structure without self-diagnosis communication functions. Instead, the external optical spectrum analyzer performs the assessment by analyzing the propagation light that naturally passes through the system, allowing the switching device to 'serve itself' for monitoring purposes without additional components.
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 solution allows for the assessment of the switching state of the optical path without reducing the reliability of the optical transmission system, enabling reliable operation even during high communication traffic and in open cable systems without relying on specific communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
an optical receiving unit for receiving propagation light propagating through an optical transmission line
Implementation Method 2
an optical spectrum generation unit for generating optical spectrum information of the propagation light
Data Source
AI summary
Because the reliability of an optical transmission system that uses an optical path switching device is reduced when a configuration is adopted in which the switching state of the optical path in the optical path switching device can be ascertained, this optical path state assessment device has: an optical acceptance unit configured to connect to an optical transmission line through which propagation light propagates in a latter stage of an optical path switching device for switching the path of signal light; an optical spectrum generation unit for generating optical spectrum information of the propagation light; and, a switching state assessment unit for assessing the switching state of the optical path switching device from the optical spectrum information.