Optical Path Switching with Phase-Matched Detour Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face challenges in minimizing service disruption and signal quality deterioration during line route changes, such as those necessitated by infrastructure works, due to phase differences and length mismatches between in-service and detour optical lines, leading to data loss and mismatched transmission logic links.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication switching system with dualized lines that uses a free space optics (FSO) device to adjust optical line lengths by expanding or contracting spatial optical paths, coupled with a test light source emitting chirped pulse light and an optical measurement device performing Fast Fourier transforms to match the phases of transmission signals, ensuring minimal interference waveform limits and maintaining continuous service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical line switching is performed using conventional methods, then line route changes can be implemented, but phase differences and length mismatches between in-service and detour lines cause data loss and mismatched transmission logic links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-matching the optical line lengths of the in-service line and detour line before switching occurs. The system measures and adjusts the detour line length to match the in-service line length in advance, ensuring that when switching happens, there is no phase difference or length mismatch that would cause data loss or logic link mismatches. This preliminary preparation eliminates the reliability issues associated with conventional switching methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical line switching is performed during infrastructure works, then line maintenance and upgrades can be conducted, but communication service disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling seamless switching between in-service and detour lines during infrastructure works. The system maintains continuous communication service by ensuring both lines are pre-matched in length and phase, allowing the detour line to take over without interruption when the in-service line requires maintenance. This eliminates service disruption time while still enabling necessary line maintenance and upgrades.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dualized lines are constructed with different lengths, then routing flexibility is achieved, but phase differences cause signal quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the optical line length parameter of the detour line to match the in-service line. The system uses an optical line length adjuster to modify the detour line length based on measured differences, ensuring both lines have identical optical path lengths. This parameter adjustment eliminates phase differences and signal quality deterioration while preserving routing flexibility through the dualized line configuration.
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 effectively matches the phases of optical transmission signals between dualized lines, preventing data loss and mismatched logic links, allowing for seamless service continuation without service disruptions during line switching and reducing communication quality deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a free space optics (FSO) device that is disposed on the second optical transmission line and compensates for a transmission time of pulse light transmitted through the line by expansion and contraction of a spatial optical line length
Data Source
AI summary
Terminals of upstream and downstream sides of an in-service line and a detour line are connected by optical couplers. An optical oscilloscope is connected to one optical coupler, and a chirped pulse light source is connected to the other optical coupler to thereby form dualized lines. The detour line includes an optical line length adjuster for compensating for the phase difference of optical transmission signals that occurs because of the optical line length difference with the in-service line. Pulse light in which an optical frequency is chirped is transmitted from the chirped pulse light source. The pulse light is branched by the second optical coupler, passes through the in-service line and the detour line, is multiplexed again by the first optical coupler, and is measured by the optical oscilloscope. While matching an arrival time of the pulse light, the optical line length is adjusted by the optical line length adjuster so as to minimize the size of upper and lower limits of an interference waveform generated in an upper part of the pulse light waveform or so as to make a frequency of an interference waveform become zero.