Optical Communication Quality Estimation Using Cumulative Distributions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In optical communication systems, the diversification of communication carriers necessitates considering both communication quality and capacity, making it difficult for carriers to easily grasp the communication quality status in optical communication paths, which is not constant, requiring extensive verification time.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that acquires measured values, calculates average values, generates cumulative distribution functions, and determines a reference quality value based on these functions to easily assess communication quality, allowing carriers to grasp the status efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If communication settings are changed to secure communication capacity, then communication capacity is improved, but communication quality may deteriorate and requires extensive verification time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of communication quality information before changing communication settings. By acquiring measured values and generating cumulative distribution functions in advance, the system prepares the necessary data foundation before the actual setting change, reducing the need for extensive post-change verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measured communication quality information as feedback to determine whether to change communication settings. The cumulative distribution function analysis provides quantitative feedback on communication quality status, enabling informed decisions about setting changes without requiring extensive trial-and-error verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If communication quality is maintained at high standards for error-free communication, then communication quality is improved, but communication capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidcommunication capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes communication settings based on analyzed communication quality data. By using cumulative distribution functions to understand the statistical behavior of communication quality, the system can adjust parameters to achieve optimal balance between reliability and capacity rather than maintaining fixed high-quality standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies error correction processing selectively rather than always at maximum strength. By analyzing actual communication quality status through measured values, the system applies appropriate levels of error correction only when necessary, preserving communication capacity while maintaining adequate quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If measured values are extensively collected to accurately grasp communication quality status, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces extensive physical measurement with mathematical modeling. By generating cumulative distribution functions from measured values and using these to estimate communication quality status, the system substitutes continued measurement with computational analysis, achieving accurate assessment without proportional time investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary measurement to build cumulative distribution functions, then uses these pre-built models for ongoing assessment. This preliminary action creates a reusable framework that provides continuous communication quality insight without requiring continuous extensive measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12413302B2Communication apparatus, communication control method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and optical communication system

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 NEC CORP

AI summary

A communication apparatus capable of easily grasping a communication quality status includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire measured values of a predetermined number or more measured for communication quality information in an optical communication path; an estimation unit configured to calculate an average value of the acquired measured values, generate a first cumulative distribution function of the communication quality information based on the acquired measured values, and estimate a second cumulative distribution function of the communication quality information based on measured values when the measured values more than a number of the acquired measured values are acquired based on the average value and the first cumulative distribution function; and a determination unit configured to determine a value of the communication quality information as a reference quality value, a cumulative probability in the second cumulative distribution function becoming a predetermined value at the value of the communication quality information.