Optical Service Channel for Direct Transceiver Resource Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication systems lack direct communication paths between transceivers and central software, limiting the ability to monitor and control transceivers independently of node equipment, and preventing interoperability between transceivers from different vendors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with hub and edge transceivers that communicate over optical communications networks using dedicated channels, enabling direct exchange of control information and resource allocation, and utilizing an optical gateway to manage and balance network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transceivers communicate through node equipment, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity and loss of information increase, and adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical service channel (OSC) is introduced as an intermediary communication path that enables direct transceiver-to-transceiver communication while maintaining compatibility with existing node equipment. The OSC carries control information independently through the optical network, allowing transceivers from different vendors to interoperate without requiring changes to the node equipment interface.
2Ease of operation
If transceivers communicate through node equipment, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical service channel acts as an information-preserving intermediary that creates a dedicated control plane independent of the data plane. This allows complete transceiver control information to be transmitted without being filtered or processed by node equipment, eliminating information loss while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized interfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transceivers are made separately addressable, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two independent planes: a control plane using the optical service channel for transceiver management, and a data plane for user traffic. This segmentation allows transceivers to be separately addressable and controllable through the OSC without adding complexity to the main data transmission path or node equipment interfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If direct transceiver communication is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical service channel provides universal functionality that serves multiple purposes: it enables direct transceiver communication for adaptability, maintains backward compatibility with existing node equipment, and offers standardized interfaces for ease of operation. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve adaptability without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes a hub transceiver and a plurality of edge transceivers. The hub transceiver is operable to transmit, over a first communications channel, a first message to each of the edge transceivers concurrently, including an indication of available network resources on an optical communications network. Each of the edge transceiver is operable to transmit, transmit, over a second communications channel, a respective second message to the hub transceiver including an indication of a respective subset of the available network resources selected by the edge transceiver for use in communicating over the optical communications network. Further, the edge transceiver is operable to receive, from the hub transceiver, a third message acknowledging receipt of a selection and a fourth message confirming an assignment of the selected subset of the available network resources to the edge transceiver.