Optical Network Signal State Detector for Rapid Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive optical networks (PONs) are vulnerable to communication disruptions due to physical issues like severed optical fibers, leading to potential service losses, and existing solutions fail to rapidly switch between communication paths within the required 50 milliseconds to maintain transparent service restoration.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a subscriber optical interface with a data switch, control circuit, and signal state detector that measures optical signal strength and reroutes communications from a primary to a secondary path if the primary path becomes non-functional, allowing for switching within 50 milliseconds or less, using virtual local area networks (VLANs) and redundant equipment configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If PON architecture is used to provide all-fiber network with increased bandwidth capacity, then communication capacity is improved, but vulnerability to service loss increases when physical disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a secondary communication path in advance before any disruption occurs. This backup path remains standby-ready with all necessary communication infrastructure (optical network terminal, optical line terminal, optical waveguides) pre-configured, enabling immediate switching without delay when the primary path fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational state of communication paths by switching from primary to secondary path based on detected signal conditions. When the optical signal strength on the primary path falls below a threshold, the system changes the active communication parameter from primary-path-based to secondary-path-based transmission.
2Speed
If fast switching between communication paths is implemented to restore service within 50 milliseconds, then service restoration speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network terminal at the subscriber premises autonomously monitors the quality of the optical signal on the primary communication path and automatically triggers switching to the secondary path when degradation is detected. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external control systems or manual intervention, achieving fast switching without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring of optical signal strength with feedback to the control logic. When the signal strength on the primary path falls below a predetermined threshold, the feedback mechanism automatically initiates the switching process to the secondary path, enabling rapid response to disruptions.
3Reliability
If redundant communication paths are established to protect against fiber severance, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing full redundant capacity on both paths simultaneously, the system implements partial redundancy by maintaining a fully equipped secondary path in standby mode. This approach provides sufficient protection against single-path failures while avoiding the excessive cost of duplicating full bandwidth capacity on both active and backup paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for protecting against communication loss or disruption in an optical network system includes a signal state detector, which can measure received optical signals and determine if their strength is sufficient to support reliable communications. If the signal state detector informs the control circuit that the received optical signal is too low to support communications with the data service hub (or if there is no signal at all, such as in a severance of an optical waveguide), then the control circuit can instruct the data switch to re-route communications from the primary communication path to a secondary or back up communication path. This switching or re-routing of communications from a primary communication path which is non-functional or inoperative to an operational and fully functional communication path (a back up or secondary communication path) can be completed in a very short time, such as within fifty milliseconds or less.