Optical Switch and OTDR Mapping for Fiber Link Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks face challenges in efficiently identifying fiber link failures and mapping network devices due to complex architectures, leading to error-prone, time-consuming manual processes that consume significant resources and cause lengthy troubleshooting periods.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an optical switch, controller, and optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) to automatically generate network maps, identify network devices, and test fiber links, reducing manual intervention and accelerating failure identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual processes are used to map network devices and identify fiber link failures, then device complexity and resource consumption are reduced, but troubleshooting time and error rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic network discovery where the optical switch autonomously identifies connected network devices and generates network maps without manual intervention. The optical time-domain reflectometer automatically tests fiber links and identifies failures, eliminating the need for manual troubleshooting processes and significantly reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated optical measurement systems. The optical time-domain reflectometer uses optical domain techniques to automatically detect fiber link failures, substituting manual physical inspection and testing procedures with automated optical measurement and analysis.
2Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for network discovery and fiber link testing, then troubleshooting efficiency improves, but device complexity and initial resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch serves multiple functions: it acts as a network device router, an automated discovery tool, and a fiber link tester. The optical time-domain reflectometer simultaneously performs fiber testing and failure identification. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple separate systems into unified devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the optical switch and optical time-domain reflectometer, managing automated discovery processes and failure testing. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction between complex components, making the overall system more manageable despite the increased automation.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive fiber link testing is performed to identify all failure types, then measurement precision improves, but testing time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary network discovery and mapping before failure testing. By first automatically identifying all network devices and establishing the network topology, the system prepares comprehensive test paths in advance. This preliminary action enables targeted fiber link testing that achieves high measurement precision while minimizing actual testing time through efficient path selection.
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
The system conserves resources and minimizes disruption by automating network discovery, port identification, and fiber link failure detection, thereby reducing troubleshooting duration and enhancing network resilience.
Implementation Method 1
an optical time-domain reflectometer... test the determined fiber link
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and Methods for Identifying Fiber Link Failures in an Optical Network Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for network discovery, port identification, and/or identifying fiber link failures in an optical network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The present invention may be configured to sequentially connect each port of an optical switch to a network port of a server and generate, based on information associated with network devices connected to the ports, a network map. The network map may identify which network devices are connected to which ports of the optical switch and may permit dynamic port mapping for network installation, upgrades, repairs, and/or the like. The present invention may also be configured to determine a fiber link in which a failure occurred and reconfigure the optical switch to allow communication between an optical time-domain reflectometer and the fiber link to test the fiber link.