Optical Trail Load Control for Lower Network Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical networks experience high power consumption due to line cards, with about 60-70% attributed to optical sources, necessitating a reduction in energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing trail activation and deactivation in optical networks by monitoring total load indicators across bundles of trails, using thresholds to determine when to activate or deactivate optical sources based on traffic load and capacity, and prioritizing trails for deactivation or activation based on specific information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sources are continuously activated to ensure traffic transmission capability, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic trail management by continuously monitoring total load indicators and adjusting trail activation status in real-time. Trails are deactivated when load is low and reactivated when load increases, transforming the static optical source state into a dynamic one that adapts to traffic conditions, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of optical sources from a fixed active state to a variable state that switches between active and deactivated based on monitored load parameters. By changing the activation parameter dynamically according to traffic load thresholds, the system achieves energy savings of up to 67% while preserving the ability to transmit traffic when required
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trails are kept active to handle potential traffic increases, then network adaptability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of total load indicators and proactively deactivates trails before traffic actually increases, based on predicted or anticipated load patterns. By taking preliminary action to deactivate trails when currently unused, the system prepares for energy savings while maintaining the capability to quickly reactivate trails when traffic demands increase, thus balancing adaptability with energy efficiency
3Speed
If trail deactivation is monitored at high temporal frequency to quickly respond to load changes, then response speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where total load indicators are monitored and fed back to the trail management system at appropriate temporal frequencies. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust trail activation status based on actual load conditions, achieving fast response to traffic changes without requiring overly complex monitoring infrastructure. The feedback frequency is optimized to balance response speed with system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprises: obtaining, for a set of trails established through one or more optical links between two same nodes of an optical network, a total load indicator corresponding to traffic currently transmitted via all the active trails in the set of trails; making a first determination based on the total load indicator is below a first threshold; based on the first determination, triggering a deactivation of an optical source of at least one first trail selected among the active trails in the set of trails.