Optical Transceiver Autonomous Channel Setting

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceivers require manual and time-consuming channel setting for multiple optical transceivers, which is inefficient and prone to errors, especially when dealing with a large number of channels.

Innovation Solution

An optical transceiver with a wavelength-tunable optical transmission and reception unit, along with a control unit that autonomously sets channels by transmitting and receiving channel setting optical signals, allowing for efficient determination and storage of channel information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual channel setting is performed for multiple optical transceivers, then channel configuration can be configured, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel setting speedVSAvoidinitial setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver autonomously performs channel setting by transmitting channel setting optical signals and receiving response signals from the optical transmission apparatus, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing setup time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver proactively transmits channel setting optical signals to initiate the channel setting process before actual data communication begins, enabling automatic channel configuration in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual channel setting is performed, then channel configuration is possible, but human error increases the risk of misconfiguration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel setting accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver autonomously performs channel setting by transmitting channel setting optical signals and receiving response signals from the optical transmission apparatus, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing setup time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver receives response signals from the optical transmission apparatus regarding channel setting status, enabling automatic adjustment and confirmation of correct channel configuration without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If wavelength negotiation is performed between optical modules, then channel availability is confirmed, but the ability to transmit and receive optical signals of specific channels is assumed without actual testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel assignment flexibilityVSAvoidchannel transmission capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver receives response signals from the optical transmission apparatus regarding channel setting status, enabling automatic adjustment and confirmation of correct channel configuration without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver proactively transmits channel setting optical signals to initiate the channel setting process before actual data communication begins, enabling automatic channel configuration in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250141555A1Optical transceiver, optical communication system, and method for controlling optical transceiver

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 NEC CORP

AI summary

A wavelength-tunable optical transmission unit is configured to be able to transmit a channel setting optical signal including first channel information indicating a channel of the first channel setting optical signal. When receiving a channel setting optical signal from another optical transceiver, a wavelength-tunable optical reception unit forwards second channel information indicating a channel of the channel setting optical signal. A control unit includes an arithmetic unit that sets the channel to be used for the transmission by the wavelength-tunable optical transmission unit and the channel to be used for the reception by the wavelength-tunable optical reception unit, and a non-volatile storage unit. The arithmetic unit writes, to the non-volatile storage unit, only information indicating the channel determined to be used for the transmission by the wavelength-tunable optical transmission unit and the channel determined to be used for the reception by the wavelength-tunable optical reception unit.