Optical Transceiver Bypass for In-Line Equipment Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical fiber networks, network disconnections occur when in-line equipment fails, leading to manual and error-prone reconnection processes, which are time-consuming and ineffective in maintaining communication between optical network equipment.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver device with separate O/E converter units and optical switching switches on different substrates, featuring distinct signal channels for electrical and control signals to prevent interference, and an optical switching mechanism that adjusts its state based on in-line equipment conditions to ensure continuous network communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two optical transceiver devices are connected through in-line equipment for data filtering and flow control, then the in-line equipment can provide data filtering and flow control functions, but once the in-line equipment loses electrical power or fails, the signal transmission between the two optical network equipments stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal transmission path into two independent channels: an electrical signal channel passing through the in-line equipment for data filtering and flow control, and an optical signal channel that bypasses the in-line equipment directly between the two optical network equipments. This segmentation allows the optical channel to maintain connectivity even when the electrical channel fails due to in-line equipment power loss or failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical switching switch as an intermediary component that can dynamically redirect optical signals. When the in-line equipment is operational, the switch directs signals through the electrical channel for processing. When the in-line equipment fails, the switch automatically redirects signals through the optical bypass channel, ensuring continuous transmission without interruption.
2Reliability
If manual connection method is used to reconnect optical transceiver devices after in-line equipment failure, then the network communication can be restored, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical switching switch continuously monitors the operational status of the in-line equipment through status detection. When equipment failure is detected, the switch automatically responds by switching the signal path to the bypass channel, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing restoration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical switching switch performs self-diagnosis and self-repair functions by automatically detecting in-line equipment failures and independently switching the signal path without requiring manual operations. This self-service capability eliminates the time-consuming and error-prone manual reconnection process while ensuring reliable network communication restoration.
3Device complexity
If electrical signal and control signal are transmitted through the same channel, then the device structure is simplified, but the control signal and electrical signal interfere with each other during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission channels into distinct electrical signal channels and optical signal channels. The electrical signal channel carries data signals through the in-line equipment for processing, while the optical signal channel carries control signals and bypasses the in-line equipment. This spatial and functional segmentation eliminates mutual interference between electrical and control signals while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 solution prevents network disconnections due to in-line equipment failures by enabling automatic switching and separate signal transmission channels, reducing design costs and facilitating easy detection and maintenance of components.
Implementation Method 1
The O/E converter may convert electrical signal of the in-line equipment into optical signal and deliver to the optical network equipment, and may convert optical signal of the optical network equipment into electrical signal and send to the in-line equipment
Implementation Method 2
The optical switching switch connects separately with the first, second optical transceiving port and first, second O/E converter unit. The switch control substrate causes running state of the optical switching switch to change according to the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver device has an optical transceiver component, an O/E conversion substrate and a switch control substrate. The optical transceiver component is connected to the first, second optical fiber network equipments for the transmission of optical signal, respectively. The O/E conversion substrate is electrically connected to an in-line equipment at a first location for transmission of electrical signal, and may convert the received optical signal into the electrical signal or convert the received electrical signal into the optical signal. The switch control substrate is electrically connected with an optical switching switch and is connected with the in-line equipment at a second location to receive a control signal for the optical switch from the in-line equipment such that the optical switching switch operates at an normal mode or an bypass mode to guarantee normal network communication of the first, second optical network equipment.