Optical Transceiver GPS Sync via Auxiliary Management Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting GPS information in optical communication systems require separate optical cables or wavelengths, leading to reduced radio resources and increased manufacturing and installation costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of an Auxiliary Management and Control Channel (AMCC) for managing and controlling GPS information transmission between optical transceivers allows efficient GPS information transfer without separate wavelengths or optical cables, leveraging existing optical communication infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate wavelength is allocated for GPS signal transmission between DU and RU, then GPS synchronization is achieved, but radio resources for payload data transmission are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGPS synchronizationVSAvoidpayload data transmission resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines GPS signal transmission with existing optical communication infrastructure by utilizing the existing optical cable and transceivers for both payload data and GPS signals. The DU extracts GPS information from signals received from RUs and transmits it through the existing optical communication channel, merging multiple functions into a single infrastructure without requiring separate wavelengths or cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing optical communication infrastructure is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both payload data and GPS synchronization signals. The transceivers and optical cable originally designed for data transmission are now used for dual purposes, including GPS information exchange between DU and RUs, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated GPS transmission resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate optical cable is connected for GPS signal transmission between DU and RU, then GPS synchronization is achieved, but manufacturing and installation costs are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGPS synchronizationVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges GPS transmission functionality into the existing optical communication infrastructure. Instead of deploying a separate optical cable for GPS signals, the system utilizes the already-installed optical cable and transceivers for both data and GPS signal transmission, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing and installation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing optical communication infrastructure serves itself by handling multiple functions including payload data transmission and GPS synchronization. The system leverages its own existing resources (optical cable, transceivers) to provide GPS services without requiring external additional components or infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a separate wavelength is allocated for GPS transmission, then GPS information can be transmitted, but the overall system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGPS information transmissionVSAvoidwavelength allocation management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges GPS information transmission with the existing optical communication wavelength infrastructure. By extracting GPS signals from RU transmissions and retransmitting them through the existing optical channel used for data communication, the system eliminates the need for separate wavelength allocation and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3813275B1Method for transmitting GPS information of optical communication device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SOLID
  • EP3813275B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3813275B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3813275B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical communication device including a GPS receiver receiving and outputting a GPS signal from a satellite; a main controller configured to generate and output synchronization data based on the GPS signal; and an optical transceiver configured to generate an optical signal by superposing input payload data and the synchronization data, and to output the optical signal, wherein a first communication channel corresponding to the payload data and a second communication channel corresponding to the synchronization data are different communication channels. According to embodiments, GPS information for synchronization together with payload data, which is information to be transmitted, may be efficiently transmitted between optical communication devices located in remote locations without separate wavelength allocation and connection of an optical cable, by using an auxiliary management and control channel (AMCC).