Optical Transceiver Wavelength Conflict Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical networks face challenges in preventing wavelength collisions and managing wavelength usage due to the lack of wavelength routing or blocking devices, leading to potential disruptions and interference, especially in architectures without wavelength-independent power combiners.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow a transmitter to be independently enabled or disabled based on the presence of optical signals at specific wavelengths, using a controller to detect match conditions and selectively block or enable transmission, thereby preventing collisions and automatically selecting available wavelengths for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive MUX/DEMUX devices are used for wavelength routing, then the routing is controlled by physical filter structure, but changing routing requires changing the filter which disrupts customer data flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength routing by enabling transmitters to be selectively enabled or disabled based on real-time wavelength availability detection. The system transitions from static physical filter routing to dynamic electronic control where the network manager can reconfigure routing by controlling transmitter states, allowing flexible adaptation without physical filter changes and without disrupting ongoing customer data flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of transmitters (enabled/disabled) to achieve routing reconfiguration. By detecting wavelength usage and conditionally enabling or disabling transmitters, the network can dynamically redirect wavelength channels without physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between routing flexibility and service continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Wavelength-selective switches are used for dynamic wavelength switching, then routing reconfigurability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength routing function from complex WSS devices and implements it through simple transmitter enable/disable control. Instead of using expensive wavelength-selective switches with complex control software, the system achieves routing flexibility by selectively activating or deactivating transmitters based on wavelength availability, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining routing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex WSS devices with simpler, cheaper transmitter control mechanisms. By using basic transmitter enable/disable functionality instead of costly wavelength-selective switching hardware and software, the system achieves the same routing flexibility at a fraction of the cost and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If transmitters are enabled without wavelength conflict detection, then network setup is simplified, but wavelength collisions cause interference and communication disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary wavelength availability detection before enabling transmitters. The network manager first detects whether the desired wavelength is available by checking for optical signals from other transmitters, then conditionally enables the transmitter only if no conflict is detected. This preliminary check prevents wavelength collisions while maintaining operational simplicity, as the process is automated and transparent to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from wavelength detection to control transmitter enabling. The network manager continuously monitors the optical network for wavelength usage and uses this feedback information to make intelligent decisions about transmitter activation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable communication by preventing wavelength conflicts while keeping the system easy to operate through automated conflict management.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A method of adding a transceiver including a transmitter and a receiver to an optical network. The transceiver is controlled to enable the receiver while maintaining the transmitter in a disabled state. The receiver detects a presence of an optical signal at a first wavelength. If an optical signal at the first wavelength is not present, the transmitter is enabled. Responsive to detection that an optical signal at the first wavelength is present: a feature of the optical signal, and a match condition between the detected feature and a predetermined feature are detected. The transmitter is enabled responsive to detection of the match condition.