Optical Transmission Control for Extended Submarine Cable Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical submarine cable systems, extending the termination point of an optical signal from a cable landing station to a data center or a connection point leads to complex control requirements due to the need to individually manage optical devices at different locations.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmission system that includes a first optical device with a signal adjustment unit and a control unit, and a second optical device with a control unit that sends transmitted light information to the first control unit, allowing the optical signal to pass by adjusting light intensity for each wavelength based on the received information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the termination point of an optical signal is extended from a cable landing station to a data center or connection point, then the communication traffic amount and service coverage are improved, but the control complexity increases due to the need to individually manage optical devices at different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple optical devices (optical amplifier, optical transponder, wavelength selective switch) into a unified control system. The control unit centrally manages all optical devices along the transmission path, allowing signal extension to data centers while avoiding the complexity of individual device management through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal functionality to manage different types of optical devices (amplifiers, transponders, wavelength selective switches) through a single interface. This multi-functional control approach enables the system to extend service coverage to multiple locations without requiring separate control mechanisms for each device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual optical devices are deployed at the cable landing station and data center, then the system flexibility and deployment options are improved, but the control complexity increases due to the need to individually control each device
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and multiple optical devices. It provides a single point of control that mediates all operations across distributed devices, maintaining system flexibility while eliminating the need for operators to individually manage each device. The control unit translates high-level commands into device-specific control signals.
3Loss of energy
If the optical signal termination point is extended to reduce delay and power consumption, then the energy efficiency and performance are improved, but the control complexity increases due to distributed device management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical transmission system into distinct functional modules (optical amplifier, optical transponder, wavelength selective switch) that can be independently optimized for energy efficiency. The control unit coordinates these segmented components, allowing the termination point to be extended to data centers for reduced power consumption while managing complexity through modular control.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission system that includes a first optical device including a first optical signal adjustment unit that adjust light intensity of an input light signal for each wavelength, and a first control unit that controls the first optical signal adjustment unit, and a second optical device including a second control unit. The second control unit sends, to the first control unit, transmitted light information being information relating to a transmitted light signal, and the first control unit controls the first optical signal adjustment unit in such a way that the transmitted light signal is allowed to pass by using the transmitted light information.