Optical Transmission Power Control for Fiber Interruption Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical transmission systems face challenges in safely managing high-energy laser radiation, particularly in access networks, where interruptions in optical fibers can lead to hazardous conditions due to excessive laser power, limiting distance coverage and posing risks to people and property.

Innovation Solution

An automated method and system that monitor the optical transmission section for interruptions by reducing the overall power of optical signals through a test signal and response mechanism, where a control unit switches off transmitters if a response signal is not received, ensuring power levels remain within safe limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If laser radiation power is increased to enable transmission over large distances, then transmission distance is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential injury or damage from high-energy radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment by continuously monitoring the transmission path for interruptions and automatically reducing laser power when faults are detected. The system transitions between high power (for long-distance transmission) and low power (for safety when fiber is interrupted), resolving the contradiction between transmission distance and safety risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors its own transmission path for interruptions and automatically adjusts laser power based on detected conditions. This closed-loop control ensures that high power is only used when the transmission path is intact, eliminating safety risks while maintaining long-distance transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If laser radiation power is reduced to ensure safety compliance, then safety risk is reduced, but transmission distance capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety riskVSAvoidtransmission distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts laser power based on real-time monitoring of fiber integrity. When the fiber is intact, high power is used for long-distance transmission; when interruption is detected, power is reduced to safety levels. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing both high power and safety compliance under different conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary safety measures by continuously monitoring the transmission path and preparing to reduce power before hazardous conditions can develop. The system proactively detects fiber interruptions and preemptively reduces power, preventing safety incidents while maintaining full transmission capability when conditions are safe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple OLTs transmit simultaneously through shared fiber sections, then system capacity and data rates are improved, but safety risk increases due to excessive total optical power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements centralized feedback control where a monitoring system tracks the combined optical power from multiple OLTs and coordinates power reduction when fiber interruptions are detected. This allows multiple OLTs to operate simultaneously for high capacity while ensuring total power remains safe through coordinated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal safety mechanism that applies to all OLTs in the network regardless of how many are transmitting. The centralized monitoring and control system provides a unified safety layer that manages the aggregate power from multiple sources, enabling high system capacity while maintaining safety compliance through coordinated power management

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

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

This approach enables rapid fault diagnosis and mitigation, reducing the risk of injury or damage by maintaining laser radiation within safe power levels, allowing for extended distance transmission while ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

a test signal is repeatedly transmitted and a response signal transmitted by the functional unit arranged at the receiver-side or subscriber-side end of the monitored transmission section upon receipt of the test signal is received and evaluated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission and detection: Light

Implementation Method 2

the overall power of the optical signals transmitted via this transmission section is reduced by the control and processing unit switching off at least one transmitter in the transmission system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser radiation power control: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP2819322B1Automated error response for an optical transmission system
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2819322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2819322B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A solution is proposed for the automated response to a fault in an optical transmission system, which consists of at least one transmitter, for example located in an OLT (Optical Line Termination 1, 11,... 1n), at least one receiver, for example located in an ONT (Optical Network Terminal 2, 21,... 2n), and a transmission link (3) with a transmission section (4) monitored for faults. In the event of an interruption of an optical fiber in the transmission section (4), the power of the optical signal transmitted via this fiber is automatically reduced.According to the invention, a test signal is repeatedly emitted by at least one transmitter, and a correspondingly designed control and processing unit associated with at least one transmitter receives and evaluates a response signal emitted by a functional unit (6) arranged at the receiver end of the transmission section (4) upon receipt of the test signal. If the response signal is not received, the power of the optical signal transmitted via the transmission section (4) is reduced by switching off at least one transmitter of the transmission system.