Optical Layer WAN Slicing for 5G Network Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G mobile networks face challenges in providing low latency and high-performance capabilities to support near-real-time management and control of critical business operations due to the need for efficient network slicing that ensures dedicated capacity and quality of service, especially in scenarios with high device density and varying traffic patterns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical layer slicing in wide area networks (WANs) to provide dedicated network capacity by dynamically allocating resources and configuring nodes, ensuring that traffic remains in the optical domain to minimize conversions and maximize efficiency, thereby isolating dedicated traffic and enhancing quality of service guarantees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical layer slicing is implemented to provide dedicated network capacity, then quality of service guarantees are improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the WAN into multiple isolated optical slices, each dedicated to specific traffic types or customers. This is achieved by segmenting the optical spectrum into separate wavelength channels and configuring optical switches to route different wavelengths through different physical paths, thereby providing guaranteed QoS for each slice while maintaining overall network management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces another dimension by operating at the optical layer rather than traditional electrical switching layers. This optical-domain operation enables direct wavelength routing without OEO conversions, adding a new dimension to network resource allocation and traffic isolation that improves QoS while managing complexity through optical rather than electrical means.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dedicated wavelengths are allocated to provide isolated capacity, then data security and traffic isolation are improved, but network resource utilization flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic wavelength allocation and routing. Optical switches can be reconfigured in real-time to assign different wavelengths to different slices based on current traffic demands, and the network can dynamically adjust which physical paths wavelengths traverse. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the network to maintain traffic isolation and security while adapting resource allocation to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing flexible assignment of optical parameters (wavelengths, modulation formats, transmission rates) to different slices based on their specific QoS requirements. The network can change these optical parameters dynamically to match varying traffic patterns and demands, maintaining isolation and security while improving resource utilization flexibility.
3Speed
If optical bypass is implemented to avoid OEO conversions, then transmission speed and latency are improved, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical switches as intermediary devices that enable wavelength-based routing without requiring OEO conversions. These optical switches act as mediators that can direct different wavelengths through different paths in the optical domain, providing fast transmission and low latency while centralizing the complexity management in dedicated switching elements rather than distributed OEO conversion points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical OEO conversion process with direct optical switching and routing. Instead of converting optical signals to electrical signals and back at each intermediate node, the network uses optical-domain switching mechanisms to bypass these conversions, thereby improving transmission speed and reducing latency while managing configuration complexity through optical rather than electrical switching.
4Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic resource allocation is implemented to respond to changing network conditions, then adaptability is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network conditions such as traffic patterns, wavelength availability, and slice performance. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust wavelength assignments, routing paths, and optical switch configurations in real-time, enabling the network to adapt to changing conditions while managing control complexity through systematic monitoring and response protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Infrastructure comprising a wide area network (WAN) is adapted as a transport network portion of a 5G network in which the WAN is sliced at the optical layer on a discrete wavelength basis to provide dedicated network capacity to customers such as service providers, application providers, and network operators. Optical layer slicing extends the slicing construct for a radio access network (RAN) portion of the 5G network through to the WAN to provide end-to-end 5G network slicing from user equipment (UE) accessing an air interface of the network to application servers that are instantiated in data centers in a network cloud portion of the 5G network.