Optical Wavelength Multiplexing Standby System Failure Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In optical wavelength multiplex transmission systems with redundant configurations, it is challenging to detect failures in the standby system, as dummy light from multiple terminal stations can enter the reception apparatus, making it difficult to determine the specific section of failure.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a method where each terminal station apparatus inserts dummy light with a unique varying pattern, allowing the reception apparatus to identify the source of the dummy light and determine the normalcy of each section in the standby system by comparing the detected pattern with the intended pattern, enabling precise failure detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dummy light is inserted into the standby system at terminal stations to monitor system status, then the standby system can be monitored for failures, but dummy light from multiple terminal stations enters the reception apparatus making it impossible to identify the specific section of failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandby system monitoring capabilityVSAvoidfailure section identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring function into section-specific dummy light sources, where each section (e.g., each terminal station) has its own dedicated dummy light source inserted at specific points in the standby system. This segmentation allows the reception apparatus to identify which specific section has a failure by detecting which dummy light is present or absent, resolving the problem of unable to locate failure sections when multiple terminal stations insert dummy light simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If dummy light is continuously transmitted to monitor the standby system, then the system status can be constantly monitored, but it increases the complexity of the monitoring system and makes it difficult to determine the source of detected dummy light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic insertion of dummy light at different sections rather than continuous transmission from all sections. Each terminal station or section inserts dummy light periodically or on-demand, allowing the reception apparatus to determine which section is being monitored at any given time. This periodic action reduces system complexity while maintaining constant monitoring capability across all sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3439200B1Optical wavelength multiplexing transmission system, optical wavelength multiplexer, and reserve-system confirmation method
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 NEC CORP
  • EP3439200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3439200B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3439200B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An optical wavelength multiplex transmission system includes a redundant configuration composed of an active system and a standby system between a first terminal station apparatus and a second terminal station apparatus. The first terminal station apparatus includes a light source configured to output dummy light, a coupler configured to insert the dummy light into the standby system, and a control unit configured to vary the dummy light. The second terminal station apparatus includes a coupler configured to extract the dummy light from the standby system and a detector configured to detect the extracted dummy light. The optical wavelength multiplex transmission system can identify a route of the standby system between the first terminal station apparatus and the second terminal station apparatus according to a result of the detection by the detector and check whether the standby system is normal.