OTDR Fiber Correlation for Automatic Shared Risk Link Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assigning Shared Risk Link Groups (SRLGs) in networks rely on manual human input, which is prone to errors and omissions, leading to incomplete or inaccurate fiber records, making it difficult to identify shared infrastructure and manage potential failure points.

Innovation Solution

Utilize Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) traces and other physical measurements to automatically detect and correlate fibers sharing common infrastructure by analyzing similarities in trace data, such as splices, connectors, and bend losses, to predict and assign SRLGs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual human input is used to assign SRLGs, then flexibility in assignment is maintained, but accuracy and completeness of fiber records deteriorate due to errors and omissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fiber recordsVSAvoidcomplexity of SRLG assignment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual human input (mechanical process) with automated OTDR-based detection and analysis systems. The system uses optical time domain reflectometry to automatically identify fiber characteristics, splices, connectors, and potential failure points, then automatically assigns SRLGs based on this objective data, eliminating human error while maintaining systematic complexity through software algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables fiber infrastructure to 'self-report' its characteristics through OTDR measurements. The automated detection process allows the fiber network itself to provide accurate data about its physical state, splice locations, and potential shared risks, which then feeds into automatic SRLG assignment without requiring manual surveying or documentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If manual coordination across multiple systems is required, then data consistency across locations is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to coordination overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidease of maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal automated system that simultaneously updates SRLG assignments across multiple locations (network elements, NMS, planning software) from a single OTDR measurement source. The system performs multiple functions: detecting fiber characteristics, analyzing shared infrastructure risks, generating SRLG assignments, and propagating this data to all relevant systems automatically, eliminating the need for separate coordination efforts at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated SRLG detection system acts as an intermediary that collects fiber data through OTDR measurements and automatically distributes consistent SRLG information to all relevant systems (network elements, NMS, planning software). This intermediary process eliminates the need for manual coordination between these systems, as they all receive data from the same automated source, ensuring consistency while simplifying maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If automated detection using OTDR is implemented, then accuracy of fiber record completion is improved, but measurement and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of fiber recordsVSAvoiddifficulty of OTDR analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual analysis of fiber infrastructure with automated OTDR measurement and analysis systems. The system automatically captures OTDR traces, processes the reflection and attenuation data, identifies splices and connectors, and determines shared infrastructure relationships without requiring manual interpretation of complex optical measurements, thereby reducing detection difficulty while improving record completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the accuracy and completeness of fiber records, enabling better management of shared risks and ensuring diverse network paths, reducing the likelihood of common failures.

Implementation Method 1

Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) traces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Time Domain Reflectometry:

Implementation Method 2

analyzing physical measurements, such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), detected events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260081683A1Automatic Shared Risk Link Group Detection

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 CIENA CORP

AI summary

A method for detecting shared risk link is provided. The method can include receiving physical measurements from a plurality of fibers in an optical network, correlating the plurality of fibers to one another by analyzing the physical measurements to predict which fibers of the plurality of fibers share common infrastructure, and providing details of the fibers that share common infrastructure.