OXC Alarm Signal Wavelength Path Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical transmission systems, it is difficult to determine whether optical input interruptions detected by OXC devices are due to external failures from upstream devices or internal failures, leading to inefficient maintenance and increased costs, as current systems lack effective means for distinguishing between these causes and require multiple LAN cables for alarm signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
The system generates an alarm signal including wavelength and path information for optical input interruptions, which is transmitted through an optical coupler, allowing OXC devices to notify transponder devices of external failures, thereby enabling accurate determination of failure causes without the need for high-cost LAN cable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If alarm signals are transmitted using LAN cables between OXC devices and transponder devices, then accurate failure cause determination is enabled, but system cost and complexity increase due to additional cabling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission line is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both data signals and alarm signals simultaneously. The alarm signal is superimposed on the data signal in the optical domain, allowing a single optical fiber to serve dual purposes: transmitting user data and conveying failure alarm information from OXC devices to transponder devices, thereby eliminating the need for separate LAN cables
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm signal transmission function is merged with the existing data transmission function by combining both signals in the optical domain. The alarm signal is added to the data signal path using optical coupling, so that both signals traverse the same optical fiber infrastructure, reducing system complexity while maintaining accurate failure detection capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple LAN cables are used for alarm signal transmission, then reliable failure notification is achieved, but installation cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmission line is utilized for dual purposes: carrying both user data and alarm notifications. By superimposing the alarm signal on the existing data signal in the optical domain, the system achieves reliable failure notification through the already-deployed optical infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional LAN cable installation and reducing maintenance burden
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own optical transmission infrastructure to carry alarm signals, making the transmission medium self-sufficient for multiple functions. The optical fiber that already connects OXC devices and transponder devices for data transmission automatically serves as the alarm signal pathway, reducing dependency on external cabling systems
3Device complexity
If alarm signals are transmitted through optical transmission lines, then system cost is reduced, but signal interference between data and alarm signals may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal is segmented into different wavelength components: one for data transmission and another for alarm signal transmission. By using wavelength division multiplexing, the data signal and alarm signal occupy different spectral bands within the optical fiber, allowing simultaneous transmission without interference while reducing system cost by eliminating separate cabling
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] whether optical input interruption detected by an OXC device is due to an external failure from an upstream side or an internal failure of the OXC device in a transponder device connected to the OXC device using an optical transmission line, and this determination is implemented at low cost.[Solution] An optical transmission system (10A) is configured by connecting a plurality of OXC devices (14A) using optical fibers (16) between transponder devices (15A1) that relay optical signals transmitted to/from terminals (19a, 19b). The OXC device (14A) includes an OSC part (4d1) and a monitoring control part (4e1). The OSC part (4d1) outputs wavelength information on an optical signal in which optical input interruption has occurred and path information on a path of an optical fiber (16) in which the optical input interruption has occurred, at the time of detecting the optical input interruption from the optical fiber (16). In accordance with the wavelength information and the path information that have been output as above, the OXC device (14A) includes an AIS generation part (4j) that generates an AIS signal including both pieces of information on the wavelength and the path of the optical signal relating to the optical input interruption and alarm information relating to both the pieces of information.