Partial Bidirectional Line Switched Ring Network Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR) networks require working bandwidth to be available even when not used, leading to unused switching equipment, transponders, and transport fiber, and are difficult to implement as a cost-effective mesh topology, increasing hardware requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a partial or asymmetrical BLSR network, where working traffic is only installed on spans with bandwidth demand, allowing unused working bandwidth to be reallocated or omitted, and using a mesh network to provide protection bandwidth, reducing equipment and fiber deployment while maintaining network reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional BLSR networks are deployed with full working bandwidth on all spans, then network reliability is maintained, but network build-out costs and hardware requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking traffic survivabilityVSAvoidequipment and fiber deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different spans of the ring to have different working bandwidth allocations based on local traffic demand. Spans with high traffic demand receive full working bandwidth, while spans with low or no demand have reduced or omitted working bandwidth, maintaining only protection bandwidth. This localized differentiation reduces overall equipment and fiber deployment while preserving reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the network to adapt its working bandwidth allocation based on changing traffic demands. The partial ring configuration allows the network to dynamically adjust which spans carry working traffic and which spans rely on protection mechanisms, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining survivability under various failure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If working bandwidth is reserved on all spans in conventional BLSR, then protection against fiber failures is ensured, but unused bandwidth and equipment remain when not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against fiber failuresVSAvoidunused bandwidth and equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the working bandwidth from spans where it is not needed, retaining only the essential protection bandwidth. This extraction eliminates unused equipment and fiber resources while preserving the core protection capability. The working bandwidth is selectively removed from specific spans based on traffic demand, preventing waste of resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing working bandwidth only on the portion of the ring where it is actually needed rather than uniformly across all spans. This partial deployment of working bandwidth avoids the excess resource allocation inherent in conventional full-ring configurations, reducing waste while maintaining adequate protection through the remaining spans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If full BLSR rings are implemented, then complete protection coverage is achieved, but mesh topology implementation becomes difficult and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete protection coverageVSAvoidmesh topology implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mesh topology into multiple partial ring configurations, where each ring serves a specific region or traffic pattern. This segmentation allows mesh implementation without requiring full BLSR rings throughout the entire network, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining protection coverage through coordinated partial rings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enhances universality by designing partial ring nodes that can function in multiple roles - serving as endpoints for some rings, intermediate nodes for others, and providing both working and protection functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality simplifies mesh topology implementation by reducing the need for specialized hardware in different network positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7680032B1Bidirectional line switched partial rings, mesh networks, and methods of operation

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 CIENA CORP

AI summary

A bi-directional line switched mesh includes at least one bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR) sharing a common section with a partial bi-directional line switched ring (PBLSR). The partial bi-directional line switched ring has no working traffic along the common section, but may utilize the protection bandwidth associated with the common section of the BLSR in the event of a span failure of the PBLSR. Both electrical and optical PBLSR networks are also disclosed including methods of operating the asymmetrical ring nodes having unconfigured working ports (spans).