Path-Based Dummy Light for Optical Network Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems face challenges in rapid reconfiguration due to wavelength-dependent power excursions in gain-controlled erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which hinder dynamic service responses and limit the optical layer's utility in 'all-cloud' paradigms.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to manage optical communication networks by deploying dummy light hardware at fewer nodes, creating single-section and multi-section dummy light paths, and controlling non-equipped nodes to pass dummy light, optimizing path fill conditions and signal loading to achieve fast and reliable reconfiguration without requiring all nodes to be equipped with dummy light hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If dummy light hardware is deployed at all nodes to enable fast optical reconfiguration, then reconfiguration speed and reliability are improved, but hardware cost and deployment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into different roles: dummy light source nodes and dummy light passing nodes. Only source nodes require dummy light hardware, while passing nodes merely route existing dummy light signals. This segmentation reduces hardware deployment from universal node coverage to selective source node coverage, directly addressing the contradiction between reconfiguration speed and deployment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing optical infrastructure multi-functional. Non-equipped nodes that lack dummy light sources can still participate in the dummy light system by functioning as passing nodes that route dummy light signals through their optical sections. This universal participation without universal hardware deployment resolves the contradiction by enabling fast reconfiguration through partial hardware deployment
2Device complexity
If dummy light hardware is deployed at fewer nodes to reduce cost, then hardware cost and complexity are reduced, but the ability to stabilize amplifier behavior across all optical sections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dummy light passing nodes as intermediaries that carry dummy light signals from source nodes through optical sections that would otherwise lack dummy light coverage. These intermediary nodes enable dummy light propagation across the entire optical path without requiring dummy light hardware at every node, thus maintaining amplifier stability while reducing deployment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of dummy light generation and dummy light transmission into a coordinated system. Source nodes generate dummy light, while passing nodes transmit and route these signals through the network. This merging of generation and transmission functions across different node types ensures comprehensive optical section coverage with reduced hardware deployment
3Speed
If section-based dummy light solutions are implemented at each ROADM node, then fast path switchover is achieved, but network deployment flexibility is reduced due to shelf slot constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dummy light functionality into source nodes that generate dummy light and passing nodes that merely route it. This segmentation allows nodes without available shelf slots to participate in fast reconfiguration as passing nodes, eliminating the constraint that previously required every node to have dummy light hardware installed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing an optical communications network comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by optical sections. The method comprises: identifying one or more pairs of adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which dummy light (DL) hardware is deployed, respective dummy light (DL) hardware being deployed at fewer than the plurality of the nodes of the optical communications network, the respective DL hardware deployed at a particular node configured to supply dummy light to each optical section extending from the particular node, and defining a respective single-section DL path between each identified pair of adjacent DL-equipped nodes; identifying one or more pairs of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes at which DL hardware is deployed, and defining a respective multi-section DL path between each identified pair of non-adjacent DL-equipped nodes; and causing the deployed DL hardware to supply DL light to each of the single- and the multi-section DL paths.