PCE Server Minimizing Photonic Layer Setup Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication network systems face significant delays in establishing connections due to the disparity between connection selection and setup times, particularly in next-generation networks that require rapid turn-up and tear-down of wavelength channels, where photonic layer actions dominate the setup time.

Innovation Solution

The proposed T-SDN architecture incorporates a PCE server that considers photonic layer management and dynamic network element behavior, using a cost function that accounts for total establishment time, including pre- and post-transient effects, to minimize photonic layer actions and reduce connection setup time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional connection selection methods are used that focus on routing and wavelength assignment, then routing efficiency is improved, but connection setup time is increased due to slow photonic layer actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting efficiencyVSAvoidconnection setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-computes and stores photonic layer setup times for different connection candidates before routing decisions are made. This preliminary information about establishment times is integrated into the cost function, allowing the system to select connections that will establish quickly without performing time-consuming photonic layer actions during the actual connection setup process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If photonic layer management actions are performed to establish wavelength channels, then connection establishment is completed, but setup time is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of photonic layer setup requirements and pre-calculates establishment times for different connection candidates. By having this information ready in advance and incorporating it into the routing cost function, the system can make routing decisions that minimize the required photonic layer actions, thereby reducing setup time while ensuring reliable connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optimization parameter from traditional routing metrics (such as shortest path or least hops) to a cost function that includes photonic layer establishment time. This parameter change allows the system to prioritize connections that require minimal photonic layer actions, fundamentally altering how connection candidates are evaluated and selected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional routing algorithms are used without considering photonic layer dynamics, then computational simplicity is maintained, but connection setup time increases due to unoptimized photonic actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealgorithm complexityVSAvoidconnection setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computation and storage of photonic layer establishment times for various connection candidates before the actual routing decision is needed. This pre-computation approach maintains relative algorithmic simplicity during connection setup while providing the optimization information needed to minimize photonic layer actions and reduce setup time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3417575B1Photonic-layer aware path computation element
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3417575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3417575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network controller in a control plane and a method for selecting a connection for a wavelength channel from a plurality of connection candidates in a communications network are disclosed. The network controller comprises a modeling module and a routing engine. The modeling module obtains information from a physical element in the network, related to an estimated time for the element to establish each connection candidate therethrough for the wavelength channel. The routing engine selects the connection taking into account the estimated time associated with each connection candidate.