Passive Optical Network Fault Protection via Backscattered Light Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive optical networks lack effective fault protection mechanisms, leading to communication disruptions and increased costs due to redundant equipment, and are unable to maintain communication integrity during accidental faults without significant cost increments.
Innovation Solution
An optical network system with a host optical transmitting/receiving module, client optical transmitting/receiving modules, a primary optical channel, and a fault protection module that monitors downstream optical signals and reconfigures transmission routes when faults are detected, utilizing a secondary optical channel as a counter route to maintain communication integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant equipment is added to provide fault protection capability, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical channel is segmented into multiple wavelength channels (first wavelength channel and second wavelength channel), allowing independent fault protection for each segment without requiring complete redundancy of all network equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The optical line terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: normal optical signal transmission and fault detection through backscattered light analysis, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional passive optical network structure is used, then construction cost is reduced, but fault protection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical line terminal uses its own transmitted optical signal and analyzes the backscattered light to detect faults, making the system self-diagnostic without requiring external or redundant detection equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the optical line terminal transmits optical signals, receives backscattered light from the optical channel, and uses this feedback information to detect and locate faults automatically
Data Source
AI summary
A fault protection method for optical networks is provided. The method includes monitoring intensity of downstream optical signals transmitted through a first route from a rear terminal of a primary optical channel, so as to determine if there occurs any fault; and activating a second route to transmit optical signals when a fault in the primary optical channel is detected, in which the second route is counter to the first route. The present invention also includes a system performing the fault protection method.