Passive Optical Network Redundancy Links for Fast Fiber Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable optical access networks lack effective protection mechanisms, making them vulnerable to service interruptions due to single fiber failures, which is critical for reliable broadband connectivity, especially for emerging applications like remote patient monitoring and autonomous cars.
Innovation Solution
Implementing redundancy links and network resiliency architectures using passive optical splitters and switches, along with optical frequency comb and optical injection locking, to provide cost-effective protection and fast service restoration without complex switching devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active optical networks (AON) with electrically powered network devices are used, then network control and management are improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically powered active network devices with passive optical components (optical splitters and optical switches) that use no electrical power. The optical switches are controlled purely by optical signals rather than electrical control, eliminating the need for power supplies, cooling systems, and electrical control circuits while maintaining network control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive optical network devices operate autonomously without requiring external electrical power or complex control systems. The optical switches automatically route signals based on optical control signals, and the network self-manages failover and protection switching without electrical power management or complex electrical control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If redundant fiber links and protection mechanisms are implemented, then network reliability is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into unified passive optical components. The same optical splitter serves both normal signal distribution and protection signal distribution. The optical switches handle both working and protection path switching, eliminating the need for separate protection devices and reducing overall deployment cost while maintaining 99.999% availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive optical components are designed to perform multiple functions: optical splitters distribute both working and protection signals, and optical switches handle both normal traffic switching and protection switching. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and lowers deployment costs while ensuring network reliability.
3Loss of time
If fast service restoration is achieved through protection switching, then mean time to repair (MTTR) is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with simple optical control mechanisms. The optical switches respond to optical control signals for rapid switching between working and protection paths, achieving fast service restoration without the complexity of electrical control circuits, power management, and electronic switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection switching system operates autonomously based on optical signal detection. When fiber failure is detected through optical monitoring, the system automatically switches to protection paths without requiring complex electrical control or external intervention, achieving rapid MTTR reduction through self-service optical switching.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves 99.999% availability with reduced MTTR for OLT and feeder fiber failures, ensuring uninterrupted service and reducing deployment costs by minimizing the need for high-cost components.
Implementation Method 1
an optical splitter, which splits a signal from an optical line terminal to a plurality of optical network units
Implementation Method 2
optical injection locking to provide cost-effective protection and fast service restoration
Implementation Method 3
optical frequency comb and optical injection locking
Data Source
AI summary
A network resiliency architecture including a first optical splitter, a second optical splitter, and an optical switch. The first optical splitter including a hub-side splitter-port A01 that optically couples to a first optical line terminal, a node-side splitter-port A02 optically coupled to the hub-side splitter-port A01, and a node-side splitter-port A03 optically coupled to the hub-side splitter-port A01. The second optical splitter including a hub-side splitter-port B01 that optically couples to a second optical line terminal, a node-side splitter-port B02 optically coupled to the hub-side splitter-port B01, and a node-side splitter-port B03 optically coupled to the hub-side splitter-port B01. The optical switch including (a) four input switch-ports each optically coupled to a respective one of the splitter-ports A02, A03, B02, and B03, (b) a first output switch-port that optically couples to a first aggregation node of an optical network, and (c) a second output switch-port that optically couples to a second aggregation node of an optical network.