Passive Optical Network Splitter with Reflective Filter for Traffic Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passive optical networks (PONs) face bottlenecks due to increased peer-to-peer traffic and high power consumption, leading to latency and congestion, especially at the optical line terminal (OLT), which degrades network throughput and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves distributing downstream wavelengths into two disjoint resource sets for communication with different areas of optical network units (ONUs), allowing upstream wavelengths to pass through splitters in specific directions for reflection, thereby reducing the load on the OLT and maintaining network capacity without active components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all traffic is processed by the OLT in WDM PONs, then centralized control and management is achieved, but the OLT becomes a bottleneck resulting in high power consumption and congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidOLT power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical network into multiple areas, each with its own area controller that handles local traffic independently. This divides the centralized processing load at the OLT into distributed processing at area controllers, reducing the OLT's processing burden and power consumption while maintaining control functionality through hierarchical management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Area controllers are introduced as intermediary devices between the OLT and ONUs. These intermediaries handle local traffic processing and control functions, preventing all traffic from converging at the OLT. The area controllers act as mediators that reduce the direct processing load on the OLT while maintaining network-wide coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If broadcast services are provided by duplicating signals at the OLT for each subscriber, then comprehensive service delivery is achieved, but huge data amounts are processed at the OLT resulting in high power consumption and congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidOLT processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the network into multiple areas, each with its own area controller that handles broadcast services locally. Instead of the OLT duplicating broadcast signals for all subscribers, each area controller generates and distributes broadcast signals within its area, significantly reducing the OLT's data processing load while maintaining comprehensive service coverage across all areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Broadcast services are provided with local quality by having each area controller generate and distribute broadcast signals independently within its area. This localizes the broadcast service delivery, eliminating the need for the OLT to process and duplicate huge amounts of broadcast data for all subscribers, thus improving OLT processing efficiency while maintaining service versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If upstream wavelengths are reflected at splitters for area-specific communication, then network capacity is maintained without active components, but wavelength resource allocation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive componentsVSAvoidwavelength allocation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic wavelength allocation where area controllers can flexibly assign and reassign upstream wavelengths to different ONUs based on current network conditions and service requirements. This dynamic allocation, combined with passive splitter reflection, maintains network capacity without requiring active components while providing the adaptability to handle varying traffic patterns and service demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The area controllers serve multiple functions: they manage wavelength allocation, control broadcast services, handle unicast traffic, and coordinate with the OLT. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain complex wavelength resource allocation and provide adaptability without requiring equally complex passive optical components, as the intelligence is centralized in the multi-functional area controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach enhances communication efficiency between ONUs and OLTs, reduces power consumption, and supports multi-vendor networks by encapsulating internal traffic within the optical network, allowing for flexible and cost-effective PON operations.

Implementation Method 1

wherein a second resource of upstream wavelengths is reflected for communication in the first area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2510707B1Method and device for data processing in a passive optical network
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 XIEON NETWORKS SARL
  • EP2510707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2510707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2510707B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device for data processing in a passive optical network are provided, wherein a splitter comprises a reflective filter, wherein a first resource passes the splitter in uplink direction and wherein a second resource is reflected.