Backward Compatible PON Coexistence via Wavelength Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passive optical network (PON) systems face challenges in integrating new, incompatible PON systems with existing ones without disrupting data transmission and requiring costly upgrades, as they share a spectral window and risk data collisions.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a second-type OLT with a first-type OLT and ONUs, allowing the second-type OLT to forward and receive data using different wavelengths for downstream and same wavelengths for upstream data, enabling coexistence without removing existing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a new PON system is integrated with an existing PON system sharing the same spectral window, then future PON systems can deliver larger transmission bandwidths, but data collisions occur between the two systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - wavelength - to differentiate between the first PON system and the second PON system. The first OLT transmits downstream data at a first wavelength while the second OLT transmits downstream data at a second wavelength, allowing both systems to coexist in the same spectral window without data collisions while maintaining enhanced transmission bandwidth capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing PON components are replaced with new incompatible PON components, then new PON systems can be integrated, but capital and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PON system into two independent but coexisting subsystems: a first PON system with first OLT and first ONUs, and a second PON system with second OLT and second ONUs. Each subsystem operates independently with its own wavelength for downstream transmission, allowing the new second-type PON components to be added without removing or replacing the existing first-type PON components, thereby reducing upgrade costs while achieving system integration
Solution Approach 2:
The optical distribution network serves a universal function by carrying both first wavelength signals and second wavelength signals simultaneously, enabling it to support both the legacy first PON system and the new second PON system without requiring separate physical infrastructure, thus reducing capital expenditures
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
Enables seamless communication between different PON systems, allowing new PON components to be added without disrupting existing systems, reducing capital and operating costs by avoiding data collisions and maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The second-type OLT may forward a first-type downstream data from the first-type OLT to the first-type ONUs, as well as transmit a second-type downstream data to the second-type ONUs. The first-type downstream data and the second-type downstream data may use different wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
A passive optical network (PON) is one system for providing network access over 'the last mile.' The PON is a point to multi-point network comprised of an optical line terminal (OLT) at the central office, an optical distribution network (ODN), and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) at the customer premises
Data Source
AI summary
A network comprising a first optical line terminal (OLT), and a second OLT in communication with the first OLT, at least one first-type optical network unit (ONU), and at least one second-type ONU. Included is an OLT configured to implement a method comprising forwarding a first downstream data from a first-type OLT to at least one first-type ONU, and transmitting a second downstream data to at least one second-type ONU. Also included is a method comprising adding at least one second-type ONU to a passive optical network (PON) comprising a first-type OLT and at least one first-type ONU without removing the first-type OLT from the PON.