Programmable Delay in Fiber Optics for Synchronous Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic networks face challenges in ensuring fairness in data transmission and reception due to difficulties in precisely modifying cable lengths to adjust latency, which is costly and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
Programmable delays are introduced in the optics hardware of fiber networks to compensate for cable length inequalities and replication times, allowing data to be transmitted and received synchronously by adjusting delays after network deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable lengths are modified to adjust latency, then fairness in data transmission is improved, but manufacturing precision and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable length modification with electronic delay programming in optics hardware. Instead of physically cutting or extending cables to adjust latency, the system uses programmable delay elements in optical switches to introduce artificial latency, thereby achieving fairness without mechanical precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being adjusted from physical cable length to electronic delay time. By programming different delay values in optics hardware for different cables, the system can dynamically adjust latency without modifying the physical infrastructure, thus avoiding manufacturing precision issues.
2Reliability
If cable lengths are modified to adjust latency, then fairness in data transmission is improved, but labor and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable length modification with electronic delay programming in optics hardware. Instead of physically cutting or extending cables to adjust latency, the system uses programmable delay elements in optical switches to introduce artificial latency, thereby achieving fairness without mechanical precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic, programmable delay adjustment in optics hardware that can be configured after network deployment. This allows flexibility in adjusting latency without physical reconfiguration, making the system adaptable to changing network conditions without additional material costs.
3Reliability
If cable lengths are modified in large-scale networks, then fairness is improved, but complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable length modification with electronic delay programming in optics hardware. Instead of physically cutting or extending cables to adjust latency, the system uses programmable delay elements in optical switches to introduce artificial latency, thereby achieving fairness without mechanical precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal delay programming mechanism that can be applied to any cable in the network through software configuration. This single approach handles all latency adjustment needs across diverse network topologies and scales, replacing multiple specialized physical modification procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology is generally directed to programming delays in hardware already existing within fiber networks to reduce the unfairness in transmitting and receiving data. The delays may be programmed in the optics hardware after the deployment of the network. The delays may be determined based on the time it takes the networking switch to replicate data to be transmitted and/or the length of the cables. According to some examples, the delays may be programmed at either or both the egress and ingress optics hardware of a cable. The programmable delay reduces the unfairness of one destination, or end user, receiving data before another destination when the information is intended to be received synchronously.