Rate-Adaptive Optical Transceiver Path Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rate-adaptive optical transceivers face challenges in maintaining data transmission when optical paths fail, as they need to adjust bit rates to accommodate new distances, often requiring the dropping of lower priority traffic or rerouting to another transceiver, which can lead to errors due to varying optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNR) across different paths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus that employs fixed-rate optics to assist rate-adaptive optics during optical path failures, allowing for seamless bit rate adjustments and data rerouting by using a combination of rate-adaptive and fixed-rate optical transceivers, along with optical multiplexing and demultiplexing techniques, to maintain error-free transmission across different optical paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rate-adaptive optical transceiver transmits at high bit rate over short optical path, then transmission speed is improved, but transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating bit rate based on the detected optical path length and conditions. The rate-adaptive transceiver switches between high bit rate mode for short paths and low bit rate mode for long paths, optimizing transmission performance for each scenario rather than using a fixed rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission parameter (bit rate) in response to changing conditions (optical path length). When the optical path exceeds a threshold length, the system changes from high bit rate to low bit rate operation, allowing the transceiver to adapt to the reduced signal quality over longer distances.
2Reliability
If rate-adaptive optical transceiver switches to longer optical path after failure, then path availability is improved, but bit rate must be lowered
Solution Approach 1:
Upon detecting an optical path failure, the system dynamically reconfigures by switching to an alternative longer optical path and simultaneously adjusting the bit rate to a lower level compatible with the extended distance, ensuring continuous transmission without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes multiple optical paths with different length characteristics before a failure occurs. When a failure is detected, the transceiver can immediately switch to a pre-configured alternative path without needing to perform complex real-time path search or configuration.
3Reliability
If optical transceiver drops lower priority traffic during rate adjustment, then transmission reliability is improved, but data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous data transmission by using multiple optical paths simultaneously. While one path is active for high-speed transmission, another path continues to carry traffic, ensuring that no data transmission stops during rate adjustments or failures, thus preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the data traffic into different streams that can be transmitted over different optical paths. This allows independent transmission of multiple data flows, so when one path requires rate adjustment or fails, other paths can continue carrying traffic without interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for performing path protection for rate-adaptive optics is provided. As part of the method, an aggregate input bit stream is received. The aggregate input bit stream is then transmitted using a rate-adaptive optical transceiver when transmitting on a first optical path. When the first optical path has a fault, the aggregate input bit stream is then transmitted on a second optical path using the rate-adaptive optical transceiver and a fixed-rate optical transceiver.