Regenerative Optical Network for Wavelength Contention Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional colorless, directionless, and contentionless (CDC) optical networks face issues such as contentions along edges, noise accumulation leading to reduced spectral efficiency, and inefficient utilization due to asymmetrical edges, which limits achievable capacity and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A regenerative optical network design that terminates and regenerates optical signals at nodes, using low-cost and low-energy transponders to convert signals into electrical form for redistribution, thereby avoiding contentions and noise accumulation, allowing for higher edge utilization and improved spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical signals are transmitted through multiple edges in a CDC network, then network connectivity is improved, but noise accumulates along the path reducing spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary regenerative node that converts optical signals to electrical signals and back to optical signals with new wavelengths. This intermediary process eliminates noise accumulation by regenerating the signal at each node, allowing signals to traverse multiple edges while maintaining spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of optical signals at each regenerative node. By converting signals to electrical form and regenerating them with different wavelengths, the system avoids wavelength contentions along edges while eliminating noise accumulation, thus improving spectral efficiency without sacrificing connectivity.
2Productivity
If more transponders are deployed to handle wavelength contentions, then network capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength assignment at regenerative nodes based on real-time network conditions. Instead of static wavelength allocation, the system dynamically selects wavelengths to avoid contentions, improving network capacity utilization without requiring additional transponders and thus reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The regenerative nodes perform multiple functions: wavelength conversion, noise regeneration, and routing decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components to handle each function, reducing overall system complexity and energy consumption while maintaining high network capacity.
3Ease of operation
If optical to electrical conversions are performed at every node, then contentions are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wavelength conversion and signal regeneration functions into a single integrated process at regenerative nodes. By combining these functions, the system eliminates contentions through wavelength conversion while avoiding the need for separate complex components, thus reducing overall device complexity.
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
The regenerative optical network achieves near 100% edge utilization, reduces noise accumulation, and enhances transmission efficiency and capacity by using low-cost transponders, thus providing an energy-efficient and cost-effective mesh optical network.
Implementation Method 1
convert the received optical signals into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
regenerate optical signals by generating, based on the electrical signals, optical signals having a second set of wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
the optical signals are converted from the first wavelength to the second wavelength at the first node
Implementation Method 4
one or more switches configured to route the regenerated optical signals to one or more of the plurality of degrees of the at least one node
Data Source
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AI summary
A network is provided with a plurality of nodes connected to one another. At least one node of the plurality of nodes include one or more transponders. For example, the transponders may be configured to receive optical signals having a first set of wavelengths at a first degree of a plurality of degrees in the at least one node. The transponders may convert the received optical signals into electrical signals, and then regenerate optical signals by generating, based on the electrical signals, optical signals having a second set of wavelengths. The node may further include one or more switches configured to route the regenerated optical signals to one or more of the plurality of degrees of the at least one node.