Reversible Wavelength Channels for Optical Network Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wavelength-routed networks face inefficiencies due to fixed transmission directions of wavelength channels, leading to underutilization and the need for new fiber infrastructure when traffic patterns change, despite available technologies for bidirectional components like optical isolators, amplifiers, and switches.
Innovation Solution
Implementing reversible wavelength channels that can transmit signals in either direction, utilizing bidirectional multiplexing, demultiplexing, optical isolators, amplifiers, and switches to dynamically adjust transmission paths and reduce the need for new fiber deployments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed transmission directions are assigned to wavelength channels, then network implementation is simplified and standardized, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates when traffic patterns change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength channel direction assignment where channels can be reversibly configured to transmit in either direction based on real-time traffic demands. This allows the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns without requiring new fiber infrastructure, thereby maintaining implementation simplicity while improving bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission direction parameter of wavelength channels dynamically. By allowing wavelength channels to switch between different transmission directions (first direction or second direction), the network can optimize bandwidth utilization for varying traffic patterns while keeping the physical infrastructure unchanged.
2Productivity
If more fiber infrastructure is deployed to handle traffic in both directions, then network capacity increases, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes wavelength channels universal by enabling them to serve multiple transmission directions. Each wavelength channel can be configured to transmit in either the first or second direction, allowing a single fiber infrastructure to handle bidirectional traffic without requiring separate dedicated channels for each direction, thus increasing capacity while avoiding additional infrastructure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying separate fiber infrastructure for each transmission direction, the patent inverts the approach by allowing wavelength channels to reverse their transmission directions. This enables the network to handle increased capacity demands by reconfiguring existing channels rather than adding new infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If wavelength channels are allocated fixed bandwidth, then implementation is standardized, but adaptability to varying traffic demands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to wavelength channels, allowing them to switch transmission directions based on traffic demands. This maintains implementation standardization through established WDM technology while providing adaptability to varying traffic patterns by enabling reversible channel direction assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in wavelength channel configuration, specifically the transmission direction parameter. Channels can be dynamically reassigned between first and second directions to match traffic demands, maintaining standardization through controlled parameter variation rather than requiring new hardware implementations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional components are added to enable reversible channels, then network flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements bidirectional components with universal functionality that can handle both first and second direction transmissions. Optical isolators, amplifiers, and switches are designed to operate bidirectionally, providing network flexibility while avoiding the need for separate unidirectional components for each direction, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges bidirectional functionality into single components rather than using separate unidirectional components for each direction. By combining bidirectional capabilities into unified optical isolators, amplifiers, and switches, the network achieves flexibility while minimizing the total number of components and overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission system comprises at least one first connection point and one second connection point arranged to transmit and receive at least one channel signal transmitted via at least one optical means connecting the first connection point and the second connection, wherein each of the at least one channel signal is reversibly configurable to be transmitted in either a first direction or a second direction between the first connection point and the second connection point. A method of transmitting at least one channel signal between a first connection point and a second connection point via at least one optical media in an optical transmission system, wherein each of the at least one channel signal is reversibly configurable to be transmitted in either a first direction or a second direction between the first and the second connection points.