ROADM OSC Intermediary for Non-OSC Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication networks, the challenge arises when communicating between a ROADM device and a device without an OSC, as this leads to errors and prevents communication, while stopping the OSC poses safety risks and is not permissible according to Open ROADM MSA configurations.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmission system that includes a ROADM device with an SFP for OSC and a communication device with a response unit, allowing optical communication without electrical termination of other systems while maintaining the OSC function of the ROADM device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the OSC is stopped to enable communication with devices without OSC, then communication flexibility is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to high-power optical signal misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the communication device without OSC uses the ROADM device's OSC transmission path as a mediator. The ROADM device transmits OSC signals to the communication device, which then returns them, enabling the ROADM to perform monitoring and control functions without requiring the communication device to have its own OSC functionality, thus maintaining operator safety while improving communication flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the ROADM device's OSC transmission path universal by allowing it to serve both traditional ROADM-ROADM communication and communication with non-ROADM devices. The OSC function is extended to work with devices that originally did not have it, enabling multi-functional communication scenarios while preserving the safety and monitoring capabilities provided by the OSC
2Adaptability or versatility
If the OSC function is stopped to communicate with non-ROADM devices, then communication versatility is improved, but the monitoring and control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the OSC transmission path as an intermediary that enables monitoring and control capabilities to be extended to communication devices without native OSC functionality. The ROADM device can transmit OSC signals through the optical transmission line to the communication device, which returns them, allowing the ROADM to maintain monitoring and control capabilities while communicating with versatile non-ROADM devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the communication device without OSC returns the OSC signals transmitted by the ROADM device. This feedback loop enables the ROADM to receive monitoring information and control signals back, maintaining reliable monitoring and control capabilities while achieving communication versatility with non-ROADM devices
3Reliability
If electrical termination is used for communication with other systems, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and termination point requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical termination mechanism with an optical-based solution. Instead of requiring electrical connections and termination points for communication with other systems, the patent uses optical transmission lines and optical signals (including OSC) to achieve communication and monitoring functions, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for electrical termination while maintaining communication reliability
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 secure and reliable optical communication between ROADM devices and other systems without electrical termination, ensuring the integrity of the OSC function and operator safety.
Implementation Method 1
a small form factor pluggable transceiver (SFP) that converts an electrical signal and an optical signal to each other and transmits and receives the optical signal via the optical transmission line
Implementation Method 2
a response unit that returns back the optical signal transmitted from the optical transmission device to the same optical transmission device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission system (300) includes a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) device (200) that transmits and receives an optical signal via an optical transmission line (10, 20), and a communication device (400) connected to the ROADM device (200) via the optical transmission line (10, 20). The ROADM device (200) includes an SFP for OSC (250) that converts an electrical signal and an optical signal to each other, and transmits and receives the optical signal via the optical transmission line (10, 20). The communication device (400) includes a response unit (420) that returns back to the ROADM device (200) the optical signal transmitted from the ROADM device (200).