ROADM Branching Unit Redundancy Protection for WSS Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ROADM systems in submarine optical networks lack redundancy protection against simultaneous failures of wavelength selective switches (WSS), which is critical due to the high reliability requirements in underwater environments, and existing solutions either compromise transmission performance or require additional costly hardware.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fully reconfigurable ROADM system using three 2×2 cross-connect switches and two 2×1 wavelength-selective switches, along with optical splitters and WSS, provides redundancy protection against any two simultaneous WSS failures without requiring bidirectional operation and maintains low cost and high reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy protection is implemented in ROADM systems to protect against simultaneous WSS failures, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the ROADM system where four 2×1 WSS structures serve multiple functions: they enable full reconfigurability for both Eastbound and Westbound traffic while simultaneously providing redundancy protection against any two simultaneous WSS failures. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated protection hardware, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protection function with the existing WSS structures by configuring them in a specific architecture where the same four 2×1 WSS structures that provide reconfigurability also provide redundancy. Instead of adding separate protection components, the system combines protection functionality into the existing reconfigurable framework, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
2Reliability
If traditional redundancy protection methods are used with additional WSS structures, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cost-effective redundancy by making the four 2×1 WSS structures universal components that simultaneously provide reconfigurability and protection functions. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated protection hardware, thereby maintaining high reliability while minimizing the quantity of hardware required and reducing operational costs
3Reliability
If bidirectional operation of WSS structures is required for redundancy, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing the WSS structures to operate in a unidirectional manner rather than requiring bidirectional operation. This inversion simplifies the operational constraints and control logic while still achieving the desired redundancy protection capability, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, structures and methods providing fully reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexing (ROADM) that provide redundancy protection against any two (2) simultaneous wavelength selective switch (WSS) failures with only four 2×1 WSS structures for both Eastbound and Westbound traffic, while not requiring bidirectional operation of the WSS structures.