Striping Signal Groups for Flexible Service Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network architecture upgrades face challenges in efficiently sizing service groups to meet growing demand while minimizing costs, particularly due to the need for frequent reconfiguration of splitters and custom-manufactured de-multiplexers during phase transitions, which incur additional costs and service outages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a striping configuration that allows signals to be split and combined on a per-wavelength basis, reducing the need for reconfiguration in the field and enabling the use of a single 16-CWDM de-multiplexer across all phases, thereby eliminating the requirement for custom 4-CWDM and 8-CWDM de-multiplexers and minimizing field changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If service groups are split into additional service groups to meet growing demand, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity and reconfiguration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service group into smaller sub-groups (e.g., 200 users split into two 100-user groups, then four 50-user groups) to accommodate growing demand. This segmentation allows the network to scale capacity while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through standardized splitting patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of service groups where the network can transition between different phases (Phase 1: 8 FD nodes per transmitter, Phase 2: 4 FD nodes per transmitter, Phase 3: 2 FD nodes per transmitter) to adapt to changing demand while using a consistent 16-CWDM de-multiplexer architecture throughout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-manufactured de-multiplexers are used for each phase, then adaptability to different phases is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single 16-CWDM de-multiplexer design across all phases (Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3). This universal component handles different service group configurations without requiring custom-manufactured de-multiplexers for each phase, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability through reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If splitters are reconfigured at each phase conversion, then adaptability to different phases is improved, but service continuity and operational ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the 16-CWDM de-multiplexer to handle all future phases. By pre-configuring the de-multiplexer with the capability to support Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 service group sizes, the system eliminates the need for field reconfiguration of splitters during phase transitions, ensuring service continuity and reducing operational complexity.
4Loss of time
If network upgrades are delayed to avoid reconfiguration, then loss of time and cost are reduced, but bandwidth capacity and service quality worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The universal 16-CWDM de-multiplexer enables the network to progress through phases without reconfiguration delays. The same hardware platform supports evolving bandwidth requirements from Phase 1 through Phase 3, allowing the network to upgrade capacity on demand without incurring reconfiguration costs or service outages.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a first group of splitters receives a group of signals from a group of transmitters. Each splitter in the first group of splitters splits a signal into a plurality of signals that are sent to a plurality of multiplexers. A multiplexer in the plurality of multiplexers receives one of the plurality of signals from each splitter in the group of splitters and multiplexes the received one of the plurality of signals into a multiplexed signal. The multiplexer sends the multiplexed signal through a single connection in which upstream signals are sent to a group of nodes and downstream signals are received from the group of nodes. A de-multiplexer de-multiplexes the multiplexed signal into the group of signals and sends the group of signals to the group of nodes via a second group of splitters that are connected to the group of nodes.