Submarine Optical Communication Control Signal Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In submarine optical communication systems, the limitation on the number of terminal stations that can transmit control signals to branching devices and branching/insertion devices arises due to wavelength interference when multiple stations use identical control signal wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a configuration where terminal stations transmit control signals at different times, using multiplexing and branching mechanisms to ensure that control signals from multiple stations can share the same wavelength band without interference, allowing the first branching device and first branching/insertion device to receive and process these signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control signals from multiple terminal stations use identical wavelengths, then the wavelength band utilization is improved, but signal interference occurs between control signals from different stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where control signals from different terminal stations are transmitted at different time intervals using the same wavelength. Each terminal station transmits control signals periodically or at scheduled time slots, ensuring that only one control signal occupies the wavelength at any given moment, thus avoiding interference while maximizing wavelength utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control signal transmission by dividing it into separate time slots for different terminal stations. The branching device separates and processes control signals from different stations at different times, allowing multiple stations to share the same wavelength resource without simultaneous interference
2Productivity
If control signals from multiple terminal stations are transmitted simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but wavelength interference prevents reliable signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic time-division multiplexing where control signals from multiple terminal stations are transmitted in alternating time slots rather than simultaneously. This ensures that at any moment, only one control signal is present on the wavelength, maintaining reliable reception while achieving efficient utilization of the communication channel across multiple stations
Solution Approach 2:
The branching device acts as an intermediary that receives control signals from multiple terminal stations at different time intervals and forwards them to the branching/insertion device. This intermediary structure enables coordinated transmission from multiple stations without direct interference, maintaining both efficiency and reliability
3Device complexity
If identical wavelength is used for control signals from all terminal stations, then system simplicity is improved, but the number of terminal stations that can transmit control signals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs time-division multiplexing that allows any number of terminal stations to transmit control signals using the same wavelength by assigning different time slots to each station. This approach maintains system simplicity without requiring additional wavelengths or complex wavelength management, while enabling an unlimited number of terminal stations to access the control channel
Solution Approach 2:
The same wavelength is made universal for control signal transmission across all terminal stations in the system. Through time-division multiplexing, this single wavelength serves multiple functions by carrying control signals from different stations at different times, eliminating the need for dedicated wavelengths per station and thereby supporting a larger number of terminal stations with simple system architecture
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
This configuration enables multiple terminal stations to transmit control signals with the same wavelength band to the branching device and branching/insertion device, overcoming the previous limitations and ensuring efficient communication.
Implementation Method 1
a first branching means for being capable of splitting the first optical signal from the first terminal station
Implementation Method 2
a first multiplexing means for being capable of multiplexing the first optical signal being split by the second branching means with the second optical signal being split by the third branching means, and outputting first multiplexed light acquired by multiplexing
Data Source
AI summary
A submarine optical communication system comprising a first terminal station, a second terminal station, a third terminal station, a first branching device, and a first branching/insertion device, wherein the first and second terminal stations transmit each of first and second control signals in a control wavelength band at different times from each other in order to transmit control signals from the plurality of terminal stations to the first branching device and the first branching/insertion device, the first branching device includes a first reception circuit capable of receiving the first control signal and a fourth reception circuit configured to receive an optical signal in the control wavelength band, and the first branching/insertion device includes a second reception circuit capable of receiving the first control signal and a third reception circuit capable of receiving the second control signal.