Substitute OXC for Automatic Configuration of New Transmission Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical transmission systems where a control device is implemented in a deemed single station to manage multiple stations, identifying and configuring a replaced transmission device is challenging due to signals from multiple devices being transmitted to a single port, preventing necessary configuration information from being set for the replacement device.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a control device in a deemed single station that stores physical network configuration information, including serial numbers and connection details of transmission devices, allowing it to centrally control and automatically set configuration information for new devices by using a substitute transmission device to communicate with the control device until configuration is completed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a control device is implemented in a deemed single station to collectively control transmission devices in multiple stations, then installation space, power consumption, and hardware costs are reduced, but the control device cannot identify which transmission device has been replaced when signals from multiple devices are transmitted to a single port
Solution Approach 1:
A substitute transmission device is introduced as an intermediary between the newly connected transmission device and the control device. The substitute device receives signals from the new device and forwards them to the control device, enabling the control device to identify and configure the new transmission device through the substitute's communication channel while maintaining the centralized control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into multiple stages: the new transmission device communicates with the substitute transmission device, which then communicates with the control device. This segmentation allows the control device to indirectly identify and configure the new device through the substitute's established communication channel without requiring direct identification capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If configuration information is not automatically set for a replaced transmission device, then the control device cannot operate the new device, but manual configuration increases maintenance staff workload and time
Solution Approach 1:
The substitute transmission device is pre-configured with communication capabilities and identification functions before the new transmission device is connected. When a new device is installed, the substitute device immediately begins facilitating communication between the new device and control device, enabling automatic configuration without waiting for manual setup or additional configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service configuration where the new transmission device automatically receives its configuration information through the substitute device's communication channel. The control device automatically identifies and configures the new device without requiring maintenance staff intervention, reducing both workload and configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission system (10) includes a plurality of transmission devices such as transponders (TPs) and optical cross-connects (OXCs) installed in each of stations (11-15) connected via a communication network, a control device (20), and a substitute OXC (502) serving as a substitute transmission device. The control device 20 is installed in a control station (14) of the stations. The control device (20) controls the transmission devices of the stations (11-15) in a centralized manner in accordance with physical network (NW) configuration information (20D) stored in a DB (21) and including config information. When a transmission device is replaced with a new OXC (5o3) serving as a new transmission device, the substitute OXC (5o2) operates as a substitute for the new OXC (5o3) to communicate with the control device (20) until config setting necessary for the new OXC (5o3) is completed.