Switching Matrix Connection Rearrangement for Minimal Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for high-bandwidth services poses a challenge for access networks to efficiently connect subscribers to their chosen operator networks without disrupting existing connections, especially in scenarios where subscribers can freely choose their operator network, known as Local Loop Unbundling.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a multi-stage switching matrix that rearranges existing connections across the matrix to establish new connections between subscriber terminals and operator networks, minimizing disruption by determining if new connections can be established without rearranging any existing connections, and iteratively rearranging connections if necessary to involve only the minimal number of operator networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new connections are established in a switching matrix with existing connections, then the ability to serve subscriber requests is improved, but disruption to existing connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis to determine whether new connections can be established without rearranging existing connections. Only when necessary does it proceed to rearrange existing connections, and even then, it limits the rearrangement to minimal subsets of operator networks. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary disruption while still enabling new connections to be established.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing connections are rearranged to establish new connections, then new subscriber requests are fulfilled, but the complexity of connection management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the set of operator networks into subsets, allowing rearrangement operations to be performed on minimal subsets rather than the entire network. When a new connection request arrives, the system identifies only the specific subset of operator networks that need to be rearranged, isolating the complexity to a manageable portion of the overall network rather than requiring global reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial rearrangement of existing connections rather than complete reconfiguration. It rearranges only the minimal necessary subset of operator networks required to accommodate new connections, avoiding excessive action that would unnecessarily complicate the overall connection management while still achieving the goal of establishing new connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operator networks are involved in rearrangement, then new connections can be established, but the number of affected existing connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating different operator networks differently based on their specific roles and requirements. Instead of uniformly rearranging all operator networks, it identifies and operates only on the specific local subset that is directly involved in the new connection request, minimizing the number of affected existing connections while maintaining the flexibility needed to establish new connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A switching matrix connects to an access network and a set of at least two operator networks. A controller performs a method of establishing new connections across the switching matrix in response to new connection requests. The new connection requests involve a sub-set of the set of operator networks. The controller determines if the new connections can be established across the switching matrix by rearranging only existing connections across the switching matrix to the sub-set of operator networks and, in response, establishes the at least one new connection. Otherwise, the controller rearranges existing connections across the switching matrix to at least one other of the set of operator networks to establish the new connections. The controller minimizes the number of other operator networks which are involved when rearranging existing connections. The switching matrix can be a Clos switching matrix.