TCM Control for OTU Port Laser States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Transport Network (OTN) systems lack flexible mechanisms for communicating client faults to the far end for timely protection switching, especially in cascaded ODU Path protection schemes, where a single ODU Path status is shared across multiple nodes, limiting the ability to coordinate laser states in Y-cable configurations and OPS applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Tandem Connection Monitor (TCM) status to directly control client laser states via a separate control mechanism within the Optical Tributary Signal (OTSi) function block or Server Signal Fail (SSF) status, bypassing other ODUk or OTUk functions, allowing for independent laser control based on defects detected at the ODUk TCM x layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ODU Path status is shared across multiple nodes in cascaded ODU Path protection schemes, then the mechanism for communicating client faults to the far end is simplified, but the flexibility to coordinate laser states in Y-cable configurations and OPS applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protection signaling by introducing separate TCM status indicators for different path segments (TCM1 through TCM6). Each TCM layer can independently monitor and report faults for its specific segment, allowing granular control of laser states at different network locations. This segmentation enables flexible coordination in Y-cable and OPS applications while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized monitoring points.
2Reliability
If OPU and payload-based solutions are used to communicate client faults, then the far end protection scheme can be implemented, but no protection signaling capability is available as there is no Automatic Protection Switching (APS) channel at those layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces TCM status indicators as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between payload layers and protection switching requirements. The TCM layers provide a standardized monitoring interface that can trigger APS channels at higher layers, enabling reliable protection switching without requiring direct APS capability at the payload layer. This intermediary approach maintains reliability while avoiding the complexity of implementing APS at multiple layers.
3Reliability
If the protected connection function is used to terminate ODU path and OPU layers for independent path termination, then the capability to perform protection switching is achieved, but this capability is available too late for protection purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring and fault detection at TCM layers that are positioned upstream in the signal processing chain. By monitoring at these earlier points, the system can detect faults and initiate protection switching actions before the protected connection function needs to terminate the path. This preliminary detection reduces the time loss associated with protection switching while maintaining the capability for independent path termination when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for Tandem Connection Monitor (TCM) control for the physical layer on Optical Transport Unit (OTU) ports provide the ability of the TCM status to directly control client laser state (on/off) so that protection engines and coordination between modules is not required. The systems and methods include receiving a specific defect such as a Tandem Connection Monitor (TCM) defect or a Server Signal Fail (SSF) defect from interface circuitry; propagating the TCM defect or the SSF defect from the interface circuitry to an interface associated with a modem including a physical port connected to a network; and selectively disabling a laser in the modem based on the specific defect, e.g., the TCM defect or the SSF defect from the interface circuitry.