Transceiver Pool Sharing for Flexible Grid Optical Network Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks face inefficiencies in transceiver utilization due to over-provisioning and mismatched spectrum requirements for varying data rates, leading to high costs and suboptimal spectral utilization, especially in flexible grid optical networks with increasing data rates beyond 400 Gb/s.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining backup optical paths with specific spectrum assignments and modulation formats for reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) nodes, using a minimum number of shared transceivers based on failure risk, and enabling transceivers to support different spectrum assignments, either through dedicated transponders or a transceiver pool, allowing for flexible selection and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transceivers are over-provisioned to support varying data rates, then network reliability and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal transceivers that can operate across multiple data rates (e.g., 100 Gb/s, 200 Gb/s, 400 Gb/s) by supporting different modulation formats (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM). This allows a single transceiver hardware platform to serve multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated transceivers for each data rate while maintaining network reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transceiver parameters including modulation format, spectral efficiency, and data rate based on network conditions and service requirements. By changing these parameters rather than having fixed dedicated transceivers, the system achieves both reliability for backup paths and cost-effectiveness through shared resources.
2Loss of energy
If dedicated transponders are used for each data rate, then spectral efficiency is optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining separate dedicated transponders for each data rate, the patent employs universal transceivers that can dynamically adapt to different spectral requirements. These universal transceivers achieve spectral efficiency comparable to dedicated transponders by selecting appropriate modulation formats (QPSK for lower rates, 16QAM/64QAM for higher rates) while sharing the same hardware resource.
3Reliability
If backup optical paths are provisioned with sufficient transceivers for maximum data rate, then network reliability is improved, but quantity of transceivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by provisioning backup paths with transceivers sized according to actual failure risk and required restoration capacity, rather than over-provisioning for maximum data rates in all scenarios. The system calculates minimum required transceiver capacity based on failure probabilities and service level agreements, allocating resources only where needed for reliable restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the number and capacity of transceivers required for backup paths based on real-time network conditions, failure risks, and data rate requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than using fixed maximum capacity provisioning, the system achieves reliable restoration while minimizing the total quantity of transceivers deployed.
4Quantity of substance
If transceivers are shared among multiple backup paths, then quantity of transceivers is reduced, but reliability of shared resources decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring transceiver capacity and capacity reservation mechanisms before failures occur. The system calculates and reserves sufficient transceiver capacity in advance based on failure risk analysis, ensuring that when a failure occurs, the shared transceivers can immediately support the required restoration data rate without capacity constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages transceiver sharing by continuously monitoring network conditions, failure risks, and resource utilization. The transceiver capacity and allocation are adjusted in real-time based on actual demands, allowing the system to maintain high reliability despite sharing. When a backup path becomes active, the system dynamically reallocates transceiver resources to ensure adequate capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Optical transceiver sharing methods may be based on different ROADM node architectures for shared restoration in flexible grid optical networks. A ROADM node architecture with a pool of transceivers may improve transceiver utilization for backup optical paths, compared to a conventional ROADM node architecture. Sharing of transceivers in the pool for working and backup optical paths may further improve transceiver utilization. The methods disclosed herein may be used for multiple bit rates and different modulation formats.