Transponder Waveform Correlation for Optical Transient Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transport networks face challenges in precisely localizing temporary disruptions such as power, polarization, or phase transients due to slow response times and limited detection capabilities of methods like OSC and OTDR, which are inadequate for transient events.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing transponders at multiple nodes along the network to detect and correlate waveforms with timestamps, enabling high-speed detection and localization of events through synchronization and triangulation, using DSPs and machine learning for event classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) is used to monitor network routes, then power transients can be detected, but the localization precision remains poor due to long route lengths and slow response times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical network into multiple spans between adjacent transponders. Each transponder independently monitors its own span by analyzing waveforms from optical signals in both directions. This segmentation allows precise localization of events to specific spans rather than entire long routes, improving measurement precision while maintaining reliable detection through distributed monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is used to localize faults, then permanent damage such as fiber cuts can be detected, but the response time becomes too slow for temporary power, polarization, and phase transients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of optical signals by having transponders continuously analyze waveforms in both forward and reverse directions. This continuous action enables the system to detect temporary transients immediately as they occur, achieving fast response times while maintaining precise localization through span-based segmentation. The monitoring operates continuously rather than being triggered only after events occur.
3Measurement precision
If multiple transponders are deployed for high-speed detection and triangulation, then localization precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each transponder multi-functional by enabling it to perform both data transmission and event monitoring functions. Each transponder transmits optical signals for network communication while simultaneously analyzing waveforms from signals in both directions to detect and localize events. This universality allows precise localization through distributed monitoring without requiring separate dedicated monitoring devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
4Productivity
If transponders analyze waveforms from optical signals carrying payload data, then detection does not impact network capacity, but the complexity of detecting and measuring transient events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data communication function and the monitoring function into a single optical signal. Transponders transmit payload data through optical signals while simultaneously using these same signals for event detection by analyzing waveforms in both directions. This merging allows the system to maintain full network capacity without dedicated monitoring channels, while the automated waveform analysis and span-based localization methods manage detection complexity through systematic processing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A system is provided along a route of a network including a first transponder at a first node and a second transponder at a second node. The system further includes one or more processors configured to detect, in a first waveform measured at the first transponder, a first signature at a first time point, and configured to detect, in a second waveform measured at the second transponder, a second signature at a second time point. The one or more processors may correlate the first waveform and the second waveform, and determine, based on the correlation, that the first signature and the second signature correspond to a same event occurring along the route of the network. Based on comparing the first time point and the second time point, the one or more processors may determine an estimated location of the event.