Virtual Sections for Foreign Optical Link Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In submarine and third-party optical networks, sectional control is challenging due to the lack of visibility of optical components by sectional controllers, leading to difficulties in detecting fiber breaks and rerouting channels without supervisory communication channels, resulting in prolonged communication disruptions during fiber faults.

Innovation Solution

Implementing virtual sections and controller sub-instances at edge OADM nodes to model foreign-controlled optical networks, allowing for fault detection and channel rerouting through virtual modules that split optical links into logical sub-sections, enabling sectional control and management of channels across foreign-controlled networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sectional controllers are used in foreign-controlled optical networks, then sectional control capability is provided, but visibility of optical components is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesectional control capabilityVSAvoidvisibility of optical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of optical components and sections through software-defined networking. Virtual instances of optical components are modeled in the control plane, allowing sectional controllers to have virtual visibility into foreign-controlled networks without physical access or supervisory channels. This copying approach enables fault detection and sectional control while resolving the visibility problem in multi-vendor submarine networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces virtualized intermediary layers between sectional controllers and foreign-controlled optical components. These virtual intermediaries act as mediators that translate control requests and provide feedback, enabling sectional control capability in networks where traditional direct visibility is not available. The virtualized section controller serves as an intermediary that manages optical sections without requiring direct visibility of underlying physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no supervisory communication channels are used in submarine networks, then network simplicity is maintained, but fault detection capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork simplicityVSAvoidfault detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical supervisory communication channels with software-based virtualized monitoring mechanisms. Instead of relying on dedicated supervisory channels, the system uses virtualized section controllers that monitor optical parameters through software processing of available data streams. This substitution maintains network simplicity while enabling comprehensive fault detection through virtualized monitoring functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing communication and monitoring infrastructure multi-functional by enabling it to serve both data transmission and fault detection purposes. The virtualized section controllers utilize existing optical monitoring capabilities for multiple functions including power control, OSNR monitoring, and fault detection, eliminating the need for separate supervisory channels while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If optical amplifiers operate independently without coordination, then amplifier control simplicity is maintained, but channel rerouting capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier control simplicityVSAvoidchannel rerouting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic virtualized control layers that enable amplifiers to operate independently at the physical level while being coordinated through software-defined virtual sections. The virtualized section controllers dynamically adjust and coordinate amplifier operations based on real-time network conditions and fault detection, allowing simple independent amplifier operation to evolve into coordinated adaptive control without complex physical interconnections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11444719B2Virtualized sections for sectional control of optical links

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 CIENA CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods include receiving first power snapshot from a receiving end of a foreign controlled link of the one or more foreign controlled optical links when there are no faults thereon; responsive to obtaining second power snapshot from the receiving end of the foreign controlled link, detecting a fault on one of at least one channel and part of the spectrum traversing the foreign controlled link; correlating the second power snapshot with the first power snapshots; and raising an indication of fault for the foreign controlled link based on the correlating.