Wavelength-Multiplexed Optical Transport System Failure Sidestepping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength multiplexing optical transmission systems do not support failure sidestepping when using a multiplexing transponder that accommodates multiple signals with a single transponder, leading to potential signal disruption.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength multiplexing optical transmission system is designed with operational and reserve transponders, optical couplers, and supervisory control units to detect failures and switch signals to reserve transponders, ensuring continuous signal transmission by multiplexing and demultiplexing light signals across different wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multiplexing transponder is used to accommodate multiple signals with a single transponder, then device complexity is reduced and productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates because failure sidestepping is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring reserve transponders that stand by in readiness to take over signal transmission. The supervisory control unit continuously monitors operational transponders and prepares switching paths in advance, so that when a failure occurs, the transition to reserve transponders can happen immediately without interruption to signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically altering the operational state of transponders based on failure conditions. When a failure is detected, the system changes the status of reserve transponders from standby to active, and modifies the signal routing parameters through optical switches to redirect traffic from failed transponders to reserve ones, thereby maintaining transmission reliability.
2Reliability
If reserve transponders are added to enable failure sidestepping, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing reserve transponders that can serve multiple functions: they remain in standby mode during normal operation to provide failure protection, and automatically activate to handle signal transmission when failures occur. The supervisory control unit and optical switching network also serve dual purposes of normal signal routing and failure recovery, reducing the need for dedicated complexity solely for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary supervisory control unit that mediates between operational transponders and reserve transponders. This intermediary monitors the health of operational transponders, manages the switching of optical paths, and coordinates the activation of reserve transponders, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control functions rather than requiring complex distributed coordination.
3Reliability
If optical switches and supervisory control units are implemented, then failure detection and switching capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the supervisory control unit to autonomously detect failures in operational transponders and automatically initiate switching operations without external intervention. The system monitors its own operational status through built-in detection mechanisms and self-manages the failover process by controlling optical switches to redirect signals to reserve transponders, thereby reducing the need for additional complex external control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively sidesteps failures by switching signals to reserve transponders, ensuring reliable signal transmission even when operational transponders fail, thereby maintaining system reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
optical couplers disposed in each input signal line connected to the operational transmission multiplexing transponders, for dividing each of the light signals to be input to the corresponding one of the operational transmission multiplexing transponders into two light signals
Implementation Method 2
input selecting unit comprising optical switches, each for selecting one light signal from corresponding optical couplers corresponding to light signals respectively input to each group of corresponding input ports of the plurality of operational transmission multiplexing transponders as output light thereof
Implementation Method 3
wavelength multiplexing unit for wavelength-multiplexing the multiplexed light signals having different wavelengths which are generated by the plurality of operational transmission multiplexing transponders and the reserve transmission multiplexing transponder into a wavelength multiplexed light signal
Implementation Method 4
wavelength demultiplexing unit for demultiplexing the wavelength multiplexed light from the wavelength multiplexing unit into light signals having different wavelengths
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3(b)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
When a failure occurs in operational transmission multiplexing transponders (6-1 to 6-N), a wavelength multiplexing optical transmission system carries out selection switching control on N×1 optical switches (5-1 to 5-m) and (N+1)×1 optimal switches (11-1 to 11-m) to transmit a wavelength-multiplexed light signal by using reserve transmission and reception multiplexing transponders (6-R and 10-R), thereby sidestepping the failure.