Wavelength Selective Switch Alien Signal Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fiber-optic communications, the integration of alien optical signals with unknown parameters can disrupt existing signals, leading to operational failures and network policy violations, necessitating a method for controlled addition and maintenance of such signals.

Innovation Solution

A method using a wavelength selective switch (WSS) to block and gradually unblock a portion of the fiber optic line's spectrum, ensuring the optical signal meets predetermined power and stability criteria before being added or removed, employing an optical multiplexer with a processor and OPM for reliable measurement and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If alien optical signals are added to the optical fiber, then the network capacity and signal diversity are improved, but the signal integrity and network reliability deteriorate due to unknown parameters causing crosstalk and nonlinear impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal diversityVSAvoidsignal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of alien optical signals by measuring their power, wavelength, and other parameters before allowing them to be added to the optical fiber. The WSS device is configured in advance to monitor and control alien signals, ensuring they meet network requirements before integration, thus preventing crosstalk and nonlinear impacts while maintaining signal integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of alien optical signals using the WSS device and optical power meters. The measured parameters are fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts the WSS configuration to maintain signal integrity while allowing alien signals to coexist with native signals, thereby resolving the contradiction between signal diversity and signal integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the optical signal power is increased to ensure reliable measurement, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the disruption to existing signals and network policies worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidsignal disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary measurement path using optical couplers and power meters that allow monitoring of alien signals at low power levels without injecting high power into the main optical fiber. This intermediary approach enables accurate measurement of alien signal parameters while preventing disruption to existing native signals and network policies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses partial action by measuring only the necessary parameters (power, wavelength) of alien signals at minimal power levels required for detection, rather than increasing overall signal power. This allows sufficient measurement accuracy while avoiding excessive power that would cause crosstalk and nonlinear impacts on existing signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the WSS blocks the alien signal wavelength, then the existing signal integrity is maintained, but the ability to add and control alien signals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal integrityVSAvoidalien signal control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The WSS device is configured with dynamic, reconfigurable wavelength filtering capabilities. The system can adaptively adjust the passband and stopband characteristics of the WSS based on the measured parameters of alien signals, allowing flexible control that maintains signal integrity while enabling the addition and management of alien signals as network requirements change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach allows for controlled injection and power management of alien or native optical signals, ensuring they do not disrupt existing traffic while allowing reliable measurement and operation, thus maintaining network integrity.

Implementation Method 1

blocking input to the fiber optic line of at least a portion of a spectrum of the fiber optic line using a wavelength selective switch (WSS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 2

a power of the optical signal measured after the WSS is equal to a predetermined level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical power detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10389469B2System and method to add alien wavelength channels to optical line system

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 INFINERA CORP

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for adding an alien or native wavelength optical signal to a fiber optic line. A portion of a spectrum of the fiber optic line corresponding to the optical signal is blocked with a wavelength selective switch (WSS). The portion of the spectrum is gradually unblocked until a power of the optical signal measured after the WSS is equal to a predetermined level. If the power and characteristics of the optical signal after the WSS satisfy one or more criteria, the portion of the spectrum is further unblocked until the power of the optical signal measured at the output is equal to an operational level.