Wavelength Selective Switch Auto-Configuration via Optical Channel Monitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wavelength selective switch (WSS) technologies in optical networks require human intervention for configuration, especially during deployment and commissioning, and rely on network-level software for automation, which is costly and complex, and not suitable for smaller networks or existing network integration without significant management changes.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically configuring WSS devices using optical channel monitors (OCMs) to detect present wavelengths and a WSS controller to provision optical connections, allowing self-configuration without network-level software, by blocking unsupported wavelengths and prioritizing conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If network-level software is used to automate WSS configuration, then automation extent is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The WSS device performs self-configuration by automatically detecting wavelengths present at input ports using optical channel monitors and autonomously provisioning optical connections through its controller, eliminating the need for external network-level software or human intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration intelligence is extracted from the complex network-level software and embedded directly into the WSS device itself, allowing the device to independently determine optimal wavelength configurations based on detected input signals
2Productivity
If manual configuration is used for WSS deployment, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The WSS device automatically configures itself by detecting wavelengths at input ports and provisioning connections without requiring technician intervention, dramatically accelerating deployment speed while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary wavelength detection and configuration analysis automatically upon deployment, establishing optimal connections before service operation begins, eliminating manual configuration steps
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for auto-configuring a wavelength selective switch (WSS) device having an output port and a plurality of input ports and coupled to a WSS controller. When connected to a WDM optical network, the WSS controller is programmed to utilize one or more optical channel monitors (OCM) coupled to the input and/or output ports to detect which of the wavelengths are present at the input ports. Wavelengths that are not detected on any input port are blocked by the WSS. Any wavelength detected as present at one and only one input port is switched by the WSS to the output port. If a wavelength is detected at two or more input ports, it is either blocked by the WSS at each of the input ports until user intervention, or is blocked at all but one of the input ports as defined by assigned port priorities.