Wavelength Selective Switch Path Protection Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical WDM networks require additional components like optical switches and splitters for path protection, which increases costs and complexity, and are not efficient in protecting a subset of channels or adapting protection schemes.

Innovation Solution

An optical network element with a wavelength selective switch (WSS) that can be configured to route channels between working and protecting paths based on predefined information, eliminating the need for additional optical switches and splitters by integrating their functions into the WSS for efficient path protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional optical switches and splitters are used for path protection, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath protection capabilityVSAvoidsystem component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of optical switches and splitters into a single wavelength selective switch (WSS). The WSS integrates the path protection capability by selectively routing channels to working or protecting paths based on configuration data, eliminating the need for separate optical switches and splitters while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wavelength selective switch (WSS) performs multiple functions: it acts as a wavelength selective switch for routing channels, an optical splitter for distributing signals to working and protecting paths, and an optical switch for selecting between paths. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional optical switches and splitters are used, then path protection is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath protection capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If optical switches and splitters are used, then protection paths are established, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection path capabilityVSAvoidoptical component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If traditional protection schemes are used, then communication continuity is maintained, but adaptability to different protection scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidprotection scheme flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic protection by allowing the WSS to be reconfigured based on different scenarios. Configuration data stored in the system enables the WSS to adapt its routing behavior dynamically, allowing for flexible protection schemes that can respond to different failure conditions and maintenance scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by using configuration data to control the WSS routing behavior. The configuration data enables parameter changes in the protection scheme, allowing the system to adapt between different protection modes and scenarios without hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10771183B2Optical network element for transmitting and/or receiving WDM signals

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 XIEON NETWORKS SARL

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optical network element (30, 34) comprising a wavelength selective switch, WSS, (432, 136) with one or more input ports, a working output port (38) and a separate protecting output port (40), the WSS (432) being configurable to a working configuration, in which one or more channels are routed from said one or more input ports to the working output port (38), and being configurable to a protecting configuration, in which said one or more channels or a subset thereof are routed from said one or more input ports to the protecting output port (40), or with a working input port (42) and a protecting input port (44) and with one or more output ports, the WSS (136) being configurable to a working configuration, in which one or more channels are routed from the working input (42) port to the one or more output ports, and being configurable to a protecting configuration, in which one or more channels are routed from the protecting input port (44) to the one or more output ports, a computer readable medium including program code defining configuration information, a control unit configured to control the WSS (432, 136) to adopt the working configuration or the protecting configuration based on the predefined configuration information.