Wavelength Selective Switch Spectrum Borrowing for Bandwidth Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wavelength division multiplexing networks, the use of wavelength selective switches (WSS) leads to narrowing of channel bandwidth due to optical filtering, resulting in spectral damage and increased transmission costs, and existing digital signal processing-based equalization methods consume significant resources and power, especially for high-order modulation formats and dynamic routing.
Innovation Solution
A spectrum resource configuration method that allows a to-be-opened channel to borrow spectrum resources from an adjacent channel, reducing channel damage and improving transmission performance without consuming large hardware resources or power, and simplifying software control by not requiring routing information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WSS optical filtering is used for channel switching, then channel routing capability is improved, but channel bandwidth is narrowed progressively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic spectrum resource allocation where the network device can flexibly assign spectrum resources to channels based on real-time network conditions. The spectrum resource allocation is not fixed but can be adjusted dynamically, allowing channels to borrow spectrum from adjacent channels when needed, thus maintaining bandwidth while enabling routing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectrum resource parameters by allowing a channel to use spectrum resources beyond its originally allocated range. Specifically, the network device configures a channel to borrow spectrum resources from adjacent channels, effectively changing the spectral parameters (frequency range, bandwidth) of the channel to counteract the narrowing effect of optical filtering.
2Reliability
If DSP-based equalization is used to compensate bandwidth narrowing, then transmission performance is improved, but power consumption and chip resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the DSP-based electronic equalization mechanism with an optical-domain solution. Instead of using digital signal processing circuits that consume significant power, the system uses optical spectrum resource reallocation where the WSS is configured to provide broader spectral passbands. This substitutes electronic processing with optical domain resource management, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the optical network to self-correct bandwidth narrowing issues through automated spectrum resource allocation. The network device automatically configures the WSS to allocate appropriate spectrum resources to channels, eliminating the need for external DSP equalization processing. The system serves itself by using optical resource management rather than electronic processing to maintain signal quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DSP equalization is implemented for dynamic routing, then adaptability is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex DSP-based adaptive equalization with simpler optical domain control. The network device directly configures WSS spectral parameters based on routing requirements, avoiding the need for complex digital signal processing algorithms. This substitution reduces implementation complexity while maintaining dynamic adaptability through optical resource reconfiguration.
4Length of stationary object
If more spectrum resources are allocated to a channel, then channel bandwidth is increased, but spectral damage from filtering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the WSS filtering function to match the allocated spectrum resources. When a channel is configured to use broader spectrum resources, the WSS is simultaneously reconfigured to provide corresponding broader passbands with appropriate center frequencies and bandwidths. This parameter coordination ensures that increased channel bandwidth does not result in increased spectral damage, as the filtering characteristics are optimized to match the signal spectrum.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a spectrum resource configuration method, a network device, and a system. The method includes: A network device determines spectrum resources to be used by a to-be-opened channel, where the spectrum resources to be used by the to-be-opened channel include first spectrum resources and a second spectrum resource, the first spectrum resources are original spectrum resources of the to-be-opened channel, the second spectrum resource is some of original spectrum resources of an adjacent channel of the to-be-opened channel, and the original spectrum resources of the adjacent channel are adjacent to the original spectrum resources of the to-be-opened channel; and opens the to-be-opened channel based on the spectrum resources to be used by the to-be-opened channel.