Connection optimization and control in agile networks
First Claim
1. An optical control loop for operating an end-to-end trail established across an agile optical network, comprising:
- an optical section including a group of optical devices provided along said trail for performing a specific operation on an optical signal;
an external adaptive loop for receiving a current measured value [M] of a loop parameter and providing an adjust signal adj; and
a rules block for distributing said adjust signal as specific control signals [C] to each respective optical device of said group for maintaining said loop parameter into a specified range of values.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An agile network is provided with a layered control system for maintaining a network-wide target performance parameter (e.g. power) along all end-to-end connections. A connection is controlled at the physical layer using optical control loops that have a concatenated response based on a set of loop time constants. The network is separated into gain based span loops and power based switch loops; each link has a gain profile, and requires a per-wavelength power target as the output power target for the switch loop at the start of the link. Use of achievable gain for the span loops allow to optimize the performance of the link. Use of individual achievable power targets allows each switch loop to autonomously ramp on and off channels without causing interference with existing and other ramping channels. A loop control uses a model-based rules block, to distribute control signals to an optical section encompassing a plurality of optical components. Results from a set of tests performed during link commissioning are used as parameters for the expert system. After examining the current status of the entire optical section and collecting a set of measurements, the rules block determines the best way to achieve the target, whilst maximizing performance. Use of an embedded expert system enables to perform accurate real time performance estimation. Use of a model for all optical sections allows a level of abstraction at the loop boundaries, such that changes can be made independently. A device template is used for all optical devices in the network. The template defines the control and monitoring points for the respective device and specifies the type, range, and points to the device constants. With each iteration, the model and the current optical path measurements are used to adjust the optical path settings and update the model.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. An optical control loop for operating an end-to-end trail established across an agile optical network, comprising:
-
an optical section including a group of optical devices provided along said trail for performing a specific operation on an optical signal;
an external adaptive loop for receiving a current measured value [M] of a loop parameter and providing an adjust signal adj; and
a rules block for distributing said adjust signal as specific control signals [C] to each respective optical device of said group for maintaining said loop parameter into a specified range of values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A control system for engineering connections in a photonic switched network of the type having a plurality of wavelength cross-connects WXC connected by links comprising:
-
a plurality of control loops, each for monitoring and controlling a group of optical devices, according to a set of loop rules;
a plurality of optical link controllers, each for monitoring and controlling operation of said control loops provided along a link;
a plurality of optical vertex controllers, each for monitoring and controlling operation of said control loops provided at a wavelength cross-connect; and
a network connection controller for constructing a data communication path within said photonic switched network and for monitoring and controlling operation of said optical link controller and said optical vertex controller. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A control system for engineering connections in a photonic switched network having a plurality of wavelength cross-connects WXC connected by links, said control system comprising:
-
a plurality of control loops, each for monitoring and controlling a group of optical devices, according to a set of loop rules; and
an engineering tool for receiving measurement data and information on said control loop state from each said control loop, importing information on said control loop model from a performance and monitoring database, and providing said control loop with a range for the input signal and a target for the output signal.
-
-
29. A method of controlling the performance of an optical path established over an agile optical network, comprising:
-
providing a predefined power per channel mask based on a model of said optical path;
measuring an input and an output optical power for each channel traveling along said optical path; and
adjusting the power profile of said channels according to said masks.
-
Specification