Management of optical links using power level information
First Claim
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1. A method for power level management of optical communications, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of path setup messages corresponding to a plurality of light paths from a remote optical node, each of the path setup messages identifying one of the light paths and indicating a power level variation value for the identified light path; and
for each of the path setup messages;
determining drop power level variation for the light path identified in the path setup message;
adding the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the identified light path;
generating a setup reply message indicating the identified light path and the aggregate power level variation for the light path; and
communicating the setup reply message to the remote optical node.
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Abstract
In an optical communication network, optical communication nodes exchange information detailing power level variations to support management and administration of optical communications. This exchange of information permits nodes to determine aggregate power level variations over light paths to support operations such as selection from available light paths and configuration of optical communication characteristics.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for power level management of optical communications, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of path setup messages corresponding to a plurality of light paths from a remote optical node, each of the path setup messages identifying one of the light paths and indicating a power level variation value for the identified light path; and
for each of the path setup messages;
determining drop power level variation for the light path identified in the path setup message;
adding the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the identified light path;
generating a setup reply message indicating the identified light path and the aggregate power level variation for the light path; and
communicating the setup reply message to the remote optical node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An optical communication node comprising:
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a cross-connect fabric operable to receive optical communications from an input fiber and an add fiber and to switch received optical communications for transmission on a selected one of an output fiber and a drop fiber; and
a controller operable to receive a plurality of path setup messages corresponding to a plurality of light paths from a remote optical node, each of the path setup messages identifying one of the light paths and indicating a power level variation value for the identified light path, the controller further operable, for each of the path setup messages, to determine drop power level variation for the light path identified in the path setup message, to add the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the identified light path, to generate a setup reply message indicating the identified light path and the aggregate power level variation for the light path, and to communicate the setup reply message to the remote optical node. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Logic for power level management of optical communications, the logic encoded in media and operable when executed to:
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receive a plurality of path setup messages corresponding to a plurality of light paths from a remote optical node, each of the path setup messages identifying one of the light paths and indicating a power level variation value for the identified light path; and
for each of the path setup messages;
determine drop power level variation for the light path identified in the path setup message;
add the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the identified light path;
generate a setup reply message indicating the identified light path and the aggregate power level variation for the light path; and
communicate the setup reply message to the remote optical node. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An optical communication node comprising:
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means for receiving a plurality of path setup messages corresponding to a plurality of light paths from a remote optical node, each of the path setup messages identifying one of the light paths and indicating a power level variation value for the identified light path; and
means for, for each of the path setup messages;
determining drop power level variation for the light path identified in the path setup message;
adding the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the identified light path;
generating a setup reply message indicating the identified light path and the aggregate power level variation for the light path; and
communicating the setup reply message to the remote optical node.
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13. A method for protection switching in an optical network, the method comprising:
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detecting failure of a light path;
determining a protection light path;
determining drop power level variation for the protection light path;
generating a protection switch message identifying the protection light path and the drop power level variation; and
communicating the protection switch message to a previous node on the protection light path. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical communication node comprising:
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a cross-connect fabric operable to receive optical communications from an input fiber and an add fiber and to switch received optical communications for transmission on a selected one of an output fiber and a drop fiber; and
a controller operable to detect failure of a light path passing from the input fiber to the drop fiber, to determine a protection light path, to determine drop power level variation for the protection light path, to generate a protection switch message identifying the protection light path and the drop power level variation, and to communicate the protection switch message to a previous node on the protection light path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Logic for protection switching in an optical network, the logic encoded in a medium and operable when executed to:
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detect failure of a light path;
determine a protection light path;
determine drop power level variation for the protection light path;
generate a protection switch message identifying the protection light path and the drop power level variation; and
communicate the protection switch message to a previous node on the protection light path. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. An optical communication node comprising:
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means for detecting failure of a light path;
means for determining a protection light path;
means for determining drop power level variation for the protection light path;
means for generating a protection switch message identifying the protection light path and the drop power level variation; and
means for communicating the protection switch message to a previous node on the protection light path.
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28. A method for power level management of optical communications, the method comprising:
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in a first mode of operation;
receiving a request to establish a communication channel with a remote optical node;
determining a next node for a light path to the remote optical node;
determining add power level variation for the light path;
generating a path setup message identifying the light path and the add power variation; and
communicating the path setup message to the next node;
in a second mode of operation;
receiving a second path setup message that identifies a second light path between an add node and a drop node, the second path setup message comprising a power level variation value;
determining through power level variation for the second light path;
adding the through power level variation to the power level variation value in the second path setup message; and
communicating the second path setup message to a next node in the second light path; and
in a third mode of operation;
receiving a third path setup message, the third path setup message identifying a third light path and indicating a power level variation value for the third light path;
determining drop power level variation for the third light path;
adding the drop power level variation to the power level variation value in the third path setup message to obtain an aggregate power level variation for the third light path;
generating a setup reply message indicating the third light path and the aggregate power level variation; and
communicating the setup reply message to a remote add node for the third light path.
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Specification