U.S. patent application number 14/720362 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-31 for minimizing bandwidth narrowing penalties in a wavelength selective switch optical network.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chris Wilhelm Barnard, Piotr Myslinski. Invention is credited to Chris Wilhelm Barnard, Piotr Myslinski.
Application Number | 20150381304 14/720362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46577439 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150381304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnard; Chris Wilhelm ; et
al. |
December 31, 2015 |
MINIMIZING BANDWIDTH NARROWING PENALTIES IN A WAVELENGTH SELECTIVE
SWITCH OPTICAL NETWORK
Abstract
This invention relates to provisioning wavelength-selective
switches and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers to
minimize the bandwidth narrowing effect from the optical filters.
Novel architectures and methods are disclosed that can
significantly reduce bandwidth-narrowing on channels in a
reconfigurable WDM network where a large number of optical filter
elements are cascaded. Instead of blocking unused channels as in
the prior art, unused channels are selectively provisioned
depending on the state of their adjacent channels. Unused adjacent
channels of an active channel are provisioned to follow the same
path as the active channels. As each channels is deployed, the
channel frequency is selected so as to minimize bandwidth
narrowing.
Inventors: |
Barnard; Chris Wilhelm;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Myslinski; Piotr; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barnard; Chris Wilhelm
Myslinski; Piotr |
Sunnyvale
Fremont |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46577439 |
Appl. No.: |
14/720362 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13796719 |
Mar 12, 2013 |
9042729 |
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14720362 |
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13019255 |
Feb 1, 2011 |
8542999 |
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13796719 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
398/48 ;
398/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 11/0062 20130101;
H04J 14/0209 20130101; H04J 14/0256 20130101; H04J 14/0212
20130101; H04J 14/0204 20130101; H04J 14/0205 20130101; H04Q
2011/0009 20130101; H04Q 2011/0086 20130101; H04Q 2011/0016
20130101; H04J 14/0206 20130101; H04Q 11/0005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04J 14/02 20060101
H04J014/02; H04Q 11/00 20060101 H04Q011/00 |
Claims
1. A method for provisioning a channel on which a client signal
will be transmitted along a path from a source node through at
least one intermediate node before reaching a destination node of a
WDM optical network, the method comprising the following steps: (a)
selecting a signal channel and a path on which the client signal
will be transmitted among a plurality of nodes of the network; (b)
configuring an optical filter at each node along the path to
reflect the state of the signal channel at that node; (c)
determining, with respect to each node along the path, whether each
of two channels adjacent to the signal channel is unused; and (d)
configuring the optical filter at each node along the path by
setting the state of each unused adjacent channel to the same
physical state as that of the signal channel, (e) thereby
effectively increasing the spectral passband of the client
signal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical state of the signal
channel at the source node of the path is an "add" state, the
physical state of the signal channel at each intermediate node of
the path is a "pass through" state and the physical state of the
signal channel at the destination node is a "blocking" state.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein every channel is initially set to
a default "blocking" state.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the state of each unused adjacent
channel is set to a different logical state than that of the signal
channel.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the level of attenuation of each
unused adjacent channel is set to the same level of attenuation as
that of the signal channel.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical filter at each node
along the path is a wavelength selective switch.
7. A method for minimizing bandwidth narrowing while provisioning
one of a plurality of available channels on which a client signal
will be transmitted along a path from a source node through at
least one intermediate node before reaching a destination node of a
WDM optical network, the method comprising the following steps: (a)
for each available signal channel, (i) tentatively configuring an
optical filter at each node along the path to reflect the state of
the available signal channel; (ii) tentatively configuring the
optical filter at each node along the path to set the state of each
unused channel adjacent to the available signal channel to the same
physical state as that of the available signal channel; (iii)
determining the tentative number of bandwidth narrowing events from
the perspective of the available signal channel, wherein a distinct
bandwidth narrowing event would result for each channel which is
adjacent to the available signal channel at a node along the path,
and which has a physical state that differs from the physical state
of the signal channel; (iv) repeating step (iii) from the
perspective of each of the channels adjacent to the available
signal channel that is being used to transmit signals; and (v)
selecting the larger of the tentative numbers of bandwidth
narrowing events determined in steps (iii) and (iv); (b) selecting
the available signal channel that yielded the smallest number of
bandwidth narrowing events selected in step (a) (v); and (c)
provisioning the selected signal channel to transmit the client
signal along the path.
8. A method for minimizing bandwidth narrowing after provisioning
one of a plurality of available channels on which a client signal
will be transmitted along a path from a source node through at
least one intermediate node before reaching a destination node of a
WDM optical network, the method comprising the following steps: (a)
calculating, for the provisioned signal channel, the number of
existing bandwidth narrowing events with respect to each of the two
channels adjacent to the provisioned signal channel, wherein a
distinct bandwidth narrowing event occurs for each channel which is
adjacent to the provisioned signal channel at a node along the
path, and which has a physical state that differs from the physical
state of the provisioned signal channel; and (b) shifting the
frequency of the provisioned signal channel toward the frequency of
the channel adjacent to the provisioned signal channel having the
fewest number of bandwidth narrowing events, wherein the amount of
the frequency shift is a function of the number of bandwidth
narrowing events calculated with respect to each of the two
channels adjacent to the provisioned signal channel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/796,719, filed Mar. 12, 2013, entitled
"Minimizing Bandwidth Narrowing Penalties in a Wavelength Selective
Switch Optical Network," which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/019,255, filed, Feb. 1, 2011, entitled,
"Minimizing Bandwidth Narrowing Penalties in a Wavelength Selective
Switch Optical Network," now U.S. Pat. No. 8,542,999, issued Sep.
24, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
I. BACKGROUND
[0002] A. Field of Art
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of wavelength
division multiplexed (WDM) optical communication networks, and more
particularly to the architecture and operation of wavelength
selective switches (WSS) and related devices to minimize
bandwidth-narrowing penalties in such networks.
[0004] B. Description of Related Art
[0005] Modern optical communication networks often employ
wavelength-multiplexed optical signals in a single transmission
optical fiber to increase the transmitted bandwidth. Such signals
are typically deployed on a pre-defined frequency grid, such as the
standard grid defined in ITU standard G.709. Each signal
transmitted at one of these standard frequencies or wavelengths
propagates throughout the network in its own distinct "channel" of
that fiber. With such a grid, the center frequencies of adjacent
channels are typically spaced at regular intervals, such as 50 GHz
or 100 GHz. Alternatively, the center frequencies may be at
arbitrary intervals, thereby forming an adjustable frequency grid.
In these systems, a wavelength-division multiplexer is used to
combine a plurality of signals onto a single transmission fiber,
with the frequency of each signal having a different nominal grid
frequency, and a wavelength-division demultiplexer used to separate
the signals at the end of the transmission fiber so that each
signal is directed to a distinct optical receiver. Each WDM signal
is thereby capable of carrying separate and independent client
traffic.
[0006] Optical networks may be configured in various topologies,
such as point-to-point, ring, linear bus, or mesh. The topology
employed in a particular network is determined by the
interconnections among the nodes and available fiber in that
network. WDM networks may be deployed with fixed add/drop
multiplexers, colorless add and drop couplers, and/or
reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMS). A ROADM at a
network node may be constructed using one or more
wavelength-selective switches (WSS) configured to selectively add,
drop, or block channels based on their grid frequency.
[0007] WSS technology is available today that supports more than 80
channels through a single device typically having from 3 to 10
input/output ports. However, the optical technology can be extended
to higher channel counts and port counts. Several types of WSS
optical modules have been proposed (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,492,986 and 6,487,334).
[0008] Regardless of the particular technology employed, a WSS
typically has the ability to selectively direct a signal from an
input port to any output port based on the frequency (or
wavelength) of the signal. The route or path of a signal
originating at a source node of the network, and passing through
one or more intermediate nodes before reaching a destination node,
may be deemed to include its path within a node as well (i.e.,
between one or more WSS input ports and one or more WSS output
ports).
[0009] A ROADM node may also have: (1) a channel monitor that
monitors the power at each frequency grid point; and, (2) a means
of attenuating the power of each channel transmitted in a fiber.
The channel monitor and power adjustment may be integrated into the
WSS module or implemented as separate modules. Regardless of the
particular implementation, the combination of a channel monitor
with power control enables the functions of (1) balancing the
channels at one or more points in the ROADM node and (2)
selectively blocking channels by maximizing their attenuation.
[0010] WSS technology, coupled with a management overhead channel,
enables remote network reconfiguration from a central network
operations center (NOC). The management channel can be transmitted
over an external IP network, a dedicated optical service channel,
or within the embedded overhead of an optical signal.
[0011] In a typical deployment, before any channels have been added
to the network, all channels of the WSS are set at full
attenuation, which can be referred to as the blocking state or "B"
state. This prevents amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from
optical amplifiers from propagating and being amplified through the
network when a particular channel is not present in the network.
Circulating ASE is of particular concern in networks with a closed
optical path, such as ring topologies, because of the optical power
instability it can cause. In an amplified network with one or more
closed paths (such as in a ring network), each grid channel is
typically blocked or dropped at least once to prevent ASE
instability.
[0012] If a channel is being reused, i.e. the same channel
frequency is being reused by two or more non-overlapping separate
signals, then the light from the first signal must be effectively
blocked before the second signal is added so as to prevent
cross-talk penalties. Dropped signals are not blocked in broadcast
applications, however, because that same signal must propagate to
the other nodes receiving the broadcast signal.
[0013] A WDM network is typically deployed with a "guard-band"
between the nominal frequencies. A guard band is required because:
(1) practical optical filters used in WSS modules have a finite
slope between their pass bands and stop bands; (2) optical signals
have a modulation bandwidth on the order of their bit rate; and,
(3) errors occur in laser frequencies and center frequencies in
optical filters due to manufacturing tolerances, calibration
errors, temperature drifts, and component aging. For example, 100
GHz channel spacing may be used for channels at 10 Gb/s or 40 Gb/s,
which have full-width at half-maximum bandwidth less than 50 GHz.
As optical networks have evolved, the maximum bit rate has
increased, with 100 Gb/s networks currently being deployed, with a
reduced grid frequency spacing of 50 GHz. Thus, the relative guard
band is decreasing over time while requirements on frequency
accuracy are increasing.
[0014] A significant design issue for WSS filters is the problem of
bandwidth narrowing. As client signals traverse WSS modules in a
network where each WSS is set to attenuate unused adjacent channels
(e.g., unused channels at 193.9 THz and 194.1 THz adjacent to
signal channel 194.0 THz), the effective passband of the WSS
cascade is reduced, which can lead to bit errors. For an optical
signal in a particular channel propagating through a WSS network, a
bandwidth narrowing event occurs at each WSS where one or both of
the channels adjacent to the signal are set to a different physical
state (e.g., "pass through" as compared to "blocking" or "add")
than the state of the channel of the given signal.
[0015] All optical filters have a useable passband which is less
than that of an ideal filter due to the finite slope of a
manufacturable filter passband. Moreover, the useable bandwidth of
cascaded filters decreases as more filters are inserted in the
signal path. This bandwidth narrowing effect has led WSS designers
and manufacturers to increase the effective Gaussian order of the
WSS pass band spectral shape [See for example "Wavelength-Selective
Switches for ROADM Applications" in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics
in Quantum Electronics, vol 16, pp. 1150-1157, 2010]. Such
techniques have improved, but not eliminated, the problem of
bandwidth narrowing. Therefore, as the bit rate (and hence
bandwidth) of optical signals increases, and the size of ROADM
networks increase, there remains a need for more effective
techniques of minimizing WSS bandwidth narrowing.
[0016] Accordingly, a solution is desired that provisions channels
carrying client signals in WSS modules so as to minimize bandwidth
narrowing while still preventing significant ASE circulation and
coherent cross-talk among different transmitters operating at the
same frequencies.
II. SUMMARY
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, various
embodiments of novel methods and architectures are disclosed for
operating wavelength selective switch devices and/or other
bandwidth narrowing devices in a wavelength division multiplexed
optical network. In one embodiment, each WSS device in the network
maintains a provisioned state for each WDM optical channel. As is
the case with existing networks, concerns relating to ASE
circulation and cross-talk warrant assigning an initial default
blocking state ("B") to all channels on all ports.
[0018] At any given node, multiple client signals can be added to
the network as well as dropped from the network. As noted above,
one or more WSS modules at each network node can include multiple
input and output ports, and permit a client signal on any input
port to be routed to any one or more output ports based on its
channel wavelength or frequency (where signals on each output port
can propagate along one or more optical fibers following distinct
routes or paths among different network nodes). Moreover, a WSS
module can be configured in a filtered add configuration to
selectively add client signals to the network, or in a filtered
drop configuration to selectively drop client signals from the
network. In each of these configurations, the WSS can also
selectively attenuate each signal by a programmable amount. The
inventive concepts discussed herein apply equally to all such
scenarios.
[0019] For the sake of simplicity, however, we will focus herein on
"degree 2" nodes in which a WSS selects among 2 input ports per
channel--input port "1" representing a client signal transmitted to
that node from another node, and input port "2" representing a
client signal originating (i.e., being added) at that node. The WSS
routes a channel to its output port (a single output port in a
degree 2 node) from input port 1 or input port 2 (while blocking
the same signal from the other input port), or it blocks the
channels on both of its input ports (while optionally also dropping
the channel from input port 1 to a receiver at the node). Again, in
each of these configurations, each WSS can provide distinct
attenuation to each signal.
[0020] The WSS at a given node thus maintains one of three physical
states for each channel: (1) a physical "pass through" state,
logically represented herein as "PT-1" in which the channel on
input port 1 passes through the WSS (and the node) to another node
in the network, possibly with a programmable attenuation; (2) a
physical "add" state, logically represented herein as "PT-2" in
which the channel on input port 2 is added to the network from this
"source" node, possibly with a programmable attenuation, and
propagated to another node in the network; or (3) a physical
"blocking" state, logically represented herein as "B" (or "BD" for
the case in which the channel is dropped at this "destination"
node), which corresponds to a substantial attenuation of the signal
toward the passthrough port.
[0021] In other embodiments, multiple states could be employed at a
node on a given channel--e.g., utilizing multiple output ports to
"pass through" a channel to one output port connected to another
node via one optical fiber while "blocking" that channel on a
second output port connected to a different node via a second
optical fiber. In such embodiments, for example, each output port
might have its own state per channel.
[0022] Until a client signal is provisioned on a given channel, the
state of that channel at all nodes remains the default blocking
state (logical state "B"). When a client signal is added at a node
and provisioned on a particular channel, the state of that channel
at that "source" node transitions to the physical "add" state,
represented herein as the logical "PT-2" state, while the state of
that channel at each "intermediate" node along its route
transitions to the physical "pass through" state, represented
herein as the logical "PT-1" state, and the state of that channel
being dropped at its "destination" node transitions to the physical
"blocking" state, represented herein as the logical "BD" state.
Note that the logical state table representing the physical
configuration of each WSS will have a separate entry for each
channel at each WSS module.
[0023] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the logical
"PT-2" state takes priority over the "BD" state for this scenario
in which a channel is reused. Note that, with programmable add WSS
modules, the PT-2 state for a particular channel implies that the
same channel is blocked on the WSS input port 1. In other words,
the node is both a "source" node for a new client signal added on a
particular channel, and a "destination" node for another client
signal (from another node) dropped (received) on that same channel.
The fact that the signal is also dropped at the node can be
inferred from the "PT-2" state, as well as known via other means of
communication among the nodes.
[0024] Bandwidth narrowing of a particular signal traversing a WSS
occurs whenever the WSS is set to block the adjacent signal
frequencies along the same path. However, if the WSS is set to
direct the adjacent signal frequencies along the same path as the
given signal, then bandwidth narrowing does not occur. Therefore,
to address the bandwidth narrowing issue that results when client
signals provisioned on any particular channel propagate through
multiple WSS modules at multiple network nodes, the present
invention considers the state of adjacent channels whenever a new
client signal is added at a node (including the state of adjacent
channels at intermediate nodes before the signal is dropped at its
destination node). If either or both of those adjacent channels is
unused (i.e., in a "B" state, as in the prior art), then each such
unused adjacent channel is "unblocked" and transitions to a new
logical state ("PTA-1" for a channel adjacent to a "PT-1" channel,
and "PTA-2" for a channel adjacent to a "PT-2" channel) having the
same physical state as the client signal's channel (or "signal
channel") to which it is adjacent.
[0025] For example, if a new client signal is added at a node, the
"B" state of any unused adjacent channel is changed to the "PTA-2"
state (and to the "PTA-1" state at each intermediate node before
the signal is dropped at its destination node). As a result, the
unused adjacent channels have the same physical state (albeit not
the same logical state) as does the signal channel. This is true at
the channel's source node ("add" state), at each intermediate node
("pass through" state) and at the channel's destination node
("blocking" state).
[0026] Although no client signal is present on these unused
adjacent channels, these channels are no longer "blocked." As a
result, the effective passband of each such client signal is
widened throughout the cascade of WSS filters to encompass the
unused adjacent channels in addition to the signal channel. This in
turn reduces the number of bandwidth narrowing events along the
route of the client signal, and thus reduces the probability of bit
errors. Even though the unused channels are not blocked at each
WSS, they are still blocked at the WSS that drops the particular
signal. So, the WSS at the drop site still prevents significant ASE
circulation and coherent cross-talk among different transmitters
operating at the same frequencies.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the provisioning
commands for a given channel are sent to each WSS over a network
management channel, and the WSS sets the state of the adjacent
channels accordingly. In another embodiment, the provisioning
commands for the provisioned channel and adjacent channels are sent
to each WSS over a network management channel. In yet another
embodiment, a channel monitor is employed at each WSS to monitor
the signal channels and provision the WSS to add channels when the
monitored channel power reaches a minimum threshold, at which point
the unused adjacent channels are also provisioned to follow the
same path as the detected signal channel.
[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein apply to provisioning each
WSS in multi-degree nodes architected by cascading WSS modules, and
are applicable to virtually any WDM channel plan and virtually any
network architecture. These techniques also permit reuse of
channels for nonoverlapping signal paths (in one embodiment, via
two transmitters operating at the same frequency). Moreover, an
algorithm is also disclosed for selecting new channel frequencies
so as to minimize bandwidth narrowing penalties.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a degree two ROADM node with a
filtered add configuration where a 2.times.1 WSS is configured to
selectively add signals to the optical network;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a degree two ROADM node with a
filtered drop configuration where a 2.times.1 WSS is configured to
selectively drop signals from the optical network;
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an optical ring network with seven ROADM
nodes selected to transmit Channel 194.0 (at frequency 194.0 THz)
from Node 1 to Node 5 in the counterclockwise direction. Each ROADM
node has the WSS configuration shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a 5-channel subsection of a table that lists the
conventional configuration of each channel of every
counterclockwise WSS for the network of FIG. 3.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the bandwidth narrowing
effects for the provisioning example in FIG. 4.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a 5-channel subsection of a table that lists the
novel configuration of each channel of every counterclockwise WSS
for the network of FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the reduced bandwidth
narrowing effects for the provisioning example in FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates the optical ring network of FIG. 3 for
the case where channel 193.9 (193.9 THz) is transmitted from Node 4
to Node 2 in the counterclockwise direction.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a 5-channel subsection of a table that lists the
conventional provisioning of each channel of every counterclockwise
WSS for the network of FIG. 8.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a 5-channel subsection of a table that lists the
novel provisioning of each channel of every counterclockwise WSS
for the network of FIG. 8.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a state table that lists the novel provisioning
states for each WSS in an optical network, reflecting the state
changes of a channel that is added to the WSS network as well as
those of the channels adjacent to the added channel.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of an
algorithm for selecting new channel frequencies so as to minimize
bandwidth narrowing penalties.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention described below include
architectures and methods of provisioning WSS modules in an optical
network so as to minimize bandwidth narrowing effects while
preventing instabilities from circulating ASE and enabling channel
reuse. In these embodiments, the operation of the WSS devices is
described in the context of a ring WDM optical network which
supports a plurality of channels with central frequencies on a
pre-defined grid of 100 GHz, such as 193.0 THz, 193.1 THz, etc.
However, it will be appreciated that the particular channel spacing
used in these embodiments can vary, and that even uniform channel
spacing is not essential. Moreover, while these embodiments employ
a "degree 2" WSS network in a ring topology, the present invention
is equally applicable to more generalized topologies and
higher-degree WSS nodes.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a reconfigurable
optical node 100 that uses a WSS module 110 in a filtered add
configuration where the WSS is positioned to add signals from an
add input port 123 to the optical network, and pass or block the
incoming signals from the passthrough input port 112. The WSS 110
has a control port 116 that is connected to a CPU 113 running
software that sends provisioning information to the WSS in the form
of a table that specifies the desired state for each optical
channel. Node 100 also may include an integrated or separate
channel monitor 114 that reports the power in each channel to the
CPU 113. For a WSS with per-channel power control, the CPU 113 may
use the reported channel powers from channel monitor 114 to adjust
the target channel powers of the WSS. This per-channel power
control may be used to balance the channels at the line output
fiber 118. The CPU 113 can include a suitably programmed
microprocessor or the like, and may receive provisioning
information from a network manager 117 via its external management
port 115.
[0043] Signals from transmitters 115 may be added to the network at
node 100 by multiplexing them with a standard optical multiplexer
120 (e.g., wavelength specific and/or colorless) and then directing
the multiplexed signals to one of the WSS ports, add input port 123
in this example. In other embodiments, WSS 110 may have more than
two input ports, e.g. N+1 input ports, so that N transmitters may
be directly connected to the WSS input ports. Signals entering the
node from the line input fiber 125 may be dropped with a 1.times.2
optical coupler 140 that sends a portion of the incoming power (via
output port 142) to an optical demultiplexer 130, which separates
the signals based on their channel frequency. At the output ports
135 of demultiplexer 130, the received signals are connected to a
plurality of optical receivers 150. the demultiplexer 130 can be
wavelength specific, colorless, WSS, etc.
[0044] The other output port of optical coupler 145 is connected to
WSS passthrough input port 112. Signals entering node 100 from line
input fiber 125 are thereby directed to WSS 110 which selectively
controls the signals based on their frequency to selectively (1)
pass the signal from line input fiber 125 to line output fiber 118
(via passthrough input port 112 and WSS output port 111) and block
the signal entering from add input port 123; (2) block the signal
from line input fiber 125 and pass the signal, preferably with
controlled attenuation, from add input port 123 to line output
fiber 118 (via WSS output port 111); or (3) block the signals
entering from both input ports 112 and 123. If per-channel
attenuation functionality is available in the WSS devices, then the
attenuation of each channel can be set such that all signal powers
are set to be equal at the line output 118.
[0045] Note that the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows only one direction
(Left to Right) of signal propagation with a single input line
fiber and a single output line fiber. While optical networks are
typically implemented with a fiber pair between nodes, we show only
one direction in our examples for simplicity of illustration. Also
note that an optical node may have other elements such as
amplifiers, tap couplers and monitors, optical service channel taps
and transceivers, dispersion compensation modules, etc. Again, for
the purpose of simplification, we do not show such elements in our
examples, but it is understood that they may be deployed as
desired. Further note that the embodiment of FIG. 1 only shows a
node of degree two, while those skilled in the art will recognize
that these same concepts would be applicable to higher-degree
nodes.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a ROADM node 200,
in a filtered drop configuration where WSS 210 is positioned to
selectively drop optical signals to one or more drop ports 220 and
selectively pass through optical signals, preferably with
controlled attenuation, to line output fiber 230. The concepts
described herein could apply equally to ROADM node configuration
100 or 200, as well as to higher-degree ROADM nodes. For purposes
of illustration, the following embodiments will refer to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Note also that the embodiments
described herein refer to a channel plan with 100 GHz spacing, such
that the 193.9 THz channel, for example, is adjacent to the 194.0
THz channel. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
concepts described herein are equally applicable to other channel
spacings and other node architectures employing WSS and other
optical bandwidth-narrowing devices.
[0047] Note that the embodiment of FIG. 2 shows only one direction
(Right to Left) of signal propagation with a single input line
fiber and a single output line fiber. While optical networks are
typically implemented with a fiber pair between nodes, we show only
one direction in our examples for simplicity of illustration. Also
note that an optical node may have other elements such as
amplifiers, tap couplers and monitors, optical service channel taps
and transceivers, dispersion compensation modules, etc. Again, for
the purpose of simplification, we do not show such elements in our
examples, but it is understood that they may be deployed as
desired. Further note that the embodiment of FIG. 2 only shows a
node of degree two, while those skilled in the art will recognize
that these same concepts would be applicable to higher-degree
nodes.
[0048] FIG. 3 depicts a seven-node optical network 300 in a ring
configuration with the node configuration shown in FIG. 1. Network
300 shows a single line fiber 305 transmitting signals among nodes
310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, and 370 in a counterclockwise
direction. When no channels have been provisioned, e.g. when the
network is first installed, the control software sets the WSS in
each node to block all the other channels to prevent circulating
noise from optical amplifiers (not shown). In this example, channel
194.0 (194.0 THz) is provisioned to be added at Node 1 310 and
propagate to Node 5 350 in the counterclockwise direction. Network
manager software 380 is used to monitor and provision the WSS at
each node, preferably using the overhead channel mentioned
above.
[0049] The WSS at Node 1 310 is configured to add channel 194.0 at
its input port 2 (state "PT-2"); the WSS at the intermediate nodes
2-4 320, 330, and 340 are set to pass channel 194.0 from their
first input port to the output (state "PT-1"); the WSS at Node 5
350 that is dropping channel 194.0 is set to block that channel
(state "BD"); and the WSS at Nodes 6 and 7 360 and 370 block
channel 194.0 at all ports ("B"). Note that we differentiate the
state where a WSS is blocking a signal that is not present at its
node (state "B") from the state where a node is blocking a signal
that is dropped at its node (state "BD").
[0050] The Table 400 in FIG. 4 shows the conventional provisioning
(prior art) of the WSS modules for the example shown in FIG. 3.
Note that, for the purpose of simplicity, this table shows only a
subsection of the channels (Chs. 193.8 to 194.2) in the network. As
described above, column 410 of Table 400 lists the state of each
WSS in the network for Channel 194.0. All other channels are
blocked, denoted by the "B" state in Table 400; in particular the
channels adjacent to Channel 194.0 are set to the "B" state along
the path of the Channel 194.0, denoted by the shaded entries 420 in
Table 400. The setting of the channels adjacent to channel 194.0 to
a blocked state will cause spectral narrowing on channel 194.0 as
it propagates from Node 1 to Node 5.
[0051] As shown by the shaded entries 420, Channel 194.0 will
experience this spectral narrowing at 4 edges on its lower
frequency edge from the blocked Channel 193.9 at Nodes 1-4, and at
4 edges on its higher frequency edge from the blocked Channel 194.1
at Nodes 1-4. These 8 bandwidth narrowing events are represented by
the differences in physical states between the signal channel
(Channel 194.0) and its unused adjacent channels (Channels 193.9
and 194.1). For example, Channels 193.9 and 194.1 are in the
"blocking" state at Nodes 1-4, whereas Channel 194.0 is in the
"add" state at Node 1 and in the "pass through" state at Nodes 2-4.
Note that, despite the difference in logical states at
"destination" Node 5, Channel 194.0 ("BD") is in the same physical
"blocking" state ("B") as are Channels 193.9 and 194.1, indicating
the lack of a bandwidth narrowing event. Thus, this prior art
configuration, with a cascade of 5 ROADMs, results in significant
bandwidth narrowing.
[0052] Graph 500 in FIG. 5 illustrates the spectral narrowing
experienced by the channel 194.0 passband as it propagates through
each WSS with the provisioning illustrated in FIG. 4. Since the
adjacent channels at 193.9 THz and 194.1 THz are blocked, the
passband of a single WSS has the loss curve 510. Loss curves for
two WSS modules 520, three WSS modules 530, and four WSS modules
540 show that the passband of the 194.0 THz channel is further
narrowed as it passes through each WSS module while propagating
from Node 1 to Node 4 with the conventional provisioning shown in
table 400 of FIG. 4. This spectral narrowing through a cascade of
WSS modules with conventional provisioning is well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0053] Table 600 in FIG. 6 illustrates a novel method of
provisioning the WSS modules for the example shown in FIG. 3.
Column 610 of Table 600 lists the state of each WSS in the network
for Channel 194.0. Note that these are the same states as listed in
column 410 of Table 400. Channels that are not adjacent to Channel
194.0, such as 193.8 and 194.2, remain blocked as shown in columns
620. However, channels that are adjacent to the provisioned Channel
194.0 are provisioned differently from the conventional method
shown in Table 400.
[0054] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, each WSS sets the
adjacent channels to the same physical state as the provisioned
channel ("add" in Node 1, and "pass through" in Nodes 2-4), as
shown in columns 630. This may include setting the adjacent
channels' attenuation to the same attenuation as that for the
provisioned channel. Even though no client signals are present on
adjacent channels 193.9 and 194.1 (only on Channel 194.0), the WSS
at Node 1 is configured to add the adjacent channels at its input
port 2 (state "PTA-2"); the WSS at intermediate nodes 2-4 are set
to "pass through" the adjacent channels from their first input port
to the output (state "PTA-1"); and the WSS at Node 5 that is
dropping the 194.0 client signal is set to block the adjacent
channels (state "B"); and the WSS at Nodes 6 and 7 continue to
block the adjacent channels at all ports (state "B").
[0055] Note, as will be explained in greater detail below, that we
differentiate the state where a WSS is passing a provisioned signal
from port N (state "PT-N") from the state where a WSS is set to
pass a channel from port N that is adjacent to a signal channel
(state "PTA-N"). Also note that the node passthrough path of the
adjacent channels is still blocked at at least one node (Nodes 5,
6, 7 and 1 in this case), so that recirculating ASE will not occur
at the adjacent channels.
[0056] Since the unused adjacent channels of the signal in channel
194.0 are set to propagate along the same path as the signal, the
signal does not experience any spectral narrowing as it propagates
through the WSS modules. This is reflected in the fact that,
despite the difference in logical states, the physical states of
adjacent Channels 193.9 and 194.1 are the same as those of signal
Channel 194.0 ("add" in Node 1, and "pass through" in Nodes
2-4).
[0057] Spectral filtering at the edge of the signal channel only
occurs at the add multiplexer (element 120 in FIG. 1) and the drop
demultiplexer (element 130 in FIG. 1). In this example, the number
of WSS bandwidth narrowing occurrences has been reduced from eight
(2 edges at each of four locations--Nodes 1-4) to zero. In larger
networks with more nodes, this reduction of spectral narrowing can
be even more significant.
[0058] Graph 700 in FIG. 7 illustrates the passband of the WSS
modules for the novel provisioning shown in FIG. 6. Since the
unused adjacent channels are provisioned to the same physical state
as is signal channel 194.0 (preferably including per-channel
attenuation), the bandwidth narrowing occurs only on the edges of
the adjacent channels, and the 194.0 signal channel does not
experience spectral narrowing on its spectral edges as it
propagates through the WSS modules.
[0059] This reduction of bandwidth narrowing depends on the usage
of the adjacent channels. WSS bandwidth narrowing on a particular
signal occurs only when an adjacent channel is present and blocked
(and/or set at a significantly different value of attenuation), or
configured along a different path through the WSS. Whenever an
adjacent channel is blocked because it is not present, the
bandwidth-narrowing penalty resulting from conventional methods can
be eliminated by the present invention.
[0060] For WSS modules with a power control function where the
unused adjacent channels are provisioned as disclosed herein, it is
preferable that the unused adjacent channels be attenuated to the
same levels as are the provisioned channels. Low-power alarms for
the unused adjacent channels should also preferably be
disabled.
[0061] In one embodiment, provisioning of channels using the newly
introduced "PTA-N" state employs a hierarchy to appropriately
provision the WSS when adjacent channels are activated. This
hierarchy is illustrated using network 800 of FIG. 8, which shows
the network of FIG. 3 when the additional Channel 193.9 is
provisioned to be transmitted from Node 4 to Node 2 in the
counterclockwise direction.
[0062] Table 900 in FIG. 9 illustrates the conventional
provisioning (prior art) of the WSS modules for the example shown
in FIG. 7. The provisioning of Channel 194.0 in column 910 is the
same as in Table 400 in FIG. 4. Column 920 in FIG. 9 shows the
state of each WSS module for the added Channel 193.9. The WSS at
the Channel 193.9 transmitter node, Node 4, is set to pass the
Channel 193.9 signal from the second input port (state "PT-2"), and
the WSS at the intermediate nodes, Node 5, 6, 7, and 1 are set to
pass the Channel 193.9 signal from the line input port to the line
output port (state "PT-1"). The node that is dropping the signal,
Node 2, is set to block Channel 193.9 (state "BD"); and Node 3,
which is not in the added signal's path, is left in the blocking
state ("B").
[0063] In this example of conventional provisioning shown in Table
900, the original channel, 194.0, still passes through 4 WSS
modules that effect bandwidth narrowing on its spectral edges, as
is apparent from a comparison of column 910 (for Channel 194.0) to
both column 920 (for adjacent Channel 193.9) and column 930 (for
adjacent Channel 194.1). With respect to the path of the signal on
Channel 194.0, from Node 1 to Node 4, the adjacent channels have a
different physical state than Channel 194.0 at 8 edges (2 edges in
each of 4 WSS locations). In particular, at Node 1, signal Channel
194.0 has a different physical state ("add") from that of adjacent
Channels 193.9 ("pass through") and 194.1 ("blocking"). At Nodes 2
and 3, signal Channel 194.0 has a different physical state ("pass
through") from that of adjacent Channels 193.9 ("blocking," despite
a different logical "BD" state) and 194.1 ("blocking"). Finally, at
Node 4, signal Channel 194.0 has a different physical state ("pass
through") from that of adjacent Channels 193.9 ("add") and 194.1
("blocking").
[0064] Also, in this example of conventional provisioning shown in
Table 900, the second channel, 193.9, passes through 5 WSS modules
(in Nodes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 1) that effect bandwidth narrowing on its
spectral edges, as is apparent from a comparison of column 920 (for
Channel 193.9) to both column 940 (for Channel 193.8) and column
910 (for Channel 194.0). Thus, in the conventional provisioning
example of FIG. 9, the addition of Channel 193.9 does not change
the bandwidth narrowing on Channel 194.0. Similarly, the addition
of Channel 194.0 does not change the bandwidth narrowing on Channel
193.9.
[0065] Table 1000 in FIG. 10 illustrates a novel method of
provisioning the WSS modules for the example shown in FIG. 8. The
provisioning of Channel 194.0 in column 1010 is the same as in the
previous example shown in FIG. 6. The provisioning of the added
channel 193.9 has been modified in the same manner as described
above at the nodes that add, drop, and passthrough the added
channel 193.9, namely Nodes 4, 5, 6, 7, 1 and 2. Node 3, which is
not in the added signal's path, is left in the previous "PTA-1"
state.
[0066] Note that the new WSS states of "PT-1", "PT-2", and "BD" for
Channel 193.9 that create the new signal path (shown in column
1030) overwrite the previous states (shown in FIG. 6) that created
a path in this channel adjacent to Channel 194.0. Also note that
creating the new path for channel 193.9 results in changes to the
WSS states of the unused channel 193.8 (now shown in column 1040),
which is provisioned as an unused channel adjacent to the new
signal in Channel 193.9. Provisioning the new path for Channel
193.9 also affects the provisioning of adjacent Channel 194.0 at
Nodes 6 and 7, which have their state changed from "B" to "PTA-1"
so as to reduce the bandwidth narrowing on the Channel 193.9
signal. Note, however, that the state of Channel 194.0 at the other
nodes is not modified by the addition of the new signal at channel
193.9.
[0067] Thus, as a result of provisioning a new signal on Channel
193.9, the original signal on Channel 194.0 now experiences some
bandwidth narrowing events (as illustrated by the 3 shaded entries
in column 1030), but far fewer than the 8 bandwidth narrowing
events shown in the conventional provisioning example of FIG.
9.
[0068] For example, with respect to Node 1, signal Channel 194.0
has a different physical state ("add") from that of adjacent
Channel 193.9 ("pass through"), but the same physical state as
adjacent Channel 194.1. Similarly, with respect to Nodes 2 and 4,
signal Channel 194.0 has a different physical state ("pass
through") from that of adjacent Channel 193.9 ("blocking" and
"add," respectively), but the same physical state as adjacent
Channel 194.1. And, with respect to Node 3, Channel 194.0 has the
same physical state ("pass through") as both adjacent Channels
193.9 and 194.1. At the same time, in accordance with the present
invention, the states of Channel 194.1 have changed in Nodes 1, 2,
3 and 4, the state of Channel 193.8 has changed in Node 3, and the
states of Channel 193.8 have changed in Nodes 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (as
compared to conventional provisioning shown in FIG. 9).
[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a set of rules for
changing the state of the WSS at each node when a signal is added.
Note that these rules assume that the channel is being added at
input port N (N>1), while input port 1 is used for the
passthrough traffic from the line input port. These rules are based
on a hierarchy of states as follows:
[0070] 1) PT-N(Highest Priority)
[0071] 2) BD
[0072] 3) PTA-N
[0073] 4) B (Lowest Priority)
[0074] State "PT-N" takes priority over all other states. For
example, a channel that is set to the "BD" state that receives a
"PT-N" request will switch to the "PT-N" state; whereas a channel
that is set to the "PT-N" state that receives a "BD" request will
remain in the "PT-N" state. This hierarchy gives priority to
provisioned signals over provisioned unused passthrough channels
that are adjacent to signal channels. Additionally, this hierarchy
gives priority of provisioned unused passthrough channels that are
adjacent to signal channels over unused channels without adjacent
signals. More general rules can easily be derived by those skilled
in the art.
[0075] With these simplified rules, each WSS can set the state of
each channel given the same provisioning request as a current WSS.
Furthermore, this new provisioning method supports a
self-provisioning WSS based on channel powers as described in US
Pat No 2010/0221004.
[0076] In one embodiment, for cases where a WSS is in state "PT-N"
and a new provisioning request occurs for "PT-M" where N is not
equal to M, the new provisioning request takes precedence.
Similarly, where a conflict arises between "PTA-N" and "PTA-M"
where N is not equal to M, the new provisioning request takes
precedence. In other embodiments, the prior state is given
precedence. Changing the configuration from "PT-N" to "PT-M" may
affect traffic, so an optional warning to the network operator may
be desired upon such a state change.
[0077] When a signal is removed from the network, the provisioning
of the WSS can be adjusted using the state hierarchy described
above. Where the state was "PT-N" or "BD," the state would revert
to "PTA-N" where there are adjacent provisioned channels, and the
state would revert to "B" where there are no adjacent provisioned
channels.
[0078] The full WSS state table, of which subsets are shown in
FIGS. 4, 6, 9 and 10, provides a single means of counting the
number of bandwidth narrowing events with respect to each
provisioned signal. For each channel, software can work from the
point where a signal is added (state "PT-2" for the case of a
degree-2 WSS) to the state where a channel is dropped (state "BD").
For each WSS along that path, there is a bandwidth narrowing event
if the WSS of an adjacent channel is not in the same physical state
as the signal channel (despite a difference in the logical state,
such as a signal channel in state "PT-N" where adjacent channels
are in state "PTA-N").
[0079] Therefore, the number of bandwidth narrowing events with
respect to each channel (including both adjacent edges of each
channel) can be calculated and reported, as well as used to
minimize the number of bandwidth narrowing events when determining
the channel to which a new client signal should be assigned.
Furthermore, if there is a significant number of bandwidth
narrowing events on one particular side of a signal, the bandwidth
narrowing penalty of that signal can be reduced by slightly
shifting the signal frequency to the other side of the central
frequency.
[0080] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12, the WSS state
table is used to select the channel (frequency/wavelength) to which
a new client signal will be assigned for the purpose of minimizing
bandwidth narrowing. When the network management software is
alerted to a new signal request, the software can select the
"ideal" channel in accordance with the following method:
[0081] Each channel is examined in turn, beginning with step 1210.
If any channels remain (step 1215--YES), then the channel is
examined in step 1225 to determine whether it is available along
the requested path. If the channel at any node along the requested
path is in a "PT-N" state (as distinguished from a "PTA-N" state),
then the channel is unavailable, as it is already being used for a
provisioned client signal. In that event (step 1225--NO),
processing returns to step 1210 to examine the next channel.
[0082] If the channel is available (step 1225--YES), then
processing proceeds to step 1230 to calculate the tentative new WSS
state table for the new signal path (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11, and
in column 1030 of FIG. 10 for Channel 193.9 Nodes 4, 5, 6, 7, 1 and
2). As shown in FIG. 11, adjacent channels must also be updated (as
were columns 1040 and 1010 of FIG. 10 for respective adjacent
channels 193.8 and 194.0).
[0083] Processing then proceeds to step 1240 to calculate the total
number of bandwidth narrowing events for each affected channel in
the tentative new WSS state table. This includes not only the
tentatively provisioned channel, but also one or both of its
adjacent channels if they are used in the network to transmit
signals. For the tentatively provisioned channel (and its adjacent
channels if they are used to transmit signals), the physical state
of the channel at the source node, intermediate nodes and
destination node is compared to the updated states of each of its
adjacent channels at those nodes. In this embodiment, each
difference in physical state (from each adjacent node) is
considered a distinct bandwidth narrowing event.
[0084] The total number of bandwidth narrowing events for the
tentatively provisioned channel is then compared to the total
number of bandwidth narrowing events for each adjacent channel used
to transmit signals, and the largest of these totals is saved. Note
that we consider separately, on a per-channel basis, the total
number of bandwidth narrowing events for each of these channels,
rather than adding these totals together, because the worst-case
penalty occurs on the channel with the most bandwidth narrowing
events.
[0085] In other words, it is more important to reduce the maximum
number of bandwidth narrowing events on the worst-case channel than
to reduce the total number of bandwidth narrowing events across
multiple channels or even the entire network. This is because
bandwidth narrowing gets increasingly worse on a given channel as
the number of bandwidth narrowing events increases (eventually
leading to bit errors), but bandwidth narrowing on one channel does
not affect bandwidth narrowing on other (particularly other
non-adjacent) channels. For example, if bit errors began to appear
after 7 bandwidth narrowing events occurred on a given channel,
then it would be preferable to have 100 channels each with 5
bandwidth narrowing events than to have 98 channels each with 2
bandwidth narrowing events and 2 channels each with 10 bandwidth
narrowing events.
[0086] The number of generated "PTA-N" states is also calculated,
on a per-channel basis--to "break a tie" in the event that more
than one tentatively-provisioned channel generates the same lowest
number of bandwidth narrowing events. This information is also
saved, and processing then returns to step 1210 to examine the next
channel.
[0087] This process is repeated for each available channel, until
no additional channels remain to be examined (step 1215--NO), at
which point processing proceeds to step 1250 to determine which
tentatively provisioned channel(s) (after taking their adjacent
channels into account, as discussed above) would yield the fewest
number of bandwidth narrowing events.
[0088] If more than one channel qualifies, then the channel that
generates the fewest number of "PTA-N" states would be selected. If
there still remains more than one such channel, then additional
"tie-breaking" factors could be considered, including the random
selection of one of those channels. These tie-breaking factors are,
in one embodiment, designed to favor the use of adjacent channels
along the same path. Otherwise, signals could be provisioned where
no adjacent channels are in use, resulting in a coarse distribution
of provisioned channels that could unduly restrict channel
availability at high channel counts.
[0089] The algorithm illustrated in FIG. 12 is designed not only to
minimize (as well as significantly reduce) the bandwidth narrowing
effects on added channels, but to minimize the bandwidth narrowing
effects of the added channels on the other signal channels (e.g.,
adjacent channels).
[0090] While there can be some concern regarding crosstalk that
arises from using adjacent channels for signal connections between
the same nodes, those skilled in the art will recognize that
current drop filters have sufficient isolation to render such
crosstalk negligible.
[0091] The present invention has been described herein with
reference to specific embodiments as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Although the WSS provisioning embodiments
have been described for the case of a unidirectional connection
through degree-2 WSS devices in a filtered add configuration, the
same concepts may also be applied to bidirectional connections,
through higher degree WSS devices, and in WSS devices in a filtered
drop configuration or WSS configuration devices used for both adds
and drops. It should be understood that, in light of the present
disclosure, additional embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein
may be envisioned and implemented within the scope of the present
invention by those skilled in the art.
* * * * *