Nortel Networks Corporation

Ciena Corporation

Ciena Luxembourg S.a.r.l.

Mark R Hinds

Choudhury A Al Sayeed

Robert William Keys

David W Boertjes

Alan Glen Solheim

Simon P Parry

Loren Berg

Gregory Dean May

Stephane St-Laurent

Kieran Parsons

David Miedema

Kevan Peter Jones

David Casson Bownass

Alan Robinson

Jonathan Paul King

David J Pell

Vincent E Somoza

Barrie Flintham

Nigel Edward Jolley

Richard J Glover

Bhupendra Patel

Robert Palmer

Saeid Seydnejad

Mark E Bray

James Regan

Frederic Poulin

Loren Scott Berg

Michael Lapp

Robert W Keys

Martin P Poettcker

Michael Hiridjee

Robert A Baker

Roger M Gibb

Toby J Reid

Stephane St Laurant

Alan A Solheim

Joseph Mun

Gregory May

Alan G Solheim

Systems and methods for monitoring an Optical Multiplex Section of a communication network are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes the step of obtaining parameters related to optical signals traversing an Optical Multiplex Section (OMS) of a communication network. The OMS, in this example, includes multiple fiber spans defining a primary path and one or more protection paths. The method further includes the step of using the obtained parameters to determine a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) value associated with optical signals transmitted over the primary path. In response to determining that the SNR value falls below a predetermined threshold, the method includes the step of performing a switching action to enable transmission of optical signals over one of the one or more protection paths.

Protection switching based on SNR calculations

Systems and methods include receiving first power snapshot from a receiving end of a foreign controlled link of the one or more foreign controlled optical links when there are no faults thereon; responsive to obtaining second power snapshot from the receiving end of the foreign controlled link, detecting a fault on one of at least one channel and part of the spectrum traversing the foreign controlled link; correlating the second power snapshot with the first power snapshots; and raising an indication of fault for the foreign controlled link based on the correlating.

Virtualized sections for sectional control of optical links

Systems and methods are implemented at an Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (OADM) node using virtual sections to provide sectional control over an optical link over a foreign-controlled optical network. The systems and methods include obtaining and storing a first power spectral density snapshot of an optical link, from an optical spectrum monitor and when the optical link is in a non-fault condition; responsive to detection of a fault on channels traversing the optical link, obtaining a second power spectral density snapshot at a receiving end of the optical link; analyzing the first power spectral density snapshot and the second power spectral density snapshot; and determining the fault is on the optical link based on the analyzing.

Systems and methods are implemented at an Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (OADM) node using virtual sections to provide sectional control over an optical link over a foreign-controlled optical network. The systems and methods include virtually splitting the optical link at a shelf processor associated with the OADM node; in a non-fault condition, obtaining and storing a power snapshot of the optical link and associated virtual sections thereon, from an optical spectrum monitor; responsive to a fault on one or more virtual sections of the virtual sections, obtaining a current power snapshot of the optical link and the associated virtual sections; and comparing the stored power snapshot and the current power snapshot of the one or more virtual sections and providing a fault alarm for the one or more virtual sections based on the comparing to a control plane for management thereof.

An optical control system is described which is capable of maintaining and optimizing a fiber-optic transport system within it's domain of control while interacting with other optical systems which are controlled independently. This allows the optical system to be incorporated as a building block into a larger optical network in a relatively arbitrary fashion. This provides an underlying control system for a non-linear system like optics network that is flexible and extensible.

Method and system for controlling optical networks

A programmable optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) implements add/drop function of optical signals from a number of cross-connected optical systems while treating issues of coherent cross-talk, chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and amplitude equalization. Input WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) optical signals from a number of optical systems are each de-multiplexed into a number of optical path signal that are routed through switches and then multiplexed into a number of output WDM optical signals. Problems with coherent cross-talk in optical path signals are eliminated by introducing equivalent optical path lengths between paths through which the optical path signals propagate and by introducing dead-bands between consecutive optical path signals. Chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and amplitude equalization compensation provide common values of chromatic dispersion, slope of dispersion and power for respective optical path signals at the switches and provide respective target values, at outputs, satisfying transmission requirements of a respective optical system.

Programmable OADM with chromatic dispersion, dispersion slope and amplitude ripple compensation, and method

To automate fiber connectivity management in optical systems, a dedicated low bit-rate communications channel unique to each fiber connection in an optical system is provided. The dedicated communications channel simplifies fiber connectivity management by supporting the exchange of port identification information from one optical component to another after which processing determines if the specific connection is a desired association. The dedicated communications channel supports optical interconnection surveillance for all card-to-card optical connections within a group of related cards or within an optical network link. Automating fiber connectivity management in this manner will enhance future products by simplifying the fiber connection validation process and ensuring that any specific connection between optical components is the required association. This will be particularly useful in complex optical environments with many interconnected devices and where troubleshooting faulty connections would be time-consuming and, therefore, very costly.

Smart connect

An optical connector is secured to a body member which can be rotated away from the outer surface faceplate of the circuit pack for inspection, cleaning or repair. The body member is otherwise constrained to move along the outer surface of the circuit pack in a fixed path such that the connector of one module can mate through an adapter with a corresponding connector on another module.

Mechanically constrained connection

A modular bidirectional optical amplification system includes a multiwavelength dual amplifier building block, a multiwavelength unidirectional booster amplifier BB, a unidirectional and a bidirectional Optical Service Channel (OSC) BB, an Intelligent Optical Terminal Accessway (IOTA) module, and an interleaved filter BB. The dual amplifier BB is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and a hybrid version, and provides unidirectional or bidirectional multichannel amplification. The booster amplifier is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and in a booster plus variant; one for the C-band and one for E-band. The unidirectional and bidirectional OSC BBs provide a means for OAM&P functionality to the optical network. The IOTA BB provides multiplexing and demultiplexing, and the filter BB provides separation of the signal into grid-1 and grid-2 channels.

Highly scalable modular optical amplifier based subsystem

In a WDM optical transmission system employing optical amplifiers in its transmission path, a supervisory signal channel, used for monitoring and controlling the operation of the amplifiers and spectrally separated from the data transmission, may be multiplexed with the data. A construction of amplifier is disclosed which is capable of being upgraded with an upgrade of the transmission system to include additional data handling capacity, for instance data transmission in an additional waveband and/or in the opposite direction, without interruption of the pre-upgrade data transmission path through the amplifiers. This is accomplished by the use of channel dropping and insertion filters disposed so that the amplifying data transmission path extends via the drop/insertion channel of those filters.

Optical amplifiers

A modular bidirectional optical amplification system includes a multiwavelength dual amplifier building block, a multiwavelength unidirectional booster amplifier BB, a unidirectional and a bidirectional Optical Service Channel (OSC) BB, an Intelligent Optical Terminal Accessway (IOTA) module, and an interleaved filter BB. The dual amplifier BB is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and a hybrid version, and provides unidirectional or bidirectional multichannel amplification. The booster amplifier is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and in a booster plus variant;. one for the C-band and one for E-band. The unidirectional and bidirectional OSC BBs provide a means for OAM&P functionality to the optical network. The IOTA BB provides multiplexing and demultiplexing, and the filter BB provides separation of the signal into grid-1 and grid-2 channels.

Growing community of inventors

Ottawa, Canada

Mark R Hinds