Optical power transient control system and method

[0001] The present invention relates in general to optical communication networks, and, in particular to a system and method for optical power transient control and prevention in communication networks.

[0002] Current fiber-optic long-haul communication networks are predominantly comprised of point-to-point fiber-optic links. Data-modulated optical signals originated at one end propagate through the fiber medium to the opposite end. While propagating, the optical signals suffer attenuation due to scattering in the fiber medium, as well as losses in other components such as connectors. To compensate for the loss, optical amplifiers are placed at regular intervals along the fiber span, typically 40 to 100 km apart. A single fiber strand can carry independent multiple (e.g. up to 100 or more) optical signals, each signal being differentiated by a slightly different wavelength. Thus, optical amplifiers amplify all the wavelengths simultaneously. For several reasons, it is common for the optical amplifiers to be operated in a saturated regime with a fixed total optical power output, but variable gain.

[0003] Optical communication networks have, however, begun to evolve away from simple point-to-point links. The first step was the introduction of fixed optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs). The OADMs are positioned at intermediate points along the fiber-optic link between the terminal ends, and provide the capability of adding or dropping individual wavelengths. This diversity of signal origination and termination points allows for more flexible and useful optical network architectures. Another step in the evolution has been the addition of dynamic OADM capability. Dynamic OADMs facilitate dynamic switching and rerouting of individual optical wavelength signals between various fiber-optic links.

[0004] Switching and rerouting of individual optical wavelengths between fiber-optic links, however, creates difficulties with respect to controlling optical power in each wavelength. As discussed above, optical amplifiers are commonly operated such that they provide a fixed total output power, which is then shared among the various wavelengths. This provides an undesirable coupling mechanism among the optical wavelengths. Optical wavelength signals can appear and disappear in the fiber-optic link, either due to component failures and/or fiber cuts in the fixed OADM case, or due to active wavelength switching in the dynamic OADM case. As optical wavelength signals disappear, optical amplifiers allocate the unused power to the remaining signals, potentially causing a substantial increase in their power. Conversely, newly added optical wavelengths can cause substantial power drop in the existing wavelengths.

[0005] These optical power transients can be detrimental for several reasons: 1) optical power levels exceeding receiver dynamic range can cause loss of data on the low end and potential permanent component damage on the high end; 2) reduced optical wavelength power can cause signal to noise degradation and may result in a loss of data; 3) increased optical wavelength power can cause nonlinear signal distortions and noise and may result in a loss of data; and 4) optical power transients may disrupt seemingly unrelated parts of the network, complicating alarm management and troubleshooting.

[0006] Several approaches to solving this problem have been proposed. The majority of the proposed solutions have concentrated on controlling the gain of optical amplifiers to keep it substantially constant and independent of the number of channels. While feasible, these approaches suffer from several fundamental drawbacks. For example, these approaches require modification or replacement of fielded optical amplifiers, resulting in significant cost increase for the optical network. Typical approaches also waste optical pump power, thereby reducing useful optical power available from the amplifier. In turn, this may limit the optical network capacity and/or span designs. Moreover, operation of optical amplifiers in a “Constant gain” mode precludes self-healing of amplifier chains, whereby degradation in one optical amplifier gain or fiber span loss is compensated for by an automatic increase in gain by subsequent amplifiers.

[0007] According to another approach to controlling or preventing optical power transients, a single compensating optical wavelength is added to an aggregate signal containing of the independent signals to be transmitted on a fiber link. The total power propagating in the link is measured and kept constant by adding or removing power at a predetermined optical wavelength. ,This approach overcomes most of the disadvantages associated with amplifier gain control methods, but introduces other difficulties. In particular, having only one compensating wavelength may not be sufficient for stabilizing channels that are spectrally far removed. Also, networks comprised of multiple cascaded OADMs may introduce difficulty in selecting proper wavelength for the compensating channel, and may necessitate many stages of sequential transient control, progressively reducing its effectiveness.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system and method for optical power transient control and prevention in communication networks that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] The present invention is organized about the concept of providing a system and method for optical power transient control and prevention in communication networks. According to an exemplary embodiment, an optical signal propagating on the network is demultiplexed into individual spectral bands, e.g. at an OADM, and an optical power monitor point is included into each band. A separate idler laser is provided for each OADM band. The power output of each laser is adjusted such that it compensates for the signal power lost from each band. The wavelength of each laser is chosen to fall within the associated OADM spectral band, but outside of the window of individual signal wavelengths, so that it may propagate through the network without causing deleterious interference at the receiver.

[0010] In particular, an exemplary system consistent with the invention may include a plurality of separate optical paths, each of which receiving one or more separate optical signals, and a plurality of optical power monitors configured to sense a respective total signal power on an associated one of the separate optical paths. Each of a plurality of idler lasers are configured to provide a compensating wavelength in response to an associated total signal power sensed by an associated one of the optical power monitors for injection into an associated one of the optical signal paths. Advantageously, the compensating wavelength is provided for maintaining a substantially constant optical signal power on the associated one of the optical signal paths.

[0011] The device may include a demultiplexer having a plurality of outputs, each of which may be coupled to an associated one of the optical paths for supplying a respective one of the separate groups of optical signals. A multiplexer having a plurality of inputs may also be provided. Each of a plurality of the optical paths may coupled to an associated one of the multiplexer optical inputs, and the multiplexer may provide an output including the one or more separate optical signals on each of the plurality of optical paths.

[0012] In another embodiment, the device may further include a plurality of data modulators, each of which may be configured to modulate data on an associated one of the compensating wavelengths. The data may be used for status messaging in a network including the device. A plurality of detectors may also be provided. Each of the detectors may be coupled to an associated one of the optical power monitors for generating a respective fault alarm in response to an associated total signal power sensed by the associated one of the optical power monitors.

[0013] A method of controlling optical power transients in an optical communication network including an aggregate optical signal comprising a plurality of separate optical signals, may include the steps of: providing a plurality of separate optical signal paths, each of the signal paths carrying at least one of the separate optical signals; detecting a power level associated with the at least one of the separate optical signals on each of the separate optical signal paths; and injecting a separate compensating wavelength into each of the optical signal paths in response to an associated power level detected thereon in the detecting step. Another method consistent with the invention, may include the steps of: separating the aggregate signal onto a plurality of separate signal paths, each of the signal paths carrying a separate group of the separate signals; detecting a power level associated with a plurality of the separate groups of separate signals on associated separate optical signal paths; injecting a separate compensating wavelength into each of the associated optical signal paths in response to an associated power level detected thereon in the detecting step; and combining each of the plurality of the separate groups of optical signals on an aggregate optical signal path

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of an optical power transient control system consistent with the invention will be described herein in connection with its application in a conventional OADM. It is to be understood, however, that the system may be used in connection with other optical network components, e.g. multiplexers, demultiplexers, etc., where optical power transient control is desired or necessary. The embodiments described herein are, therefore, provided by way of illustration, not of limitation.

[0020] Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary OADM 10 including optical power transient control consistent with the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the OADM receives a plurality of multiplexed optical wavelengths or channels, for example λ₁-λ₈₀, on an input optical fiber 12. The multiplexed channels may, for example, be provided by laser transmitters (not shown) coupled to the optical fiber. Although the illustrated OADM is configured as an 80-channel device, those skilled in the art will recognize that power transient control consistent with the invention may be provided in a device for processing any number of channels.

[0021] The OADM 10 generally includes a demultiplexer 14 and a multiplexer 16. In a known manner, the demultiplexer separates the 80-channel input into ten 8-channel groups, i.e., groups including λ₁-λ₈, λ₉-λ₁₆, λ₁₇-λ₂₄, λ₂₅-λ₃₂, λ₃₃-λ₄₀, λ₄₁-λ₄₈, λ₄₉-λ₅₆, λ₅₇-λ₆₄, λ₆₅-λ₇₂, λ₇₃-λ₈₀, each of the groups being provided on a separate optical path, e.g. paths 18, 20, 22. Any one or more of these groups of channels may be dropped by the OADM with a substitute group being added. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, λ₇₃-λ₈₀ are dropped on path 22 and substitute channels λ_73a-λ_80a are added on path 22a. Ultimately, the multiplexer 16 combines the added channel groups and the channel groups passed through the OADM into an aggregate signal on an OADM output fiber 24.

[0022] Consistent with the present invention, optical power transient control is provided for each of the channel groups provided or added in the OADM. With reference to the channel group λ₁-λ₈, for example, in the illustrated embodiment a conventional optical power monitor 26₁ is coupled to the optical path 18₁ carrying λ₁-λ₈ for providing a signal representative of the optical signal power of the channel group. The output of the monitor 26₁ is coupled to a detector 28₁ for providing fault alarms to the network components for fault detection and isolation. The power monitor output is coupled through the detector to a control circuit 30₁. The control circuit 30₁ drives an idler laser 32₁ for providing a compensating wavelength having a power level based on the output of the power monitor 26₁. The output of the idler laser 32₁ may be coupled to a data modulator 34₁ for modulation of a low frequency data on thereon, and the compensating wavelength with data modulated thereon is injected into the optical path 18₁ before the multiplexer 16 at a downstream location from the power monitor point, e.g. point P. A calibrated length of fiber 35₁ may be added to the signal path to make the path time delay substantially equal to the delay through the electronic path comprised of 26₁, 28_{1, 301}, 32₁, and 34₁. The remaining optical paths to be passed through the OADM, e.g. paths 22, 22a, include associated power monitors 26_n, detectors 28_n, control circuits 30_n, idler lasers 32_n, data modulators 34_n, and delay equalizers 35_n.

[0023] Although the illustrated embodiment includes particular circuit elements, those skilled in the art will recognize that a system consistent with the invention may have a variety of configurations. It is to be understood, therefore, that the illustrated exemplary embodiment is provided only by way of illustration, not of limitation. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the detector 28 and data modulator 34 are optional components, and that power transient control may be achieved in a manner consistent with the invention without these components.

[0024] In an embodiment including a data modulator 34, the modulator may be of a conventional design. The data signal modulated by the modulator on the compensating wavelength may be detectable by downstream equipment in the network, and may provide fault detection information indicating, for example, the idler laser power level, location, etc. Network failures or changes may be thus be communicated to end terminals more quickly than with conventional service channel modems. When a detector 28 is included, it may be configured for generating fault alarms when the power level of a particular band falls below the predetermined total band power. Thus, even though the predetermined total band power will be maintained via the compensating wavelength, the data detector 28 may provide an indication as to the location in a network where a data signal is lost.

[0025] Advantageously, the control circuit 30 is configured to control the optical signal power output of the idler laser 32 in response to the output of the power monitor 26 for maintaining a desired constant band power. The desired band power may be the same for each band of wavelengths, or different predetermined total band power levels may be set for particular bands. Maintenance of a desired band power may be accomplished through software running on a microprocessor in the control circuit or by discrete electronics. With reference to FIG. 2A for example, the optical signal power of a particular channel group or band P_M, as sensed by a power monitor 26, may be at a desired power level P_d during a period of normal operation, e.g. from to to t₁. At time t₁, however, the band power P_M may begin to decline, and at a time t₂, the optical band power sensed by the power monitor 26 may be zero.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2B, during the time t₀ to t₁, the control circuit 30 may disable the output of the idler laser, i.e. P_i equals zero, since the total band power sensed by the power monitor is at the desired level P_d. However, from time t₁ to t₂, the control circuit 30 causes the idler laser 32 to provided a compensating wavelength at a power level P_i, which when added to the signal band power P_M sensed by the power monitor 26 results in a total power at the input to the multiplexer 16 equal to the desired power level P_d. At time t₂, when the power sensed by the power monitor equals zero, the control circuit 30 causes the idler laser 32 to provide the compensating wavelength at the desired power level, i.e. P_i=P_d.

[0027] For a particular optical channel group or band, therefore, the control circuit 30 may be configured to maintain a constant power level, i.e., P_M+P_i=P_d. Of course, where tolerable the slight variations in the desired power level may be maintained. Advantageously, a constant power level for a particular band may be maintained to compensate for both dynamic wavelength switching as well as for accidental signal addition or removal. It is noted that when the power level P_M sensed at the power monitor 26 is zero, this may be result of, for example, a fiber break, or the path may be unused by the network, i.e. no data is intended to be provided on the path. In the case where the path is unused, the compensating wavelength from the idler laser provides a mechanism for monitoring the health and availability of the optical link to accept an optical channel carrying live traffic, i.e. absence of the compensating wavelength in a particular span may indicate a fiber break.

[0028] Consistent with the invention, therefore, a constant or desired total band power may be maintained at all times by injecting a compensating wavelength from an idler laser associated with the band. To ensure propagation of the compensating wavelength on the network, the compensating wavelength should be chosen to be within the pass band of the filter used to separate the associated band in the OADM. The compensating wavelength should also be chosen to be different from the data carrying wavelengths in the band.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 3, for example, there is shown the transmittance characteristic 40 for the OADM filter used to separate channels λ₁-λ₈ in for the OADM illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, the filter transmittance characteristic may include a relatively flat pass band 42 with high 44 and low 46 wavelength roll-off regions. Typically, the wavelengths in a desired band are positioned away from the roll-off regions of the associated band filter transmittance characteristic, as shown, to avoid loss of signal power at the high and low wavelengths in the band. Likewise, the compensating wavelength should be positioned away from the roll-off regions. The compensating wavelength also should be different from all of the data carrying wavelengths in the band to ensure that the compensating wavelength is not detected as a data signal. Thus, a compensating wavelength λ_c may, for example, may be positioned as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0030] There is thus provided a system and method for optical power transient control and prevention in communication networks. An optical signal propagating on a network is demultiplexed into individual spectral bands, e.g. at an OADM, and an optical power monitor point is included into each band. A separate idler laser is provided for each band. The power output of each idler laser is dynamically adjusted based on the sensed spectral band power such that it compensates for the signal power lost from each band.

[0031] Advantageously, therefore, a system and method consistent with the invention eliminates the difficulties associated with optical power transients in an optical communication network. For fielded equipment, optical power stabilization consistent with the invention may be performed by newly installed network elements. No changes to existing fielded optical amplifiers are necessary. Moreover, a more uniform optical power distribution is provided across the wavelength range supported by optical amplifiers in the network. Hence, the dependence of span management algorithms on channel count may be eliminated.

[0032] The embodiments that have been described herein, however, are but some of the several which utilize this invention and are set forth here by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is obvious that many other embodiments, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing materially from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.