Optical transmission device and method for checking optical connection in optical transmission device

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-037568, filed on Feb. 29, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The embodiments discussed herein are related to an optical transmission device that transmits a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal and a method for checking an optical connection in the optical transmission device.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has been developed as one technique for achieving large-capacity optical communication networks. WDM can multiplex a plurality of optical signals of different wavelengths. That is, in a WDM optical communication network, a WDM optical signal in which a plurality of optical signals of different wavelengths are multiplexed is transmitted.

A Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) may be implemented in each node in a WDM optical communication network as a transmission device that processes WDM optical signals. The ROADM may drop an optical signal of a desired wavelength from a received WDM optical signal and guide this optical signal to a client. The ROADM may add an optical signal received from a client to a WDM optical signal.

In addition, a ROADM that includes a CDC (Colorless, Directionless, Contentionless) function (this may hereinafter be referred to as a “CDC-ROADM”) has been put into practical use as one technique for achieving a flexible network. The Colorless function can allocate a desired wavelength to a desired client port of a ROADM. The Directionless function can connect a client accommodated in the ROADM to a desired degree. The Contentionless function prevents collisions between optical signals of the same wavelength.

The CDC-ROADM includes a wavelength selective switch (WSS) and a multicast switch. The wavelength selective switch is provided for each degree, and guides one or a plurality of specified optical signals in a received WDM optical signal to the multicast switch. Further, the wavelength selective switch adds one or a plurality of optical signals received from the multicast switch to a WDM optical signal. The multicast switch accommodates one or a plurality of transponders and guides an optical signal received from the wavelength selective switch to a specified transponder. Further, the multicast switch guides an optical signal received from a transponder to a specified degree (that is, to a specified wavelength selective switch). A client terminal may be connected to each transponder.

In a node having many degrees, a CDC-ROADM includes many wavelength selective switches and each of the wavelength selective switches also includes many optical ports. When the CDC-ROADM accommodates many transponders, there are many multicast switches, and each of the multicast switches also includes many optical ports. In these cases, a connection between optical fibers in the CDC-ROADM is complicated.

For example, a connection of optical fibers in the CDC-ROADM is made manually by a user or a network administrator. This may result in connecting an optical fiber to an incorrect optical port. Thus, there has been a need for a method for checking that an optical fiber is connected correctly or properly in a CDC-ROADM.

A method for testing an optical transmission path in a device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-155612. A method for measuring the intensity of an optical signal in a WDM communication system is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-139073. A configuration that realizes a stable output level of each signal light in an optical amplifier that amplifies wavelength division multiplexed light is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-166478.

For example, a connection of optical fibers in a CDC-ROADM is checked by transmitting monitor light from a wavelength selective switch to a multicast switch and by monitoring the monitor light looped back from the multicast switch in the wavelength selective switch. Here, the wavelength selective switch includes an optical channel monitor (OCM) that measures a power of each wavelength channel multiplexed in a WDM optical signal. Thus, if a wavelength of monitor light is allocated in a WDM optical signal band, it is possible to check a connection of optical fibers in a CDC-ROADM using an existing optical channel monitor, without implementing a dedicated circuit used for monitoring monitor light.

However, in this configuration, it is not possible to check a connection of optical fibers in a CDC-ROADM using monitor light when all of the wavelength channels in a WDM transmission system are in use. In other words, there is a possibility that a connection at an unused optical port in a CDC-ROADM will not be checked while providing a communication service.

As described above, there is a possibility that it will not be possible to operate or maintain a CDC-ROADM efficiently. This problem may occur not only in a CDC-ROADM but also in an optical transmission device that transmits a WDM optical signal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an optical transmission device that transmits an optical signal in a specified wavelength band includes: a receiver configured to receive the optical signal; a monitor light unit configured to output monitor light of a wavelength allocated outside of the specified wavelength band; a wavelength selective switch configured to output the optical signal via a first port and to output the monitor light via a second port; and a memory configured to store information that indicates an optical power loss of a route through which the monitor light is transmitted.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of checking an optical connection;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wavelength selective switch unit;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of checking an optical connection by the wavelength selective switch unit of FIG. 3 ;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of wavelength allocations of a WDM optical signal and monitor light;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a wavelength selective switch unit according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a configuration of a monitor light transceiver;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a wavelength selective switch;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate example of power loss information;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of checking a connection between units in a CDC-ROADM;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for calculating an output power of monitor light;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for calculating a reception power of monitor light; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for checking a connection between units according to another embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an optical transmission device according to embodiments of the present invention. In this example, the optical transmission device is a CDC-ROADM provided in each node in a WDM transmission network.

A CDC-ROADM 1 has a plurality of degrees. In the example of FIG. 1 , the CDC-ROADM 1 has a west degree and an east degree. Each degree is implemented by an optical transmission link between the CDC-ROADM 1 and an adjacent node. The optical transmission link between the CDC-ROADM 1 and the adjacent node includes a set of optical fiber cables that transmit an optical signal bidirectionally. In other words, the CDC-ROADM 1 receives a WDM optical signal from an adjacent node via each degree, and transmits a WDM optical signal to an adjacent node via each degree. The CDC-ROADM 1 may have three or more degrees.

The CDC-ROADM 1 includes a wavelength selective switch unit (WSS) 2 and an amplifier circuit 3 for each degree. In the example of FIG. 1 , a wavelength selective switch unit 2 W and an amplifier circuit 3 W are provided for the west degree, and a wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and an amplifier circuit 3 E are provided for the east degree.

The CDC-ROADM 1 includes a multicast switch unit (MCS) 4 and a transponder 5 in order to accommodate a client terminal. In the example of FIG. 1 , the CDC-ROADM 1 includes multicast switch units 4 A and 4 B. Each of the multicast switch units 4 A and 4 B accommodates a plurality of transponders 5 . A client terminal may be connected to each of the transponders 5 . The CDC-ROADM 1 may include three or more multicast switch units 4 .

Each of the multicast switch units 4 A and 4 B is connected to the wavelength selective switch units 2 W and 2 E. Specifically, the multicast switch unit 4 A and the wavelength selective switch unit 2 W are connected by a set of optical fibers, the multicast switch unit 4 A and the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E are connected by a set of optical fibers, the multicast switch unit 4 B and the wavelength selective switch unit 2 W are connected by a set of optical fibers, and the multicast switch unit 4 B and the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E are connected by a set of optical fibers. Further, the wavelength selective switch unit 2 W and the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E are also connected by a set of optical fibers.

A controller 6 controls the wavelength selective switch units 2 ( 2 W and 2 E) and the multicast switch units 4 ( 4 A and 4 B) according to an instruction given by a user or a network administrator. For example, using a WSS control signal, the controller 6 can specify a wavelength dropped and/or added by the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . Further, the controller 6 can establish a path in the multicast switch unit 4 using an MCS control signal. In other words, the controller 6 can provide a CDC function by controlling the wavelength selective switch unit 2 and the multicast switch unit 4 appropriately.

The controller 6 includes, for example, a processor and a memory. In this case, operations of the CDC-ROADM 1 are controlled by the processor executing a given program. The controller 6 may include a hardware circuit.

The CDC-ROADM 1 has a function that checks an optical connection between units implemented in the CDC-ROADM 1 . In the following descriptions, the “unit” corresponds to the wavelength selective switch units 2 W and 2 E and the multicast switch units 4 A and 4 B.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of checking an optical connection. In the example of FIG. 2 , an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B is checked. Note that optical fibers 7 and 8 are provided between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B. In this case, the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E generates monitor light using a light source (LD) 11 , and transmits the monitor light to the multicast switch unit 4 B through the optical fiber 7 . The multicast switch unit 4 B loops back the monitor light received from the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. In other words, the multicast switch unit 4 B transmits the monitor light to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E through the optical fiber 8 .

At this point, the controller 6 checks an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B according to a power of the monitor light. A photo detector (PD) 12 detects a power of light received through the optical fiber 7 . A photo detector (PD) 13 detects a power of light transmitted through the optical fiber 8 . A photo detector (PD) 14 detects a power of light received through the optical fiber 8 . Then, the controller 6 checks a connection made by the optical fiber 7 according to a difference between an output power of the monitor light that is measured in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and a reception power of the monitor light that is measured in the multicast switch unit 4 B. Specifically, when the difference is smaller than a specified threshold, it is determined that the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B are appropriately connected by the optical fiber 7 . Likewise, the controller 6 checks a connection made by the optical fiber 8 according to a difference between an output power of the monitor light that is measured in the multicast switch unit 4 B and a reception power of the monitor light that is measured in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. Specifically, when the difference is smaller than the specified threshold, it is determined that the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B are appropriately connected by the optical fiber 8 .

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . The wavelength selective switch unit 2 includes a plurality of optical ports P 1 and P 11 on the network side and a plurality of optical ports P 2 -P 7 and P 12 -P 17 on the client side. However, the number of optical ports on the client side that are included in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 3 .

The wavelength selective switch unit 2 receives an optical signal from a corresponding degree via the optical port P 1 , and outputs an optical signal to a corresponding degree via the optical port P 11 . The optical ports P 2 -P 7 and P 12 -P 17 are respectively connected to the multicast switch unit 4 or to another wavelength selective switch unit 2 . The wavelength selective switch unit 2 outputs an optical signal to the multicast switch unit 4 or to another wavelength selective switch unit 2 via one of the optical ports P 2 -P 7 , and receives an optical signal from the multicast switch unit 4 or from another wavelength selective switch unit 2 via one of the optical ports P 12 -P 17 .

The wavelength selective switch unit 2 includes wavelength selective switches 21 and 22 , an optical switch 23 , an optical channel monitor (OCM) 24 , and a monitor light transceiver 25 . The wavelength selective switch 21 separates a WDM optical signal received via the optical port P 1 with respect to the wavelength, and guides an optical signal of a specified wavelength to a specified one or a plurality of the optical ports P 2 -P 7 .

For example, it is assumed that the multicast switch unit 4 A is connected to the optical port P 3 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 . It is also assumed that an instruction to guide optical signals of wavelength channels λ 1 -λ 3 (hereinafter referred to as optical signals λ 1 -λ 3 ) to the multicast switch unit 4 A is given to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . In this case, the wavelength selective switch 21 selects the optical signals λ 1 -λ 3 from a received WDM optical signal and guides them to the optical port P 3 . By doing this, the multicast switch unit 4 A receives the optical signals λ 1 -λ 3 .

The wavelength selective switch 22 combines optical signals received via the optical ports P 12 -P 17 so as to guide them to the optical port P 11 . However, the wavelength selective switch 22 can block an optical signal of a specified wavelength.

Each of the optical signals output from the wavelength selective switch 21 is split by a corresponding optical splitter (SPL) and guided to the optical switch 23 . Each of the optical signals received via the optical ports P 12 -P 17 is also split by a corresponding optical splitter (SPL) and guided to the optical switch 23 . The optical switch 23 sequentially selects the input optical signals and guides them to the optical channel monitor 24 . The optical channel monitor 24 monitors a power of an optical signal guided from the optical switch 23 . In other words, the optical channel monitor 24 can monitor a power of each optical signal output to the multicast switch unit 4 and a power of each optical signal received from the multicast switch unit 4 .

The optical channel monitor 24 can measure a power of each wavelength channel multiplexed in a WDM optical signal. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A , when wavelength channels λ 1 -λn are multiplexed in a WDM optical signal, the optical channel monitor 24 can measure powers of the wavelength channels λ 1 -λn individually. However, it is assumed that, in this example, the optical channel monitor 24 can measure an optical power in a signal band allocated to the WDM optical signal.

The monitor light transceiver 25 generates monitor light used to check an optical connection between units in the CDC-ROADM 1 . The monitor light output from the monitor light transceiver 25 is combined with a received WDM optical signal by an optical coupler (CPL) and input to the wavelength selective switch 21 . The wavelength selective switch 21 guides the monitor light to an optical port that corresponds to a unit whose optical connection is to be checked.

For example, it is assumed that the multicast switch unit 4 B is connected to the optical port P 5 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 . It is also assumed that an instruction to check an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 and the multicast switch unit 4 B is given to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . In this case, the wavelength selective switch 21 guides the monitor light output from the monitor light transceiver 25 to the optical port P 5 . This monitor light is propagated to the multicast switch unit 4 B through the optical fiber 7 illustrated in FIG. 2 . The multicast switch unit 4 B loops back this monitor light. In other words, the monitor light transmitted from the multicast switch unit 4 B to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 is propagated through the optical fiber 8 illustrated in FIG. 2 and arrives at the optical port P 15 .

In the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , the monitor light guided from the wavelength selective switch 21 to the optical port P 5 is split by an optical splitter and guided to the optical channel monitor 24 by the optical switch 23 . In other words, a power of the monitor light output to the multicast switch unit 4 B may be measured by the optical channel monitor 24 . The monitor light received via the optical port P 15 is split by an optical splitter and guided to the optical channel monitor 24 by the optical switch 23 . In other words, a power of the monitor light received from the multicast switch unit 4 B may be measured by the optical channel monitor 24 . Alternatively, the monitor light received via the optical port P 15 may be guided to the monitor light transceiver 25 by the wavelength selective switch 22 . In this case, the power of the monitor light received from the multicast switch unit 4 B is measured by the monitor light transceiver 25 . Then, the controller 6 checks an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 ( 2 E) and the multicast switch unit 4 ( 4 B) using results of these measurements.

As described above, the optical channel monitor 24 can measure an optical power in a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal. Thus, in a configuration in which a power of monitor light is measured using the optical channel monitor 24 , monitor light needs to be allocated in a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal. For example, monitor light is allocated to an unused wavelength channel from among the wavelength channels λ 1 -λn of a WDM optical signal. Then, while operating, the CDC-ROADM 1 can check an optical connection between units in the CDC-ROADM 1 using the unused wavelength channel. In the example of FIG. 4 , the CDC-ROADM 1 can check an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B while providing a communication service to a client accommodated in the multicast switch unit 4 A.

However, in this configuration, when all of the wavelength channels λ 1 -λn of a WDM optical signal are in use, the CDC-ROADM 1 is not able to check an optical connection between units using monitor light. For example, it is assumed that a received WDM optical signal includes optical signals λ 1 -λn and that the wavelength of monitor light is λn. In this case, the wavelength selective switch 21 is not able to guide the optical signal λn and the monitor light to different optical ports. In the example of FIG. 4 , when the wavelength selective switch 21 guides the optical signal λn to the optical port P 3 , the monitor light is also guided to the optical port P 3 .

In the configuration of FIG. 3 , the following problems may occur.

(1) Monitor light received from the multicast switch unit 4 is output to the network via the optical port P 11 together with an optical signal transmitted from a client. In this case, the quality of an optical signal multiplexed in a WDM optical signal may be deteriorated.

(2) When the wavelength of a monitor light is used by an optical signal, the wavelength selective switch 22 blocks the monitor light in order to output the optical signal to the network. Thus, it is not possible to measure a power of the monitor light using the monitor light transceiver 25 .

In order to solve these problems, a CDC-ROADM according to the embodiments of the present invention checks an optical connection between units using monitor light of a wavelength allocated outside of a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal.

Embodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 implemented in a CDC-ROADM according to the embodiments of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 6 , the wavelength selective switch unit 2 includes a monitor light transceiver 31 , wavelength selective switches 32 and 33 , the optical switch 23 , and the optical channel monitor 24 . The optical switch 23 and the optical channel monitor 24 are substantially the same in FIGS. 3 and 6 , so their descriptions are omitted. Further, as in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 , the wavelength selective switch unit 2 includes the optical ports P 1 and P 11 on the network side and the optical ports P 2 -P 7 and P 12 -P 17 on the client side.

The monitor light transceiver 31 generates and outputs monitor light, as does the monitor light transceiver 25 illustrated in FIG. 3 . However, as illustrated in FIG. 5B , the monitor light transceiver 31 generates monitor light of a wavelength λx allocated outside of a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal. The monitor light of a wavelength λx may hereinafter be referred to as a “monitor light λx”. The monitor light transceiver 31 is realized by, for example, an SFP/XFP-type module.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a configuration of the monitor light transceiver 31 . In the example of FIG. 7 , the monitor light transceiver 31 includes a light source (LD) 41 , a photo detector (PD) 42 , a photo detector (PD) 43 , a memory 44 , and a calculator 45 . The light source 41 generates monitor light of a wavelength λx allocated outside of a signal band. The wavelength λx of the monitor light may be longer or shorter than a signal band λ 1 -λn. The photo detector 42 detects a power of the monitor light output from the light source 41 . The photo detector 43 detects a power of monitor light received from another unit (in the example FIG. 2 , the multicast switch unit 4 B). The memory 44 stores power loss information that will be described later. The calculator 45 calculates an output power of monitor light at each of the output ports (P 2 -P 7 ) of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 according to the power of the monitor light detected by the photo detector 42 and the power loss information stored in the memory 44 . The calculator 45 calculates a reception power of monitor light at each of the input ports (P 12 -P 17 ) of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 according to the power of the monitor light detected by the photo detector 43 and the power loss information stored in the memory 44 . The calculator 45 is realized by a processor that executes a given program. However, some of the functions of the calculator 45 may be realized by a hardware circuit.

In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 , the calculator 45 is implemented in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. In other words, the processor that calculates a power of monitor light may be provided outside the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . Further, in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 , the power loss information is stored in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. In other words, the memory that stores the power loss information may be provided outside the wavelength selective switch unit 2 .

The wavelength selective switch 32 includes two input ports (Q 1 and Q 0 ) and a plurality of output ports (Q 2 -Q 7 ). The input port Q 1 is optically connected to the optical port P 1 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , and the output ports Q 2 -Q 7 are optically connected to the optical ports P 2 -P 7 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , respectively. A WDM optical signal received via the optical port P 1 is guided to the input port Q 1 . Then, the wavelength selective switch 32 guides an optical signal of a specified wavelength in this WDM optical signal to a specified output port (Q 2 -Q 7 ). Further, monitor light generated by the monitor light transceiver 31 is input to the input port Q 0 . The wavelength selective switch 32 can guide this monitor light to a specified output port (Q 2 -Q 7 ).

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the wavelength selective switch 32 . In the example of FIG. 8 , the wavelength selective switch 32 includes an optical block 51 and a mirror circuit 52 . The optical block 51 includes, for example, a grating and a lens, and it separates input light with respect to wavelength and guides each input light to a corresponding mirror. The mirror circuit 52 includes mirrors M 1 -Mn and Mx that are provided for each wavelength. The mirrors M 1 -Mn and Mx are provided for the wavelengths λ 1 -λn and λx, respectively. An angle of each of the mirrors M 1 -Mn is controlled according to a path controlling instruction. An angle of the mirror Mx is controlled according to a connection checking instruction. The path controlling instruction and the connection checking instruction are, for example, given by the controller 6 illustrated in FIG. 1 .

In the example of FIG. 8 , a WDM optical signal that includes optical signals λ 1 -λ 3 is input to the wavelength selective switch 32 via the input port Q 1 . This WDM optical signal is guided to the optical block 51 . The optical block 51 separates the WDM optical signal with respect to wavelength and guides the optical signals λ 1 -λ 3 to the mirrors M 1 -M 3 , respectively. Here, it is assumed that the following path controlling instructions have been given to the wavelength selective switch 32 .

Optical signal λ 1 : output via the optical port P 2 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2

Optical signal λ 2 : output via the optical port P 3 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2

Optical signal λ 3 : output via the optical port P 3 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2

In this case, according to the path controlling instruction, the mirror circuit 52 controls the mirror M 1 such that the optical signal λ 1 is guided to the output port Q 2 , and controls the mirrors M 2 and M 3 such that the optical signals λ 2 and λ 3 are guided to the output port Q 3 . As a result, the optical signal λ 1 is output via the output port Q 2 and the optical port P 2 . The optical signals λ 2 and λ 3 are output via the output port Q 3 and the optical port P 3 .

Monitor light λx input to the wavelength selective switch 32 via the input port Q 0 is guided to the mirror Mx by the optical block 51 . Here, it is assumed that the connection checking instruction “check an optical connection at the optical port P 5 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 ” is given to the wavelength selective switch 32 . In this case, according to the connection checking instruction, the mirror circuit 52 controls the mirror Mx such that the monitor light is guided to the output port Q 5 . As a result, the monitor light λx is output via the output port Q 5 and the optical port P 5 .

The wavelength selective switch 32 may have an attenuation function that adjusts a power of output light of each wavelength channel. For example, the attenuation function controls an attenuation amount for input light such that a power of output light matches a target level. The attenuation amount is controlled by, for example, adjusting an angle of a corresponding mirror of the mirror circuit 52 . In this example, in order to simplify the descriptions, it is assumed that a preferable attenuation amount controlled by the attenuation function of the wavelength selective switch 32 is determined in advance or in its initial operation. In this case, a parameter to realize a preferable attenuation amount may be set in a controller (not illustrated) that controls a state of the wavelength selective switch 32 and may be stored in the memory 44 . For example, this parameter indicates an angle of a corresponding mirror.

The wavelength selective switch 33 includes two output ports (Q 11 and Q 10 ) and a plurality of input ports (Q 12 -Q 17 ). The output port Q 11 is optically connected to the optical port P 11 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , and the input ports Q 12 -Q 17 are optically connected to the optical ports P 12 -P 17 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 , respectively. The wavelength selective switch 33 guides optical signals input via the input ports Q 12 -Q 17 to the output port Q 11 . Then, these optical signals are combined in the wavelength selective switch 33 to be output. However, the wavelength selective switch 33 guides input light to the output port Q 10 when the wavelength of the input light is λx. In other words, when monitor light λx is input via one of the input ports Q 12 -Q 17 , the wavelength selective switch 33 outputs the monitor light λx via the output port Q 10 . The monitor light λx output via the output port Q 10 is guided to the monitor light transceiver 31 .

As in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 , the wavelength selective switch 33 includes, for example, an optical block and a mirror circuit. In other words, the configuration and the operation of the wavelength selective switch 33 are similar to those of the wavelength selective switch 32 . Thus, the descriptions of the configuration and the operation of the wavelength selective switch 33 are omitted.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate examples of power loss information. The power loss information includes output power loss information used to calculate an output power and reception power loss information used to calculate a reception power. The output power loss information and the reception power loss information are stored in the memory 44 .

As illustrated in FIG. 9A , the output power loss information represents a route loss for each of the optical ports P 2 -P 7 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . The route loss in the output power loss information represents an optical power loss of a route from the monitor light transceiver 31 to a corresponding optical port. For example, a route loss that corresponds to the optical port P 2 represents an optical power loss when light is transmitted from the monitor light transceiver 31 to the optical port P 2 . The output power loss information may be obtained by inputting reference light of a wavelength λx to the input port Q 0 of the wavelength selective switch 32 and measuring a power of the reference light at each of the optical ports P 2 -P 7 , for example. In this case, it is assumed that the power of the reference light input to the wavelength selective switch 32 is known.

With respect to each of the optical ports P 2 -P 7 , a route loss is measured for a parameter to adjust an attenuation amount when the wavelength selective switch 32 has an attenuation function. For example, this parameter represents a setting value to control an angle of a mirror of the wavelength selective switch 32 . In the example of FIG. 9A , “parameter: 0” represents a state in which an attenuation amount is controlled at minimum by an attenuation function. Note that “parameter: 1” through “parameter: 10” are obtained for different attenuation amount.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B , the reception power loss information represents a route loss for each of the optical ports P 12 -P 17 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . The route loss in the reception power loss information represents an optical power loss of a route from a corresponding optical port to the monitor light transceiver 31 . For example, a route loss that corresponds to the optical port P 12 represents an optical power loss when light is transmitted from the optical port P 12 to the monitor light transceiver 31 . The route loss included in the reception power loss information may be obtained by inputting reference light of a wavelength λx via a corresponding optical port and measuring a power of the reference light using the receiver 43 of the monitor light transceiver 31 , for example. In this case, it is assumed that the power of the reference light input via the corresponding optical port is known.

With respect to each of the optical ports P 12 -P 17 , a route loss is measured for a parameter to adjust an attenuation amount when the wavelength selective switch 33 has an attenuation function. For example, this parameter represents a setting value to control an angle of a mirror of the wavelength selective switch 33 . In the example of FIG. 9B , “parameter: 0” represents a state in which an attenuation amount is controlled at minimum by an attenuation function. Note that “parameter: 1” through “parameter: 10” are obtained for different attenuation amount.

As described above, in this example, power loss information is generated by measuring an optical power loss of each route in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 . The generated power loss information is stored in the memory 44 .

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of checking a connection between units in a CDC-ROADM. The wavelength selective switch unit 2 of FIG. 10 corresponds to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E implemented in the CDC-ROADM 1 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The CDC-ROADM 1 provides a communication service to a client accommodated in the multicast switch unit 4 A. In other words, the CDC-ROADM 1 is in operation. Then, an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B is checked. The multicast switch unit 4 A is connected to the optical ports P 3 and P 13 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. It is assumed that the multicast switch unit 4 B is newly connected to the optical ports P 5 and P 15 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E.

When the optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B is checked, the controller 6 gives, to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E, a connection checking instruction that specifies the multicast switch unit 4 B as a target unit. Then, the monitor light transceiver 31 generates monitor light. As described above, the wavelength of the monitor light is allocated outside of a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal. The wavelength selective switch 32 establishes an optical path such that light input to the input port Q 0 is guided to the optical port P 5 . The wavelength selective switch 33 establishes an optical path such that light received from the optical port P 15 is guided to the monitor light transceiver 31 via the output port Q 10 .

As a result of the establishment of the optical paths described above, the monitor light is output via the optical port P 5 . At this point, when the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B are connected appropriately, the monitor light output via the optical port P 5 is transmitted to the multicast switch unit 4 B. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the multicast switch unit 4 B loops back this monitor light. In other words, the multicast switch unit 4 B transmits the monitor light to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. Then, the monitor light received via the optical port P 15 in the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E is guided to the monitor light transceiver 31 by the wavelength selective switch 33 .

At this point, according to an output signal of the photo detector 42 , the calculator 45 detects a power (P_out_LD) of the monitor light output from the light source 41 . Further, according to an output signal of the photo detector 43 , the calculator 45 detects a power (P_in_PD) of the monitor light received by the monitor light transceiver 31 .

According to the power (P_out_LD) of the monitor light output from the light source 41 and the power loss information stored in the memory 44 , the calculator 45 calculates an output power (P_out_port) of the monitor light at an edge (that is, an optical port) of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. Here, it is assumed that the operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 (here, an attenuation amount) is adjusted in advance. In this example, it is assumed that the operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 is adjusted according to “parameter: 1”. The monitor light is output via the optical port P 5 . Thus, in the example of FIG. 9A , the route loss is 5.3 dB. In this case, the output power (P_out_port) of the monitor light at the optical port P 5 is calculated using the following formula.

P _out_port= P _out_ LD −5.3

Then, the calculator 45 reports a result of this calculation to the controller 6 .

The controller 6 detects a reception power (P_ 12 ) of the monitor light in the multicast switch unit 4 B using the photo detector 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 . Then, the controller 6 checks an optical connection between the optical port P 5 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B according to a difference between the output power (P_out_port) of the monitor light that is calculated by the calculator 45 and the reception power (P_ 12 ) of the monitor light in the multicast switch unit 4 B. Specifically, when the difference is smaller than a specified threshold, the controller 6 determines that the optical port P 5 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B are appropriately connected by the optical fiber 7 .

According to the power (P_in_PD) of the monitor light received by the monitor light transceiver 31 and the power loss information stored in the memory 44 , the calculator 45 calculates a reception power (P_in_port) of the monitor light at an edge (that is, an optical port) of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E. Here, it is assumed that the operational state of the wavelength selective switch 33 (here, an attenuation amount) is adjusted in advance. In this example, it is assumed that the operational state of the wavelength selective switch 33 is adjusted according to “parameter: 1”. The monitor light arrives at the optical port P 15 . Thus, in the example of FIG. 9B , the route loss is 6.4 dB. In this case, the reception power (P_in_port) of the monitor light at the optical port P 15 is calculated using the following formula.

P _in_port= P _in_ PD +6.4

Then, the calculator 45 reports a result of this calculation to the controller 6 .

The controller 6 detects an output power (P_ 13 ) of the monitor light in the multicast switch unit 4 B using the photo detector 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 . Then, the controller 6 checks an optical connection between the optical port P 15 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B according to a difference between the reception power (P_in_port) of the monitor light that is calculated by the calculator 45 and the output power (P_ 13 ) of the monitor light in the multicast switch unit 4 B. Specifically, when the difference is smaller than the specified threshold, the controller 6 determines that the optical port P 15 of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 E and the multicast switch unit 4 B are appropriately connected by the optical fiber 8 .

As described above, in the CDC-ROADM 1 according to the embodiments, a wavelength of monitor light is allocated outside of a signal band allocated to a WDM optical signal. Thus, even if all of the wavelength channels in the WDM optical signal are in use, it is possible to check a connection between units in the CDC-ROADM 1 . In other words, the CDC-ROADM 1 can check an optical connection at an unused port while it is in service. For example, in the example of FIG. 10 , data communication is being performed via the optical ports P 3 and P 13 . In this case, the CDC-ROADM 1 can check an optical connection at each of the optical ports P 2 , P 4 -P 7 , P 12 , and P 14 -P 17 without stopping the data communication that is being performed via the optical ports P 3 and P 13 .

The wavelength of monitor light is allocated outside of a signal band, so there is a possibility that it will not be possible to detect a power of the monitor light using the optical channel monitor 24 . Thus, an output power and a reception power of the monitor light are measured using the photo detectors 42 and 43 , respectively. Further, power loss information that indicates a route loss in the CDC-ROADM 1 is created in advance. Then, powers of the monitor light at output/input ports of the wavelength selective switch unit 2 are calculated according to measurement values and the power loss information that indicates a route loss in the CDC-ROADM 1 . As a result, the powers of the monitor light at the output/input ports can be calculated with a high degree of accuracy without directly measuring the powers of the monitor light at the output/input ports. If a wavelength range in which the optical channel monitor 24 can perform monitoring is extended, it may be possible to directly measure powers of monitor light at output/input ports. However, in this case, the optical channel monitor 24 will be more expensive.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for calculating an output power of monitor light. Processing in this flowchart is performed, for example, when a connection checking instruction that specifies a target unit (in the example described above, the multicast switch unit 4 ) is given from the controller 6 to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 .

In S 1 , the monitor light transceiver 31 outputs monitor light. Here, according to a connection checking instruction, the wavelength selective switch 32 establishes a path such that the monitor light is guided to a target unit. In the descriptions related to FIG. 11 , an optical port that corresponds to the target unit may be referred to as a “measured port”.

In S 2 , the photo detector 42 measures an output power of the monitor light output from the monitor light transceiver 31 . Then, the calculator 45 obtains a result of the measurement. In S 3 , the calculator 45 obtains a route loss value that corresponds to a measured port from the memory 44 . In the example of FIG. 10 , the calculator 45 obtains a route loss value that corresponds to the optical port P 5 . Here, the route loss value that corresponds to the optical port P 5 is extracted from a table that corresponds to a parameter specifying an operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 . In S 4 , the calculator 45 subtracts the route loss value obtained in S 3 from an output power value obtained in S 2 , so as to calculate an output power of the monitor light at the measured port. Then, in S 5 , the calculator 45 reports a result of the calculation to the controller 6 .

FIG. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for calculating a reception power of monitor light. Processing in this flowchart is also performed, for example, when a connection checking instruction that specifies a target unit is given from the controller 6 to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 .

In S 11 , the monitor light transceiver 31 outputs monitor light. However, when the monitor light is generated in another unit, the monitor light transceiver 31 does not have to generate the monitor light. According to a connection checking instruction, the wavelength selective switch 33 establishes a path such that the monitor light received from a target unit is guided to the monitor light transceiver 31 . In the descriptions related to FIG. 12 , an optical port that corresponds to the target unit may be referred to as a “measured port”.

In S 12 , the photo detector 43 measures a reception power of the monitor light guided from the wavelength selective switch 33 . Then, the calculator 45 obtains a result of the measurement. In S 13 , the calculator 45 obtains a route loss value that corresponds to a measured port from the memory 44 . In the example of FIG. 10 , the calculator 45 obtains a route loss value that corresponds to the optical port P 15 . Here, the route loss value that corresponds to the optical port P 15 is extracted from a table that corresponds to a parameter specifying an operational state of the wavelength selective switch 33 . In S 14 , the calculator 45 adds the route loss value obtained in S 13 to a reception power value obtained in S 12 , so as to calculate a reception power of the monitor light at the measured port. Then, in S 15 , the calculator 45 reports a result of the calculation to the controller 6 .

In the example described above, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B , a route loss is measured in advance for a parameter that represents an operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 , 33 . Then, a corresponding pass loss value is selected according to the operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 , 33 . However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. For example, when a correspondence relationship between the parameter that represents an operational state of the wavelength selective switch 32 , 33 and an attenuation amount in the wavelength selective switch 32 , 33 is known, a route loss is measured for a certain parameter (for example, a parameter that minimizes the attenuation amount). Then, when the calculator 45 calculates a power of monitor light at output/input ports, the calculator 45 may correct a route loss value stored in the memory 44 according to the parameter that has actually been set for the wavelength selective switch 32 , 33 .

In the example described above, a WDM optical signal received from a network and monitor light generated by the monitor light transceiver 31 are input to different ports (Q 1 and Q 0 ) of the wavelength selective switch 32 , but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this configuration. In other words, for example, the received WDM optical signal and the monitor light may be combined by an optical coupler so as to be input to the same port of the wavelength selective switch 32 .

Another Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the controller 6 collects information indicating a power of monitor light from each unit (the wavelength selective switch unit 2 and the multicast switch unit 4 ), and checks an optical connection between units according to the collected information. On the other hand, in an embodiment below, the wavelength selective switch unit 2 checks an optical connection with a target unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a method for checking a connection between units according to another embodiment. Processing in this flowchart is also performed, for example, when a connection checking instruction that specifies a target unit is given from the controller 6 to the wavelength selective switch unit 2 .

The process of S 21 is substantially the same as the processes of S 1 -S 4 illustrated in FIG. 11 . In other words, the calculator 45 calculates an output power of monitor light at a measured port. The process of S 22 is substantially the same as the processes of S 12 - 14 illustrated in FIG. 12 . In other words, the calculator 45 calculates a reception power of the monitor light at a measured port. In the example of FIG. 10 , an output power of monitor light at the optical port P 5 and a reception power of the monitor light at the optical port P 15 are calculated in S 21 and S 22 .

In S 23 , according to a difference between the output power obtained in S 21 and the reception power obtained in S 22 , the calculator 45 determines whether an optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 and a target unit is normal. Specifically, when the difference is smaller than the specified threshold, the calculator 45 determines that the optical connection between the wavelength selective switch unit 2 and the target unit is normal. Then, the calculator 45 reports a result of the determination to the controller 6 .

All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.