Patent ID: 12199674

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred example embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Example Embodiment

First, a description will be given of a light transmission device according to a first example embodiment of the present invention and a control method of the same.FIG.1is a configuration diagram for explaining the light transmission device according to the first example embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is a block diagram for explaining a more specific configuration of a control unit4inFIG.1, and is a flowchart for explaining processing to be executed by the control unit4.

(Configuration of Light Transmission Device)

FIG.1illustrates an optical communication device as an example of a light transmission device that transmits/receives an optical signal via an optical fiber network. An optical communication device1inFIG.1is a light transmission device provided with four ports, the light transmission device serving as an example of a light transmission device provided with ports to be mounted with optical modules which transmit optical signals. The optical communication device1is a transponder device. The optical communication device1inFIG.1has the control unit4including a central processing unit (CPU)4xand a memory4y.

The central processing unit (CPU)4xhas a function of executing control of the optical communication device1and optical modules6to9.

The memory4yincludes programs of a storage unit4a, an acquisition unit4b, a determination unit4c, and an execution unit4dinFIG.2, which operate on the CPU4x.

On an upper side ofFIG.1, the optical communication device1in an unmounted state with optical modules is illustrated, and on a lower side ofFIG.1, the optical communication device1in a state in which the optical modules6to9are mounted on four ports is illustrated. Herein, it is assumed that the optical module6is an optical module by a vendor A, that the optical module7is an optical module by a vendor B, that the optical module8is an optical module by a vendor C, and that the optical module9is an optical module by another vendor different from the vendors A to C.

The optical modules6to9are pluggable optical modules having a configuration insertable into and removable from the ports of the optical communication device1, and are optical transceivers. The optical modules6to9convert, into optical signals, data signals (electrical signals) input via the optical communication device1, and output the optical signals to the outside. The optical modules6to9also have control units, which are not illustrated, inside, and transfer control signals with the control unit4of the optical communication device1. As types of the pluggable optical modules, there are a 100G form-factor pluggable (CFP), a small form-factor pluggable (SFP), a quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP), and the like.

As in the flowchart on a lower side ofFIG.2, the control unit4of the optical communication device1sequentially implements acquisition processing (S1) of acquiring identification information of the optical module to be mounted, determination processing (S2) of determining, from the acquired identification information of the optical module, a processing sequence associated to the identification information of the optical module, and execution processing (S3) of executing the determined processing sequence for the optical module. Thus, for the optical module mounted on the light transmission device, the control unit4of the optical communication device1can implement the processing sequence in accordance with the identification information of the optical module. Herein, the processing sequence is processing or an order of pieces of processing when there are a plurality of pieces of processing.

A control program of the light transmission device, the control program achieving the above-described acquisition processing, the above-described determination processing, and the above-described execution processing, can be distributed in a form of a computer-readable recording medium. This program can be distributed in a form of a general-purpose semiconductor recording device such as a compact flash (CF (registered trademark)) and a secure digital (SD), a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, an optical recording medium such as a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), or the like.

As the identification information of the optical modules, single information or a combination of plural pieces of information can be used. In the present example embodiment, a description will be given below of a case of using vendor information of the optical modules as an example of the identification information of the optical modules. As the identification information of the optical modules, there can be used information other than the vendor information, such as product names, product numbers, and model numbers of the optical modules.

The processing sequence to be executed for the optical module each of which converts a data signal (an electrical signal) into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the outside includes a boot sequence, a wavelength switching sequence, and the like. Herein, an order of executing the processing which constitutes the boot sequence is not prescribed in the group standard, and differs for each manufacturing vendor of the optical modules.

The control unit4of the optical communication device1reads, into the memory4yinFIG.1, the program for achieving the above-described acquisition processing, the above-described determination processing, and the above-described execution processing, and the CPU4xsequentially executes the above-described acquisition processing, the above-described determination processing, and the above-described execution processing. In this way, as in the configuration diagram on the upper side ofFIG.2, the control unit4of the optical communication device1achieves functions of the storage unit4a, the acquisition unit4b, the determination unit4c, and the execution unit4d.

The storage unit4astores a table in which the vendor information (vendor IDs) and the processing sequences (processing orders) are associated with each other. The acquisition unit4bacquires the vendor information of the optical modules6to9mounted on the ports of the optical communication device1. As for the acquisition of the vendor information (vendor IDs) by the acquisition unit4b, specifically, when the optical modules6to9are connected, the vendor information may be acquired from control units provided in the optical modules, or input of the vendor information may be received from the outside. With reference to the acquired vendor information and the table, the determination unit4cdetermines a processing sequence to be executed. The execution unit4dexecutes determined processing sequences for the optical modules6to9.

FIG.3is a diagram illustrating an example of a decision table to be referred to for determining the processing sequence from the vendor identification (ID) as an example of the identification information of the optical module.

The decision table ofFIG.3is a decision table for multi-vendor control. In the decision table ofFIG.3, for the vendor A, the vendor B, the vendor C and the another as the vendor IDs, the processing sequences to be executed for the optical modules are held in such a way as to make pairs therewith. In other words, in the decision table ofFIG.3, each of the processing sequences is stored in association with each of the vendor IDs of the optical modules. In the decision table ofFIG.3, for each vendor ID, information regarding first processing, second processing, third processing, and fourth processing is held. It is also conceived that the decision table ofFIG.3can be configured inside of the memory4yof the control unit4inFIG.1, or can be configured inside of the CPU4xof the control unit4, or can be configured outside of the control unit4inFIG.1.

(Operation of Light Transmission Device)

Next, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an operation of the light transmission device and switching and execution of the processing sequence associated to the vendor of the optical module to be mounted.FIG.4is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the light transmission device according to the present example embodiment.FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing sequences to be executed for each of the optical modules6to9of the light transmission device according to the present example embodiment.

For example, when the optical modules6to9are mounted on the ports, the control unit4of the optical communication device1reads vendor IDs written into the optical modules6to9and held by the optical modules6to9(S61). Next, the control unit4of the optical communication device1collates the read vendor IDs with the decision table ofFIG.3, and determines the processing sequences which are control processing orders associated to the read vendor IDs (S62). Next, the control unit4of the optical communication device1executes the determined processing sequences for each of the vendors (S63). In the optical communication device1inFIG.1, for the optical module6, the control unit4executes the processing sequence for the vendor A (S64), and for the optical module7, executes the processing sequence for the vendor B (S65). For the optical module8, the control unit4executes the processing sequence for the vendor C (S66), and for the optical module9, executes the processing sequence for the another vendor (S67). Each of the optical modules6to9mounted on the optical communication device1and thus subjected to the processing sequences can start a conversion function between the electrical signal and the optical signal.

(Effect of Light Transmission Device)

According to the light transmission device of the present example embodiment, it can be configured in such a way that the processing sequences are switchable in accordance with the vendors of the optical modules to be mounted. The light transmission device according to the present example embodiment is configured in such a way as to be capable of storing the processing sequences for each of the vendors in the decision table and referring to the processing sequences associated to the acquired vendor information. In this way, it becomes possible to execute the appropriate processing sequence even when the vendor of the optical module to be connected is changed or when a plurality of the vendors are present.

Thus, even when a user of the light transmission device changes the optical module, and the manufacturing vendor of the changed optical module differs from the manufacturing vendor of the optical module connected when the operation is started, the control unit4can cause the optical module to execute a processing sequence optimum for the optical module. Thus, the light transmission device can be operated while avoiding an activation-disabled state of the optical module and further causing the changed optical module to exert expected maximum performance.

Second Example Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of a light transmission device according to a second example embodiment of the present invention and a control method of the same.FIG.6is a configuration diagram for explaining the light transmission device according to the second example embodiment of the present invention.

(Configuration of Light Transmission Device)

FIG.6illustrates an optical communication device as an example of the light transmission device that transmits/receives an optical signal via an optical fiber network. As in the first example embodiment, an optical communication device1inFIG.6is a light transmission device provided with four ports, the light transmission device serving as an example of the light transmission device provided with ports to be mounted with optical modules which transmit optical signals. As in the first example embodiment, the optical communication device1inFIG.6has a control unit4including a CPU4xand a memory4y. As in the first example embodiment, by the CPU and the memory, the control unit4achieves functions equivalent to those of the storage unit4a, the acquisition unit4b, the determination unit4c, and the execution unit4d.

The optical communication device1inFIG.6further includes the CPU4x, a main signal control chip (#1)10, a main signal control chip (#2)11, a main signal control chip (#3)12, and a main signal control chip (#4)13. The optical communication device1inFIG.6is capable of issuing execution instructions of the processing sequences to the main signal control chips10to13and optical modules6to9.

The CPU4xhas functions of executing a program of the control unit in the memory4yand controlling the optical communication device1, the main signal control chips10to13, and the multi-vendor optical modules6to9.

The main signal control chips10to13are provided for each of the optical modules to be mounted on the ports, and control main signals of the optical modules to be mounted on the ports. More specifically, the main signal control chips10to13are digital signal processors (DSPs), and perform digital signal processing for the main signals to be transferred.

Next, with reference toFIG.7, a description will be given of a more detailed configuration of each of the optical modules.FIG.7is a block diagram for explaining more detailed configurations of the main signal control chip and the optical module inFIG.6.FIG.7illustrates one of combinations of the main signal control chips and the optical modules inFIG.6. The main signal control chip10(to13) outputs, to the optical module, the main signal that is an electrical signal to be subjected to photoelectric conversion by the optical module. The optical module6(to9) includes a CPU95therein, and controls internal components (a photoelectric conversion unit90, a power supply unit94, and the like) in accordance with an instruction to execute the processing sequence, the instruction being to be input from the optical communication device1. As illustrated on an upper side ofFIG.7, the optical module6(to9) includes: the photoelectric conversion unit90that converts the electrical signal from the main signal control chip10(to13) into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal; the power supply unit94that supplies a necessary operation power supply to each element in the optical module6(to9); and the CPU95that controls the photoelectric conversion unit90and the power supply unit94.

As illustrated on a center ofFIG.7, the photoelectric conversion unit90of the optical module6(to9) includes: a drive circuit91that amplifies a data signal (electricity) output from the main signal control chip10(to13) in the optical communication device1and generates a drive signal (electricity); a light source unit92that outputs light; and a modulator93that modulates the light from the above-described light source unit92in accordance with the above-described applied drive signal and outputs an optical signal.

As illustrated on a lower side ofFIG.7, a CPU95in the optical module6(to9) is supplied, for example, with a LOWPOWER signal, an RST signal, a TX-DIS signal, and a COMMAND signal, and a control from the optical communication device1to the optical module6(to9) is performed. The LOWPOWER signal is a signal instructing the optical module6(to9) to turn on a power or turn off the power. The RST signal is a signal instructing the optical module6(to9) to perform a reboot operation, i.e., to perform an operation of initializing a status and data in the optical module6(to9). The TX-DIS signal is a signal instructing the optical module to stop sending the optical signal therefrom. The COMMAND signal is a signal issuing an instruction to the function to be executed by the optical module6(to9), and for example, the signal includes an instruction to switch a wavelength of the optical signal, an instruction to change a light output intensity of the optical signal, an instruction to change an operation mode, and the like.

Moreover, the main signal control chip10(to13) is also supplied with the LOWPOWER signal, and a control from the optical communication device1to the main signal control chip10(to13) is performed. For example, the control unit4of the optical communication device1commands the main signal control chip10(to13) to make transition to a Low Power state, and the main signal control chip10(to13) turns to a power-off state. The control unit4of the optical communication device1commands the main signal control chip10(to13) to release the Low Power state, and the main signal control chip10(to13) turns to a power-on state.

The controls for the optical module6(to9) and the main signal control chip10(to13) by the LOWPOWER signal, the RST signal, the TX-DIS signal, and the COMMAND signal may be issued as instructions via hardware pins provided in the optical module6(to9) and the main signal control chip10(to13).

(Operation of Light Transmission Device)

Next, with reference to the drawing, a description will be given of an operation of the light transmission device and switching and execution of the processing sequence associated to the vendor of the optical module to be mounted. The optical communication device1in the present example embodiment is different from that in the first example embodiment in that this optical communication device1includes the main signal control chips10to13, and that the control unit4of the optical communication device1causes a pair of the main signal control chip10and the optical module6to execute the processing sequence.

FIG.8is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing sequence to be executed for each of the optical modules6and7of the light transmission device according to the second example embodiment. As in the first example embodiment, the control unit4of the optical communication device1sequentially implements an acquisition processing of acquiring identification information of the optical module to be mounted, determination processing of determining, from the acquired identification information of the optical module, a processing sequence associated to the identification information of the optical module, and execution processing of executing the determined processing sequence for the optical module. Thus, for the optical module mounted on the light transmission device, the control unit4of the optical communication device1can implement the processing sequence in accordance with the identification information of the optical module.

Also, in the present example embodiment, it is assumed that a decision table is referred to for the determination processing of determining, from the acquired identification information of the optical module, the processing sequence associated to the identification information of the optical module. In the decision table according to the present example embodiment, although this is not illustrated, it is assumed that contents of the first processing to the seventh processing and processing orders, each of which is associated to each of piece of processing in the flowchart ofFIG.8for example, are held for each vendor ID.

For example, when the optical modules6to9are mounted on the ports, the control unit4of the optical communication device1inFIG.6reads the vendor IDs written into the optical modules6to9and held by the optical modules6to9. Next, the control unit4of the optical communication device1collates the read vendor IDs with the decision table and determines the processing sequence which is a control processing order associated to the read vendor ID. In accordance with the processing sequences thus determined, the processing sequence for the vendor A and the processing sequence for the vendor B are executed. In the flowchart ofFIG.8, for the optical module of the vendor A, a processing sequence of executing processing #1, processing #2, processing #3, processing #4, processing #5, processing #6, and processing #7in this order is illustrated. For the optical module of the vendor B, a processing sequence of executing processing #1, processing #4, processing #5, processing #2, processing #3, processing #6, and processing #7in this order is illustrated.

A brief description will be given of the processing sequence to be executed for the optical module of the vendor A, an example of which is illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.8. First, the control unit4commands the main signal control chip10and the optical module6to make transition to a Low Power state (processing #1). Next, the control unit4commands the optical module6to release the Low Power state (processing #2). Next, the control unit4confirms that the optical module6has made transition to a High Power state (processing #3). Next, the control unit4commands the main signal control chip10to release the Low Power state (processing #4). Next, the control unit4confirms that the main signal control chip has made transition to a High Power state (processing #5). Next, the control unit4commands the optical module6to emit light (processing #6). Next, the control unit4confirms that the optical module6has emitted light (processing #7). Thus, by a series of the control sequence for the main signal control chip10and the optical module6, the control unit4of the optical communication device1can control the optical module6to a state of being capable of outputting an optical signal.

A brief description will be given of the processing sequence to be executed for the optical module of the vendor B, an example of which is illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.8. First, the control unit4commands the main signal control chip11and the optical module7to make transition to a Low Power state (processing #1). Next, the control unit4commands the main signal control chip11to release the Low Power state (processing #4). Next, the control unit4confirms that the main signal control chip11has made transition to a High Power state (processing #5). Next, the control unit4commands the optical module6to release the Low Power state (processing #2). Next, the control unit4confirms that the optical module6has made transition to a High Power state (processing #3). Next, the control unit4commands the optical module6to emit light (processing #6). Next, the control unit4confirms that the optical module6has emitted light (processing #7). Thus, by a series of the control sequence for the main signal control chip11and the optical module7, the control unit4of the optical communication device1can control the optical module7to a state of being capable of outputting an optical signal.

(Effect of Light Transmission Device)

According to the light transmission device according to the present example embodiment, it can be configured in such a way that the processing sequences are switchable in accordance with the vendors of the optical modules to be mounted. The light transmission device according to the present example embodiment is configured in such a way as to be capable of storing the processing sequences for each of the vendors in the decision table and referring to the processing sequences associated to the acquired vendor information. In this way, it becomes possible to execute the appropriate processing sequence even when the vendor of the optical module to be connected is changed or when a plurality of the vendors are present.

Thus, even when a user of the light transmission device changes the optical module, and the manufacturing vendor of the changed optical module becomes different from the manufacturing vendor of the optical module connected when the operation is started, the control unit4can cause the optical module to execute a processing sequence optimum for the optical module. Thus, the light transmission device can be operated while avoiding an activation-disabled state of the optical module and further causing the changed optical module to exert expected maximum performance.

According to the light transmission device according to the present example embodiment, it can be configured in such a way that the processing sequences are switchable for the optical modules and the main signal control chips which control the main signals of the optical modules in accordance with the vendors of the optical modules to be mounted. For combinations of the main signal control chips10to13performing the digital signal processing for the main signals thus transferred, and the optical modules6to9, the control unit4can execute optimal processing sequences for the main signal control chips and the optical modules. Thus, the light transmission device can be operated while avoiding the activation-disabled state of the optical module and further causing the changed optical module to exert expected maximum performance.

Other Example Embodiments

The preferred example embodiments of the present invention have been described above; however, the present invention is not limited to these.

In the first example embodiment, it has been described that there is used the decision table in which vendor IDs and processing sequences to be executed for optical modules are held in such a way as to make pairs; however, the form of the table is not limited to this. For example, tables may be held for each type of the processing sequences, and a table to be referred to may be changed in accordance with a type of a control sequence to be executed. When not only the vendor ID but also the type is referred to, it may be configured to have a table for each type.

In the above-mentioned first example embodiment and second example embodiment, the processing sequences to be executed are determined with reference to the acquired vendor information and the decision table; however, for the determination of the processing sequences, a method other than the reference of the decision table is also conceived. For example, it is also conceived to configure such a logic circuit that the processing sequences to be executed are derived from the vendor information read from the optical modules, and the processing sequences associated to the vendor information are thus executed.

As mentioned above, the vendor information of optical modules may be acquired from the control units provided in the optical modules when the optical modules are connected to the optical communication device1, or an input of the vendor information may be received from outside. The optical communication device1may read the vendor information in accordance with the connection of the optical modules, and start to determine the processing sequences.

Moreover, in actual operations, also assumed is a scene where an optical module of which vendor information is not stored in the decision table is mounted on the optical communication device1. When the vendor information read from the optical module is the vendor information that is not stored in the decision table, the optical communication device1may output an alarm. In the decision table ofFIG.3, those of which the vendor to IDs are the vendor A, the vendor B, and the vendor C are individually held, and that of which the vendor ID is another is held. It can be considered that vendors other than the vendor A, the vendor B, and the vendor C are commonly subjected to the processing sequence associated to the another. On assumption of a scene where the vendor information read from the optical module is not stored in the decision table, a processing sequence to be applied to such an unregistered vendor may be stored in the table, and then, this processing sequence may be executed.

For the purpose of storing the processing sequence for the unregistered vendor information in the table, the optical communication device1may have an interface for registering the processing sequence by an external device.

The whole or part of the example embodiments disclosed above can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

(Supplementary Note 1) A light transmission device provided with a port to be mounted with an optical module that transmits an optical signal, the light transmission device including: a storage means for holding a table in which a processing sequence associated to each piece of identification information of the optical module is stored; and a control means for acquiring identification information of a mounted optical module, determining a processing sequence associated to the acquired identification information of the optical module with reference to the table, and executing a determined processing sequence for the optical module.
(Supplementary Note 2) The light transmission device according to supplementary note 1, wherein the control means includes: an acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the optical module to be mounted; a determination means for determining, with reference to the table, a processing sequence associated to the acquired identification information of the optical module; and an execution means for executing, for the optical module, a processing sequence determined by the determination means.
(Supplementary Note 3) The light transmission device according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the table further stores a processing sequence to be executed for an optical module in which the acquired identification information of the optical module is unregistered in the table.
(Supplementary Note 4) The light transmission device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, further including a plurality of ports to be mounted with the optical module, and a main signal control means for controlling a main signal of the optical module for each of the ports.
(Supplementary Note 5) The light transmission device according to supplementary note 4, wherein a processing sequence associated to identification information of the optical module includes first processing of causing both of the main signal control means and the optical module to make transition to a low power mode, second processing of causing the optical module to make transition to a high power mode after the first processing, and third processing of causing the main signal control means to make transition to a high power mode after the second processing.
(Supplementary Note 6) The light transmission device according to supplementary note 4, wherein a processing sequence associated to identification information of the optical module includes first processing of causing both of the main signal control means and the optical module to make transition to a low power mode, second processing of causing the main signal control means to make transition to a high power mode after the first processing, and third processing of causing the optical module to make transition to a high power mode after the second processing.
(Supplementary Note 7) The light transmission device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 6, wherein identification information of the optical module to be mounted includes vendor information of the optical module, the vendor information being held by the optical module.
(Supplementary Note 8) A light transmission system including: the light transmission device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7; and an optical module to be mounted on the port of the light transmission device.
(Supplementary Note 9) A control method of a light transmission device provided with a port to be mounted with an optical module that transmits an optical signal, the control method including: acquiring identification information of a mounted optical module; determining a processing sequence associated to identification information of an optical module from the acquired identification information of the optical module to be mounted; and executing a determined processing sequence for the optical module.
(Supplementary Note 10) The control method of a light transmission device according to supplementary note 9, wherein the determining a processing sequence associated to identification information of the optical module is performed by referring to a table in which a processing sequence associated to each piece of identification information of the optical module is stored.
(Supplementary Note 11) The control method of a light transmission device according to supplementary note 9 or 10, wherein identification information of the optical module to be mounted includes vendor information of the optical module, the vendor information being held by the optical module.
(Supplementary Note 12) A control program of a light transmission device provided with a port to be mounted with an optical module that transmits an optical signal, the control program causing a control unit to execute: acquisition processing of acquiring identification information of a mounted optical module; determination processing of determining a processing sequence associated to identification information of an optical module from the acquired identification information of the optical module to be mounted; and execution processing of executing a determined processing sequence for the optical module.
(Supplementary Note 13) The control program of a light transmission device according to supplementary note 12, wherein determination processing of determining the processing sequence is performed by referring to a table in which a processing sequence associated to each piece of identification information of the optical module is stored.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to example embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2019-59076 filed on Mar. 26, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Optical communication device4Control unit4aStorage unit4bAcquisition unit4cDetermination unit4dExecution unit4xCPU4yMemory6,7,8,9Optical module10,11,12,13Main signal control chip