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  Method and apparatus for supporting operations and maintenance functionality in an optical burst switching networkUSPTO Application #: 20070212065Title: Method and apparatus for supporting operations and maintenance functionality in an optical burst switching network Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting operations and maintenance (“OAM”) functionality in an OBS network is described. One embodiment is an OBS network having OAM functionality, the OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS nodes interconnected via links. Each of the OBS nodes comprises an OAM module (“OAMM”) for processing information regarding OAM functions in the OBS network and a routing manager (“RM”) for processing routing information; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises an OAM/1 wavelength for OAM/1 transmissions between nodes, the OAM/1 transmissions comprising OAM activity information; wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a reference wavelength for providing a wavelength reference to which light generating devices in the OBS network lock; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a routing wavelength for providing routing information between nodes. (end of abstract)
Agent: Alcatel Lucent Intellectual Property & Standards - Plano, TX, US Inventors: Jong-Dug Shin, Saravut Charcranoon, Hakki Candan Cankaya, Tarek S. El-Bawab USPTO Applicaton #: 20070212065 - Class: 398045000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Optical Communications, Multiplex, Optical Switching The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070212065. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) & 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.78 [0001] This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. provisional patent applications entitled: (1) Operation and Maintenance Issues in Optical Burst-Switched Networks, Application No. 60/379,364, filed May 10, 2002, in the names of Jong-Dug Shin, Saravut Charcranoon, Hakki Candan Cankaya, and Tarek S. El-Bawab; and (2) Framework for Operation and Maintenance Procedures in Optical Burst Switched Networks, Application No. 60/382,918, filed May 22, 2002, in the names of Jong-Dug Shin, Saravut Charcranoon, Hakki Candan Cankaya, and Tarek S. El-Bawab, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to optical burst switching ("OBS") networks. More particularly, and not by way of any limitation, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for supporting operations and maintenance ("OAM") functionality in such networks. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] In burst switching technology, such as, in particular, optical burst switching ("OBS") technology, data bursts ("DBs"), each of which is made up of multiple packets, are switched optically at core nodes, or routers, in the OBS network. A small control packet, called the Burst Header Packet ("BHP") travels an offset time ahead of each DB along the same DB route and configures the optical switch for the duration of the DBs at the core node. In short, each BHP travels an offset time ahead of its associated DB and establishes a path for the DB. [0006] Two primary features distinguish OBS networks from other types of optical networks that one must bear in mind with regard to Operations and Maintenance ("OAM") issues in OBS networks. The first is that spectral (i.e., spatial) decoupling is used in transmitting a BHP and the DB associated therewith transparently from ingress to egress edge nodes with possible wavelength conversion for contention resolution at intermediate optical core nodes. As a result, both a proper mechanism to check on correlation between a DB and its associated BHP in the passage from ingress to egress edge nodes and a network-wide wavelength reference to offer wavelength standard to each node are required. Second, temporal decoupling between a BHP and its associated DB, which are modified/updated at each intermediate node, exists. This requires that timing information for each DB and BHP pair must be maintained until they reach the egress OBS edge node. [0007] It is these two distinctive characteristics of OBS networks that may generate another set of OAM requirements and warrant a fresh look into OAM issues in connection with OBS networks. There are several potential OAM implementation problems in OBS networks caused by these features. Such potential problems include out-of-synchronization receipt of BHP and DB, orphan BHPs and DBs, optical switch fabric misconfiguration, burst misrouting, burstification process malfunction, and out of sequence arrival of bursts at the destination edge nodes, to name a few. [0008] Operations and Maintenance ("OAM") architecture can be broken down into four main levels. The first such level is a functional architectural level, in which OAM architecture is considered in relation to OBS functionality. The second such level is a network architectural level, in which all necessary building blocks to provide OAM functionality on a network-wide level are identified along with their defined inter-relationships. The third such level is an informational and communication architectural level. This level addresses a model of communication, as well as an exchanged informational model among entities in the OAM architecture. The last such level is a node architectural level. This level describes how the previous three levels can be realized and integrated into an OBS node so as to achieve OAM objectives. At the node architectural level, the fundamental OAM building blocks needed to carry out OAM functions are provided and their interactions with other parts of the OBS node infrastructure are defined. In contrast to the network architectural level, focus at the node architectural level is on local OAM activities. [0009] Currently in OBS networks, there is a lack of OAM functionality in the edge and core nodes to support performance monitoring, fault management defect and failure detection, and related information dissemination. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides a method and apparatus for supporting OAM functionality in an OBS network. [0011] One embodiment is an optical burst switching ("OBS") network having operation and maintenance ("OAM") functionality, the OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS nodes interconnected via links. Each of the OBS nodes comprises an OAM module ("OAMM") for processing information regarding OAM functions in the OBS network and a routing manager ("RM") for processing routing information; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises an OAM/1 wavelength for OAM/1 transmissions between nodes, the OAM/1 transmissions comprising OAM activity information; wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a reference wavelength for providing a wavelength reference to which light generating devices in the OBS network lock; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a routing wavelength for providing routing information between nodes. [0012] Another embodiment is an OBS node for implementing OAM functionality in an OBS network. The OBS node comprises an OAM module ("OAMM") for processing information regarding OAM functions in the OBS network and a routing manager ("RM") for processing routing information, wherein OAM/1 transmissions comprising OAM activity information are transmitted in the OBS network using an OAM/1 wavelength; wherein a wavelength reference to which light generating devices in the OBS network lock is transmitted in the OBS network using a reference wavelength; and wherein routing information is transmitted in the OBS network using a routing wavelength. [0013] Another embodiment is OAM-capable optical switch fabric ("OSF") for implementation in optical burst switched ("OBS") core nodes in an OBS network. The OSF comprises, for each incoming data channel, a 2x1 optical switch having a first input connected to the data channel and a second input connected to an output of an OAM/2 insert port; for each group of k 2x1 optical switches, a first kx1 multiplexer ("MUX") having inputs each connected to an output of one of the group of k 2x1 optical switches for wavelength division multiplexing data channels input thereto from the group of k 2x1 optical switches; a semiconductor optical amplifier ("SOA") module having a plurality of inputs each connected to an output of one of the first kx1 MUXes; and a 1x2 optical switch having an input connected to receive an output of the SOA module, a first output connected to an OAM/2 extract port, and a second output connected to an outgoing data channel. [0014] Another embodiment is OAM-capable optical switch fabric ("OSF") for implementation in OBS core nodes in an OBS network. The OSF comprises, for each incoming data channel, switch means having a first input connected to the data channel and a second input connected to an output of an OAM/2 insert port; for each group of k switch means, first means for wavelength division multiplexing data channels input thereto from the group of k switch means, the first wavelength division multiplexing means having inputs each connected to an output of one of the group of k switch means; amplifying means having a plurality of inputs each connected to an output of one of the first wavelength division multiplexing means; and second switch means having an input connected to receive an output of the amplifying means, a first output connected to an OAM/2 extract port, and a second output connected to an outgoing data channel. [0015] Another embodiment is a method of implementing OAM procedures in an OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS network elements interconnected via links. The method comprises generating an OAM burst; and inserting the OAM burst into an optical channel. [0016] Yet another embodiment is a system for implementing OAM procedures in an OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS network elements interconnected via links. The system comprises means for generating an OAM burst; and means for inserting the OAM burst into an optical channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0018] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary OBS network in accordance with one embodiment; [0019] FIG. 1B is block diagram of a portion of an OBS network embodying features of one implementation; [0020] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of an architecture of a core node of an OBS network; Continue reading... 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