Submarine cable network architecture
A system comprises a trunk submarine cable, an offshore optical and power switching unit connected to the trunk submarine cable, and a plurality of feeder submarine cables connected to the offshore switching unit. The offshore switching unit is configured to dynamically connect data communication channels of a selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables with data communication channels of the trunk submarine cable.
1. A system, comprising:
a trunk submarine cable;
an offshore switching unit connected to the trunk submarine cable; and
a plurality of feeder submarine cables connected to the offshore switching unit, wherein the offshore switching unit is configured to dynamically connect a data communication channel of a selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables with a data communication channel of the trunk submarine cable;
wherein the offshore switching unit is configured to dynamically switch to a new power scheme using at least the selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables to power the trunk submarine cable based at least in response to a detected reduction in availability of power within the plurality of feeder submarine cables.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the offshore switching unit includes a wavelength selective switch component for dynamically connecting the data communication channel of the selected feeder submarine cable.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the offshore switching unit includes a power switch branching component for dynamically redistributing power.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the offshore switching unit and a terminal end of the trunk submarine cable is positioned in international waters.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of feeder submarine cables connect the offshore switching unit to a plurality of cable landing stations.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of feeder submarine cables includes an additional conductor for diverting power to a power fault.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of cable landing stations are connected via a festoon network.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk submarine cable is a trans-oceanic submarine cable.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk submarine cable is connected to a second offshore switching unit.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk submarine cable includes strands of optical fibers, a water-resistant gel, and a polyethylene exterior moisture barrier.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk submarine cable includes strands of optical fibers, and the strands of optical fibers are enclosed by a metal tube and surrounded by strands of steel wires.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of feeder submarine cables connected to the offshore switching unit includes at least three feeder submarine cables.
13. A method, comprising:
monitoring a status of a channel associated with an offshore switching unit connected to a trunk submarine cable, wherein a plurality of feeder submarine cables are connected to the offshore switching unit;
detecting a reduction in availability of one or more data communication channels of the plurality of feeder submarine cables;
dynamically connecting a data communication channel of a selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables with a data communication channel of the trunk submarine cable; and
dynamically switching to a new power scheme using at least the selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables to power the trunk submarine cable based at least in response to a detected reduction in availability of power within the plurality of feeder submarine cables.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the reduction in availability includes an optical connectivity fault or a power fault.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the offshore switching unit includes a wavelength selective switch component for dynamically connecting the data communication channel of the selected feeder submarine cable.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the offshore switching unit includes a power switch branching component for dynamically redistributing power.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of feeder submarine cables connect the offshore switching unit to a plurality of cable landing stations.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the trunk submarine cable is connected to a second offshore switching unit.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of feeder submarine cables connected to the offshore switching unit includes at least three feeder submarine cables.
20. A method, comprising:
connecting a first feeder submarine cable to an offshore switching unit;
connecting a second feeder submarine cable to the offshore switching unit;
connecting a first trunk submarine cable to the offshore switching unit;
monitoring a status of a data communication channel associated using the offshore switching unit, the first feeder submarine cable, and the first trunk submarine cable;
detecting a reduction in availability of the data communication channel of the first feeder submarine cable;
dynamically connecting a data communication channel of the second feeder submarine cable with a data communication channel of the trunk submarine cable; and
dynamically switching to a new power scheme using at least the selected feeder submarine cable among the plurality of feeder submarine cables to power the trunk submarine cable based at least in response to a detected reduction in availability of power within the plurality of feeder submarine cables.