IP Library Granted Patent US 12,574,666
Granted Patent B2
US 12,574,666 · App. 18/286,461 · Granted Mar 10, 2026

Connection node apparatus, optical transmission system, and connection method

Inventors: Kei Kitamura (Musashino, JP); Hideki Nishizawa (Musashino, JP); Tetsuro Inui (Musashino, JP); Takafumi Tanaka (Musashino, JP); Takeru Inoue (Musashino, JP)
Assignee: NTT, Inc.
H04Q11/0005H04Q11/0062H04Q2011/0016H04Q2011/0073
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,574,666
App. No.
18/286,461
Granted
Mar 10, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An output port switching unit that connects to a first optical transmission path, a second optical transmission path, and the connection information processor, and sets a destination of the first optical transmission path as the connection information processor in an initial state. A controller that transmits transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in an optical communicator that the connection information processor connects to the first optical transmission path, connection request data included in the optical signal and transmitted by the optical transceiver, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path to the optical transceiver through the first optical transmission path. The output port switching unit performs switching processing of switching a destination of the first optical transmission path from the connection information processor to the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

Claims (72)

1 . A connection node device comprising:

a connection information processor configured to acquire connection information including transmission path information that is information related to an optical transmission path;

an output port switch configured to connect to a first optical transmission path, a second optical transmission path, and the connection information processor, and sets a destination of the first optical transmission path as the connection information processor in an initial state;

a controller configured to transmit transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in an optical communicator that the connection information processor connects to the first optical transmission path, connection request data included in the optical signal and transmitted by the optical transceiver, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path to the optical transceiver through the first optical transmission path, wherein

the output port switch performs switching processing of switching a destination of the first optical transmission path from the connection information processor to the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

2 . The connection node device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of first optical transmission paths exists,

the controller transmits transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path that has transmitted the optical signal, acquired from an optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver that the connection information processor connects to any one of the first optical transmission paths, connection request data included in the optical signal and transmitted by the optical transceiver, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path to the source optical transceiver indicated in the connection request data through the first optical transmission path, and

the output port switch performs switching processing of switching a destination of the first optical transmission path to which the source optical transceiver connects, indicated in the connection request data from the connection information processor to the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

3 . The connection node device according to claim 1 , wherein an optical signal can be communicated by wavelength multiplexing in the first optical transmission path,

the output port switch sets a destination of a fundamental wavelength determined in advance of the first optical transmission path as the connection information processor in an initial state,

the controller transmits transmission mode information indicating transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired from an optical signal transmitted with the fundamental wavelength by the optical transceiver that the connection information processor connects to the first optical transmission path, connection request data included in the optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path to the source optical transceiver indicated in the connection request data through the fundamental wavelength of the first optical transmission path, and

the output port switch performs switching processing of setting a destination of a wavelength path with a wavelength indicated in the transmission mode information included in the first optical transmission path to which the source optical transceiver indicated in the connection request data is connected as a wavelength path with a wavelength indicated in the transmission mode information included in the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

4 . The connection node device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of second optical transmission paths exists,

the controller transmits transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired by the connection information processor, the connection request data, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data to the optical transceiver through the first optical transmission path, and

the output port switch performs switching processing of setting the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data as a destination after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

5 . The connection node device according to claim 1 , wherein an optical signal can be communicated by wavelength multiplexing in the second optical transmission path,

the controller transmits transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired by the connection information processor, the connection request data, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data to the optical transceiver through the first optical transmission path, and

the output port switch performs switching processing of setting a wavelength path with a wavelength indicated in the transmission mode information included in the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data as a destination after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

6 . The connection node device according to claim 5 , wherein the connection node device includes a wavelength converter that converts a wavelength of a given light to a wavelength received from the controller and outputs the wavelength,

the optical transceiver has a light source that outputs light with a single wavelength,

the optical transceiver sets a destination after switching to the wavelength converter after the controller transmits the transmission mode information,

the controller outputs a wavelength indicated in the transmission mode information to the wavelength converter, and

the wavelength converter receives an optical signal transmitted to the first optical transmission path by the optical transceiver through the output port-switch, converts a wavelength of the received optical signal to a wavelength received from the controller, and transmits the optical signal to the second optical transmission path corresponding to the destination indicated in the connection request data.

7 . An optical transmission system comprising:

the connection node device according to claim 1 ;

a first optical communicator configured to connect to the other end of the first optical transmission path having one end to which the connection node device is connected; and

a second optical communicator configured to connect to the connection node device directly or indirectly through the second optical transmission path having one end to which the connection node device is connected, wherein

an optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator receives the transmission mode information transmitted through the first optical transmission path by the controller of the connection node device and transmits and receives an optical signal through the first optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information,

an optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator receives the transmission mode information and transmits and receives an optical signal through the second optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information, and

an output port switch of the connection node device performs the switching processing so that the optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator and the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator are connected through the first optical transmission path and the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information to the first optical communicator through the first optical transmission path.

8 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 , wherein the second optical communicator connects to the other end of the second optical transmission path,

the controller of the connection node device acquires transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, generates the transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on the acquired transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired by the connection information processor, and the connection request data, transmits the generated transmission mode information to the first optical communicator through the first optical transmission path, and transmits the transmission mode information to the second optical communicator,

the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator receives the transmission mode information transmitted by the controller and transmits and receives an optical signal through the second optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information.

9 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 , further comprising: an operation device that connects to the connection node device, wherein

the operation device acquires transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, generates transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on the acquired transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, connection information of the first optical transmission path that the connection information processor of the connection node device acquires from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator, and connection request data included in the optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator, and transmits the generated transmission mode information to a controller of the connection node device, and

the optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator receives the transmission mode information that the controller of the connection node device receives from the operation device, the transmission mode information being transmitted through the first optical transmission path and transmits and receives an optical signal through the first optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information.

10 . The optical transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein the second optical communicator connects to the other end of the second optical transmission path,

the operation device connects to the connection node device and the second optical communicator and transmits the transmission mode information to the controller of the connection node device and the second optical communicator, and

the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator receives the transmission mode information transmitted by the operation device and transmits and receives an optical signal through the second optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information.

11 . The optical transmission system according to claim 9 , further comprising: a third optical transmission path; and

a second optical communicator configured to connect to the third optical transmission path, wherein

a plurality of connection node devices exists,

the output port switch of one of the connection node devices connects to the first optical transmission path, the second optical transmission path, and the connection information processor of the host device and sets a destination of the first optical transmission path in an initial state as the connection information processor of the host device,

the output port switch of the other connection node device that connects to the third optical transmission path, the other connection node device being any one of the connection node devices other than the one connection node device, connects to the third optical transmission path, the other end of the second optical transmission path having one end to which the one connection node device is connected, and the connection information processor of the host device and sets a destination of the third optical transmission path in an initial state as the connection information processor of the host device,

the operation device connects to the one connection node device and the other connection node device, acquires transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, generates transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on the acquired transmission path information of the second optical transmission path, connection information of the first optical transmission path that the connection information processor of the one connection node device acquires from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator, connection request data included in the optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator, connection information of the third optical transmission path that the connection information processor of the other connection node device acquires from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator, and connection request data included in the optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator, transmits the generated transmission mode information to the controller of the one connection node device and the controller of the other connection node device,

the optical transceiver provided in the first optical communicator receives the transmission mode information that the controller of the one connection node device receives from the operation device, the transmission mode information being transmitted through the first optical transmission path, and transmits and receives an optical signal through the first optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information,

the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator receives the transmission mode information that the controller of the other connection node device receives from the operation device, the transmission mode information being transmitted through the third optical transmission path, and transmits and receives an optical signal through the third optical transmission path according to a transmission mode indicated by the received transmission mode information,

the output port switch of the one connection node device performs the switching processing so that the first optical transmission path and the second optical transmission path are connected after the controller of the one connection node device transmits the transmission mode information to the optical transceiver of the first optical communicator through the first optical transmission path, and

the output port switch of the other connection node device performs the switching processing so that the second optical transmission path and the third optical transmission path are connected after the controller of the other connection node device transmits the transmission mode information to the optical transceiver of the second optical communicator through the third optical transmission path.

12 . The optical transmission system according to claim 11 , wherein

the operation device transmits a trigger signal for transmitting connection information of the third optical transmission path and the connection request data to the other connection node device when the connection information of the third optical transmission path and the connection request data included in the optical signal transmitted by the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator are not received from the other connection node device.

13 . The optical transmission system according to claim 11 , wherein

the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator acquires information related to the third optical transmission path from an optical signal transmitted by the other connection node device and transmits the acquired information related to the third optical transmission path to the other connection node device through the third optical transmission path, and

the connection information processor of the other connection node device receives the information related to the third optical transmission path transmitted by the optical transceiver provided in the second optical communicator through the third optical transmission path and acquires transmission path information of the third optical transmission path in a direction from the other connection node device to the second optical communicator from the received information related to the third optical transmission path.

14 . The optical transmission system according to claim 9 , wherein

the operation device calculates transmission path characteristics based on the connection information acquired by the connection information processor and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data and generates the transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on the calculated transmission path characteristics, or generates the transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on transmission path characteristics calculated based on transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data and transmission path characteristics calculated based on the connection information that the controller of the connection node device acquires from the connection information processor.

15 . The optical transmission system according to claim 8 , wherein

the controller of the connection node device calculates transmission path characteristics based on the connection information acquired by the connection information processor and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data and generates the transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on the calculated transmission path characteristics, or generates the transmission mode information indicating the transmission mode based on transmission path characteristics calculated based on transmission path information of the second optical transmission path corresponding to a destination indicated in the connection request data and transmission path characteristics calculated based on the connection information acquired from the connection information processor.

16 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 , wherein

the connection information processor of the connection node device connected to the first optical transmission path acquires transmission path information of the first optical transmission path in a direction from the first optical communicator to the connection node device or acquires transmission path information of the first optical transmission path in a direction from the connection node device to the first optical communicator.

17 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 further comprises,

a plurality of optical transceivers is connected to the first optical transmission path,

the controller of the connection node device transmits initial setting information for avoiding collision of the connection request data to the plurality of optical transceivers through the first optical transmission path,

the plurality of optical transceivers receives an optical signal including the initial setting information from the first optical transmission path and transmits the connection request data according to the received initial setting information.

18 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 , wherein the first optical communicator includes:

a plurality of optical transceivers; and

a transmission controller configured to adjust timings for the plurality of optical transceivers to transmit the connection request data so that pieces of connection request data that the plurality of optical transceivers transmits through the first optical transmission path do not collide with each other.

19 . The optical transmission system according to claim 7 , wherein

the optical transceiver connected to the first optical transmission path stops optical output for a time determined arbitrarily when a response optical signal is not received from the connection node device in a predetermined waiting time after the connection request data is transmitted.

20 . A connection method comprising: allowing an output port switch to connect to a first optical transmission path, a second optical transmission path, and the connection information processor, and set a destination of the first optical transmission path as the connection information processor in an initial state;

allowing a controller to transmit transmission mode information indicating a transmission mode identified based on connection information of the first optical transmission path acquired from an optical signal transmitted by an optical transceiver provided in an optical communicator that the connection information processor connects to the first optical transmission path, connection request data included in the optical signal and transmitted by the optical transceiver, and transmission path information of the second optical transmission path to the optical transceiver through the first optical transmission path; and

allowing the output port switch to perform switching processing of switching a destination of the first optical transmission path from the connection information processor to the second optical transmission path after the controller transmits the transmission mode information.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 3, 2025
From: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
To: NTT, INC.
Reel/Frame 073007/0214 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2023
From: KITAMURA, KEI; NISHIZAWA, HIDEKI; INUI, TETSURO; TANAKA, TAKAFUMI; INOUE, TAKERU
To: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065185/0235 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240196118A1 · Jun 13, 2024
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