System and method for locating optical network elements and calculating span loss based on geographic coordinate information

#The present invention relates generally to data transmission networks, and more specifically to using geographic location information of optical network elements to determine transmission loss characteristics.

#Large-scale optical data transmission networks, such as Wide Area Networks (WANs), often consist of a multitude of different network elements or nodes stretched over vast amounts of area. The distance between network elements is often on the scale of tens or hundreds of miles. In the case of very large-scale networks, often referred to as Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) or “long-haul networks”, that spread across entire states or countries, the span distances can be very significant. The size of the network can have a great impact on network performance due to signal degradation associated with the transmission media, as well signal degradation due to the network equipment. For such networks, dedicated network elements such as routers or regenerators are needed to boost or amplify the data signals between the processing nodes.

#Large-scale networks are often controlled by network management software programs that allow network operators to design, monitor, and manage the nodes and links that comprise the network. Such programs often feature topographical displays that illustrate the layout of the network elements and links. Depending upon the scale of the network, such displays are often provided against map backgrounds to give the user a sense of node location. However, typical network management systems do not provide an accurate placement of the displayed network element icons in relation to their actual physical location relative to one another, or relative to an absolute coordinate system. Most systems simply display the network element icons in a rough approximation of their position in the network. Although some present network management system programs allow the use of street address information to place network elements in the display, such location information is often imprecise, and even non-existent for network elements located in remote areas. The lack of accurate correlation of the network element icon to the actual geographical location limits the ability of the network management system to provide useful diagnostic and performance measurement information to network designers and operators.

#The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a network management display of network elements against a map background according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates the coordinate location information for a pair of coupled network elements;

#A system for determining network performance parameters based on geographic location information of network nodes is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. The description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto.

#FIG. 1 illustrates the display screen for a network management system program that implements embodiments of the present invention. As shown in the display screen of FIG. 1, the network elements and links for a long-haul network stretched across California is displayed against a background map of California. Network 100 consists of several network elements or nodes 102 coupled to one another in a series of links or spans 104. Although the exemplary network 100 is a large-scale network, it should be noted that embodiments of the present invention can be used for any type or scale of Wide Area Network (WAN), or similar network in which the distances between the network elements is not insignificant.

#The network management system is typically a suite of software programs that is configured to manage the configuration and functional operation of the various elements and links within a WAN. Such a system can be a proprietary software system designed and implemented for a particular WAN, or it may be a commercially available system program that is adapted for use with the location determination functions described herein.