Channel balancing algorithm
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsDavid Butler, Carlton Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An algorithm is disclosed for performing channel balancing on channels between optical network elements within an optic-fiber communications system. The algorithm groups at least a portion of the channels into channel pairs, differentially adjusts the transmitter output power level of each of the channel pairs until the bit error ratio (BER) of at least one channel in each of the channel pairs exceeds a threshold, and records a respective power margin for each of the channels as the difference between the initial and final power levels. From the recorded power margins, a mean power margin is determined that is used to shift the transmitter output power level of each of the channels.
Claims21
A method for performing channel balancing on channels between optical network elements within an optic-fiber communications system, said method comprising:
- grouping at least a portion of the channels into channel pairs;
- differentially adjusting a transmitter output power level of each of the channel pairs from respective initial power levels to respective final power levels that are reached when a bit error ratio (BER) of at least one channel in each of the channel pairs exceeds a threshold;
- recording a respective first power margin for each of the channels as the difference between the respective initial power level and the respective final power level;
- determining a mean power margin from the recorded first power margins of each of the channels;
- and
- shifting the transmitter output power level of each of the channels from the respective initial power levels by an amount proportional to the difference between the mean power margin and the respective recorded first power margin.
An apparatus for performing channel balancing on channels between optical network elements within an optic-fiber communications system, said apparatus comprising:
- means for grouping at least a portion of the channels into channel pairs;
- means for differentially adjusting a transmitter output power level of each of the channel pairs from respective initial power levels to respective final power levels that are reached when a bit error ratio (BER) of at least one channel in each of the channel pairs exceeds a threshold;
- means for recording a respective power margin for each of the channels as the difference between the respective initial power level and the respective final power level;
- means for determining a mean power margin from the recorded power margins of each of the channels;
- and
- means for shifting the transmitter output power level of each of the channels from the respective initial powers by an amount proportional to the difference between the mean power margin and the respective recorded power margin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.