# US 9,438,369 B2 · Margin-based optimization systems and methods in optical networks for capacity boosting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,369 B2 - Document ID: US9438369B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/536,792 - Filed: 2014-11-10 - Published: 2015-11-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-19 - Assignees: Ciena Corporation - Applicants: Gerard L. Swinkels; David W. Boertjes; David Miedema; Kim B. Roberts - Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels; David W. Boertjes; David Miedema; Kim B. Roberts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438369B2 ## CPC - H04J 14/0227: {Operation, administration, maintenance or provisioning [OAMP] of WDM networks, e.g. media access, routing or wavelength allocation} - H04B 10/0795: {Performance monitoring; Measurement of transmission parameters} - H04B 10/572: Wavelength control - H04B 10/58: Compensation for non-linear transmitter output - H04J 14/0241: {Wavelength allocation for communications one-to-one, e.g. unicasting wavelengths} - H04J 14/0257: {Wavelength assignment algorithms} - H04L 1/0023: {characterised by the signalling} - H04B 10/00: Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication - H04B 10/25: Arrangements specific to fibre transmission - H04B 10/2589: {Bidirectional transmission} - H04B 10/40: Transceivers - H04B 10/50: Transmitters - H04B 10/60: Receivers - H04J 14/0271: {Impairment aware routing} - H04J: MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION (transmission in general H04B; peculiar to transmission of digital information H04L5/00; systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal H04N7/08; in exchanges H04Q11/00; stereophonic systems H04S) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Systems and methods of optimizing capacity of an optical network include identifying a first wavelength with an associated target capacity; determining that the first wavelength has insufficient capability to operate at the associated target capacity; and adjusting one or more wavelengths to increase capability of the first wavelength such that the first wavelength can operate at the associated target capacity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of optimizing capacity of an optical network, the method comprising: identifying a first wavelength with an associated target capacity; determining that the first wavelength has insufficient capability to operate at the associated target capacity by comparing one or more parameters associated with the first wavelength to one or more predetermined thresholds; performing a nonlinear optimization of excess margin in the optical network, the performing comprising modeling bit rate, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR), and whether or not a wavelength can support additional capacity as real functions; and adjusting one or more wavelengths in the optical network separate from the first wavelength to increase capability of the first wavelength to operate at the associated target capacity, wherein the adjusting is in response to a result of the nonlinear optimization. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting utilizes any one of modifying average power, changing wavelength, changing modulation, and changing precompensation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters are any of additive noise, Cross-Phase Modulation, Cross-Polarization Modulation, and spectral width. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters are measured by a modem associated with the first wavelength. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the insufficient capability is based on any of noise margin and spectral width. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the insufficient capability is not enough to either presently meet a performance for the associated target capacity or to meet a performance for the associated target capacity at a future time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting utilizes changing modulation to achieve any one of reduced nonlinear aggression, reduced spectral width, and changed spectral shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting is simulated in an application prior to operation on nodes in the optical network. ### Claim 9 A controller for optimizing capacity of an optical network, the controller comprising: a processor communicatively coupled to a network interface; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to identify a first wavelength with an associated target capacity, determine that the first wavelength has insufficient capability to operate at the associated target capacity by a comparison of one or more parameters associated with the first wavelength to one or more predetermined thresholds, perform a nonlinear optimization of excess margin in the optical network, wherein the nonlinear optimization models bit rate, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR), and whether or not a wavelength can support additional capacity as real functions; and cause or simulate adjustment of one or more wavelengths in the optical network separate from the first wavelength to increase capability of the first wavelength to operate at the associated target capacity, wherein the adjustment is in response to a result of the nonlinear optimization. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the adjustment utilizes any of modifying average power, changing wavelength, changing modulation, and changing precompensation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the one or more parameters are any of additive noise, Cross-Phase Modulation, Cross-Polarization Modulation, and spectral width. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the one or more parameters are measured by a modem associated with the first wavelength. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the insufficient capability is based on any of noise margin and spectral width. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the insufficient capability is not enough to either presently meet a performance for the associated target capacity or to meet a performance for the associated target capacity at a future time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein the adjustment utilizes changing modulation to any of reduce nonlinear aggression, reduce spectral width, and change spectral shape. ### Claim 16 An optical network, comprising: a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links; and a controller communicatively coupled to one or more of the plurality of nodes, wherein the controller is configured to identify a first wavelength, between two of the plurality of nodes, with an associated target capacity, determine that the first wavelength has insufficient capability to operate at the associated target capacity by a comparison of one or more parameters associated with the first wavelength to one or more predetermined thresholds, perform a nonlinear optimization of excess margin in the optical network, wherein the nonlinear optimization models bit rate, Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR), and whether or not a wavelength can support additional capacity as real functions; and cause or simulate adjustment of one or more wavelengths separate from the first wavelength, on some or all links associated with the first wavelength, to increase capability of the first wavelength to operate at the associated target capacity, wherein the adjustment is in response to a result of the nonlinear optimization.