Systems and methods modeling optical sources in optical spectrum controllers for control thereof

A spectrum controller adapted to model non-visible optical sources for control thereof in an optical network, the spectrum controller comprising:

• a processor;
• a communications interface communicatively coupled to the processor;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to
• receive, via the communications interface, channel routing information and signal characteristics for the non-visible channels separately from visible channels, wherein the visible channels are formed by optical transceivers communicatively coupled to the spectrum controller and the non-visible channels are formed by optical transceivers without communication to the spectrum controller,
• utilize a combination of the channel routing information and signal characteristics for both the visible channels and the non-visible channels as input to the spectrum controller,
• perform control of optical spectrum based on the input, and
• provide output adjustments based on the control,
• wherein, for the non-visible channels, fiber loss from an associated source of each of the non-visible channels is modeled as insertion loss into a virtual port for modeling the non-visible channels.

A method for modeling non-visible optical sources generating optical signals coming to the input of a spectrum controller in a single fiber for control thereof in an optical network, the method comprising:

• receiving channel routing information and signal characteristics for the non-visible channels separately from visible channels, wherein the visible channels are formed by one or more first optical transceivers communicatively coupled to the spectrum controller and the non-visible channels are formed by one or more second optical transceivers without communication to the spectrum controller;
• utilizing a combination of the channel routing information and signal characteristics for both the visible channels and the non-visible channels as input to the spectrum controller;
• performing control of optical spectrum based on the input;
• and
• providing output adjustments based on the control,
• wherein the channel routing information and signal characteristics for the non-visible channels is modeled as a virtual colorless multiplexer/demultiplexer with N ports, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, and with associated insertion losses on each port to model multiplexing/demultiplexing structure, wherein each port can model any signal from any spectral location.