JP7704306B2 - Optical power supply system management device and file transmission method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an optical node control device (hereinafter, "management device") that is installed in a communication station and manages multiple optical nodes in an optical communication network composed of a communication station and multiple optical nodes installed outside the communication station, and a file transmission method for transmitting and receiving files between the management device and the multiple optical nodes.

In access networks, core switching work is performed manually by on-site construction workers. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a method in which a single laser can simultaneously realize the functions of optical power supply and control of multiple optical switches contained in the optical node in a system consisting of a power supply control light source installed in a power environment such as an on-site power supply environment and one or more remote optical path switching nodes (optical nodes) located remotely. This optical node is installed in an optical fiber network and connects and switches the cores of the optical fibers one by one.

As shown in Figure 1, the optical power supply light emitted from a power supply control light source located remotely, such as within the building of the communication station 10, is connected sequentially to multiple optical nodes 20 via a single optical fiber 52. "Sequentially" means that the route is changed by the channel selector 12, so that, for example, after connecting to optical node 20#1, the route is changed and the light is connected to the next optical node 20#2.

In the optical power supply system of FIG. 1, the optical fiber 52 is for power supply and is provided separately from the optical fiber 51 for communication and main signals. The communication station 10 also includes a management device 11 that optically supplies power to the optical nodes 20, controls the switching of the channel selector 12, and communicates with the optical nodes 20. The management device 11 has a power supply control light source for optical power supply.

Optical nodes can receive control signals superimposed on the power supply control light and control the devices within the optical node. In addition, photoelectric conversion elements convert the optical power supply light into electricity, which is then stored in the power storage units for the devices and the control unit. This stored electricity drives the control unit of the optical node and each device.

Control units and devices cannot be controlled or driven when the voltage falls below a value that allows them to operate. By optically supplying power to multiple optical nodes, it is necessary to ensure that a certain amount of power is always stored in each storage unit, and to maintain the voltage at which the control unit can operate. A method for checking this voltage value is for the on-site node to inquire about the current amount of stored power to the optical node, and for the optical node to have the function of responding to the on-site node with the amount of stored power. Having this function makes it possible to ensure that a certain amount of stored power is maintained. Furthermore, it is essential to operate optical node commands while maintaining a voltage value above the value at which the optical node can operate.

Optical nodes are designed to operate in a power-saving manner, and a simple functional configuration is desirable, so multiple operation commands cannot be executed at the same time. This is because doing so would consume more power than expected. Therefore, we want to reduce power consumption by only executing a single operation command (each operation command is basically an exclusive operation). Therefore, before executing an operation command, we check whether there are any other commands in progress.

Optical nodes are remote optical path switching nodes, and as network equipment, they require management and maintenance functions. Specifically, firmware updates are required to enable software updates when repairs are made when malfunctions occur or when new functions are added. Compared to existing network equipment such as optical line termination devices OLT (Optical Line Terminal) and ONU (Optical Network Unit), optical nodes are constrained by the requirement that they store electricity through optical power supply from the communication station (specifically, they do not receive commercial power from the electric wires on utility poles) and that communication between the communication station and the optical node is serial communication at around several hundred bps.

2021 Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers General Conference B-13-16 "Study on remote optical path switching nodes for future optical access networks"

As mentioned above, optical nodes require firmware updates, but current optical power supply systems do not have the functionality to update firmware due to the constraints mentioned above. Specifically, when the amount of power stored by optical power supply (e.g., voltage value) falls below a threshold, communication between the management device and the optical node is cut off. If a batch of firmware files is started to be sent to the optical node without checking whether the optical node has the amount of power stored necessary from the batch reception of the firmware files to the completion of the download, communication will be cut off if a power shortage occurs, causing the firmware update to fail and requiring work to be redone.

In addition, when an optical node executes a command, there may be cases where the power is insufficient even if the command is started from a fully charged state. For example, the file data volume from the management device to the optical node may be large, or the charging capacity may be reduced due to deterioration of the optical node's storage battery. In such cases, when an optical node firmware update is started, it becomes difficult to send files in bulk, resulting in a situation where all files cannot be sent to the optical node. As a result, it may be impossible to repair the malfunction or there may be restrictions on adding functions.

Furthermore, the power storage characteristics differ for each optical node and depending on the time elapsed since use began. If there are changes to the components that make up the optical node, the driving voltage may change, and the charging capacity may decrease due to deterioration over time, so it is necessary to update the firmware for each optical node and take into account the time elapsed since use began.

In other words, conventional optical power supply systems had the problem that the amount of stored power in the optical node could prevent the batch transmission of files or the completion of commands, which could result in the need to retry.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a management device and a file transmission method that can avoid retransmission of a file or reexecution of a command in an optical power supply system.

In order to achieve the above object, when updating firmware for an optically powered optical node, the management device of the present invention stores in a database the relationship between the size of the firmware and the amount of power stored in the optical node required for the update in order to avoid update failures.When updating the firmware, the device checks whether the size of the firmware can be transmitted in one go, and if the size is not large enough to be transmitted in one go, transmits the firmware in parts.

Specifically, the management device according to the present invention comprises:
a light source that supplies optical power to one or more optical nodes via an optical fiber connected to the optical node;
a communication unit that communicates with the optical node using a control signal superimposed on the light of the light source;
a database that stores a relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch;
a program for querying the database regarding the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node acquired by the control signal and the size of a file to be transmitted to the optical node, and determining whether the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch;
Equipped with
When the program determines that the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch, the communication unit transmits the file in a batch to the optical node using the control signal.

A file transmission method according to the present invention is a file transmission method in an optical communication system having a management device including a light source that optically supplies power to one or more optical nodes via an optical fiber connected to the optical nodes, and a communication unit that communicates with the optical nodes using a control signal superimposed on light from the light source, the method comprising:
storing in a database a relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch;
The method is characterized in that the database is queried for the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node obtained by the control signal and the size of the file to be transmitted to the optical node, and a determination is made as to whether the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk; and if the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk, the file is transmitted in bulk from the communication unit to the optical node by the control signal.

The management device and file transmission method of the present invention are characterized in that, when the program determines that the size of the file is too large to be transmitted in bulk, the communication unit divides the file into files of a size that can be transmitted in bulk, and transmits the divided files sequentially with the optical power supply in between.

Based on past information, the management device determines whether or not the files can be sent en bloc before sending the files, and if en bloc sending is possible, sends the files en bloc. On the other hand, if en bloc sending is not possible, the management device divides the file, and after sending the divided files, transmits all of the divided files while restoring the power stored in the optical node by optical power supply. This file transmission method can prevent failures in file transmission and command execution. Therefore, the present invention can provide a management device and file transmission method that can avoid retransmission of files and reexecution of commands in an optical power supply system.

The management device and file transmission method of the present invention are characterized in that the database holds the relationship for each optical node, and the program determines for each optical node whether the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk.

Because this management device determines whether or not files can be sent in bulk for each optical node, it is possible to avoid resending files or re-executing commands even if the power storage characteristics differ for each optical node.

The management device and file transmission method of the present invention are characterized in that the database holds the relationship for each optical node, and the program determines whether the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk based also on the timing of the optical power supply for each optical node.

Optical power is supplied to the optical node periodically, so the system determines whether to wait for optical power supply and send the file or to send the file before optical power supply depending on the timing of the optical power supply. This makes it possible to avoid splitting the file for transmission and improves the efficiency of file transmission.

The above inventions can be combined as much as possible.

The present invention can provide a management device and a file transmission method that can avoid re-transmission of files and re-execution of commands in an optical power supply system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical power supply system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a management device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a file transmission method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a file transmission method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a file transmission method according to the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Note that components with the same reference numerals in this specification and drawings are mutually identical.

(Embodiment 1)
The management device 11 of this embodiment is a device provided in the communication station 10 of the optical communication system (optical power supply system) shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the management device 11. The management device 11 includes:
a light source 11a that supplies optical power to one or more optical nodes 20 via an optical fiber 52 connected to the optical node 20;
a communication unit 11b that communicates with the optical node 20 using a control signal superimposed on the light of the light source 11a;
a database 11c for storing a relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node 20 and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch;
a program 11d for querying a database 11c about the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node 20 acquired by the control signal and the size of a file to be transmitted to the optical node 20, and determining whether the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch;
Equipped with.

When the program 11d judges that the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch, the communication unit 11b transmits the file in a batch to the optical node 20 using the control signal.
In addition, if the program determines that the size of the file is too large to be transmitted in bulk, the communication unit divides the file into files of a size that can be transmitted in bulk, and transmits the divided files sequentially, with the optical power supply in between.

In this embodiment and the following embodiments, the work of updating the firmware of an optical node using the file is described, but the contents of the file may be other than updating the firmware. In addition, the contents common to each of the optical nodes (20#1 to #3) are described as "optical node 20."

Figure 3 is a diagram explaining a file transmission method performed by the management device 11 to update the firmware of the optical node 20. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, a state in which the power storage unit of the optical node 20 is fully charged at an initial stage will be explained. Also, although the operation will be explained for a case in which there is one optical node, the operation will be the same for each optical node even if there are multiple optical nodes.

This file transmission method is
A relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node 20 and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch is stored in the database 11c (step S01);
Querying database 11c for the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of optical node 20 acquired by the control signal and the size of the file to be transmitted to optical node 20, and determining whether the size of the file can be transmitted in a batch (step S05); and if the size of the file can be transmitted in a batch ("Yes" in step S06), transmitting the file in a batch from communication unit 11b to optical node 20 by the control signal (step S07), or if the size of the file cannot be transmitted in a batch ("No" in step S06), dividing the file into a size that can be transmitted in a batch (step S08), and transmitting the divided files from communication unit 11b sequentially with the optical power supply in between (step S09).
It is characterized by:

The management device 11 stores in advance in the database 11c the relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node 20 and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch (step S01).
In order to check the current firmware version, the management device 11 inquires of the optical node 20 about the firmware version (step S02).
The optical node 20 responds with the version of each surface of the memory on which the firmware can be written (step S03).

Next, the management device 11 checks whether the current firmware version of the optical node 20 is the firmware version to be updated (step S04). If the current firmware version of the optical node 20 is the firmware version to be updated ("Yes" in step S04), the firmware update is not necessary and the operation is terminated (step S05). On the other hand, if the current firmware version of the optical node 20 is not the firmware version to be updated ("No" in step S04), the operation of transmitting the firmware version to be updated to the specified memory surface of the optical node 20 is started.

As described above, the management device 11 has a database 11c that stores the relationship between the amount of power stored in the optical node and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch, and has a program 11d that determines whether files can be transmitted in a batch based on this relationship. Note that this relationship may be input in advance into the database 11c by an operator, or may be created by the management device 11 based on the amount of power stored during previous file transmissions and the success or failure of the file transmissions.

In transmitting the firmware, the management device 11 uses the program 11d to determine whether the current power storage amount of the optical node is a value that allows files to be transmitted in bulk (step S06). If bulk transmission is possible ("Yes" in step S06), the management device 11 transmits the files in bulk to the optical node 20 (step S07). Specifically, the management device 11 transmits the files by modulating the light output by the light source 11a with the contents of the file, or by modulating light of a wavelength different from the light with the contents of the file and wavelength-multiplexing the light.

On the other hand, if batch transmission is not possible ("No" in step S06), the management device 11 divides the file (step S08). In this case, if the data capacity of the file to be transmitted is expressed as "D" and the capacity of the file that can be transmitted with one power supply is expressed as D _Vaf-Va0 (the voltage when the power storage unit of the optical node 20 is fully charged is Vaf, and the drive voltage is Va0), the file to be transmitted can be divided into D/D _Vaf-Va0 . Each divided file is designated as D1, D2, ..., Dx.
D=D1+D2+...+Dx (x=1, 2,...)

The management device 11 transmits the file D1 (step _S0911 ) and then supplies power (step _S0912 ). After that, the management device 11 transmits the file D2 (step _S0921 ) and then supplies power (step _S0922 ). After that, the management device 11 repeats the file transmission and power supply up to the file Dx (step _S09x1 to step S10).
The optical node 20 stores the file transmitted in a batch or the file transmitted in parts in a memory (step S11).

After receiving a download completion response from the optical node 20 indicating that the file has been received (step S12), the management device 11 instructs the optical node 20 to reset (step S13). When the optical node 20 resets (step S14), the firmware update is completed.
In detail, the management device 11 confirms with the optical node 20 that the reset has been completed (step S15), and after receiving a response from the optical node 20 that the reset was successful (step S16), queries the optical node 20 about the firmware version (step S17).
The management device 11 receives the firmware version response from the optical node 20 (step S18) and confirms that the version is the one to be updated (step S19). If it is the desired version ("Yes" in step S19), the management device 11 ends the operation (step S05). On the other hand, if it is not the desired version ("No" in step S19), the management device 11 repeats the operation from step S06.

The management device 11 determines whether firmware updating is possible based on the amount of power stored in the power storage unit of the optical node 20 (e.g., voltage value), so that the firmware updating can be completed without having to go back and forth, such as when communication is interrupted due to insufficient power in the optical node 20.
Furthermore, since the management device 11 has a file division function, firmware can be updated regardless of the file capacity.

(Embodiment 2)
4 is a diagram for explaining a file transmission method for updating firmware of an optical node 20 performed by the management device 11 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a case will be explained in which the power storage characteristics of the power storage unit are different for each optical node. This embodiment is characterized in that the database 11c of the management device 11 holds the relationship (the relationship between the amount of power stored in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file capacity that can be transmitted in a batch) for each optical node 20, and the program 11d judges for each optical node 20 whether the file size can be transmitted in a batch.

For example, if there are changes to the components that make up an optical node, the operating voltage required for firmware updates may change from before. In addition, the full charge voltage may decrease due to deterioration of the power storage unit over time. For this reason, the power available for firmware updates varies depending on the status of each optical node and the time elapsed since it began being used.

In the file transmission method of this embodiment, the management device 11 periodically acquires the amount of stored power (voltage value) of the power storage unit when supplying power to the optical node 20 (step S01a), and records the value in the database 11c in chronological order for each optical node 20. For example, the management device 11 can determine the deterioration state of the power storage unit of the optical node 20 by the decrease in the voltage of the power storage unit when fully charged, and can determine whether or not bulk file transmission is possible with the amount of stored power of the deteriorated power storage unit (step S06). In addition, if the voltage of the power storage unit after the firmware update is completed is higher than before, the management device 11 can know that the optical node has had a part replaced and power saving has been achieved, and can determine whether or not bulk file transmission is possible in the layered state (step S06).

By taking into account information on deterioration of the power storage unit over time and part replacement in the judgment in step S06, efficient firmware updates can be performed according to the power storage characteristics of each optical node.

(Embodiment 3)
5 is a diagram for explaining a file transmission method for updating the firmware of the optical node 20 performed by the management device 11 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the management device 11 judges whether to start transmitting firmware files immediately or to transmit files in a planned manner, taking into account the power supply timing of each optical node 20. That is, this embodiment is characterized in that the database 11c of the management device 11 holds the relationship (the relationship between the amount of power stored in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file capacity that can be transmitted in a batch) for each optical node 20, and the program 11d judges whether the size of the file can be transmitted in a batch, also based on the timing of optical power supply for each optical node 20.

For example, even if an optical node that has just been powered has a large amount of stored power and is therefore capable of transmitting files en masse, if optical power has not been supplied for a while and the voltage value is close to the driveable voltage (the minimum amount of stored power that can be used), it may not be possible to transmit files en masse. As explained in the second embodiment, it is possible to transmit files in parts depending on the amount of stored power, but this would increase the number of times the file is transmitted.

To avoid an increase in the number of file transmissions, the management device 11 determines whether the current voltage value of the optical node is a value that allows files to be transmitted in bulk (step S06). If files can be transmitted in bulk ("Yes" in step S06), step S07 is performed as described in embodiment 1. On the other hand, if files cannot be transmitted in bulk ("No" in step S06), the management device 11 checks whether the power supply timing is imminent (whether the voltage value is close to the drivable voltage) (step S06a). If the power supply timing is not imminent ("No" in step S06a), the management device 11 performs step S08 as described in embodiment 1. On the other hand, if the power supply timing is imminent ("Yes" in step S06a), the management device 11 waits until the optical node is optically powered.

The management device 11 manages the schedule so that the file is sent again after power is supplied, enabling efficient firmware updates.

[Effects of the Invention]
By providing the optical node with a firmware update function, it becomes possible to repair malfunctions and update the software when new functions are added. Furthermore, by incorporating an operation in which the on-site node determines whether the voltage value of the optical node is a value that allows firmware updating when transmitting firmware from the on-site node, it is possible to prevent communication interruptions of the optical node due to insufficient voltage value, and thus to prevent the need to redo work due to update failures.

In addition, by dividing the file according to the remaining amount of stored power and transferring the divided files between power supply intervals, it becomes possible to update the firmware file regardless of the data capacity.

Furthermore, it will be possible to optimally update firmware to suit optical nodes with different power storage characteristics.

[Definition]
The abbreviations used in this specification and drawings are as follows:
DCN: Data Communication Network
CLI: Client
IF: Interface OSS: Open Source Software
OpS: Operation System

10: communication station 11: management device 11a: light source 11b: communication unit 11c: database 11d: program 12: channel selector 20, 20#1, 20#2, 20#3: optical node 51: main signal optical fiber 52: optical fiber

Claims (8)

a light source that supplies optical power to one or more optical nodes via an optical fiber connected to the optical node;
a communication unit that communicates with the optical node using a control signal superimposed on the light of the light source;
a database that stores a relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch;
a program for querying the database regarding the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node acquired by the control signal and the size of a file to be transmitted to the optical node, and determining whether the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch;
Equipped with
A management device characterized in that, when the program determines that the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch, the communication unit transmits the file in a batch to the optical node using the control signal. The management device described in claim 1, characterized in that if the program determines that the size of the file is too large to be transmitted in one batch, the communication unit divides the file into files of a size that can be transmitted in one batch, and transmits the divided files sequentially with the optical power supply in between. 3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the database holds the relationship for each of the optical nodes, and the program determines for each of the optical nodes whether the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch. 3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the database holds the relationship for each of the optical nodes, and the program determines whether the size of the file can be transmitted in a batch based on the timing of the optical power supply for each of the optical nodes. A file transmission method in an optical communication system having a management device including a light source that optically supplies power to one or more optical nodes via an optical fiber connected to the optical nodes, and a communication unit that communicates with the optical nodes using a control signal superimposed on light from the light source, comprising:
storing in a database a relationship between the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node and the file size that can be transmitted in a batch;
A file transmission method characterized by: querying the database for the amount of stored power in the power storage unit of the optical node obtained by the control signal and the size of the file to be transmitted to the optical node, and determining whether the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk; and if the size of the file can be transmitted in bulk, transmitting the file in bulk from the communication unit to the optical node by the control signal. The file transmission method described in claim 5, characterized in that if the size of the file is such that it cannot be transmitted in bulk, the file is divided into files of a size that can be transmitted in bulk, and the divided files are transmitted from the communication unit sequentially with the optical power supply interposed therebetween. The file transmission method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: storing the relationship in the database for each of the optical nodes; and determining for each of the optical nodes whether the size of the file is large enough to be transmitted in a batch. The file transmission method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: storing the relationship for each of the optical nodes in the database; and determining whether the size of the file can be transmitted in a batch based on the timing of the optical power supply for each of the optical nodes.

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