Dynamic control of DWDM networks using Optical Wavelength Managers

Management of dynamic DWDM networks requires a network-wide awareness of the status and health of optical channels. Optical Wavelength Managers (OWMs) are a new class of network clement that enables the measurement of optical channel characteristics (power, wavelength and OSNR) at key locations in a DWDM network. OWMs also report these data to a Network Operations Center (NOC) for the purpose of performance monitoring and clement management. This paper demonstrates the use of OWMs to provide distributed optical monitoring and active management of optical components/network elements in DWDM networks. Localized element management was demonstrated by using an OWM to automate power balancing of multiple wavelengths using an army of Variable Optical Attenuators (VOAs). A similar technique was used to control the wavelength drift of a transmitter laser. Distributed network management is also demonstrated by using OWMs and a VOA to adjust optical channel power levels required by a change in lightpath. These monitoring and management capabilities could enable automated supervision of DWDM systems and facilitate a carriers' ability to administer multiple service level agreements.