JP6827360B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly to a communication device for connecting a client device to an optical network.

With the recent increase in the capacity of communication data and the increase in communication speed, the transmission capacity per device is also increasing from the conventional 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps to 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps. Further, the transmission capacity per device will be increased to 200 Gbps and 400 Gbps in the future.

When the transmission capacity per device increases, the effect of an abnormality in the transmission line or an abnormality in the device also becomes very large. Therefore, by applying the redundant protection configuration in the active system and the standby system as described in Patent Document 1, even if an abnormality occurs in the active system, the output is switched to the standby system for communication. The method of continuation is widely used.

JP-A-2010-147594

In the conventional protection configuration, when an abnormality is detected in the active system, the active system is shut down, the spare system is made to emit light, and the signal from the spare system is output to the client device.

In the conventional protection configuration, the backup system emits light only when an abnormality is detected. Therefore, if there is a problem that the standby system cannot emit light, it is not possible to switch to the standby system and communication is interrupted. Resulting in.

In addition, in order to confirm whether there is a problem that the backup system cannot emit light, it is necessary to actually make the spare system emit light, but if the spare system side is made to emit light as it is, it is necessary to make the spare system emit light as it is. Signals on the system side collide and a communication error occurs.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect a failure of the standby system during the operation of the working system.

The communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a communication device for connecting a client device to an optical network, and converts a first optical signal from the client device into a second optical signal and a third optical signal. The branching portion and the second optical signal are converted into a fourth optical signal for the optical network, the fourth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the sixth optical signal is used in the optical network. The interface unit of the working system that receives the branched 7th optical signal from the optical network and converts the 7th optical signal into the 9th optical signal for the client device, and the third optical signal are described. If there is no failure in the interface section of the backup system that converts to the fifth optical signal for the optical network and outputs the fifth optical signal to the optical network, and the interface section of the working system, the above The 9th optical signal is output to the client device by the interface unit of the working system, and when a failure occurs in the interface unit of the working system, the 9th optical signal is output to the interface unit of the working system. Is stopped, and the interface unit of the backup system receives the eighth optical signal branched from the sixth optical signal from the optical network, and the eighth optical signal is transmitted to the tenth optical for the client device. A protection control unit that converts the 10th optical signal into a signal and outputs the 10th optical signal to the client device is provided, and the interface unit of the working system is the first with respect to the amount of data that can be included in the 7th optical signal. A data usage rate detection unit that detects a data usage rate that is a ratio of the amount of data contained in the 7th optical signal, and a data buffer unit that buffers the data contained in the 7th optical signal are provided. The interface unit of the backup system is a client interface unit that outputs the tenth optical signal or an idle pattern optical signal indicating a predetermined idle pattern, and the backup system by monitoring the output level of the idle pattern optical signal. The protection control unit includes a monitoring unit for determining the presence or absence of a failure in the interface unit of the above, and the protection control unit is included in the seventh optical signal when the data usage rate becomes lower than a predetermined threshold value. The data is buffered in the data buffer unit, the output of the ninth optical signal is stopped from the interface unit of the working system, and the idle pattern optical signal is output to the client interface unit. It is characterized in that the visual part is made to judge whether or not there is an obstacle in the interface part of the preliminary system.

The communication device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a communication device for connecting a client device to an optical network, and converts the first optical signal from the client device into a second optical signal and a third optical signal. The branching portion and the second optical signal are converted into a fourth optical signal for the optical network, the fourth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the sixth optical signal is used in the optical network. The interface unit of the working system that receives the branched seventh optical signal from the optical network and converts the seventh optical signal into the ninth optical signal for the client device, and the third optical signal are described. The fifth optical signal is converted into a fifth optical signal for the optical network, the fifth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the eighth optical signal branched from the sixth optical signal is received from the optical network. If there is no failure in the interface section of the backup system that converts the eighth optical signal into the tenth optical signal for the client device and the interface section of the working system, the interface section of the working system is described. The ninth optical signal is output to the client device, and when a failure occurs in the interface unit of the working system, the interface unit of the working system stops the output of the ninth optical signal and the preliminary A protection control unit that causes the interface unit of the system to output the tenth optical signal to the client device, an output from the interface unit of the active system to the client device, and an output from the interface unit of the backup system to the client device. The backup system interface unit includes a client interface unit that outputs the tenth optical signal and an output level of the tenth optical signal output from the client interface unit. The protection control unit includes a light attenuation control unit for attenuating the signal and a monitoring unit for determining the presence or absence of a failure of the interface unit of the backup system by monitoring the output level attenuated by the light attenuation control unit. When the interface unit of the working system is not faulty, the light attenuation control unit attenuates the output level of the tenth optical signal, and the monitoring unit has a fault of the interface unit of the backup system. It is characterized by having to judge.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a failure of the standby system during operation of the active system without affecting the output of the active system.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication system which concerns on Embodiments 1-3. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) and (B) are schematic views showing a hardware configuration example. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of a backup system in a communication device in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the timing of output from the IF portion of the active system and the IF portion of the backup system to the second coupler in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of a backup system in a communication device in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows the transition of the output level of the optical signal output from the IF part of a working system and the IF part of a spare system to a second coupler. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of the backup system in the communication device in the third embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the transition of the output level of the optical signal output from the IF part of a working system and the IF part of a spare system to the 2nd coupler in Embodiment 3.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication system 100 according to the first embodiment.
The communication system 100 includes a first communication device 110A, a second communication device 110B, and a monitoring terminal 150.
The first communication device 110A is connected to the first client device 101A by transmission lines 102A and 102B.
The second communication device 110B is connected to the second client device 101B by transmission lines 102C and 102D.
The first communication device 110A and the second communication device 110B are connected by transmission lines 102E, 102F, 102G, and 102F.
With the above configuration, the first communication device 110A connects the first client device 101A to the optical network including the second communication device 110B and the second client device 101B. Further, the second communication device 110B connects the second client device 101B to the optical network including the first communication device 110A and the first client device 101A.

The first client device 101A and the second client device 101B are devices that perform communication, and are all devices that transmit and receive information such as information processing devices such as computers, home appliances, image pickup devices, and sensors. Here, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first client device 101A and the second client device 101B, it is referred to as the client device 101.

The first communication device 110A and the second communication device 110B are relay devices that relay optical signals communicated between the first client device 101A and the second client device 101B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first communication device 110A and the second communication device 110B, it is referred to as a communication device 110.
Here, the first communication device 110A and the second communication device 110B each include a functional unit that functions as a working system and a functional unit that functions as a backup system, and if a failure occurs in the working system, the standby system Communicate using.

The transmission lines 102A to 102H are, for example, optical fibers. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the transmission lines 102A to 102H, it is referred to as a transmission line 102.

The optical signal input from the first client device 101A to the first communication device 110A via the transmission line 102A is branched into two by the first coupler 111A-1 and is branched through the transmission line 102E and the transmission line 102G. It is transmitted to the second communication device 110B.
The optical signal input to the second communication device 110B via the transmission line 102E and the transmission line 102G is combined by the second coupler 111B-2, and the combined optical signal is transmitted through the transmission line 102C. It is transmitted to the second client device 101B.

The optical signal input from the second client device 101B to the second communication device 110B via the transmission line 102D is branched into two by the first coupler 111A-2, and is branched through the transmission line 102F and the transmission line 102H. It is transmitted to the first communication device 110A.
The optical signal input to the first communication device 110A via the transmission line 102F and the transmission line 102H is combined by the second coupler 111B-1, and the combined optical signal is transmitted through the transmission line 102B. It is transmitted to the first client device 101A.

When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first couplers 111A-1 and 111A-2, it is referred to as the first coupler 111A.
When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the second couplers 111B-1 and 111B-2, it is referred to as the second coupler 111B.

The monitoring terminal 150 is connected to the communication device 110 by wire or wirelessly, and receives a notification from the communication device 110 when a failure occurs in the communication device 110. The monitoring terminal 150 is, for example, an information processing device such as a computer. Further, the connection between the monitoring terminal 150 and the communication device 110 may be performed by any method.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication device 110.
The communication device 110 includes a first coupler 111A, a second coupler 111B, a first interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a first IF unit) 120A, a second interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a second IF unit) 120B, and a protection control unit. It is equipped with 140.

The first coupler 111A is a branching unit that branches a main signal, which is an optical signal input from the client device 101, into two signals and gives each to the first IF unit 120A and the second IF unit 120B.
The second coupler 111B is a combiner unit that combines the main signals, which are optical signals given from the first IF unit 120A and the second IF unit 120B, and outputs the combined main signal to the client device 101.

The first IF unit 120A includes a first client interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a first client IF unit) 121A, a first main signal processing unit 122A, and a first transmission line interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a first transmission line IF unit). It includes 123A, a first switching control unit 124A, a first data buffer unit 125A, a first monitor unit 126A, and a first failure detection unit 127A.
Further, the first main signal processing unit 122A includes a first data usage rate detection unit 128A, a first IDLE pattern generation unit 129A, and a first selector 130A.
Further, the first client IF unit 121A includes a first optical output control unit 131A and a first laser 132A.

The second IF unit 120B includes a second client interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a second client IF unit) 121B, a second main signal processing unit 122B, and a second transmission line interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a second transmission line IF unit). It includes 123B, a second switching control unit 124B, a second data buffer unit 125B, a second monitor unit 126B, and a second failure detection unit 127B.
Further, the second main signal processing unit 122B includes a second data usage rate detection unit 128B, a second IDLE pattern generation unit 129B, and a second selector 130B.
Further, the second client IF unit 121B includes a second optical output control unit 131B and a second laser 132B.

Here, the flow of signal processing will be described by taking as an example a case where the first IF unit 120A functions as an active system and the second IF unit 120B functions as a backup system.
The first optical signal input from the client device 101 to the communication device 110 is branched into a second optical signal and a third optical signal by the first coupler 111A. The second optical signal is input to the first IF unit 120A, and the third optical signal is input to the second IF unit 120B.
The second optical signal is converted into a fourth optical signal for the optical network by the first IF unit 120A, and the fourth optical signal is output to the optical network.
The third optical signal is converted into a fifth optical signal for the optical network by the second IF unit 120B, and the fifth optical signal is output to the optical network.
From the optical network side, the seventh optical signal and the eighth optical signal branched from the sixth optical signal in the optical network are input to the communication device 110.
The seventh optical signal is input to the first IF unit 120A, and the eighth optical signal is input to the second IF unit 120B.
The seventh optical signal is converted into a ninth optical signal for the client device by the first IF unit 120A.
The third optical signal is converted into a tenth optical signal for the client device by the second IF unit 120B.
The ninth optical signal and the tenth optical signal are combined by the second coupler 111B, and the combined eleventh optical signal is output to the client device 101.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the communication device 110 will be described.
The first IF unit 120A and the second IF unit 120B are configured in the same manner, and are referred to as an IF unit 120 when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first IF unit 120A and the second IF unit 120B.
When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first client IF unit 121A and the second client IF unit 121B, it is called the client IF unit 121, and the first main signal processing unit 122A and the second main signal processing unit 122B are referred to. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, it is called a main signal processing unit 122, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first transmission line IF unit 123A and the second transmission line IF unit 123B, transmission is performed. It is called a channel IF unit 123, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first switching control unit 124A and the second switching control unit 124B, it is called a switching control unit 124, and the first data buffer unit 125A and the second data. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the buffer units 125B, it is called a data buffer unit 125, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first monitor unit 126A and the second monitor unit 126B, it is called a data buffer unit 126. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first failure detection unit 127A and the second failure detection unit 127B, it is referred to as a failure detection unit 127.
Further, when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first data usage rate detection unit 128A and the second data usage rate detection unit 128B, the data usage rate detection unit 128 is referred to as a first IDLE pattern generation unit 129A and a second IDLE. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the pattern generation units 129B, it is called an IDLE pattern generation unit 129, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first selector 130A and the second selector 130B, it is called a selector 130. ..
When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first optical output control unit 131A and the second optical output control unit 131B, it is referred to as an optical output control unit 131, and each of the first laser 132A and the second laser 132B is referred to as an optical output control unit 131. When it is not necessary to distinguish between them, it is called a laser 132.

The client IF unit 121 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal given from the first coupler 111A, into an electric signal and gives it to the main signal processing unit 122.
The main signal processing unit 122 performs predetermined processing on the main signal, which is an electric signal given from the client IF unit 121, and gives the processed main signal to the transmission line IF unit 123. For example, the main signal processing unit 122 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.
The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal given from the main signal processing unit 122 into an optical signal, and outputs the optical signal to the transmission line 102.

The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal input from the transmission line 102, into an electric signal, and gives the converted main signal, which is an electric signal, to the main signal processing unit 122.

The main signal processing unit 122 performs predetermined processing on the main signal, which is an electric signal given from the transmission line IF unit 123, and extracts data from the processed main signal to extract the main signal. Data is given to the data buffer unit 125. For example, the main signal processing unit 122 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.

Specifically, when the IF unit 120 including the main signal processing unit 122 is functioning as the active system, the data usage rate detection unit 128 included in the main signal processing unit 122 is a backup system. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the previous normality confirmation was performed. For example, the data usage rate detection unit 128 is provided with a counter for measuring a predetermined time, and the predetermined time is determined depending on whether or not the value of this counter is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value. Can be measured. Specifically, when measuring 24 hours, it can be determined that 24 hours have passed when the value of the counter that counts once per hour is 24 or more.
Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the data usage rate detection unit 128 has a data amount included in the main signal with respect to the amount of data that can be included in the main signal from the transmission line IF unit 123. Detects the data usage rate, which is the ratio of. For example, the data usage rate detection unit 128 counts the number of frames of the data contained in the main signal, and the ratio of the counted number of frames to the number of frames that can be received at a predetermined maximum rate. The data usage rate can be calculated from (%). The calculated data usage rate is given to the switching control unit 124.
When a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time the data usage rate detection unit 128 confirmed the normality of the backup system, the normality of the preliminary system is confirmed and the data usage rate detection unit 128 is determined again in advance. The data usage rate is detected in sequence until the determination of whether or not the elapsed time has elapsed is resumed.

The switching control unit 124 determines whether or not the data usage rate given by the data usage rate detection unit 128 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Then, when the data usage rate is smaller than the threshold value, the switching control unit 124 notifies the protection control unit 140 of a switching request which is a request for switching the output from the active system to the standby system.

The data buffer unit 125 buffers the data given by the data usage rate detection unit 128. Here, the data buffer unit 125 can change the output rate of the buffered data in response to an instruction from the protection control unit 140. Then, the data buffer unit 125 gives the buffered data to the selector 130 at the output rate instructed by the protection control unit 140.

The IDLE pattern generation unit (idle pattern generation unit) 129 generates an IDLE pattern signal (idle pattern signal), which is a special data string inserted in the interframe gap, in Ethernet (registered trademark), and the generated IDLE pattern is generated. A signal is given to the selector 130.

The selector 130 switches the output between the data from the data buffer unit 125 and the IDLE pattern signal from the IDLE pattern generation unit 129 in response to an instruction from the protection control unit 140. As a result, the input to the client IF unit 121 is switched between the data from the data buffer unit 125 and the IDLE pattern signal from the IDLE pattern generation unit 129.

The client IF unit 121 generates an optical signal in response to the output from the selector 130, and gives the generated optical signal to the second coupler 111B, which is an output coupler. For example, when data is input from the selector 130, the client IF unit 121 outputs an optical signal corresponding to the input data, and when an IDLE pattern signal is input from the selector 130, the input is input. An IDLE pattern optical signal (idle pattern optical signal), which is an optical signal corresponding to the IDLE pattern signal, is output.

Here, since the output from the client IF unit 121 is output to the client device 101 via the second coupler 111B, the active system setting or the active system setting from the protection control unit 140 is performed so that the signals of the active system and the backup system do not collide. According to the backup system setting, the optical output control unit 131 in the client IF unit 121 turns the output of the laser 132 on or off. Specifically, when the working system is set from the protection control unit 140, the light output control unit 131 controls the light emission by turning on the output of the laser 132. On the other hand, when the standby system is set from the protection control unit 140, the optical output control unit 131 performs shutdown control by turning off the output of the laser 132.

The monitor unit 126 is a monitoring unit that monitors the output level of the optical signal between the client IF unit 121 and the second coupler 111B and confirms whether or not there is a failure in the backup system. Then, when the standby system has a failure, the monitor unit 126 notifies the failure detection unit 127 of the occurrence of the failure.
When the failure detection unit 127 receives the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the monitor unit 126, the failure detection unit 127 notifies the protection control unit 140 and the monitoring terminal 150 of the occurrence of the failure.

The protection control unit 140 controls the process of switching the output from the active system to the standby system in accordance with the switching request notified from the switching control unit 124.
For example, the protection control unit 140 causes the client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 functioning as the active system to output an optical signal when the IF unit 120 functioning as the active system has not failed. ..
On the other hand, when the IF unit 120 functioning as the working system has a failure, the protection control unit 140 outputs an optical signal to the client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 functioning as the working system. Stop it. Then, the protection control unit 140 causes the client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 functioning as a backup system to output an optical signal.

Further, the protection control unit 140 functions as a working system by causing the data buffer unit 125 to buffer data when the data usage rate detected by the data usage rate detection unit 128 becomes lower than a predetermined threshold value. The client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 is stopped from outputting the optical signal. Then, the protection control unit 140 causes the IDLE pattern generation unit 129 to generate the IDLE pattern signal, causes the selector 130 to output the IDLE pattern signal, and causes the client IF unit 121 to output the IDLE pattern optical signal corresponding to the IDLE pattern signal. .. Further, the protection control unit 140 causes the monitor unit 126 to monitor the output level of the ILDLE pattern optical signal and determine whether or not the IF unit 120 functioning as a backup system has a failure.

Further, when the monitoring unit 126 determines that the IF unit 120 functioning as a backup system has no failure, the protection control unit 140 starts with the client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 functioning as a backup system. Is stopped, data is output from the data buffer unit 125, and an optical signal is output from the client IF unit 121 of the IF unit 120 that is functioning as an active system.

A part or all of the first IF unit 120A, the second IF unit 120B, and the protection control unit 140 described above may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, or a program as shown in FIG. 3 (A). It can be configured by a processing circuit 10 such as a processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Further, a part of the first IF unit 120A, the second IF unit 120B, and the protection control unit 140 is composed of a memory 11 and a processor 12 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program stored in the memory 11. You can also do it. Such a program may be provided through a network, or may be recorded and provided on a recording medium. That is, such a program may be provided as, for example, a program product.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of the backup system in the communication device 110.
Here, FIG. 4 shows the processing when the first IF unit 120A is the interface unit of the working system and the second IF unit 120B is the interface unit of the backup system.

First, when the operation of the communication device 110 is started, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A initializes the value of the counter n for measuring the time (S10). Here, the value of the counter n is set to 0.
Next, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A determines whether or not the value of the counter n is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value x at the timing of counting the counter n (S11). When the value of the counter n is less than the predetermined threshold value x (No in S11), the process proceeds to step S12, and when the value of the counter n is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value x (Yes in S11). The process proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A adds 1 to the counter n. Then, the process returns to step S11.
On the other hand, in step S13, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A detects the data usage rate. Then, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A gives the detected data usage rate to the first switching control unit 124A.

Next, the first switching control unit 124A determines whether or not the data usage rate is smaller than the predetermined threshold value y (S14). When the data usage rate is smaller than the predetermined threshold value y (Yes in S14), the process proceeds to step S15, and when the data usage rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold value y (No in S14), the process proceeds to step S15. , The process returns to step S13. When the process returns to step S13, the data usage rate is detected again by the first data usage rate detection unit 128A, but the first data usage rate detection unit 128A waits for a predetermined time and then waits for a predetermined time. , Data usage may be detected.

In step S15, the first switching control unit 124A notifies the protection control unit 140 of the switching request.
Upon receiving the notification of the switching request, the protection control unit 140 switches the settings of the first IF unit 120A and the second IF unit 120B in order to confirm the normality of the backup system (S16).

Specifically, the protection control unit 140 sets the output rate of the first data buffer unit 125A to 0% in the first IF unit 120A of the working system so that data is not output from the first data buffer unit 125A. , Instruct the first optical output control unit 131A to shut down. Upon receiving such an instruction, the first optical output control unit 131A turns off the output of the first laser 132A.
Further, the protection control unit 140 switches the second selector 130B in the second IF unit 120B of the backup system so that the IDLE pattern signal generated by the second IDLE pattern generation unit 129B is output and the second light is output. Instruct the output control unit 131B to emit light. Upon receiving such an instruction, the second optical output control unit 131B turns on the output of the second laser 132B. As a result, the second laser 132B outputs an optical signal (IDLE pattern optical signal) corresponding to the IDLE pattern signal output from the second selector 130B.

Then, the second monitor unit 126B receives an instruction from the protection control unit 140, monitors the output level of the optical signal between the second client IF unit 121B and the second coupler 111B, and has a failure in the backup system. It is confirmed whether or not (S17). For example, the second monitor unit 126B determines that the backup system has a failure when the output level of the optical signal output from the second client IF unit 121B is less than a predetermined threshold value. When there is a failure in the backup system (Yes in S17), the second monitor unit 126B notifies the second failure detection unit 127B of the occurrence of the failure and ends the flow.
On the other hand, if there is no failure in the backup system (No in S17), the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the protection control unit 140 restores the setting to the state before switching executed in step S16.
Specifically, the protection control unit 140 sets the output rate of the first data buffer unit 125A to 100% in the first IF unit 120A of the working system, and the data temporarily stored in the first data buffer unit 125A is stored in the first data buffer unit 125A. The output is made to be output, and the first optical output control unit 131A is instructed to emit light. Upon receiving such an instruction, the first optical output control unit 131A turns on the output of the first laser 132A.
Further, the protection control unit 140 switches the second selector 130B in the second IF unit 120B of the backup system so that the data from the second data buffer unit 125B is output, and the second optical output control unit 131B. Instruct to shut down. Upon receiving such an instruction, the second optical output control unit 131B turns off the output of the second laser 132B.

Even when there is no failure in the backup system (No in S17), the second monitor unit 126B notifies the second failure detection unit 127B that no failure has occurred, and the second failure detection unit 127B does so. By notifying the protection control unit 140 of the content, the protection control unit 140 may perform the process of step S18.

Next, the first data usage rate detection unit 128A initializes the value of the counter n (S19), and the process returns to step S11.
The protection control unit 140 notifies the first data usage rate detection unit 128A that the confirmation of the normality of the backup system has been completed during the process of step S18 or after the process, so that the first data usage rate detection unit 140 is notified. The data usage rate detection unit 128A may perform the process of step S19.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the timing of output from the IF unit 120 of the active system and the IF unit 120 of the backup system to the second coupler 111B.
The IF unit 120 of the working system shuts down the output of the client IF unit 121 at the timing t1 when the data usage rate is low after waiting for T1 for a predetermined period using the counter n.
In the period T3 included in the period T2 in which the output of the client IF unit 121 of the active system is shut down, the IF unit 120 of the backup system causes the client IF unit 121 to emit light, and the backup system fails depending on the output level. Check if is occurring.

According to the first embodiment, the normality of the backup system can be confirmed without damaging the data from the client device 101. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication interruption due to the occurrence of a failure in both systems.

Embodiment 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 200 according to the second embodiment includes a first communication device 210A, a second communication device 210B, and a monitoring terminal 150.
The monitoring terminal 150 in the communication system 200 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

The first communication device 210A is connected to the first client device 101A by transmission lines 102A and 102B.
The second communication device 210B is connected to the second client device 101B by transmission lines 102C and 102D.
The first communication device 210A and the second communication device 210B are connected by transmission lines 102E, 102F, 102G, and 102H.
The first client device 101A and the second client device 101B in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. The transmission lines 102A to 102H are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The first communication device 210A and the second communication device 210B are relay devices that relay optical signals communicated between the first client device 101A and the second client device 101B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first communication device 210A and the second communication device 210B, it is referred to as a communication device 210.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication device 210 according to the second embodiment.
The communication device 210 includes a first coupler 111A, a second coupler 111B, a first IF unit 220A, a second IF unit 220B, and a protection control unit 240.
The first coupler 111A and the second coupler 111B are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The first IF unit 220A includes a first client IF unit 221A, a first main signal processing unit 222A, a first transmission line IF unit 123A, a first monitor unit 226A, a first failure detection unit 227A, and a first optical unit. It includes a damping control unit 233A.
Here, the first transmission line IF unit 123A is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The first client IF unit 221A includes a first optical output control unit 231A and a first laser 132A.
The first laser 132A is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The second IF unit 220B includes a second client IF unit 221B, a second main signal processing unit 222B, a second transmission line IF unit 123B, a second monitor unit 226B, and a second failure detection unit 227B.
Here, the second transmission line IF unit 123B is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The second client IF unit 221B includes a second optical output control unit 231B and a second laser 132B.
The second laser 132B is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Here, the first IF unit 220A and the second IF unit 220B are configured in the same manner, and are referred to as an IF unit 220 when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first IF unit 220A and the second IF unit 220B.
When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first client IF unit 221A and the second client IF unit 221B, it is referred to as a client IF unit 221 and is referred to as a first main signal processing unit 222A and a second main signal processing unit 222B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, it is called a main signal processing unit 222, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first monitor unit 226A and the second monitor unit 226B, it is called a monitor unit 226. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first fault detection unit 227A and the second fault detection unit 227B, the fault detection unit 227 is referred to as a first optical output control unit 231A and a second optical output control unit 231B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, it is called an optical output control unit 231. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first light attenuation control unit 233A and the second light attenuation control unit 233B, the light attenuation is called light attenuation. It is called a control unit 233.

The client IF unit 221 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal given from the first coupler 111A, into an electric signal and gives it to the main signal processing unit 222.
The main signal processing unit 222 performs predetermined processing on the main signal which is an electric signal given from the client IF unit 221 and gives the processed main signal to the transmission line IF unit 123. For example, the main signal processing unit 222 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.
The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal given from the main signal processing unit 222 into an optical signal, and outputs the optical signal as an output signal to the transmission line 102.

The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal input from the transmission line 102, into an electric signal, and gives the converted main signal, which is an electric signal, to the main signal processing unit 222.

The main signal processing unit 222 performs predetermined processing on the main signal which is an electric signal given from the transmission line IF unit 123, and gives the processed main signal to the client IF unit 221. For example, the main signal processing unit 222 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.

The client IF unit 221 generates an optical signal based on the main signal given from the main signal processing unit 222, and gives the generated optical signal to the light attenuation control unit 233. For example, in the client IF unit 221, the optical output control unit 231 controls the laser 132 to generate an optical signal. In the second embodiment, the light output control unit 231 always turns on the laser 132 to emit light regardless of whether it is a working system or a spare system.

The optical attenuation control unit 233 performs attenuation processing of the optical signal given from the client IF unit 221 according to the working system setting or the preliminary system setting from the protection control unit 240.
For example, the light attenuation control unit 233 sets the attenuation amount to the minimum when the working system is set from the protection control unit 240.
On the other hand, when the backup system is set from the protection control unit 240, the light attenuation control unit 233 first maximizes the attenuation amount at the start of operation of the communication device 210, and then the output level given by the monitor unit 226. Based on this, the amount of attenuation is gradually reduced so that the output level does not affect the optical signal of the working system. For example, when the optical output of the working system is 0 dBm, if the coherent crosstalk is 35 dB or more, the penalty is 0.1 dB or less. Therefore, if the output level of the optical signal on the standby system side is -35 dBm or less, the working system Does not affect the optical signal of. Therefore, the optical attenuation control unit 233 adjusts the attenuation amount so that the output level of the optical signal on the standby system side becomes a predetermined level of −35 dBm or less. Therefore, the light attenuation control unit 233 has a loss variable range of at least 35 dB. After that, the light attenuation control unit 233 periodically changes the attenuation amount. For example, the light attenuation control unit 233 periodically repeats the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount.
The optical attenuation control unit 233 includes, for example, a variable optical attenuator (VOA), and the variable optical attenuator can be used to attenuate the output of an optical signal.
Then, the light attenuation control unit 233 gives the processed optical signal to the second coupler 111B, which is an output coupler.

The monitor unit 226 monitors the output level of the optical signal between the optical attenuation control unit 233 and the second coupler 111B, gives the output level to the optical attenuation control unit 233, and is a backup system based on the output level. Check if there is a problem with. Then, when the backup system has a failure, the monitor unit 226 notifies the failure detection unit 227 of the occurrence of the failure.
Upon receiving the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the monitor unit 226, the failure detection unit 227 notifies the protection control unit 240 and the monitoring terminal 150 of the occurrence of the failure.

The protection control unit 240 sets the working system or the standby system in the light attenuation control unit 233.
For example, the protection control unit 240 causes the client IF unit 221 of the IF unit 220 functioning as the active system to output an optical signal when the IF unit 220 functioning as the active system has not failed. ..
On the other hand, when the IF unit 220 functioning as the active system has a failure, the protection control unit 240 outputs an optical signal to the client IF unit 221 of the IF unit 220 functioning as the active system. At the same time as stopping, the client IF unit 221 of the IF unit 220 functioning as a backup system is made to output an optical signal.

The protection control unit 240 of the second embodiment reserves the light attenuation control unit 233 of the IF unit 220 that functions as a backup system when the IF unit 220 that functions as the active system does not have a failure. The output level of the optical signal output from the client IF unit 221 of the IF unit 220 functioning as a system is attenuated, and the monitor unit 226 of the IF unit 220 functioning as a backup system monitors the attenuated output level. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the IF unit 220 functioning as a backup system has a failure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of the backup system in the communication device 210 according to the second embodiment.
Here, FIG. 7 shows processing when the first IF unit 220A is the interface unit of the working system and the second IF unit 220B is the interface unit of the backup system.

First, when the operation of the communication device 210 is started, the first light attenuation control unit 233A, which is an active system, sets the attenuation amount to the minimum, and the second light attenuation control unit 233B, which is a backup system, sets the attenuation amount to the minimum. Set to the maximum (S20).

The second light attenuation control unit 233B reduces the attenuation amount based on the output level given by the monitor unit 226 so that the output level does not affect the optical signal of the working system (S21).
Then, the second monitor unit 226B monitors the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 233B, and determines whether or not the second client IF unit 221B, which is a backup system, normally emits light. Confirm (S22). For example, the second monitor unit 226B determines that the backup system is normally emitting light when the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 233B is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. To do. When the standby system does not emit light normally (No in S22), the second monitor unit 226B notifies the second failure detection unit 227B of the occurrence of a failure, and ends the flow.
On the other hand, when the standby system is normally emitting light (Yes in S22), the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the second light attenuation control unit 233B periodically repeats the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount.
Then, the second monitor unit 226B monitors the output level of the optical signal output from the second optical attenuation control unit 233B, and the output level of the optical signal from the second client IF unit 221B, which is a backup system, is periodic. It is determined whether or not it fluctuates to (S24). When the output level of the optical signal does not fluctuate periodically (No in S24), the second monitor unit 226B notifies the second failure detection unit 227B of the occurrence of a failure and ends the flow.
On the other hand, when the output level of the optical signal fluctuates periodically (Yes in S24), the process returns to step S22.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the transition of the output level of the optical signal output from the IF unit 220 of the active system and the IF unit 220 of the backup system to the second coupler 111B.
An optical signal is output from the IF unit 220 of the working system so that the amount of attenuation in the optical attenuation control unit 233 is the minimum, in other words, the output level of the optical signal is maximized.
On the other hand, from the spare system IF unit 220, immediately after the start of operation of the communication device 210, the optical signal is transmitted so that the amount of attenuation in the optical attenuation control unit 233 is maximum, in other words, the output level of the optical signal is minimized. It is being output. After that, the optical attenuation control unit 233 of the spare system lowers the attenuation amount to such an extent that it does not affect the optical signal of the active system, periodically moves the attenuation amount up and down, and periodically raises and lowers the output level of the optical signal. Move it.

The output from the light attenuation control unit 233 is input to the second coupler 111B in both the working system and the standby system, but the above control outputs an optical signal to the client device 101 without affecting the working system.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to confirm the normality of the backup system side without switching the output from the state of operation in the active system to the standby system, and the communication is interrupted due to the occurrence of a failure in both systems. Occurrence can be suppressed. Further, according to the second embodiment, the failure of the light attenuation control unit 233 can also be detected.

Embodiment 3.
In the communication device 210 according to the second embodiment, since the client IF unit 221 of the backup system is also constantly emitting light, the power consumption is constantly increased.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, the normality of the spare system can be confirmed without constantly increasing the power consumption by causing the spare system to emit light at a specific timing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 300 according to the third embodiment includes a first communication device 310A, a second communication device 310B, and a monitoring terminal 150.
The monitoring terminal 150 in the communication system 300 in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

The first communication device 310A is connected to the first client device 101A by transmission lines 102A and 102B.
The second communication device 310B is connected to the second client device 101B by transmission lines 102C and 102D.
The first communication device 310A and the second communication device 310B are connected by transmission lines 102E, 102F, 102G, and 102H.
The first client device 101A and the second client device 101B in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. The transmission lines 102A to 102H are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The first communication device 310A and the second communication device 310B are relay devices that relay optical signals communicated between the first client device 101A and the second client device 101B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first communication device 310A and the second communication device 310B, it is referred to as a communication device 310.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the communication device 310 according to the third embodiment.
The communication device 310 includes a first coupler 111A, a second coupler 111B, a first IF unit 320A, a second IF unit 320B, a protection control unit 340, and a time measurement unit 341.
The first coupler 111A and the second coupler 111B are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The first IF unit 320A includes a first client IF unit 321A, a first main signal processing unit 322A, a first transmission line IF unit 123A, a first monitor unit 326A, a first failure detection unit 327A, and a first optical unit. It includes a damping control unit 333A.
Here, the first transmission line IF unit 123A is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The first client IF unit 321A includes a first optical output control unit 331A and a first laser 132A.
The first laser 132A is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The second IF unit 320B includes a second client IF unit 321B, a second main signal processing unit 322B, a second transmission line IF unit 123B, a second monitor unit 326B, and a second failure detection unit 327B.
Here, the second transmission line IF unit 123B is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The second client IF unit 321B includes a second optical output control unit 331B and a second laser 132B.
The second laser 132B is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Here, the first IF unit 320A and the second IF unit 320B are configured in the same manner, and are referred to as an IF unit 320 when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first IF unit 320A and the second IF unit 320B.
When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first client IF unit 321A and the second client IF unit 321B, it is referred to as a client IF unit 321 and is referred to as a first main signal processing unit 322A and a second main signal processing unit 322B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, it is called a main signal processing unit 322, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first monitor unit 326A and the second monitor unit 326B, it is called a monitor unit 326. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first fault detection unit 327A and the second fault detection unit 327B, the fault detection unit 327 is referred to as a first optical output control unit 331A and a second optical output control unit 331B. When it is not necessary to distinguish each of them, it is called an optical output control unit 331, and when it is not necessary to distinguish each of the first light attenuation control unit 333A and the second light attenuation control unit 333B, the light attenuation is called light attenuation. It is called a control unit 333.

The client IF unit 321 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal given from the first coupler 111A, into an electric signal and gives it to the main signal processing unit 322.
The main signal processing unit 322 performs predetermined processing on the main signal which is an electric signal given from the client IF unit 321 and gives the processed main signal to the transmission line IF unit 123. For example, the main signal processing unit 322 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.
The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal given from the main signal processing unit 322 into an optical signal, and outputs the optical signal as an output signal to the transmission line 102.

The transmission line IF unit 123 converts the main signal, which is an optical signal input from the transmission line 102, into an electric signal, and gives the converted main signal, which is an electric signal, to the main signal processing unit 322.

The main signal processing unit 322 performs predetermined processing on the main signal, which is an electric signal given from the transmission line IF unit 123, and gives the processed main signal to the client IF unit 321. For example, the main signal processing unit 322 performs alarm monitoring processing, performance information monitoring processing, and error correction coding processing of the main signal.

The client IF unit 321 generates an optical signal based on the main signal given from the main signal processing unit 322, and gives the generated optical signal to the light attenuation control unit 333. For example, in the client IF unit 321, the optical output control unit 331 controls the laser 132 to generate an optical signal. In the third embodiment, in the case of the backup system, the optical output control unit 331 turns on the laser 132 at the timing instructed by the time measurement unit 341 to emit light, and is instructed by the protection control unit 340. Shutdown is performed by turning off the laser 132 at the same timing.

When the optical attenuation control unit 333 is a backup system, the optical attenuation control unit 333 performs attenuation processing of the optical signal given from the client IF unit 321 according to the working system setting or the preliminary system setting from the protection control unit 340.
For example, the light attenuation control unit 333 sets the attenuation amount to the minimum when the working system is set from the protection control unit 340.
On the other hand, when the preliminary system is set from the protection control unit 340, the light attenuation control unit 333 first maximizes the attenuation amount at the timing instructed by the time measurement unit 341, and then gives the light attenuation control unit 336 from the monitor unit 326. Based on the output level to be obtained, the amount of attenuation is reduced so that the output level does not affect the optical signal of the working system. After that, the light attenuation control unit 333 repeats the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount periodically a predetermined number of times.
The light attenuation control unit 333 is provided with, for example, a variable optical attenuator (VOA), and the output of the optical signal can be attenuated by using this variable optical attenuator.
Then, the light attenuation control unit 333 gives the processed optical signal to the second coupler 111B, which is an output coupler.

The monitor unit 326 monitors the output level of the optical signal between the optical attenuation control unit 333 and the second coupler 111B, gives the output level to the optical attenuation control unit 333, and is a backup system based on the output level. Check if there is a problem with. Then, when the backup system has a failure, the monitor unit 326 notifies the failure detection unit 327 of the occurrence of the failure.
When the failure detection unit 327 receives the notification of the occurrence of the failure from the monitor unit 326, the failure detection unit 327 notifies the monitoring terminal 150 of the occurrence of the failure.

The protection control unit 340 sets the working system or the standby system in the light attenuation control unit 333.
For example, the protection control unit 340 causes the client IF unit 321 of the IF unit 320 functioning as the working system to output an optical signal when the IF unit 320 functioning as the working system has not failed. ..
On the other hand, when the IF unit 320 functioning as the active system has a failure, the protection control unit 340 outputs an optical signal to the client IF unit 321 of the IF unit 320 functioning as the active system. Stop it. Then, the protection control unit 340 causes the client IF unit 321 of the IF unit 320 functioning as a backup system to output an optical signal.
Further, the protection control unit 340 turns off the laser 132 and shuts down the backup system client IF unit 321 by instructing the backup system optical output control unit 331 after the confirmation of the normality of the backup system is completed. Let me.

The time measurement unit 341 measures the time and determines whether or not the preset time, which is the normality confirmation time, has been reached. Then, when the time reaches a preset time, the time measurement unit 341 gives a process start instruction to the monitor unit 326 of the spare system, the light attenuation control unit 333 of the spare system, and the optical output control unit 331 of the spare system. .. Upon receiving the instruction to start the process, the monitor unit 326 of the spare system, the light attenuation control unit 333 of the spare system, and the optical output control unit 331 of the spare system start each process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the normality of the backup system in the communication device 310 according to the third embodiment.
Here, FIG. 10 shows the processing when the first IF unit 320A is the interface unit of the working system and the second IF unit 320B is the interface unit of the backup system.

First, when the operation of the communication device 310 is started, the first optical attenuation control unit 333A, which is an active system, sets the attenuation amount to the minimum, and the second optical output control unit 331B, which is a backup system, sets the second laser. With 132B turned off, the second light attenuation control unit 333B sets the amount of attenuation to the maximum (S30).

Next, the time measurement unit 341 determines whether or not the normality confirmation time has come (S31). When the normality confirmation time is reached, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the time measurement unit 341 gives a process start instruction to the second monitor unit 326B, the second light attenuation control unit 333B, and the second light output control unit 331B, which are preliminary systems. Upon receiving such an instruction, the second light output control unit 331B causes the second laser 132B to emit light by turning on the second laser 132B.
Then, the second light attenuation control unit 333B reduces the attenuation amount based on the output level given by the second monitor unit 326B so that the output level does not affect the optical signal of the working system (S33).
Then, the second monitor unit 326B monitors the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 333B, and determines whether or not the second client IF unit 321B, which is a backup system, normally emits light. Confirm (S34). For example, the second monitor unit 326B determines that the backup system is normally emitting light when the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 333B is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. To do. When the standby system does not emit light normally (No in S34), the second monitor unit 326B notifies the second failure detection unit 327B of the occurrence of a failure, and ends the flow.
On the other hand, when the backup system is normally emitting light (Yes in S34), the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, the second light attenuation control unit 333B periodically repeats the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount.
Then, the second light attenuation control unit 333B determines whether or not the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount are repeated m times (S36). When the increase and decrease of the attenuation amount are repeated m times (Yes in S36), the process proceeds to step S37. Here, m is an integer of 2 or more.

In step S37, the second monitor unit 326B monitors the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 333B, and the optical signal from the second client IF unit 321B, which is a backup system, periodically. Determine if it is fluctuating. When the optical signal does not fluctuate periodically (No in S37), the second monitor unit 326B notifies the second failure detection unit 327B of the occurrence of a failure, and ends the flow.
On the other hand, when the optical signal fluctuates periodically (Yes in S37), the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S38, the protection control unit 340 turns off the second laser 132B and shuts down the second client IF unit 321B of the backup system by giving the second optical output control unit 331B an instruction to end the process. , Instruct the second light attenuation control unit 333B to set the maximum attenuation amount. Then, the process returns to step S31.

Even if there is no failure in the backup system, the second monitor unit 326B notifies the second failure detection unit 327B that no failure has occurred, and the second failure detection unit 327B notifies the contents to the protection control unit. By notifying the 340, the protection control unit 340 may perform the process of step S38.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing the transition of the output level of the optical signal output from the IF unit 320 of the active system and the IF unit 320 of the backup system to the second coupler 111B.
An optical signal is output from the IF unit 320 of the working system so that the amount of attenuation in the optical attenuation control unit 333 is the minimum, in other words, the output level of the optical signal is maximized.
On the other hand, in the spare system IF unit 320, the light attenuation control unit 333 raises the output level of the optical signal from the minimum to a level that does not affect the optical signal of the working system, and periodically moves the light up and down, and then the light is emitted. The process of minimizing the signal output level is repeated.

In step S37 of FIG. 10, the second monitor unit 326B monitors the output level of the optical signal output from the second light attenuation control unit 333B, and the optical signal from the second client IF unit 321B, which is a backup system, is generated. Although it is determined whether or not it fluctuates periodically, the presence or absence of a failure of the backup system may be determined depending on whether or not the output level fluctuates m times.

According to the third embodiment, the communication device 310 can confirm the normality of the standby system side without increasing the steady power consumption, and can suppress the occurrence of communication interruption due to the occurrence of a failure of both systems. it can.

100,200,300 communication system, 110,210,310 communication device, 111A first coupler, 111B second coupler, 120,220,320 IF part, 121,221,321 client IF part, 122,222,322 main signal Processing unit, 123 transmission line IF unit, 124 switching control unit, 125 data buffer unit, 126,226,326 monitor unit, 127,227,327 failure detection unit, 128 data usage rate detection unit, 129 IDLE pattern generation unit, 130 Selector, 131,231,331 optical output control unit, 132 laser, 233,333 optical attenuation control unit, 140, 240, 340 protection control unit, 341 time measurement unit, 150 monitoring terminal.

Claims (10)

A communication device for connecting a client device to an optical network.
A branching portion that branches the first optical signal from the client device into a second optical signal and a third optical signal,
The second optical signal is converted into a fourth optical signal for the optical network, the fourth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the seventh light branched from the sixth optical signal in the optical network. An interface unit of a working system that receives a signal from the optical network and converts the seventh optical signal into a ninth optical signal for the client device.
An interface unit of a backup system that converts the third optical signal into a fifth optical signal for the optical network and outputs the fifth optical signal to the optical network.
When the interface unit of the working system has not failed, the interface unit of the working system outputs the ninth optical signal to the client device, and the interface unit of the working system has a failure. In this case, the interface unit of the working system stops the output of the ninth optical signal, and the interface unit of the backup system receives the eighth optical signal branched from the sixth optical signal from the optical network. A protection control unit that converts the eighth optical signal into a tenth optical signal for the client device and outputs the tenth optical signal to the client device is provided.
The interface part of the working system is
A data usage rate detection unit that detects a data usage rate that is a ratio of the amount of data contained in the 7th optical signal to the amount of data that can be included in the 7th optical signal.
A data buffer unit for buffering data included in the seventh optical signal is provided.
The interface part of the backup system
A client interface unit that outputs the tenth optical signal or an idle pattern optical signal indicating a predetermined idle pattern, and
It is provided with a monitoring unit for determining whether or not there is a failure in the interface unit of the standby system by monitoring the output level of the idle pattern optical signal.
When the data usage rate becomes lower than a predetermined threshold value, the protection control unit causes the data buffer unit to buffer the data contained in the seventh optical signal, and the interface of the working system. It is characterized in that the output of the ninth optical signal is stopped from the unit, the idle pattern optical signal is output to the client interface unit, and the monitoring unit determines whether or not there is a failure in the interface unit of the backup system. Communication device. When the monitoring unit determines that there is no failure in the interface unit of the backup system, the protection control unit stops the output from the interface unit of the backup system and buffers the data buffer unit. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data is output, and the ninth optical signal is output from the interface unit of the working system. The interface part of the backup system
A transmission line interface unit that receives the eighth optical signal and generates an electric signal corresponding to the eighth optical signal.
An idle pattern generator that generates an idle pattern signal indicating the idle pattern,
A selector for switching a signal to be input to the client interface unit between the electric signal and the idle pattern signal is further provided.
The client interface unit is characterized in that when the electric signal is input, the tenth optical signal is output, and when the idle pattern signal is input, the idle pattern optical signal is output. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2. A communication device for connecting a client device to an optical network.
A branching portion that branches the first optical signal from the client device into a second optical signal and a third optical signal,
The second optical signal is converted into a fourth optical signal for the optical network, the fourth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the seventh light branched from the sixth optical signal in the optical network. An interface unit of a working system that receives a signal from the optical network and converts the seventh optical signal into a ninth optical signal for the client device.
The third optical signal is converted into a fifth optical signal for the optical network, the fifth optical signal is output to the optical network, and the eighth optical signal branched from the sixth optical signal is used. An interface unit of a backup system that receives from an optical network and converts the eighth optical signal into a tenth optical signal for the client device.
When the interface unit of the working system has not failed, the interface unit of the working system outputs the ninth optical signal to the client device, and the interface unit of the working system has a failure. In this case, a protection control unit that stops the output of the ninth optical signal at the interface unit of the working system and outputs the tenth optical signal to the client device at the interface unit of the backup system.
The interface unit of the working system is provided with an output to the client device, and a wave combining unit that combines the output from the interface unit of the standby system to the client device.
The interface part of the backup system
The client interface unit that outputs the 10th optical signal and
An optical attenuation control unit that attenuates the output level of the 10th optical signal output from the client interface unit, and
A monitoring unit for determining the presence or absence of a failure in the interface unit of the backup system by monitoring the output level attenuated by the light attenuation control unit is provided.
When the interface unit of the working system is not faulty, the protection control unit attenuates the output level of the tenth optical signal to the optical attenuation control unit, and the monitoring unit is used to the interface unit of the backup system. A communication device characterized in that it determines the presence or absence of a failure. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the protection control unit causes the client interface unit to constantly output the tenth optical signal. When the operation of the communication device is started, the light attenuation control unit maximizes the amount of attenuation that attenuates the output level of the tenth optical signal, and then gradually reduces the amount of attenuation, and the light The fifth aspect of claim 5, wherein the attenuation is controlled so that the output level attenuated by the attenuation control unit becomes a predetermined level that does not affect the output of the interface unit of the working system. Communication device. It also has a time measurement unit that measures the time and determines whether or not the set time has been reached.
The client interface unit outputs the tenth optical signal when the time measuring unit determines that the set time has been reached.
When the time measuring unit determines that the set time has come, the light attenuation control unit maximizes the amount of attenuation that attenuates the output level of the tenth optical signal, and then gradually reduces the amount of attenuation. Then, the amount of attenuation is controlled so that the output level attenuated by the light attenuation control unit becomes a predetermined level that does not affect the output of the interface unit of the working system.
The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the monitoring unit determines whether or not there is a failure in the interface unit of the backup system when the time measuring unit determines that the set time has been reached. The claim is characterized in that the protection control unit stops the output of the tenth optical signal to the client interface unit when the monitoring unit finishes determining whether or not the interface unit of the backup system has a failure. 7. The communication device according to 7. The light attenuation control unit periodically changes the attenuation amount when the monitoring unit determines whether or not there is a failure in the interface unit of the backup system.
The aspect according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the monitoring unit determines that the failure of the light attenuation control unit is a failure when the output level attenuated by the light attenuation control unit does not fluctuate. Communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the light attenuation control unit has a loss variable range of at least 35 dB.

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