Patents by Inventor Gerard L. Swinkels

Gerard L. Swinkels has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11914855
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing a user interface visualizing a current state of an optical network; receiving user inputs related to capacity mining in the optical network; determining a future state with the capacity mining based on the user inputs; and providing the user interface visualizing the future state. The future state can be presented with respect to a failed link and restoration of traffic on the failed link. The future state can include a plurality of plans with a visualization showing how much of the traffic is restored based on different approaches to the capacity mining. The capacity mining can include configuring optical modems based on determined available excess capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christiane Campbell, Brian Choi, Michael S. Wilgosh, David W. Boertjes, Gerard L. Swinkels, Tommaso D'Ippolito
  • Patent number: 11909645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Segment Routing (SR) Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) in a network include receiving link utilization measurements at a Label Edge Router (LER) with the link utilization measurements flooded by one or more Label Switch Routers (LSRs); and, responsive to one or more of detecting congestion and underutilization on one or more links associated with an SR tunnel at the LER based on the received link utilization measurements, performing one or more actions at the LER to one or more of alleviate the congestion and re-optimize the underutilization. A state of the SR tunnel is maintained only at the LER through a label stack assigned at the LER, and the label stack includes one or more of a node Segment ID (SID) and an adjacency SID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Darek Skalecki, Gerard L. Swinkels
  • Publication number: 20230125468
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing a user interface visualizing a current state of an optical network; receiving user inputs related to capacity mining in the optical network; determining a future state with the capacity mining based on the user inputs; and providing the user interface visualizing the future state. The future state can be presented with respect to a failed link and restoration of traffic on the failed link. The future state can include a plurality of plans with a visualization showing how much of the traffic is restored based on different approaches to the capacity mining. The capacity mining can include configuring optical modems based on determined available excess capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Christiane Campbell, Brian Choi, Michael S. Wilgosh, David W. Boertjes, Gerard L. Swinkels, Tommaso D'Ippolito
  • Patent number: 11563486
    Abstract: Systems and methods for logical to physical link mapping in a fiber optic network are provided. In one implementation, a method includes receiving geographic data related to one or more fiber links in a fiber optic network; receiving logical links on the one or more fiber links; receiving results from one or more tests performed on the one or more fiber links; utilizing the results to determine a physical representation of the one or more fiber links; and displaying a network map of the fiber optic network with the physical representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Christiane Louise Campbell, Tommaso D'Ippolito, Blair Moxon, Anthony Parravano
  • Patent number: 11507262
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing optical network services in an optical network include providing a user interface illustrating a current state of the optical network; performing analysis based on user input related to an event affecting the current state of the optical network to determine a first future state of the optical network; providing an updated user interface illustrating the first future state based on the analysis; performing an updated analysis based on updated user input received in response to the first future to determine a second future state of the optical network; and providing a further updated user interface illustrating the second future state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christiane Campbell, Brian Choi, Michael S. Wilgosh, David W. Boertjes, Gerard L. Swinkels, Tommaso D'Ippolito
  • Publication number: 20210376923
    Abstract: Systems and methods for logical to physical link mapping in a fiber optic network are provided. In one implementation, a method includes receiving geographic data related to one or more fiber links in a fiber optic network; receiving logical links on the one or more fiber links; receiving results from one or more tests performed on the one or more fiber links; utilizing the results to determine a physical representation of the one or more fiber links; and displaying a network map of the fiber optic network with the physical representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Christiane Louise Campbell, Tommaso D'Ippolito, Blair Moxon, Anthony Parravano
  • Patent number: 11101884
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a localization of one or more anomalies in a fiber optic network are provided. In one implementation, a system includes a processing device and a memory device. The memory device is configured to store an anomaly localization module having logic instructions, which, when executed, cause the processing device to display, on a Graphical User Interface (GUI), Network Elements (NEs) and physical fiber plant links of a fiber optic network on a generalized geographical map. Responsive to a user selection, the logic instructions are further configured to cause the processing device to display, on the GUI, a physical fiber plant map based on obtained geographical coordinates of components associated with the fiber optic network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Christiane Louise Campbell, Tommaso D'Ippolito, Blair Moxon, Gerard L. Swinkels, Anthony Parravano
  • Patent number: 10958993
    Abstract: A controller includes a processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to obtain measurements of optical spectrum from an Optical Power Monitor (OPM) connected to a fiber having thereon, one or more optical signals from one or more optical transmitters, wherein the optical signals are based on a flexible grid, manage the one or more optical signals utilizing a first model and manage attenuation control granularity of a Wavelength Selective Switch (WSS) connected to the fiber utilizing a second model, and configure one or more of the WSS and the one or more optical transmitters based on the first model and the second model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Anurag Prakash, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Edward Chen, Trevor J. Ibach, Dominic Richens
  • Publication number: 20200366613
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Segment Routing (SR) Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) in a network include receiving link utilization measurements at a Label Edge Router (LER) with the link utilization measurements flooded by one or more Label Switch Routers (LSRs); and, responsive to one or more of detecting congestion and underutilization on one or more links associated with an SR tunnel at the LER based on the received link utilization measurements, performing one or more actions at the LER to one or more of alleviate the congestion and re-optimize the underutilization. A state of the SR tunnel is maintained only at the LER through a label stack assigned at the LER, and the label stack includes one or more of a node Segment ID (SID) and an adjacency SID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Darek Skalecki, Gerard L. Swinkels
  • Patent number: 10715888
    Abstract: A method, a controller, and an optical network element are configured to perform steps of monitoring one or more optical links each formed by optical transceivers which are configured to provide variable capacity via a plurality of modulation formats; based on the monitoring, causing corresponding optical transceivers for the one or more optical links to operate at a first modulation format different from a second modulation format providing excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to bandwidth useable by one or more services managed by the one or more of the management system, the management plane, and the control plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, James Harley, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Michel Belanger, Paul A. Littlewood, John P. Mateosky, Michael Y. Frankel, Kevin S. Meagher
  • Patent number: 10680739
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is implemented in one of a Network Management System (NMS), an Element Management System (EMS), a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller, and a server executing an SDN application, to increase capacity of one or more links in an optical network. The computer-implemented method includes determining Net System Margin comprising a metric of overall excess margin in the optical network until a Forward Error Correction (FEC) limit is reached; performing an optimization of a plurality of parameters of the optical network to determine which settings are appropriate in the optical network to provide the increased capacity and to consume at least part of the Net System Margin; and causing a plurality of modems in the optical network to change settings based on the optimization to provide the increased capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Kim B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10541923
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Segment Routing (SR) Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) in a network include receiving link utilization measurements at a Label Edge Router (LER) with the link utilization measurements flooded by one or more Label Switch Routers (LSRs); and, responsive to one or more of detecting congestion and underutilization on one or more links associated with an SR tunnel at the LER based on the received link utilization measurements, performing one or more actions at the LER to one or more of alleviate the congestion and re-optimize the underutilization. A state of the SR tunnel is maintained only at the LER through a label stack assigned at the LER, and the label stack includes one or more of a node Segment ID (SID) and an adjacency SID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Darek Skalecki, Gerard L. Swinkels
  • Publication number: 20200007965
    Abstract: A controller includes a processor; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to obtain measurements of optical spectrum from an Optical Power Monitor (OPM) connected to a fiber having thereon, one or more optical signals from one or more optical transmitters, wherein the optical signals are based on a flexible grid, manage the one or more optical signals utilizing a first model and manage attenuation control granularity of a Wavelength Selective Switch (W SS) connected to the fiber utilizing a second model, and configure one or more of the W SS and the one or more optical transmitters based on the first model and the second model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Anurag Prakash, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Edward Chen, Trevor J. Ibach, Dominic Richens
  • Publication number: 20190386766
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is implemented in one of a Network Management System (NMS), an Element Management System (EMS), a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller, and a server executing an SDN application, to increase capacity of one or more links in an optical network. The computer-implemented method includes determining Net System Margin comprising a metric of overall excess margin in the optical network until a Forward Error Correction (FEC) limit is reached; performing an optimization of a plurality of parameters of the optical network to determine which settings are appropriate in the optical network to provide the increased capacity and to consume at least part of the Net System Margin; and causing a plurality of modems in the optical network to change settings based on the optimization to provide the increased capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Kim B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10455300
    Abstract: A method of managing an optical service in a node utilizing a flexible grid for optical spectrum includes utilizing a Media Channel (MC) model to manage a portion of optical spectrum on an optical line, the MC model includes first frequency information which define the portion of optical spectrum; utilizing a Network Media Channel (NMC) model to manage the optical service and to model a path of the optical service in the MC model, the NMC model has frequency information and port connection information for the optical service; and programming hardware in the node based on the MC model and the NMC model to implement the optical service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Anurag Prakash, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Edward Chen, Trevor J. Ibach, Dominic Richens
  • Publication number: 20190245787
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Segment Routing (SR) Traffic Engineering (SR-TE) in a network include receiving link utilization measurements at a Label Edge Router (LER) with the link utilization measurements flooded by one or more Label Switch Routers (LSRs); and, responsive to one or more of detecting congestion and underutilization on one or more links associated with an SR tunnel at the LER based on the received link utilization measurements, performing one or more actions at the LER to one or more of alleviate the congestion and re-optimize the underutilization. A state of the SR tunnel is maintained only at the LER through a label stack assigned at the LER, and the label stack includes one or more of a node Segment ID (SID) and an adjacency SID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Darek SKALECKI, Gerard L. SWINKELS
  • Publication number: 20190215586
    Abstract: A method, a controller, and an optical network element are configured to perform steps of monitoring one or more optical links each formed by optical transceivers which are configured to provide variable capacity via a plurality of modulation formats; based on the monitoring, causing corresponding optical transceivers for the one or more optical links to operate at a first modulation format different from a second modulation format providing excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to bandwidth useable by one or more services managed by the one or more of the management system, the management plane, and the control plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, James Harley, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Michel Belanger, Paul A. Littlewood, John P. Mateosky, Michael Y. Frankel, Kevin S. Meagher
  • Patent number: 10341258
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic adjustment of a connection's priority in a network include configuring the connection with a dynamic priority and setting a current priority based on one or more factors, wherein the connection is a Layer 0 connection, a Layer 1 connection, and a combination thereof; detecting an event in the network requiring a change to the current priority, wherein the event changes the one or more factors; and causing a change in the current priority of the connection based on the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Jatin Sareen, Darek Skalecki, Gerard L. Swinkels
  • Publication number: 20190174211
    Abstract: A method of managing an optical service in a node utilizing a flexible grid for optical spectrum includes utilizing a Media Channel (MC) model to manage a portion of optical spectrum on an optical line, the MC model includes first frequency information which define the portion of optical spectrum; utilizing a Network Media Channel (NMC) model to manage the optical service and to model a path of the optical service in the MC model, the NMC model has frequency information and port connection information for the optical service; and programming hardware in the node based on the MC model and the NMC model to implement the optical service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Gerard L. Swinkels, Anurag Prakash, David W. Boertjes, David Miedema, Edward Chen, Trevor J. Ibach, Dominic Richens
  • Patent number: 10284661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient prioritized restoration of services implemented in a node in a network utilizing a control plane include releasing higher priority services affected by a fault on a link adjacent to the node immediately via control plane signaling such that the higher priority services mesh restore; tracking mesh restoration of the released higher priority services; and releasing lower priority services based on the tracking, subsequent to the mesh restoration of the higher priority services, wherein the higher priority services and the lower priority services comprise one or more of Optical Transport Network (OTN) connections, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) connections, and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Darek Skalecki, Gerard L. Swinkels