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Views: 399 Author: Addams Publish Time: 2025-01-09 Origin: Site
In modern communication systems, especially in the field of high-speed fiber-optic communications, optical modules play a vital role. Taking data centers, where optical modules are most widely used, as an example, each data center relies on thousands of optical modules to work together, and the stable operation of these optical modules is the basis for the efficient operation of data centers. In order to grasp the operating status of each optical module in real time and ensure its reliable performance, it is necessary to use DDM (Digital Diagnostic Monitoring) digital diagnostic monitoring technology. This technology can monitor the operating status of optical modules in real time, provide detailed operating parameters and health information, help operation and maintenance personnel quickly locate faults, reduce maintenance time, and thus achieve comprehensive control of data centers. This article will deeply analyze DDM technology to help everyone better understand its working principle and application value.
DDM (Digital Diagnostic Monitoring) is a technology used to monitor and diagnose the internal working status of optical modules. Through the I2C interface, DDM enables optical modules to report their working status, environmental parameters and key performance indicators in real time. These data can be transmitted to external devices through management software or hardware interfaces, helping network administrators better understand the health and operation of optical modules.
The DDM of SFP/SFP+ modules usually follows the SFF-8472 protocol, while the DDM of QSFP+/QSFP28 modules usually follows the SFF-8636 protocol. These protocols define the communication standards between optical modules and monitoring systems, allowing external devices (such as network management systems, monitoring devices, etc.) to access and record diagnostic information of optical modules through the I2C interface, thereby achieving real-time monitoring and management of the status of optical modules.
The DDM function uses the following core monitoring indicators to determine whether the optical module is working properly in real time:
Temperature is a key factor affecting the stability and life of optical modules. DDM technology can monitor the internal temperature of optical modules in real time and provide temperature data to help determine whether the optical module is within the recommended operating temperature range. Too high or too low temperature may affect the performance of the optical module and even cause module failure.
Voltage stability is crucial to the normal operation of optical modules. Too high a voltage may cause CMOS devices to break down and damage the optical module; too low a voltage may cause the laser to not work properly, thus interrupting the communication link.
The laser bias current directly affects the working state of the optical module's TOSA (optical transmitter) and ROSA (optical receiver), and determines the luminous intensity of the laser, that is, the transmit power of the optical module. Too large a bias current may increase the transmit power, but it may also cause overheating, thereby shortening the life of the laser and reducing its stability; too small a bias current may result in insufficient signal strength, affecting communication quality.
The transmit power indicates the intensity of the optical signal sent by the optical module. Too low a transmit power will cause signal attenuation, affect communication quality, and may even cause link oscillation; while too high a transmit power may cause the receiver to overload, damage the optical module, and affect the overall system stability.
The receive power refers to the intensity of the optical signal received by the receiving end. If the receive power is lower than a certain threshold, the receiver may not receive a valid signal, resulting in interruption of the communication link, or causing problems such as bit errors and packet loss, which seriously affects the communication quality.
Real-time monitoring of these key parameters through the DDM function can ensure that the optical module operates in the best working state, reduce the occurrence of faults, and improve the stability and reliability of the communication network.
DDM technology cooperates with various sensors and diagnostic circuits inside the optical module to monitor various operating parameters in real time. These data are transmitted to the external management system through the standardized protocol I2C. The specific workflow is as follows:
Multiple sensors are integrated inside the optical module to monitor parameters such as temperature, voltage, optical power, and current in real time. These sensors continuously collect data and transmit it to the built-in control unit of the optical module.
The control unit of the optical module processes and calibrates the collected data, converts it into hexadecimal data and stores it in a specific position of the optical module register, which is convenient for the device system to read in real time (note that it will disappear when the power is off).
The optical module transmits the monitoring data to the external device through a standardized interface (such as SFP, SFP+, QSFP+, etc.), usually through the I2C bus. External devices (such as network management systems, maintenance platforms, etc.) can read the operating parameters of the optical module through these interfaces.
After the external device reads the DDM information of the optical module, it will compare it with the threshold data preset by the manufacturer in the register of the optical module. If the various monitoring indicators are within the preset threshold range, it means that the optical module is working normally; if it exceeds the threshold range, it indicates that the module may have a fault or abnormality. At this time, the equipment system will record the fault information in the log, and remind the operation and maintenance personnel to check and handle the fault in time through the alarm mechanism to ensure the normal operation of the optical module and the stability of the communication link.
DDM technology can detect abnormal fluctuations in parameters such as temperature, voltage, and power in real time, and issue early warnings to help administrators handle them before the fault occurs, avoiding the impact of sudden faults on the communication network.
By regularly monitoring the working environment and performance parameters of optical modules, administrators can understand the health of optical modules and perform maintenance or replacement in time when potential problems occur in optical modules, thereby extending the service life of optical modules.
DDM technology enables network operators to monitor optical modules in real time and comprehensively, reduce network interruptions or performance degradation caused by equipment failures, and improve the reliability of the entire optical communication network.
In large-scale distributed optical networks, DDM technology enables the health status of optical modules to be remotely monitored and managed. Maintenance personnel can obtain the operating data of optical modules without going to the site, which greatly improves maintenance efficiency and reduces labor costs.
As one of the important functions of optical modules, DDM (digital diagnostic monitoring technology) provides strong support for the maintenance and management of optical communication networks. By real-time monitoring of various operating parameters of optical modules, DDM technology can help administrators detect potential problems in advance, extend the service life of equipment, and improve the overall reliability of the network. With the expansion of network scale and the continuous development of communication technology, the application of DDM technology will become more and more extensive and become an indispensable and important part of modern optical communication networks.
