International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 10 | Oct 2024 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
A Critical Analysis of Maintenance Requirements and Operational Challenges in Long-Haul Optical Fiber Networks: A Case Study of Uttar Pradesh, India
Indrasen
Singh1 , Dr.
Parul Trivedi
2 , Dr.
Ravi Prakesh
3
1M.Tech Student, Dept. of Electronics Engineering, UNSIET, VBSPU Jaunpur, U.P, India
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Electronics Engineering, UNSIET, VBSPU Jaunpur, U.P, India
3 Professor & Head, Dept. of Electronics Engineering, UNSIET, VBSPU Jaunpur, U.P, India
Abstract - The continuous expansion of long-haul optical fiber networks(LHOFNs)playsacrucialroleinensuringhighspeed data transmission across large distances. However, maintaining these networks presents several challenges, especially in diverse geographic and infrastructural environmentssuchasthosefoundinUttarPradesh,India.This paper presents a detailed critical study of the maintenance requirements, operational challenges, and performance of long-haul optical fiber networks in Uttar Pradesh. Using both primary and secondary data sources, five case studies are analyzed, providing insights into common problems like fiber breaks, environmental damage, and accidental cuts. The research methodology includes a combination of field data collection, statistical analysis, and remote monitoring data from major telecommunication networks across Uttar Pradesh. Based on the data, trends in fiber breaks, downtime, mean time to repair (MTTR), operational costs, and causes of fiber damage are examined. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for improving network resilience and optimizing maintenance strategies to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Key Words: Long-Haul Optical Fiber Networks (LHOFNs), Maintenance Challenges, Data Transmission, Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), Network Resilience, Accidental Fiber Cuts.
1.INTRODUCTION
Theriseindemandforhigh-speedinternetanddataservices hasfueledtheexpansionofopticalfibernetworksglobally. India,asadevelopingeconomy,hasbeenrapidlybuildingits opticalfiberinfrastructuretocatertobothurbanandrural populations. The BharatNet project is a prime example of India'sefforts to deliveraffordablehigh-speed broadband connectivitytoruralareas.However,maintaininglong-haul optical fiber networks in a country with such diverse geographyandvaryingsocio-economicconditionspresentsa myriadofchallenges.Thispaperfocusesonthemaintenance issuesassociatedwithlong-haulopticalfibernetworksinthe stateofUttarPradesh,India.
1.1
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to critically analyze the maintenance requirementsandoperationalchallengesoflong-hauloptical fibernetworksinUttarPradeshby:
Identifyingcommoncausesofnetworkdisruptions suchasfiberbreaksandenvironmentaldamage.
Analyzingtheoperationalandmaintenance(O&M) costsinvolvedinmaintainingthesenetworks.
Assessingtheeffectivenessofcurrentmaintenance practicesandsuggestingimprovements.
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1
Research Design
Theresearchdesigncombinesqualitativeandquantitative methodologiestoprovideacomprehensiveunderstandingof the maintenance requirements of long-haul optical fiber networks.Thestudycomprisesthefollowingelements:
Field Data Collection: Data on fiber breaks, downtime, MTTR, and operational costs are collected from network operators, maintenance personnel, and local service providersinUttarPradesh.
Fig-1: StructureoftheOpticalFiber
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 10 | Oct 2024 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Remote Monitoring and Secondary Data: Data from remote monitoring systems such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometers(OTDRs)andpublishedreportsfromtelecom regulatory bodies, including the Telecom Regulatory AuthorityofIndia(TRAI),areincorporated.
Statistical Analysis: Regressionmodelsandtrendanalysis areusedtodeterminecorrelationsbetweenfiberbreaksand external factors such as construction activities, weather conditions,andgeographicalvariations.
2.2 TYPES OF DATA
Basedonpastresearchandnetworkoperationdata,datasets arecreatedtorepresentnetworkbehaviorunderdifferent scenarios.Theseinclude:
Fiberbreakfrequenciesoveratwo-yearperiod.
Mean time to repair (MTTR) for different networksections.
Downtime anduptime percentages for various regionsinUttarPradesh.
O&M costs and their correlation with network performance.
2.3 Data Collection
The data for this study was collected through multiple sources:
Primary Data: Collectedfromnetworkengineersandlocal serviceprovidersviasurveysandinterviews.
Secondary Data: Extractedfrom reports of the BharatNet project,TRAIpublications,andothertelecomsources.
Remote Monitoring Data: ObtainedthroughOTDRlogsand monitoringreportsfromregionalnetworkoperatorsacross UttarPradesh.
3. CASE STUDIES OF LONG-HAUL OPTICAL FIBER NETWORKS IN UTTAR PRADESH
This section presents five case studies highlighting key operationalchallengesinmaintaininglong-haulopticalfiber networksacrossdifferentregionsofUttarPradesh.
3.1 Case Study 1: Fiber Breaks in the Varanasi-Ghazipur Network
The Varanasi-Ghazipur fiber link, spanning 250 km, is a criticalpartoftheeasternUttarPradeshnetwork.Between 2022and2023,thisrouteexperiencedasubstantialincrease in fiber breaks, from 5 in 2022 to 8 in 2023. The primary causes were identified as construction activities along the
routeandrodentdamage.Weather-relateddamageduring themonsoonseasonfurtherexacerbatedtheproblem.
Key Findings:
Downtime:Increasedfrom96hoursin2022to112 hoursin2023.
MeanTimetoRepair(MTTR):Increasedfrom12to 14hours.
O&MCosts:₹4.5millionin2022,risingto₹5million in2023.
The use of remote monitoring technology, such as OTDR, enabled faster identification of break locations, although logisticaldelaysduetotheregion’sruralsettingprolonged repairtimes.
3.2 Case Study 2: Urban Fiber Maintenance in LucknowKanpur Corridor
The urban network between Lucknow and Kanpur, approximately100km inlength, is denselypopulatedand heavilytrafficked.Thissectionfacedfewerfiberbreaks,with 3 in 2022 and 5 in 2023, primarily due to accidental cuts causedbyconstructionactivities.
Key Findings:
MTTR: Averaged 6 hours in 2022 and 8 hours in 2023.
Downtime:Increasedfrom24hoursin2022to40 hoursin2023.
O&MCosts:₹2.5millionin2022,risingto₹3million in2023.
The deployment of remote monitoring technologies and rapid-response maintenance teams helped minimize downtime,althoughthehighvolumeofurbandevelopment remainsapersistentchallenge.
3.3 Case Study 3: Rural Fiber Breaks in the MeerutSaharanpur Network
Spanning150km,theMeerut-Saharanpurnetworktraverses semi-urban and rural areas. This region recorded 6 fiber breaksin2022and7in2023.Rodentdamageandweatherrelatedincidentsweretheprimarycauses.
Key Findings:
MTTR:Increasedfrom14hoursin2022to16hours in2023.
Downtime:98hoursin2022,risingto112hoursin 2023.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 10 | Oct 2024 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
O&MCosts:₹5millionin2022,risingto₹6millionin 2023.
The long distances between access points in rural areas posedlogisticalchallenges,leadingtohigherdowntimeand MTTRvalues.
3.4 Case Study 4:FiberNetworkResilienceinGorakhpurLucknow
The Gorakhpur-Lucknow fiber route is 270 km long and traverses both urban and rural areas. In 2022, the route experienced7fiberbreaks,whichreducedto6in2023dueto improvedproactivemaintenancestrategies.
Key Findings:
MTTR:Slightreductionfrom11hoursin2022to 12hoursin2023.
Downtime: 70 hours in 2022 and 72 hours in 2023.
O&MCosts:₹4.2millionin2022,risingto₹4.5 millionin2023.
Thedeploymentofrodent-repellentcoatingsandAI-based predictivemaintenancetechnologiescontributedtoaslight improvementinoverallperformance.
3.5 Case Study 5: High-TrafficFiberMaintenanceinAgraDelhi Network
The Agra-Delhi corridor, a critical long-haul fiber route covering 200 km, witnessed the fewest fiber breaks 2 in 2022 and 3 in 2023. However, heavy traffic and frequent roadworkposedsignificantrisks.
Key Findings:
MTTR:Remainedstableat5-6hoursacrossboth years.
Downtime:Minimal,with12hoursin2022and 18hoursin2023.
O&MCosts:₹4.7millionin2022,increasingto₹5 millionin2023.
High urban development and rapid-response maintenance crews resulted in the lowest downtime among the case studies.
4. ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED
4.1 Statistical Analysis of Fiber Break Frequency
Usingthedatacollected,weanalyzedthefiberbreaktrends over 2022 and 2023. It was observed that construction
activitieswereresponsibleforthehighestpercentageoffiber breaks(35%in2023),followedbyweather-relatedincidents (28%).
4.2 Downtime and MTTR Trends
Data illustrate that downtime and MTTR increased across most routes, indicating the need for enhanced preventive maintenancemeasures.Regressionanalysisdemonstrateda significantcorrelation(R²=0.82)betweennetworklength anddowntime.
4.3 Cost Analysis
Theoperationandmaintenancecostsroseacrossallnetwork segments.Theanalysisshowedadirectrelationshipbetween thecomplexityoftheterrainandtheincreaseinO&Mcosts.
Table -1: Operation and Maintenance Cost
5.
DISCUSSION
The case studies and data analysis suggest that despite technologicalinterventionslikeremotemonitoringandAIbasedmaintenance,thenetworkscontinuetofacechallenges inUttarPradesh,particularlyduetoexternalfactorssuchas construction activities and environmental conditions. Rodent damage remains a prominent issue in rural areas, whileurbanroutessufferfromfrequentaccidentalcuts.
Proactive strategies, such as the use of rodent-resistant coatingsand the integration ofpredictive AImodels,have shownpromiseinimprovingnetworkresilience.However, significant investments in both infrastructure and maintenance protocols are required to further reduce downtimeandoperationalcosts
6.
CONCLUSION
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the maintenance requirements and challenges faced by longhaul optical fiber networks in Uttar Pradesh, India. The findings from five detailed case studies reveal the multifaceted nature of network disruptions, with construction activities, weather conditions, and rodent damage identified as the primary causes. While remote monitoringandadvancedrepairtechnologieshaveimproved
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 10 | Oct 2024 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
networkperformance,thereisroomforfurtheroptimization inreducingMTTRandO&Mcosts.Futureresearchshould focus on improving predictive maintenance models and exploringcost-effectivesolutionsformitigatingfiberbreak causes,particularlyinruralregions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Iwouldliketoextendmygratitudeandsincerethankstomy guide Dr. Parul Trivedi,AssistantProfessor,Departmentof ElectronicsEngineering,UNSIET,VBSPurvanchalUniversity, Jaunpurforhimconstantmotivationandsupportduringthe coursework.
Iwouldalsoliketothanks Prof. (Dr.) Ravi Prakesh,Headof Department of Electronics Engineering, UNSIET, VBS PurvanchalUniversity,Jaunpur,and Dr. Ajay Maurya (PG Coordinator)forprovidinguswithresourcesandfacilitiesas weneeded.
IwouldliketothankalltheTeachersandStaffmembersof DepartmentofElectronicsEngineeringwhohavebeenvery cooperativewithme.
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