System for receiving multi-wavelength optical signals and electrical signals, method for multi-wavelength optical signal demultiplexing, and machine-readable medium

Abstract

An example system for multi-wavelength optical signal splitting is disclosed. The examples disclosed herein include a first splitter, a second splitter, and a modulator. The system receives a multi-wavelength optical signal and an electrical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level. The first splitter is used to split the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups. The second splitter is used to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups. The modulator is used to encode the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to multi-wavelength optical signal splitting. Background Art

[0002] Multi-wavelength optical networking (MONET) is a method of transmitting digital information over optical fibers using lasers. MONET provides large bandwidth capacity. MONET uses wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to transmit large amounts of data traffic and allows interoperability between equipment from different vendors. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal and an electrical signal is provided, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level, and the system includes: a first splitter, the first splitter is used to split the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups, wherein the multiple optical wavelength groups are less than the multiple optical wavelengths; a second splitter, the second splitter is used to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple power signal groups, each power signal group has a power level lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and a modulator, the modulator is used to encode the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple power signal groups, or a combination of the multiple optical wavelength groups and the multiple power signal groups.

[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for multi-wavelength optical signal branching is provided, comprising: receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level; receiving an electrical signal; branching the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups, wherein the multiple optical wavelength groups are less than the multiple optical wavelengths; branching the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple power signal groups, each power signal group having a power level lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and encoding the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple power signal groups, or a combination of the multiple optical wavelength groups and the multiple power signal groups.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory machine-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory machine-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions executable by a physical processor, the physical processor causing the processor to perform the following operations: confirming a multi-wavelength optical signal arriving at a first splitter, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level; confirming an electrical signal arriving at a modulator; controlling the first splitter to split the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups, wherein the multiple optical wavelength groups are less than the multiple optical wavelengths; controlling a second splitter to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple power signal groups, each power signal group having a power level lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and configuring the modulator to encode the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple power signal groups, or a combination of the multiple optical wavelength groups and the multiple power signal groups. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present disclosure may be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system for branching multi-wavelength optical signals.

[0008] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter.

[0009] Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of multiple resonator-based ring wavelength splitters connected in cascade.

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) splitter.

[0011] Figure 4A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a Y-branch splitter.

[0012] Figure 4B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multi-mode interferometer (MMI) splitter.

[0013] Figure 4C is a block diagram illustrating an example of a directional coupler splitter.

[0014] Figure 4D is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power splitter coupled to a wavelength splitter.

[0015] Figure 4E is a block diagram illustrating another example of a power splitter coupled to a wavelength splitter.

[0016] Figure 4F is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wavelength splitter connected to a power splitter.

[0017] Figure 4G is a block diagram illustrating another example of a wavelength splitter connected to a power splitter.

[0018] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for branching multi-wavelength optical signals.

[0019] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for demultiplexing a multi-wavelength optical signal.

[0020] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system for branching multi-wavelength optical signals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description is directed to various examples of the present disclosure. The examples disclosed herein should not be interpreted or otherwise used to limit the scope of the present disclosure, including the claims. In addition, the following description has a wide range of applications, and the discussion of any example is intended only to describe the example, and is not intended to indicate that the scope of the present disclosure, including the claims, is limited to the example. In the foregoing description, many details are set forth to understand the examples disclosed herein. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these examples can be implemented without these details. Although a limited number of examples have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will understand the many modifications and variations made thereby. The attached claims are intended to cover these modifications and variations as falling within the scope of these examples. Throughout the present disclosure, the terms "one" and "one" are intended to represent at least one specific element. In addition, as used herein, the term "including" means including but not limited to including, and the term "comprising" means including but not limited to comprising. The term "based on" means "based at least in part on".

[0022] Multi-wavelength optical networking (MONET) is a method of transmitting digital information over optical fibers using lasers. MONET provides large bandwidth capacity. MONET uses wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to transmit large amounts of data traffic and allows interoperability between equipment from different vendors.

[0023] WDM communication systems start with a multi-wavelength source (e.g., comb lasers, single-wavelength laser arrays). A single wavelength is fed to an external modulator to encode electrical information into an optical signal, which is then propagated on to the receiver. The communication bandwidth of a WDM communication system can be expanded by reducing the wavelength spacing (allocating more wavelengths in a limited optical communication window). However, reducing the wavelength spacing makes it possible for crosstalk to occur between adjacent channels. To reduce crosstalk, precise control of the demultiplexers in the source, modulator, and receiver may be required, but this results in more complex photonic and driver circuit design and higher power consumption.

[0024] Previous MONET systems may use resources inefficiently. As an example, a system may have a comb laser with 64 laser lines operating simultaneously. However, the system may be connected to a node that only requires 8 wavelengths. Therefore, 56 wavelengths may be wasted. As another example, the previously described system may have a comb laser with 64 laser lines operating simultaneously, where each laser line has a power of 1 mW. However, the system may be connected to a node that only requires a portion of this power. Therefore, power may also be wasted.

[0025] An example of the present disclosure provides a system for multi-wavelength optical signal splitting. The example includes a first splitter, a second splitter, and a modulator. The system receives a multi-wavelength optical signal and an electrical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level. The first splitter is used to split the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups. The second splitter is used to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups. The modulator is used to encode the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof.

[0026] Another example of the present disclosure provides a method for multi-wavelength optical signal splitting. The method includes the following steps: receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level, and the method includes receiving an electrical signal. The method also includes the following steps: splitting the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups; and splitting the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups. The method further includes the following steps: encoding the electrical signal into the multiple optical wavelength groups, the multiple lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof.

[0027] Examples from the present disclosure provide systems and methods for splitting multiple wavelengths and the power therein. Thus, the following technical advantages are provided: (1) allowing only the wavelengths required by the connected nodes to be separated and used, and then sending the unused wavelengths to other locations where they can be used in different ways; and (2) allowing power within a wavelength to be split (for example, splitting from one stream of 64 wavelengths with 1 mW per wavelength into two streams of 64 wavelengths with 0.5 mW per wavelength), and sending the unused wavelengths (and their power) to other locations where they can be used in different ways. Thus, examples from the present disclosure provide more efficient utilization of all power and wavelength resources available in the transmitter.

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system for splitting a multi-wavelength optical signal. System 100 includes a first splitter 120, a second splitter 125, and a modulator 140. The first splitter 120 and the second splitter 125 can be bidirectionally coupled. The first splitter 120 is coupled to the modulator 140. The second splitter 125 is also coupled to the modulator. System 100 receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 110 input to the first splitter 120, the second splitter 125, or a combination thereof. The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level. System 100 also receives an electrical signal 130 input to the modulator 140.

[0029] The system 100 can be implemented in a variety of ways. As a first example, the system 100 can be implemented as part of a data transmission mechanism between a transmitter side of a first networking switch and a receiver side of a second networking switch, thereby allowing communication between the first networking switch and the second networking switch. In a second example, the system 100 can be implemented as part of a data transmission mechanism between a processing unit (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a system on a chip (SoC)) and a memory unit (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), thereby allowing communication between the processing unit and the memory unit.

[0030] The first splitter 120 is used to split a plurality of optical wavelengths from the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein the plurality of optical wavelength groups are less than the plurality of optical wavelengths. In a first example, the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 may include four optical wavelengths (λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4) input into the first splitter 120, and then the first splitter 120 splits the four optical wavelengths into two optical wavelength groups: a first optical wavelength group (λ1, λ3) and a second optical wavelength group (λ2, λ4). In a second example, the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 may include four optical wavelengths (λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4) input into the first splitter 120, and then the first splitter 120 splits the four optical wavelengths into three optical wavelength groups: a first optical wavelength group (λ1, λ4), a second optical wavelength group (λ2), and a third optical wavelength group (λ3). In another example, the first splitter can split the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups by increasing the channel spacing between any consecutive optical wavelengths in a certain optical wavelength group (eg, see embodiment 200A of 2A). The first splitter 120 has various embodiments, Figure 2A and Figure 3 Some examples of the first splitter 120 are disclosed. The first splitter 120 may include a single splitter or a plurality of splitters connected in cascade (eg, see Figure 2B ). The first splitter 120 may be connected downstream of the second splitter 125 (eg, see Figure 4D and Figure 4E ).

[0031] The second splitter 125 is used to split the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 or multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups, and the power level of each lower power signal group is lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal. In a first example, the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 may include four optical wavelengths (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4) with power levels input to the second splitter 125, and then the second splitter 125 splits the four optical wavelengths into two lower power signal groups: a first lower power signal group (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4) and a second optical wavelength group (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4). In a second example, the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 may include four optical wavelengths with power levels (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4) input to the second splitter 125, and then the second splitter 125 splits the four optical wavelengths into two lower power signal groups: a first lower power signal group (0.75mWλ1, 0.75mWλ2, 0.75mWλ3, 0.75mWλ4) and a second optical wavelength group (0.25mWλ1, 0.25mWλ2, 0.25mWλ3, 0.25mWλ4). In a third example, the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 may include four optical wavelengths with power levels (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4) input into the second splitter 125, and then the second splitter 125 splits the four optical wavelengths into three lower power signal groups: a first lower power signal group (0.33mWλ1, 0.33mWλ2, 0.33mWλ3, 0.33mWλ4), a second optical wavelength group (0.33mWλ1, 0.33mWλ2, 0.33mWλ3, 0.33mWλ4) and a third optical wavelength group (0.33mWλ1, 0.33mWλ2, 0.33mWλ3, 0.33mWλ4). The second splitter 125 has various implementations, Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C Some examples of the first splitter 120 are disclosed. The second splitter 125 may include a single splitter or multiple splitters connected in cascade. The second splitter 125 may be connected downstream of the first splitter 120 (eg, see Figure 4F and Figure 4G ).

[0032] The modulator 140 is used to encode the electrical signal into multiple groups of optical wavelengths, multiple groups of lower power signals, or a combination thereof.

[0033] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter. The resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A may be implemented as Figure 1 The first splitter 120 in the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A. The resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A includes a ring 220A, wherein light can propagate in the ring based on the refractive index of the ring 220A. The refractive index of the ring 220A is directly related to the size of the circumference of the ring 220A. The refractive index can be adjusted under certain conditions, some examples of which are temperature and injection current. These conditions cause the ring 220A to propagate an incoming wavelength of a specific integer number of wavelengths. For example, the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 210A having eight optical wavelengths (λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4, λ5, λ6, λ7, λ8) input into the ring 220A. The multi-wavelength optical signal 210A can be connected to Figure 1 The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 in the ring 220A is the same or similar. Since the ring 220A propagates a continuous wavelength with a free spectral range (FSR) of two wavelength units, the ring circumference of the ring 220A has a refractive index that causes only even wavelengths to be propagated into the resonator. In the present disclosure, FSR can be understood as the distance between two continuous wavelengths propagated in the ring resonator. Therefore, the optical wavelength 230A (λ1, λ3, λ5, λ7) propagates into the ring, while the optical wavelength (λ2, λ4, λ6, λ8) is not propagated. The propagated optical wavelength 230A (λ1, λ3, λ5, λ7) can be output to the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A through the first channel 240A, and the non-propagated optical wavelength (λ2, λ4, λ6, λ8) can be output to the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A through the second channel 250A. Therefore, the resonator-based ring splitter 200A splits the multi-wavelength optical signal 210A having eight optical wavelengths into two optical wavelength groups: a first optical wavelength group through the first channel 240A and a second optical wavelength group through the second channel 250A.

[0034] Figure 2B 200B includes a first resonator-based ring splitter 220B and a second resonator-based ring splitter 260B connected in cascade. The first resonator-based ring splitter 220B and the second resonator-based ring splitter 260B can be connected to Figure 2A, are the same or similar to the resonator-based ring splitter 220A in . For clarity, both splitters are from the same type (resonator-based ring splitter), however and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, different types of splitters can be cascaded. In this example, the first resonator-based ring splitter 220B propagates a wavelength having a FSR of 5 wavelength units, and the second resonator-based ring splitter 260B propagates a wavelength having a FSR of M wavelength units, where M is a positive integer. In this example, the splitter 200B receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 210B having N optical wavelengths (λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4, ..., λN) input into the ring 220B, where N is a positive integer. The multi-wavelength optical signal 210A can be connected to Figure 1 The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 in the ring 220B is the same or similar. Then, since the ring 220B has an FSR of 5 wavelength units, the ring 220B propagates the first optical wavelength group 230B (λ1, λ5, λ10, ..., λN-M-1). The first optical wavelength group 230B (λ1, λ5, λ10, ..., λN-M-1) is output through the first output channel 240B. Since the ring 220B is cascade-connected to the ring 260B, the unpropagated optical wavelength from the ring 220B is input into the ring 260B. Then, since the ring 260B has an FSR of M wavelength units, the ring 260B propagates the second optical wavelength group (λM, λ5+M, λ10+M, ..., λN-1). The second optical wavelength group (λM, λ5+M, λ10+M, ..., λN-1) is output through the second output channel 270B. The unpropagated optical wavelengths from the ring 260B form a third optical wavelength group (λM+1, λM+6, ..., λN) output through the third output channel 280B. Therefore, the splitter 200A including two resonator-based ring splitters connected in cascade splits the multi-wavelength optical signal 210B into three optical wavelength groups: a first optical wavelength group through the first channel 240B, a second optical wavelength group through the second channel 270B, and a third optical wavelength group through the third channel 280B. For simplicity, this example only includes two resonator-based ring splitters connected in cascade, however, more resonator-based ring splitters may also be connected in cascade.

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) splitter. The AWG splitter 300 may be implemented as Figure 1 The AWG 300 includes a first free propagation region 320 and a second free propagation region 330. The first free propagation region 320 can perform Figure 1300) to diffract the multi-wavelength optical signal 110 in the free propagation region 320 to the plurality of diffraction waveguides. Then, the plurality of diffraction waveguides can be input to the second free propagation waveguide 330 to branch the plurality of wavelengths within the diffraction waveguide into a plurality of output channels. In this example, the AWG 300 receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 310 having six optical wavelengths (λ1, λ2, λ3, λ4, λ5, λ6) input into the free propagation region 320. Then, the six optical wavelengths are propagated to the second free propagation waveguide 330, where they are branched into three output channels 340. According to the drawings and arranged in sequential order, the first optical wavelength (λ1) can be output through the first output channel; the second optical wavelength (λ2) can be output through the second output channel; the third optical wavelength (λ3) can be output through the third output channel; the fourth optical wavelength (λ4) can be output through the first output channel; the fifth optical wavelength (λ5) can be output through the second output channel; and the sixth optical wavelength (λ6) can be output through the third output channel. Therefore, the AWG 300 splits the multi-wavelength optical signal 310 having six optical wavelengths (λ1-λ6) into three optical wavelength groups: a first optical wavelength group (λ1, λ4) through a first channel, a second optical wavelength group (λ2, λ5) through a second channel, and a third optical wavelength group (λ3, λ6) through a third channel. For simplicity, the AWG 300 includes only five diffractive waveguides and three output channels, but it can be designed to have a different number of diffractive waveguides and a different number of output channels. The AWG splitter can be cascaded with any other wavelength splitter or power splitter (for example, see Figure 2B ).

[0036] Figure 4A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a Y-branch splitter. The Y-branch splitter 400A may be implemented as Figure 1 The Y-branch splitter 400A is used to split the incoming multi-wavelength optical signal (e.g., Figure 1The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 in the Y-branch splitter 400A is split into a plurality of lower power signal groups, wherein the plurality of lower power signal groups have the same power level. In this example, the Y-branch splitter 400A receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 410A having eight optical wavelengths (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4, 1mWλ5, 1mWλ6, 1mWλ7, 1mWλ8) of 1mW each. These eight optical wavelengths propagate through a single waveguide until reaching a waveguide break 420A, in which the single waveguide (to the left of the waveguide break 420A) is split into two waveguides or output channels 430A-440A (to the right of the waveguide break 420A). Then, the waveguide is split into two halves, thereby outputting (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4, 0.5mWλ5, 0.5mWλ6, 0.5mWλ7, 0.5mWλ8) through the first output channel 430A and outputting (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4, 0.5mWλ5, 0.5mWλ6, 0.5mWλ7, 0.5mWλ8) through the second output channel 440A. The Y-branch splitter can be cascaded with any other power splitter or wavelength splitter (see, for example, Figure 2B ).

[0037] Figure 4B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multi-mode interferometer (MMI) splitter. The MMI splitter 400B may be implemented as Figure 1 The MMI splitter 400B is used to split the incoming multi-wavelength optical signal (e.g., Figure 1The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 of the present invention is split into a plurality of lower power signal groups, wherein the plurality of lower power signal groups have the same or different power levels. In this example, the MMI splitter 400B receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 410B having eight optical wavelengths (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4, 1mWλ5, 1mWλ6, 1mWλ7, 1mWλ8) of 1mW each. These eight optical wavelengths propagate through a single waveguide until reaching a waveguide break 420B, in which the single waveguide (to the left of the waveguide break 420B) is split into two waveguides or output channels 430B-440B (to the right of the waveguide break 420B). The waveguide is then split, such that, for example, (0.8 mW λ1, 0.8 mW λ2, 0.8 mW λ3, 0.8 mW λ4, 0.8 mW λ5, 0.8 mW λ6, 0.8 mW λ7, 0.8 mW λ8) is output through the first output channel 430B and (0.2 mW λ1, 0.2 mW λ2, 0.2 mW λ3, 0.2 mW λ4, 0.2 mW λ5, 0.2 mW λ6, 0.2 mW λ7, 0.2 mW λ8) is output through the second output channel 440B. For simplicity, only two output ports are shown, however, the MMI splitter 420B may have more output ports capable of adjusting the power level of each output port. The MMI splitter may be cascaded with any other power splitter or wavelength splitter (e.g., see Figure 2B ).

[0038] Figure 4C is a block diagram illustrating an example of a directional coupler splitter. The MMI splitter 400C may be implemented as Figure 1 The MMI splitter 400C is used to split the incoming multi-wavelength optical signal (eg, Figure 1 The directional coupler 400C may have a main waveguide ( Figure 4C top) and adjacent waveguides ( Figure 4CThe wavelength propagates through the main waveguide, however, if the adjacent waveguide is close enough to the main waveguide, some of the power from the main waveguide may be transferred (divided) to the adjacent waveguide. Therefore, (1) how close the adjacent waveguide is to the main waveguide and (2) how long the adjacent waveguide is close to the main waveguide are parameters that can determine how much power can be transferred (divided) from the main waveguide to the adjacent waveguide. In this example, the directional coupler splitter 400C receives a multi-wavelength optical signal 410C having eight optical wavelengths (1mWλ1, 1mWλ2, 1mWλ3, 1mWλ4, 1mWλ5, 1mWλ6, 1mWλ7, 1mWλ8) of 1mW each. These eight optical wavelengths propagate through the main waveguide until reaching the waveguide breakpoint 420C, where the adjacent waveguide approaches the main waveguide and divides the power of the eight optical wavelengths into two channels 430C-440C. The power of these eight optical wavelengths can then be split, for example, through the main output channel 430C (0.75mWλ1, 0.75mWλ2, 0.75mWλ3, 0.75mWλ4, 0.75mWλ5, 0.75mWλ6, 0.75mWλ7, 0.75mWλ8), and output through the adjacent output channel 440C (0.25mWλ1, 0.25mWλ2, 0.25mWλ3, 0.25mWλ4, 0.25mWλ5, 0.25mWλ6, 0.25mWλ7, 0.25mWλ8). The directional coupler splitter can be cascaded with any other power splitter or wavelength splitter (see, for example, Figure 2B ).

[0039] Figure 4D is a block diagram illustrating an example of a power splitter coupled to a wavelength splitter. System 400D may be implemented as Figure 1 The system 400D includes a first splitter 120 and a second splitter 125. The system 400D includes a power splitter 420D connected to a wavelength splitter 440D. The power splitter 420D can transfer the multi-wavelength optical signal (e.g., Figure 1 The power splitter 420D can function as Figure 4A Y branch splitter 400A, Figure 4B MMU splitter 400B, Figure 4C The multi-wavelength splitter 440D may be the same or similar to the directional coupler 400C or a combination thereof connected in cascade. The multi-wavelength splitter 440D may split the multiple lower power optical wavelengths output from the power splitter 420D into multiple lower power optical wavelength groups. The function of the multi-wavelength splitter 440D may be the same as Figure 2A Resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A, Figure 3 AWG 300, or a combination of them connected in cascade (e.g. Figure 2BFor clarity, Figure 4E An example of a system 400D is shown.

[0040] Figure 4E is a block diagram illustrating another example of a power splitter coupled to a wavelength splitter. System 400E may be implemented as Figure 1 The system 400E may also be implemented as a first splitter 120 and a second splitter 125. Figure 4D System 400D. System 400E includes a Y-branch power splitter 420E that connects each Y-branch power splitter output channel to a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter (a first resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E connected to a first output channel, and a second resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 460E connected to a second output channel).

[0041] In an example, the system 400E may receive a multi-wavelength optical signal (eg, Figure 1 Then, the Y-branch splitter can split the power of the four optical wavelengths into the two output channels (for more detailed disclosure of the Y-branch splitter 420E, see, for example, Figure 4A ); thereby outputting a first lower power wavelength group (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4) through the first output channel of the Y-branch splitter 420E, and outputting a second lower power wavelength group (0.5mWλ1, 0.5mWλ2, 0.5mWλ3, 0.5mWλ4) through the second output channel of the Y-branch splitter 420E. The first lower power wavelength group is input to the first resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E, and the second lower power wavelength group is input to the second resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 460E. The first resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E splits the first lower power wavelength group into two lower power split wavelength groups (for more detailed disclosure of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E, see, e.g. Figure 2A): a first lower power split wavelength group (0.5 mW λ1, 0.5 mW λ3) passing through the first output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E, and a second lower power split wavelength group (0.5 mW λ2, 0.5 mW λ4) passing through the second output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 440E. The second resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 460E splits the second lower power wavelength group into two lower power split wavelength groups: a third lower power split wavelength group (0.5 mW λ1, 0.5 mW λ3) passing through the first output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 460E, and a fourth lower power split wavelength group (0.5 mW λ2, 0.5 mW λ4) passing through the second output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 460E.

[0042] Figure 4F is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wavelength splitter connected to a power splitter. System 400F may be implemented as Figure 1 The system 400F includes a wavelength splitter 420F connected to a power splitter 440F. The multi-wavelength splitter 420F can transfer a multi-wavelength optical signal (e.g., Figure 1 The multi-wavelength optical signal 110) is split into multiple optical wavelength groups. The function of the multi-wavelength splitter 420F can be the same as Figure 2A Resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A, Figure 3 AWG 300, or a combination of them connected in cascade (e.g. Figure 2B The power splitter 440F may split the plurality of optical wavelength groups output from the wavelength splitter 440F into a plurality of lower power signal groups. The function of the power splitter 440F may be the same as that of the Figure 4A Y branch splitter 400A, Figure 4B MMU splitter 400B, Figure 4C The directional coupler 400C, or a combination thereof connected in cascade is the same or similar. For clarity, Figure 4G An example of a system 400D is shown.

[0043] Figure 4G is a block diagram illustrating another example of a wavelength splitter connected to a power splitter. The system 400G may be implemented as Figure 1 The system 400G may also be implemented as a first splitter 120 and a second splitter 125. Figure 4FSystem 400F. System 400G includes a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 420G that connects each output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 420G to a Y-branch splitter (a first Y-branch splitter 440G connected to a first output channel, and a second Y-branch splitter 440G connected to a second output channel).

[0044] In an example, the system 400G can receive a multi-wavelength optical signal (eg, Figure 1 Then, the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 420G can split the four optical wavelengths into the two output channels (for more detailed disclosure of the resonator-based ring splitter 420G, see, for example, Figure 2A ), thereby outputting the first optical wavelength group (1mWλ1, 1mWλ3) through the first output channel of the resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 420G, and outputting the second optical wavelength group (1mWλ2, 1mWλ4) through the second output channel of the resonator-based ring splitter 420G. The first optical wavelength group is input to the first Y-branch splitter 440G, and the second optical wavelength group is input to the second Y-branch splitter 460G. The first Y-branch splitter 440G splits the first optical wavelength group into two lower power branched wavelength groups (for more detailed disclosure of the Y-branch splitter 440G, see, e.g. Figure 4A ): a first lower power branched wavelength group (0.5 mW λ1, 0.5 mW λ3) for the first output channel through the Y branch splitter 440G, and a second lower power branched wavelength group (0.5 mW λ2, 0.5 mW λ4) for the second output channel through the Y branch splitter 440E. The second Y branch splitter 460E branches the second optical wavelength group into two lower power branched wavelength groups: a third lower power branched wavelength group (0.5 mW λ1, 0.5 mW λ3) for the first output channel through the Y branch splitter 460E, and a fourth lower power branched wavelength group (0.5 mW λ2, 0.5 mW λ4) for the second output channel through the Y branch splitter 460E.

[0045] Figure 55 is a block diagram illustrating a system for splitting a multi-wavelength optical signal. System 500 includes a plurality of output ports 510 outputting at least one electrical signal. The plurality of output ports 510 may include a first output port 510A, a second output port 510, and a sixth output port 510F. For clarity, only six output ports are shown, but any other number of output ports may be used. System 500 may also include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may include a first multi-wavelength light source 520A and a second multi-wavelength light source 520B. The multi-wavelength light source may be understood as one or more devices (e.g., comb lasers, hybrid micro-ring laser arrays) that output multi-wavelength optical signals. Each multi-wavelength light source may be connected to a splitter (e.g., a multi-wavelength light source 520A may be connected to a splitter 530A, and a multi-wavelength light source 520B may be connected to a splitter 530B). Each splitter may be connected to one or more modulators (e.g., a splitter 530A may be connected to modulators 540A, 540B, and 540C). For clarity, the figures show that each splitter is connected to three modulators, however any other number of modulators may be connected to the splitter. Each modulator is connected to an optical propagation medium (e.g., an optical fiber) capable of transmitting an optical signal to a receiver. In the figures, each modulator is connected to a different optical propagation medium (e.g., modulator A 540A is connected to optical propagation medium 550A), however different numbers of modulators may be connected to the same optical propagation medium. If the received wavelength group includes a plurality of optical wavelengths, the receiver includes a demultiplexer (DEMUX). If the receiver includes a DEMUX (e.g., DEMUX 560A-560F), the DEMUX is connected to a photodetector (e.g., photodetectors 570A-570F). However, if the receiver does not include a photodetector, the optical propagation medium may be directly connected to the photodetector. Each photodetector is connected to a plurality of input ports (e.g., a plurality of input ports 580).

[0046] In this example, multi-wavelength optical sources 520A and 520B input multi-wavelength optical signals to splitters 530A and 530B. The multi-wavelength optical signals include multiple optical wavelengths and have power levels. Splitters 530A and 530B can be connected to Figure 1The first splitter 120 and the second splitter 125 are the same or similar. The splitters 530A and 530B split the multiple optical wavelengths into multiple optical wavelength groups, multiple lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof that are input to the modulators 540A-540F. The modulators 540A-540F receive electrical signals from the multiple output ports 510. The modulators 540A-540F encode the electrical signals into multiple optical wavelength groups, multiple lower power signal groups, or a combination thereof. The modulators 540A-540F propagate the multiple encoded optical wavelengths through the optical propagation medium 550A-550F. The optical propagation medium 550A-550F propagates the encoded optical wavelengths from the modulators 540A-540F on the transmitter side to the DEMUX 560A-560F on the receiver side. The DEXUMs 560A-560F demultiplex each optical wavelength from the encoded optical wavelength and send them to the photodetectors 570A-570F. The photodetectors 570A-570F decode the electrical signals from the encoded optical wavelengths and send them to the appropriate input ports 580A-580F of the plurality of input ports 580.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flow chart of an example method for splitting a multi-wavelength optical signal. The method 600 may be performed, for example, by Figure 1 The method 600 may also be implemented by Figure 5 The method 600 and the methods described herein may be implemented in the form of machine-readable instructions stored in a memory of a computing system (e.g., Figure 7 The method 600 may be implemented in the form of instructions 741-745 of the system 700), in the form of electronic circuits, or in other suitable forms. The method 600 includes multiple blocks to be performed (e.g., blocks 610-650).

[0048] In a first example, method 600 may be performed by a data transmission mechanism between a transmitter side of a first networking switch and a receiver side of a second networking switch.

[0049] In a second example, the method 600 may be performed by a data transfer mechanism between a processing unit (eg, a central processing unit (CPU), a system on a chip (SoC)) and a memory unit.

[0050] At block 610, a system (e.g., Figure 1 The system 100 receives a multi-wavelength optical signal (eg, Figure 1 The multi-wavelength optical signal 110 includes a plurality of optical wavelengths (eg, Figure 2Aλ1-λ8 210A) and having a power level. In an example, the multi-wavelength optical signal can be output by a comb laser. In another example, the multi-wavelength optical signal can be output by a hybrid micro-ring laser array.

[0051] At block 620, the system receives an electrical signal (e.g., Figure 3 The electrical signal 130 may be modulated by a modulator (e.g., Figure 1 The electrical signal may be received by an electronic output port (e.g., Figure 5 Electronic output port OPA510A-OPF 510F) output.

[0052] At block 630, the system splits the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups (e.g., Figure 2A 204A and 250A), wherein the plurality of optical wavelength groups are less than the plurality of optical wavelengths. Block 630 may be comprised of Figure 1 In an example, block 630 may be performed by a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter (e.g., Figure 2A In another example of the present disclosure, block 630 may be performed by an AWG splitter (e.g., Figure 3 As a third example, block 630 may be performed in a manner that the splitter splits the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein each optical wavelength group includes a single optical wavelength.

[0053] At block 640, the system splits the multi-wavelength optical signal or multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups (e.g., Figure 4A Block 640 may be composed of lower power signal groups 430A and 440A), each of which has a power level lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal. Figure 1 In a first example, block 640 may be performed by a Y-branch splitter (e.g., Figure 4A In a second example, block 640 may be performed by an MMI splitter (e.g., Figure 4B In a third example, block 640 may be performed by a directional coupler splitter (e.g., Figure 4C The directional coupler splitter 400C) is implemented.

[0054] At block 650, the system encodes the electrical signal into multiple groups of optical wavelengths, multiple groups of lower power signals, or a combination thereof. Block 650 may be performed by Figure 1 The modulator 140 in is executed.

[0055] Figure 7is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing system for sequencing host I / O requests and I / O snapshots. Figure 7 A system 700 is described, which includes a physical processor 720 and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740. The processor 720 may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU) core, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or the like. The machine-readable storage medium 740 may store or encode instructions 741-745 that may be executed by the processor 720 to perform the functions described herein. The hardware of the system 700 may be similar to Figure 1 The hardware in system 100 is the same or similar. System 700 may use Figure 6 Method 600.

[0056] In an example, instructions 741-745 and / or other instructions may be part of an installation package that can be executed by processor 720 to implement the functionality described herein. In this case, non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740 may be a portable medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory device, or a memory maintained by a computing device from which the installation package can be downloaded and installed. In another example, the program instructions may be part of one or more applications that have been installed in non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740.

[0057] The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740 may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable data accessible to the system 700. Thus, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disk, etc. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740 does not include transient propagating signals. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 740 may be distributed in the system 700 and / or in any other device that communicates with the system 700.

[0058] exist Figure 7 In the example of , the instructions 741, when executed by the processor 720, cause the processor 720 to confirm the multi-wavelength optical signal (eg, Figure 1 The multi-wavelength optical signal 110) arrives at the first splitter (eg, Figure 2A Resonator-based ring wavelength splitter 200A, Figure 3 AWG splitter 300), wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level.

[0059] The system 700 may further include instructions 742 that, when executed by the processor 720, cause the processor 720 to confirm the electrical signal (e.g., Figure 1 The electrical signal 130) reaches the modulator (e.g., Figure 1 modulator 130).

[0060] The system 700 may further include instructions 743 that, when executed by the processor 720, cause the processor 720 to control the first splitter to split the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein the plurality of wavelength groups is less than the plurality of optical wavelengths.

[0061] System 700 may further include instructions 744 that, when executed by processor 720, cause processor 720 to control a second splitter (eg, Figure 4A Y branch splitter 400A, Figure 4B MMI splitter 400B, Figure 4C A directional coupler 400C) is provided to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the multiple optical wavelength groups into multiple lower power signal groups, the power level of each lower power signal group being lower than the power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal.

[0062] The system 700 may further include instructions 745 that, when executed by the processor 720, cause the processor 720 to configure the modulator to encode the electrical signal into multiple groups of optical wavelengths, multiple groups of lower power signals, or a combination thereof.

[0063] The above examples can be implemented by hardware or software combined with hardware. For example, the various methods, processes and functional modules described herein can be implemented by a physical processor (the term "processor" will be broadly interpreted as including a CPU, a processing module, an ASIC, a logic module or a programmable gate array, etc.). The processes, methods and functional modules can all be performed by a single processor or divided between several processors. Therefore, references to "processor" in the present disclosure or claims should be interpreted as meaning "at least one processor". The processes, methods and functional modules are implemented as machine-readable instructions that can be executed by at least one processor, the hardware logic circuits of at least one processor, or a combination thereof.

[0064] The drawings in the examples of the present disclosure are some examples. It should be noted that some units and functions of the process are not necessary for implementing the present disclosure. These units can be combined into one unit, or further divided into multiple sub-units. What has been described and illustrated herein are examples of the present disclosure and some of its variations. The terms, descriptions, and drawings used herein are explained by way of example. Many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are intended to be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for receiving multi-wavelength optical signals and electrical signals, wherein: The multi-wavelength optical signal includes multiple optical wavelengths and has a power level, and the system includes: a first splitter, the first splitter being configured to split the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein the plurality of optical wavelength groups is less than the plurality of optical wavelengths; a second splitter configured to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the plurality of optical wavelength groups into a plurality of power signal groups, each power signal group having a power level lower than a power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and A modulator is configured to encode the electrical signal into the plurality of optical wavelength groups, the plurality of power signal groups, or a combination of the plurality of optical wavelength groups and the plurality of power signal groups.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first splitter comprises a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter for splitting the plurality of optical wavelengths into the plurality of optical wavelength groups.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first splitter includes an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) for splitting the plurality of optical wavelengths into the plurality of optical wavelength groups.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The second splitter includes at least one of a Y-branch splitter, a multi-mode interferometer MMI or a directional coupler, and is used to split the multi-wavelength optical signal into the multiple power signal groups.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first splitter includes a plurality of splitters connected in cascade.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein: The second splitter includes a plurality of splitters connected in cascade.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first splitter splits the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups by increasing a channel spacing between any consecutive optical wavelengths in the optical wavelength groups.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein: An optical wavelength group of the plurality of optical wavelength groups includes a plurality of optical wavelengths, and the system further includes an optical demultiplexer DEMUX for demultiplexing each optical wavelength in the optical wavelength group.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a comb laser that outputs the multi-wavelength optical signal.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hybrid micro-ring laser array for outputting the multi-wavelength optical signal.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic output port for outputting the electrical signal.

12. The system of claim 1, the system being part of a data transmission mechanism between a transmitter side of a first networking switch and a receiver side of a second networking switch.

13. The system of claim 1, the system being part of a data transfer mechanism between a processing unit and a memory unit.

14. A method for splitting multi-wavelength optical signals, comprising: receiving a multi-wavelength optical signal, wherein the multi-wavelength optical signal includes a plurality of optical wavelengths and has a power level; Receiving electrical signals; splitting the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein the plurality of optical wavelength groups are less than the plurality of optical wavelengths; splitting the multi-wavelength optical signal or the plurality of optical wavelength groups into a plurality of power signal groups, each power signal group having a power level lower than a power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and The electrical signal is encoded into the plurality of optical wavelength groups, the plurality of power signal groups, or a combination of the plurality of optical wavelength groups and the plurality of power signal groups.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: The splitting of the plurality of optical wavelengths into the plurality of optical wavelength groups is performed by at least one of a resonator-based ring wavelength splitter and an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG).

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: The splitting of the multi-wavelength optical signal into the plurality of power signal groups is performed by at least one of a Y-branch splitter, a multi-mode interferometer (MMI), or a directional coupler.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein: An optical wavelength group of the plurality of optical wavelength groups includes a plurality of optical wavelengths, and the method further includes branching each optical wavelength of the optical wavelength group.

18. The method of claim 14, performed by a data transmission mechanism between a transmitter side of a first networking switch and a receiver side of a second networking switch.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the method is performed by a data transfer mechanism between a processing unit and a memory unit.

20. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions executable by a physical processor that cause the processor to: confirming the multi-wavelength optical signal arriving at the first splitter, wherein: The multi-wavelength optical signal includes a plurality of optical wavelengths and has a power level; confirming the electrical signal reaching the modulator; controlling the first splitter to split the plurality of optical wavelengths into a plurality of optical wavelength groups, wherein the plurality of optical wavelength groups is less than the plurality of optical wavelengths; controlling the second splitter to split the multi-wavelength optical signal or the plurality of optical wavelength groups into a plurality of power signal groups, each power signal group having a power level lower than a power level of the multi-wavelength optical signal; and The modulator is configured to encode the electrical signal into the plurality of optical wavelength groups, the plurality of power signal groups, or a combination of the plurality of optical wavelength groups and the plurality of power signal groups.

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