Method and apparatus for optical switching, liquid crystal on silicon, and wavelength selective switch

Abstract

The present application provides a method and apparatus for optical switching, which are applied to optical communication, optical switching, and digital center network. The method includes: generating K consecutive images in time sequence, where a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state; sending information of the K images to the optical switching element, so that the optical switching element performs attenuation adjustment on the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel. According to the solution provided by the present application, by implementing the attenuation adjustment that switches at least two wavelength channels to the off state based on the same image, it is possible to switch the at least two wavelength channels to the off state simultaneously, avoiding frequent fluctuations in the power of the mixed optical signal caused by the at least two wavelength channels being switched to the off state at different times, and improving the stability of the optical communication system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for optical switching, liquid crystal on silicon, wavelength selective switches, and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers. Background Art

[0002] A large-scale reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) network is the main direction for the future development of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transmission systems. Among them, a wavelength selective switch (WSS) is a core device in ROADM networking, with functions such as controlling service on / off, wavelength switching, and channel change, which can alleviate wavelength competition in complex networks and significantly improve network configuration flexibility.

[0003] The WSS can realize the function of distributing any wavelength service to any port with any attenuation through a software-controlled optical path. Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), or rather, an LCOS array, is one of the devices used to implement the above functions.

[0004] Figure 1 An example of a WSS with LCOS is shown, as Figure 1 shown. For a multi-wavelength mixed signal incident on the same port, a lens group and a grating in the WSS spatially separate each wavelength in the multi-wavelength mixed signal and project different wavelength signals onto different regions (or rather, pixels in different regions) of the LCOS. Each pixel supports independent adjustment. By controlling the liquid crystal phase in the pixel point, the reflection angle and reflection intensity of the pixel illumination wavelength can be adjusted, so as to realize the opening and closing or switching of different wavelength ports, and further realize software-controlled optical path control.

[0005] Since it is necessary to support in-network operations, when the WSS schedules some services (or rather, the wavelengths corresponding to the services), it must ensure the working stability of the remaining non-scheduled services.

[0006] However, the existing phase adjustment of the pixel points in the LCOS corresponding to each wavelength is carried out independently, and the opening and closing of the port will cause power fluctuations in the mixed optical signal. The above independently performed phase adjustment may cause the above power to fluctuate frequently, resulting in inaccurate power control of the optical devices at the back end of the network, unable to ensure the working stability of non-scheduled services, and seriously affecting the performance of the WSS. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides an optical switching method and apparatus, a liquid crystal on silicon, and a wavelength selective switch, which can improve the accuracy of power control of optical devices at the network backend, improve the working stability of non-scheduled services, and improve the performance of the WSS.

[0008] In a first aspect, an optical switching method is provided. The method is applied to attenuate and adjust at least two wavelength channels of an optical switching element. The at least two wavelength channels include a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel. The method includes: generating K consecutive images in time sequence, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images. K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustment times performed by the first wavelength channel (specifically, the original port of the first wavelength channel) from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; sending information of the K images to the optical switching element so that the optical switching element attenuates and adjusts the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

[0009] Alternatively, the method includes: determining the off time of the second wavelength channel according to the off time of the first wavelength channel, and generating K consecutive images in time sequence, where the off time of the second wavelength channel is the same as the off time of the first wavelength channel. The first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images. The first image corresponds to the off time of the first wavelength channel. K is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; sending information of the K images to the optical switching element so that the optical switching element attenuates and adjusts the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

[0010] According to the solution provided by the present application, by implementing the attenuation adjustment for switching at least two wavelength channels to the off state based on the same image, the at least two wavelength channels can be switched to the off state simultaneously, thereby avoiding the frequent power fluctuations of the mixed optical signal caused by the at least two wavelength channels being switched to the off state at different times, further improving the accuracy of power control of optical devices at the network backend, improving the working stability of non-scheduled services, and improving the performance of the WSS.

[0011] In one implementation, the optical switching element includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS). In this case, the LCOS includes X pixel points, and the image is a set of phase states of each of the X pixel points, where X is a positive integer.

[0012] In the present application, "attenuation adjustment" can be understood as the adjustment of the attenuation value, and "attenuation adjustment" can include "segmented attenuation adjustment". Specifically, in the process of the original port of an optical channel changing from the normal state to the closed state (i.e., the image presented by the optical switching element switches from the original image to the target image), it can include multiple processes of adjusting the attenuation value, or rather, it can pass through one or more intermediate images.

[0013] It should be understood that the specific forms of the optical switching element listed above are only for illustrative purposes, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the optical switching element may also include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). In this case, the MEMS includes Y micromirrors, and the image is a set of angular states of each of the Y micromirrors, where Y is a positive integer.

[0014] In the present application, the at least two wavelength channels correspond to at least two wavelengths one by one, and each wavelength channel is a channel for an optical signal of the corresponding wavelength.

[0015] Among them, the central frequency points of any two of the at least two wavelengths are different.

[0016] In the present application, the "normal state" of a wavelength channel can be understood as the state of the wavelength channel when the optical signal in the wavelength channel is transmitted normally. For example, the attenuation value and the input / output ports of the wavelength channel when the optical signal in the wavelength channel is transmitted normally.

[0017] In the present application, the state switching of a wavelength channel may include but is not limited to the following processes:

[0018] Process 1. The wavelength channel changes from the normal state to the closed state.

[0019] Process 2. The input or output port of the wavelength channel switches from one port (e.g., port a) to another port (e.g., port b). Specifically, this process may include port a changing from the normal state to the closed state, and port b changing from the closed state to the normal state.

[0020] Or rather, in the present application, the at least two wavelength channels (e.g., the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel) include the wavelength channels that need to execute the above Process 1 and / or the wavelength channels that need to execute the above Process 2.

[0021] That is, in the present application, the state switching process of the at least two wavelength channels (for example, the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel) includes the switching process from the normal state to the off state.

[0022] In this case, in the present application, each of the K images includes at least two sub-images, and the at least two sub-images correspond one-to-one to the at least two wavelength channels (specifically, the at least two wavelength channels whose state switching process includes switching from the normal state to the off state). Each sub-image is used for the attenuation adjustment of the corresponding wavelength channel (specifically, one or more attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the off state), or rather, each sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation value of the corresponding wavelength channel.

[0023] For example, assume that the optical switching element performs state switching of M wavelength channels, M≥2. Then the j-th image among the K images includes M sub-images, and the M wavelength channels correspond one-to-one to the M sub-images, j∈[1, K]. Then the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is used to indicate the attenuation value to which the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the j-th image.

[0024] It should be noted that the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image and the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th (or (j + 1)-th) image may be the same or different.

[0025] When the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is different from the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image, it means that the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image. Specifically, the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted from the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image to the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image.

[0026] When the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is the same as the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image, it means that the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel does not need to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image, or rather, it means that the adjustment amount of the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image is 0.

[0027] In addition, in the present application, the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image and the attenuation value indicated by the n-th sub-image in the j-th image may be the same or different, and the present application does not particularly limit this, m≠n.

[0028] In one implementation, the first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels whose number of attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0029] By way of example and not limitation, the first wavelength channel includes the wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels that performs the most attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the off state.

[0030] Thus, it is possible to reduce the scattering of light caused by excessive attenuation adjustment each time, thereby further improving the accuracy of power control of optical devices at the back end of the network.

[0031] It should be noted that the specific objects of the first wavelength channel listed above are only for illustrative purposes, and the present application is not particularly limited. The first wavelength channel can be any one of the at least two wavelength channels that performs attenuation adjustments greater than or equal to 2 times from the normal state to the off state.

[0032] In one implementation, the second wavelength channel can be one.

[0033] In another implementation, the second wavelength channel can be multiple, that is, the second wavelength channel includes multiple (for example, some or all) wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching states include from the normal state to the off state.

[0034] By making each wavelength channel among the multiple wavelength channels that need to switch from the normal state to the off state perform attenuation adjustment to switch to the off state through the same image, it is possible to further reduce the frequent power fluctuations of the mixed optical signal and further improve the accuracy of power control of optical devices at the back end of the network.

[0035] In the present application, the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

[0036] Or rather, the moment when the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel (i.e., the attenuation value changes for the first time) is different from the moment when the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel is performed.

[0037] That is, in the present application, among the multiple wavelength channels that need to switch from the normal state to the off state, there are at least two wavelength channels whose first attenuation adjustments are not performed through the same image.

[0038] In the present application, the image for the first attenuation of the first wavelength channel is the first image among the K images.

[0039] In one implementation, the image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is the image after the first image among the K images.

[0040] For example, the image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is the t-th image among the K images, where t ≥ 2.

[0041] In this case, among the first image to the (t - 1)-th image of the K images, the sub-images corresponding to the second wavelength channel are the same.

[0042] Or rather, among the first image to the (t - 1)-th image of the K images, the attenuation values indicated by the sub-images corresponding to the second wavelength channel are the same.

[0043] That is, the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the second sub-images in at least two consecutive images before the first image among the K images are the same.

[0044] In one implementation, the K images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation interval boundaries, and each of the K images is used for cross-region attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel in the attenuation intervals on both sides of the boundary corresponding to the image.

[0045] For example, the attenuation boundary corresponding to the k-th image among the K images is b, and the attenuation intervals on both sides of the boundary are [a, b) and [b, c), where a, b, and c represent three attenuation values from large to small.

[0046] Then, the k-th image is used for the cross-region attenuation adjustment process of (at least two) wavelength channels whose attenuation values need to be adjusted from attenuation value e to attenuation value f in at least two wavelength channels, where e ∈ [a, b) and f ∈ [b, c).

[0047] By enabling the attenuation adjustment process of multiple wavelength channels whose attenuation values need to be adjusted from one attenuation interval to another to be executed through the same image, the accuracy of optical device power control at the network backend can be further improved.

[0048] In one implementation, the at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel, and the method further includes: generating L consecutive images in time sequence, where L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the first image among the L images is located after the first image in time sequence; sending the information of the L images to the optical switching element to enable the optical switching element to perform attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel.

[0049] Alternatively, the method further includes: determining an opening time of a third wavelength channel according to a closing time of the first wavelength channel, and generating L consecutive images in time sequence, where L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel (specifically, the destination port of the third wavelength channel) from the closed state to the normal state, and the opening time of the third wavelength channel is after the closing time of the first wavelength channel; sending information of the L images to the optical switching element to enable the optical switching element to perform attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel. That is, the state switching of the wavelength channels in the present application (on the basis of including the above process 1 and / or process 2) may further include the following process:

[0050] Process 3. The wavelength channel (or the port of the wavelength channel) switches from the closed state to the normal state.

[0051] That is, in the present application, the state switching of at least one wavelength channel (for example, the third wavelength channel) may include a switching process from the normal state to the closed state.

[0052] Alternatively, in the present application, the at least one wavelength channel (for example, the third wavelength channel) includes a wavelength channel that needs to perform the above process 3.

[0053] According to the solution of the present application, by making the image used to perform the switching of the long channel to the open state be after the image used to perform the switching of the long channel to the closed state in time sequence, it is possible to further avoid frequent fluctuations in the power of the mixed optical signal, thereby improving the accuracy of the power control of the optical devices at the network backend, enhancing the working stability of the non-scheduled services, and improving the performance of the WSS.

[0054] In this case, in the present application, each of the L images includes at least one sub-image, and the at least one sub-image corresponds one-to-one with at least one wavelength channel (specifically, at least one wavelength channel whose state switching process includes switching from the closed state to the normal state), and each sub-image is used for the attenuation adjustment of the corresponding wavelength channel (specifically, one or more attenuation adjustments from the closed state to the normal state), or in other words, each sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation value of the corresponding wavelength channel.

[0055] For example, assume that the optical switching element performs state switching of M wavelength channels, M≥2, then the j-th image among the L images includes M sub-images, the M wavelength channels correspond one-to-one with the M sub-images, j∈[1, L], and the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is used to indicate the attenuation value to which the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the j-th image.

[0056] It should be noted that the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image may be the same as or different from the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th (or (j + 1)-th) image.

[0057] When the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is different from the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image, it means that the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image. Specifically, the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel needs to be adjusted from the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image to the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image.

[0058] When the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image is the same as the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the (j - 1)-th image, it means that the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel does not need to be adjusted at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image, or in other words, it means that the adjustment amount of the attenuation value of the m-th wavelength channel at the moment corresponding to the (j - 1)-th image is 0.

[0059] In addition, in this application, the attenuation value indicated by the m-th sub-image in the j-th image may be the same as or different from the attenuation value indicated by the n-th sub-image in the j-th image, and this application does not particularly limit it, where m ≠ n.

[0060] In one implementation, the third wavelength channel includes the wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels that has the most attenuation adjustment times from the off state to the normal state.

[0061] Thus, it is possible to reduce the light scattering caused by excessive attenuation adjustment each time, thereby further improving the accuracy of the optical device power control at the backend of the network.

[0062] It should be noted that the specific object of the third wavelength channel listed above is only for illustrative purposes, and this application does not particularly limit it. The third wavelength channel may be any one of the at least two wavelength channels that has an attenuation adjustment times greater than or equal to 2 from the off state to the normally closed state.

[0063] In one implementation, the third wavelength channel may be one.

[0064] In another implementation, the third wavelength channel may be multiple, that is, the third wavelength channel includes multiple (for example, part or all) of the at least two wavelength channels whose switching state includes from the off state to the normal state.

[0065] In one implementation, the L images correspond one-to-one with the L attenuation interval boundaries, and each of the L images is used for cross-region attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel in the attenuation intervals on both sides of the boundary corresponding to the image.

[0066] For example, the attenuation interval corresponding to the v-th image among the L images is from [p, q) to [q, r), where p, q, and r represent three attenuation values in ascending order.

[0067] Then, the v-th image is used for the attenuation adjustment process of at least one wavelength channel (at least one) whose attenuation value needs to be adjusted from attenuation value s to attenuation value t in at least two wavelength channels, where s ∈ [p, q) and t ∈ [q, r).

[0068] In a second aspect, a method for optical switching is provided, which is applied to an optical switching element including at least two wavelength channels. The at least two wavelength channels include a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel. The method includes:

[0069] Obtaining K images that are continuous in time sequence, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images. K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of times of attenuation adjustment performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; according to the K images, performing attenuation adjustment on the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

[0070] For example, "obtaining K images that are continuous in time sequence" can be understood as the optical switching element receiving the K images from an external device (for example, the device that generates the K images), that is, the external device can send the K images to the optical switching element.

[0071] For another example, "obtaining K images that are continuous in time sequence" can be understood as the optical switching element reading the K images from an external device (for example, the device that generates the K images). For example, the external device can store the generated K images in a preset storage space, and the optical switching element can read the K images from the storage space.

[0072] Among them, the off moment of the second wavelength channel is determined according to the off moment of the first wavelength channel, and the off moment of the second wavelength channel is the same as the off moment of the first wavelength channel.

[0073] In one implementation, the first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels where the number of attenuation adjustments performed from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0074] By way of example and not limitation, the first wavelength channel includes the wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels with the largest number of attenuation adjustments performed from the normal state to the off state.

[0075] Wherein, the second wavelength channel includes multiple wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching states include changing from the normal state to the off state.

[0076] For example, the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

[0077] Or rather, the image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is an image after the first image among the K images.

[0078] Wherein, the K images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation intervals, and each image among the K images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

[0079] In one implementation, the at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel, and the method further includes: receiving L consecutive images in time sequence, where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state, wherein the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the first image among the L images is located after the first image in time sequence; performing attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel according to the L images.

[0080] Wherein, the turn-on moment of the third wavelength channel is determined according to the turn-off moment of the first wavelength channel, and the turn-on moment of the third wavelength channel is after the turn-off moment of the first wavelength channel.

[0081] Wherein, the L images correspond one-to-one with L attenuation intervals, and each image among the L images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

[0082] For example, the optical switching element includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

[0083] In this case, the LCOS includes M pixel points, and the image is a set of the phase states of each pixel point among the M pixel points.

[0084] In a third aspect, a processing device is provided, including various modules or units for executing the methods in the first aspect and any of its possible implementations.

[0085] In a fourth aspect, a processing device is provided, including various modules or units for executing the methods in the second aspect and any of its possible implementations.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, a processing device is provided, including a processor coupled to a memory and capable of executing the methods in the first aspect and its possible implementations. Optionally, the processing device further includes a memory. Optionally, the processing device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0087] In one implementation, the processing device is a processing equipment. In this case, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. In another implementation, the processing device is a chip or a chip system. In this case, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit, etc. on the chip or the chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0088] In a sixth aspect, a processing device is provided, including a processor coupled to a memory and capable of executing the methods in the second aspect and its possible implementations. Optionally, the processing device further includes a memory. Optionally, the processing device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0089] In one implementation, the processing device is a processing equipment. In this case, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. In another implementation, the processing device is a chip or a chip system. In this case, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit, etc. on the chip or the chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0090] In a seventh aspect, a processing device is provided, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit the signal through the output circuit, so that the methods in the first aspect and any of its possible implementations are implemented.

[0091] In the specific implementation process, the above-mentioned processing device may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver. The signal output by the output circuit may be output to, for example but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Moreover, the input circuit and the output circuit may be different circuits or the same circuit. In this case, the circuit is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times respectively. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation manners of the processor and various circuits.

[0092] In a eighth aspect, a processing device is provided, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit the signal through the output circuit, so that the method in the second aspect and any one of its possible implementation manners is implemented.

[0093] In the specific implementation process, the above-mentioned processing device may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver. The signal output by the output circuit may be output to, for example but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Moreover, the input circuit and the output circuit may be different circuits or the same circuit. In this case, the circuit is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times respectively. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation manners of the processor and various circuits.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, a processing device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory, and may receive a signal through a receiver and transmit a signal through a transmitter to execute the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and various possible implementation manners thereof.

[0095] Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0096] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory is separately provided from the processor.

[0097] In a specific implementation, the memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read only memory (ROM). It may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be separately provided on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the memory and the setting manner of the memory and the processor.

[0098] It should be understood that in relevant data interaction processes, such as sending indication information, it can be a process of outputting indication information from the processor, and receiving capability information can be a process of the processor receiving input capability information. Specifically, the data processed and output can be output to a transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from a receiver. Among them, the transmitter and the receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0099] The processor in the ninth aspect above can be a chip, and this processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, this processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, this processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory. This memory can be integrated in the processor or can be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0100] In a tenth aspect, a processing device is provided, including: a communication interface and a processing circuit. The communication interface is used to send an image according to the method in the first aspect and any one of its possible implementation manners, and the processing circuit is used to generate the image.

[0101] In an eleventh aspect, a processing device is provided, including: a communication interface and a processing circuit. The communication interface is used to acquire an image, and the processing circuit is used to control an optical switching element using the image according to the method in the second aspect and any one of its possible implementation manners.

[0102] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes: a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instruction). When the computer program is run, it causes a computer to execute the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and any one of its possible implementation manners in each aspect.

[0103] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium stores a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instruction). When it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and any one of its possible implementation manners in each aspect as described above.

[0104] In a fourteenth aspect, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) is provided, comprising: a liquid crystal display including a plurality of pixel points, the phase states of the plurality of pixel points being adjustable; an interface for acquiring K temporally consecutive images, wherein the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same one of the K images, K being an integer greater than or equal to 2, K depending on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state, each of the K images including a first sub-image and a second sub-image, the first sub-image being used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image being used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; and a controller for controlling the phase states of the plurality of pixel points of the liquid crystal display according to the K images to implement attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

[0105] In addition, the LCOS is further configured to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0106] In a fifteenth aspect, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) is provided, comprising: a liquid crystal display including a plurality of pixel points, the phase states of the plurality of pixel points being adjustable; a first controller for generating K temporally consecutive images, wherein the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same one of the K images, K being an integer greater than or equal to 2, K depending on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state, each of the K images including a first sub-image and a second sub-image, the first sub-image being used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image being used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; and a second controller for controlling the phase states of the plurality of pixel points of the liquid crystal display according to the K images to implement attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

[0107] In addition, the LCOS is further configured to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0108] Moreover, the LCOS is further configured to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0109] In a sixteenth aspect, a wavelength selective switch (WSS) is provided, comprising: an input port for inputting an optical signal having a plurality of wavelength channels; the LCOS provided in the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect for performing attenuation adjustment on at least two wavelength channels of the optical signal, the at least two wavelength channels including the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel; and an output port for outputting the optical signal after the attenuation adjustment.

[0110] In a seventeenth aspect, a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer is provided, including a demultiplexing module and a multiplexing module. The demultiplexing module is used to download a first optical wavelength signal to a site, and the multiplexing module is used to receive a second optical wavelength signal uploaded from the site. Among them, the demultiplexing module and / or the multiplexing module is the wavelength selection switch described in the sixteenth aspect. Description of the Drawings

[0111] Figure 1 It is a schematic front view of a WSS device applicable to the solution of the present application.

[0112] Figure 2 It is a schematic top view of a WSS device applicable to the solution of the present application.

[0113] Figure 3 It is a schematic perspective view of a WSS device applicable to the solution of the present application.

[0114] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of an example of the port switching principle of the wavelength channels of an LCOS.

[0115] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of another example of the port switching principle of the wavelength channels of an LCOS.

[0116] Figure 6 It is a schematic architecture diagram of an example of the optical switching element of the present application.

[0117] Figure 7 It is a schematic architecture diagram of another example of the optical switching element of the present application.

[0118] Figure 8 It is a schematic architecture diagram of an example of the WSS of the present application.

[0119] Figure 9 It is a schematic flowchart of an example of the image generation process provided by the optical switching method of the present application.

[0120] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of an example of the port state switching of multiple wavelength channels of the solution of the present application.

[0121] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of another example of the port state switching of multiple wavelength channels of the solution of the present application.

[0122] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of an example of the optical switching device of the present application.

[0123] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of another example of the optical switching device of the present application.

[0124] Figure 14It is a schematic structural diagram of a ROADM network applicable to the WSS of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0125] Next, the technical solutions in the present application will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0126] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to fields such as optical communication, optical switching, and data center networks. Exemplarily, the present technical solution can be used in optical switching devices (or optical switching structures) in these fields. For example, it can be used in devices such as a reconfigurable optic add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and an optical cross-connect (OXC) device, such as in a WSS device.

[0127] Figure 1 and Figure 2 shows the structure of an N×N WSS device. As Figure 1 shown, the WSS device has N input ports and N output ports, and can achieve all-optical connections with any pairing between the input ports and the output ports. In other words, for the optical signals of any wavelength among the N input ports, they can be output from any one of the N output ports. It should be understood that Figure 1 in, the number of output ports is equal to the number of output ports, both being N, which is only for illustrative purposes. In specific implementations, the number of input ports and output ports may not be equal. For example, 1×N, N×Z, where N and Z are both positive integers, etc.

[0128] Specifically, the main components of the WSS device include: an input port 101, a demultiplexer 102, an optical switching element 103, a multiplexer 104, and an output port 105.

[0129] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the input port 101 is used to input a multi-wavelength signal, and the multi-wavelength signal includes multiple (for example, M) wavelengths, that is, λ1~λ M , the demultiplexer 102 is used to decompose the M single-wavelength signals from the multiple wavelength signals. The optical switching element 103 is used to switch the optical paths of the single-wavelength signals to the corresponding output ports 105, and the multiplexer 104 is used to multiplex the multiple single-wavelength signals switched to the same output port and then output them from the output port 105, so as to realize the switching of optical signals. Among them, the demultiplexer 102 can be a reflection grating, a transmission grating, a dispersion prism, or a planar waveguide grating. And, to increase the dispersion effect, multiple gratings can be combined, or the optical path can be adjusted so that the target signal light passes through the same grating multiple times.

[0130] It should be understoodFigure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the WSS shown is only for illustrative purposes, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, there may also be two optical switching elements 103. In addition, the WSS may further include optical path changing devices such as lenses or mirrors, etc.

[0131] By way of example and not limitation, the optical switching element 103 of the present application may be implemented by any of the following techniques.

[0132] For example, the optical switching element may be implemented by micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology. MEMS technology highly integrates micro-electromechanical devices with geometric or operating dimensions only in the micron, sub-micron, or even nano scale and control circuits in a very small space on a silicon-based or non-silicon-based material to form an electromechanical integrated device or system. The optical switching element implemented by MEMS technology makes the micro mirror generate mechanical movement through electrostatic force or other control forces, so that the light beam incident on the micro mirror is deflected to any direction. In the case of implementing the optical switching element of the present invention by MEMS technology, the controller may control the micro mechanical structure through control instructions to drive the optical modulator (micro lens) to rotate, thereby realizing the deflection of the optical path and thus realizing the switching of the dimension (or transmission path) of the signal light.

[0133] Again, for example, the optical switching element may be implemented by liquid crystal (LC) technology. In the optical switching element implemented by LC technology, the incident signal light is split into two polarization states after passing through a birefringent crystal. One of the polarization states passes through a half-wave plate, and then the polarization states of the two light beams are the same. Then, the light beams are incident on the optical switching element (liquid crystal module). By adjusting the voltage of the birefringent crystal, the arrangement structure of the liquid crystal (changing the angle of the internal molecules in the crystal) is changed, so that the refractive index of the crystal changes, and the light source outputs light at different angles. The light has two directions to choose from when passing through each layer of liquid crystal, and there are multiple optical paths to choose from after passing through multiple liquid crystal layers.

[0134] Again, for example, in the embodiments of the present invention, the optical switching element may be implemented by digital light processing (DLP) technology. The internal structure of the optical switching element implemented by DLP technology is similar to the internal structure of the optical modulator implemented by MEMS technology, and the switching of light energy is realized through the deflection of the micro lens. The difference is that the rotation angle of the DLP micro mirror has only a few states to limit the number of output ports.

[0135] For another example, an optical switching element can be implemented by Liquid Crystal On Silicon (LCoS) technology. The LCoS (or LCOS) technology utilizes the principle of a liquid crystal grating to adjust the reflection angles of lights with different wavelengths to separate the light. Due to the absence of moving parts, the LCoS technology has relatively high reliability. The LCoS technology controls the change of the reflection angle by varying the refractive index of the liquid crystal unit, which can facilitate the expansion and upgrade. Different channels correspond to different regions of the spatial light modulator (liquid crystal) array. By adjusting the phase of the light spot, the transmission direction of the light is changed to achieve the purpose of switching different ports and adjusting the attenuation.

[0136] For the convenience of understanding and description, in the following, the case of using LCoS as the optical switching element is taken as an example to elaborate on the solution of the present application in detail.

[0137] Figure 3 FIG. shows an example of the structure of the WSS of the present application. As Figure 1 shown, the WSS includes a plurality of ports 201, which serve as input ports or output ports for optical signals. After the incident optical signal enters the WSS from the input port, it needs to be first separated into two beams of light with orthogonal polarization states by a crystal or a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 202, and then the polarization state of one of the beams of light is rotated so that the deflection states of the two beams of light are aligned with the working polarization state of the LCOS 206. If a polarization-independent LCOS 206 is used, the crystal or the polarization beam splitter 202 is not required. The polarization-converted optical signal is incident on a periodic grating 205 (i.e., an example of the demultiplexer 102) through a lens 204. The periodic grating 205 is a dispersion element, and the periodic grating 205 is used to decompose the optical signal into optical signals with different wavelengths and transmit the optical signals to the LCOS 206 (i.e., an example of the optical switching element 103). The grating formed in the LCOS 206 is not the same as the periodic grating 205. The periodic grating 205 is a physical entity, and the grating formed in the LCOS 206 is an equivalent grating. Optical signals with different wavelengths are emitted from the periodic grating 205 at different angles and are incident on different regions of the LCOS 206 after passing through the lens 204. By adjusting the gray-scale distribution of the gratings in different regions of the LCOS 206, the angle deflection in the port direction 208 perpendicular to the carrier wavelength direction 207 corresponding to the wavelength can be controlled. The optical signal after the angle deflection is incident on a Fourier lens 203, and the Fourier lens 203 performs a position shift on the optical signal. The optical signal after the position shift is coupled to a specific output port. By controlling the gray-scale distribution of the grating in one region of the LCOS 206, the optical signal incident on this region can be output from different output ports.

[0138] Among them, the LCOS 206 can also be referred to as an LCOS array, which includes multiple pixel points. Each pixel point supports independent adjustment. By controlling the liquid crystal phase in the pixel point, the reflection angle and reflection intensity of the irradiated wavelength of the pixel point can be adjusted, thereby realizing software-controllable wavelength port scheduling or switching. Generally in the industry, the set of all pixel point states on the LCOS array is called an LCOS image, that is, an LCOS image determines the result of the WSS's allocation and attenuation application to all incident wavelength ports.

[0139] Dynamic wavelength switching, in essence, is to control the directional change of the image implemented by the LCOS in the WSS. As Figure 4 shown, a simple implementation scheme is to control the LCOS to directly change from the original image (original switching state) to the target image (target switching state). Among them, the phase of each pixel of the LCOS required to achieve the target switching state and its working voltage are calculated by the processor according to the device factory calibration data.

[0140] However, the phase transformation of the LCOS has hysteresis, and the intermediate state phase during the initial and final phase transformation process is uncontrollable. In the above point-to-point direct change scheme, the uncontrollable intermediate state phase causes the incident wavelength to scatter during the switching state change process, resulting in the misalignment of the power control of the optical devices at the network backend, that is, the performance of the transient port isolation (TPI) is poor. Since the misalignment of the power control of the optical devices at the network backend will cause service performance fluctuations and even service interruptions, this scheme is also called the lossy (Hit) switching mode.

[0141] In order to improve the TPI performance during the switching state change process, a lossless (Hitless) switching mode is proposed, that is, one or more transition images are inserted between the original image and the target image, and its switching state change process is as Figure 5 shown. The transition image is selected according to the physical change law of the uncontrollable phase of the liquid crystal (usually set by channel attenuation). By presetting the transition phase, random large scattering phases can be effectively avoided, ensuring that the TPI performance during the switching change process meets the application requirements. The solution provided in this application can be effectively applied to the above Hitless switching mode.

[0142] It should be noted that the term "image" in this application can be understood as information used to control an optical switching element (for example, the process of adjusting the attenuation value of a wavelength channel by controlling the optical switching element). For example, when the optical switching element is an LCOS or an LC, this "image" can be understood as the set of all pixel point states on the LCOS array. For another example, when the optical switching element is a MEMS or a DLP, this "image" can be understood as the set of all micro mirror angle states on the micro mirror array. For the convenience of understanding and explanation below, this "image" is called a "control image".

[0143] The solution provided by this application is applicable to the generation process of the above-mentioned "control image". By enabling the optical switching element to adjust the attenuation of the wavelength channels based on the "control image" generated in the manner provided by this application, the accuracy of power control of the optical devices at the network backend can be effectively improved.

[0144] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, assuming that the control image is used to change the port states of M wavelength channels, the control image includes M sub-images, each sub-image includes a plurality of pixels, and the M sub-images correspond one-to-one to the M wavelength channels, and each sub-image is used to change the port state of the corresponding wavelength channel. The pixel states of the multiple pixels included in each sub-image can be used to control the attenuation of the corresponding wavelength channel, and thus control the states of each wavelength channel (for example, the switching process of turning on or off). For example, the sub-image of wavelength channel #1 is used to control the attenuation value of wavelength channel #1, the sub-image of wavelength channel #2 is used to control the attenuation value of wavelength channel #2,..., and the sub-image of wavelength channel #M is used to control the attenuation value of wavelength channel #M.

[0145] For example, when it is necessary to switch the port of wavelength channel #1 from port #1 to port #2, the attenuation value of port #1 (specifically, wavelength channel #1 at port #1) can be adjusted to close port #1, and the attenuation value of port #2 (specifically, wavelength channel #1 at port #2) can be adjusted to turn on port #2, so as to achieve the switching of wavelength channel 1 from port #1 to port #2.

[0146] Figure 6 is a schematic architecture diagram of an example of the optical switching element of this application. As Figure 6 shown, the optical switching element may include an optical switching entity and a controller (denoted as controller #A).

[0147] Among them, the optical switching entity is used to change the port states of the wavelength channels under the control of controller #A. For example, the change from the normal state to the closed state, or for another example, the change from the closed state to the normal state, or for another example, the switching from one port to another port. The controller #A is used to control the optical switching entity based on the above image.

[0148] For example, when the optical switching element is an LCOS, the optical switching entity can be a liquid crystal array, or a pixel array. In this case, the controller #A is used to control the states of each pixel (for example, the phase state).

[0149] For another example, when the optical switching element is a MEMS, the optical switching entity can be a micro-mirror array. In this case, the controller #A is used to control the states of each micro-mirror (for example, the rotation angle).

[0150] By way of example and not limitation, the above control of the image generation process may be performed by the above controller #A.

[0151] Alternatively, the above control of the image generation process may be performed by controller #B, and the generated control image is sent to controller #A. By way of example and not limitation, controller #A and controller #B are independently configured.

[0152] In one implementation, as Figure 7 shown, the second controller is configured in an optical switching element, for example, LCOS.

[0153] In another implementation, as Figure 8 shown, the second controller may also be configured in a WSS, that is, the second controller is independently configured from the optical switching element (for example, LCOS).

[0154] Next, the above control of the image generation process will be described in detail. For ease of understanding and illustration, the generation process of the control image for the port switching process of M wavelength channels is taken as an example for description.

[0155] Figure 9 is the flow of the control image generation process of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, in S310, the controller (for example, the above first controller or second controller) obtains the port switching information of each wavelength channel in the M wavelength channels, or rather, the optical cross change command.

[0156] By way of example and not limitation, the port switching information may be sent to the controller by a processor in a ROADM, or the port switching information may be input to the controller by an administrator. The present application does not make a special limitation.

[0157] In the present application, the port switching information of each wavelength channel includes at least one of the following information:

[0158] For ease of understanding and illustration, the port switching information of wavelength channel #1 is taken as an example for description.

[0159] Information A. Information of the original port (denoted as port #1a) of wavelength channel #1, for example, the identifier of port #1a, and the attenuation value of port #1a in the normal state.

[0160] Information B. Information of the destination port (denoted as port #1b) of wavelength channel #1, for example, the identifier of port #1b, and the attenuation value of port #1b in the normal state.

[0161] In one implementation, the wavelength channel #1 has no destination port, that is, the wavelength channel #1 needs to be closed. In this case, the port switching information of the wavelength channel #1 may include the above information A.

[0162] In another implementation, the wavelength channel #1 has no original port, that is, the wavelength channel #1 needs to be opened. In this case, the port switching information of the wavelength channel #1 may include the above information B.

[0163] In yet another implementation, the wavelength channel #1 needs to be switched from port #1a to port #1b. In this case, the port switching information of the wavelength channel #1 may include the above information A and information B.

[0164] In S320, the controller determines, according to the port switching information of each of the M wavelength channels, an image corresponding to each wavelength channel for port state change (or, port attenuation value adjustment), that is, a transition image and a target image. Or rather, the controller determines, according to the port switching information of each of the M wavelength channels, the phase information of each pixel point corresponding to each wavelength channel when adjusting the port attenuation value of the wavelength channel. It should be noted that this process may be similar to the prior art, and here, for the sake of avoiding repetition, its detailed description is omitted.

[0165] In S330, the controller generates a plurality of control images according to the transition images and target images of each of the M wavelength channels. Specifically, the controller determines, according to the transition images and target images of each of the M wavelength channels, the sub-images corresponding to each wavelength channel in each control image.

[0166] In the present application, the M wavelength channels include a plurality of wavelength channels of type A. The wavelength channel of type A is a wavelength channel in which the original port changes from the normal state to the closed state during the port switching process. For example, the wavelength channel of type A is a wavelength channel that needs to perform port closing or port switching.

[0167] Moreover, the number of transition images corresponding to at least two wavelength channels among the plurality of wavelength channels of type A is different, and the at least two wavelength channels complete the closing of the original port through the same control image.

[0168] In one possible implementation, the wavelength channels that complete the closing of the original port through the same control image are all the wavelength channels of type A among the plurality of wavelength channels of type A.

[0169] In another possible implementation, the wavelength channels that complete the closing of the original port through the same control image are some of the wavelength channels of type A among the plurality of wavelength channels of type A, and the present application does not particularly limit this.

[0170] In related technologies, for different wavelength channels, the original ports are closed through different control images. That is, the port closing phenomenon appears multiple times in multiple control images, making the gain control misalignment problem caused by the gain competition and hole burning characteristics of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) common. That is, large power fluctuations are likely to occur during the switching change process, seriously affecting service stability.

[0171] In contrast, in the present application, at least two wavelength channels with different numbers of transition images close the original ports through the same control image, which can avoid the port closing phenomenon in multiple control images, thereby reducing the gain control misalignment problem caused by the gain competition and hole burning characteristics of the EDFA, reducing the occurrence of power fluctuations, and improving service stability.

[0172] As an example but not a limitation, in the present application, the following method can be used to determine the control image that enables at least two wavelength channels with different numbers of transition images to close the original ports simultaneously through the same image.

[0173] Specifically, the controller determines, from the multiple type-A wavelength channels, the wavelength channel that undergoes the most attenuation adjustment processes during the process of the original port changing from the normal state to the closed state (denoted as wavelength channel #A), and then determines the number of attenuation adjustment times K that the wavelength channel #A needs to experience during the process of the original port changing from the normal state to the closed state, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0174] Or rather, the controller determines, from the multiple type-A wavelength channels, the wavelength channel that requires the most transition images during the process of the original port changing from the normal state to the closed state (i.e., the above-mentioned wavelength channel #A), and then determines the value of the above K.

[0175] In a possible case, the M wavelength channels include multiple type-B wavelength channels. The type-B wavelength channels are wavelength channels in which the destination port changes from the closed state to the normal state during the port switching process. For example, the type-B wavelength channels are wavelength channels that need to perform port opening or port switching.

[0176] In this case, the controller determines, from the multiple type-B wavelength channels, the wavelength channel that undergoes the most attenuation adjustment processes during the process of the destination port changing from the closed state to the normal state (denoted as wavelength channel #B), and then determines the number of attenuation adjustment times L that the wavelength channel #B needs to experience during the process of the destination port changing from the closed state to the normal state, where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0177] That is to say, the controller determines, from the multiple type-B wavelength channels, the wavelength channel (i.e., the above-mentioned wavelength channel #B) that requires the largest number of transition images during the process of the destination port transitioning from the closed state to the normal state, and then determines the value of L as described above.

[0178] Thus, the controller can generate K + L control images, and these K + L images are sequentially presented on the optical switching element in terms of timing, or rather, these K + L images sequentially control the optical switching element in terms of timing.

[0179] Among them, the first K images among the K + L images are used for the process of closing the original ports of the type-A wavelength channels in the M wavelength channels, and the last image among the first K images is used to complete the closing of at least two type-A wavelength channels. For example, the last image among the first K images is used to complete the closing of all type-A wavelength channels.

[0180] Moreover, the last L images among the K + L images are used for the process of opening the original ports of the type-B wavelength channels in the M wavelength channels (or rather, the switching process from the closed state to the normal state), and the first image among the last L images is used to complete the opening of at least two type-B wavelength channels. For example, the first image among the last L images is used to complete the opening of all type-B wavelength channels.

[0181] By performing the destination port opening process after the original port closing process is completed, the occurrence of power up and down surges can be further reduced, and the service stability can be further improved.

[0182] It should be noted that the value of L as described above may be 0. When the value of L is 0, it means that the M channels do not include the wavelength channels for which the destination port needs to be opened. Therefore, the control images are used for the process of closing the original ports.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the K control images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation adjustment intervals, and each control image is used to adjust the attenuation of at least one wavelength channel among the multiple type-A wavelength channels within the attenuation interval corresponding to the control image.

[0184] Moreover, in a possible implementation, the L control images correspond one-to-one with L attenuation adjustment intervals, and each control image is used to adjust the attenuation of at least one wavelength channel among the multiple type-B wavelength channels within the attenuation interval corresponding to the control image.

[0185] For example, Figure 10 shows the attenuation adjustment process based on the 3 control images when M = 3, K = 3, and L = 0. Among them, the 3 wavelength channels are respectively denoted as wavelength channel #1, wavelength channel #2, and wavelength channel #3.

[0186] Among them, the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #1 (in the normal state) is x1 dB, and the original port of wavelength channel #1 needs to go through 1 attenuation adjustment from the normal state to the closed state, that is, from x1 dB to the attenuation value corresponding to the closed state (denoted as x0 dB).

[0187] The attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #2 (in the normal state) is x2 dB, and the original port of wavelength channel #2 needs to go through 2 attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the closed state, that is, the first attenuation adjustment is from x2 dB to x1 dB, and the second attenuation adjustment is from x1 dB to x0 dB.

[0188] The attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #3 (in the normal state) is x3 dB, and the original port of wavelength channel #3 needs to go through 3 attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the closed state, that is, the first attenuation adjustment is from x3 dB to x2 dB, the second attenuation adjustment is from x2 dB to x1 dB, and the third attenuation adjustment is from x1 dB to x0 dB.

[0189] As Figure 10 shown, the last (or the third) control image (i.e., control image #3) in the 3 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x1 dB to x0 dB, that is, wavelength channels #1 to #3 complete the closing of the original ports through the same control image #3.

[0190] The first control image (i.e., control image #1) in the 3 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x3 dB to x2 dB, that is, wavelength channel #3 completes the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the original port from x3 dB to x2 dB through control image #1. Since the attenuation values of the original ports of wavelength channels #1 and #2 are greater than or equal to x2 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #1 in control image #1 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #1 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same), and the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #2 in control image #1 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #2 in the normal state.

[0191] The second control image (i.e., control image #2) in the 3 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x2 dB to x1 dB, that is, wavelength channels #3 and #2 complete the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the original port from x2 dB to x1 dB through control image #2. Since the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #1 is greater than or equal to x1 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #1 in control image #2 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #1 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same).

[0192] For another example, Figure 11 When M = 6, K = 3, and L = 3, the attenuation adjustment process based on the six control images is shown. Among them, the six wavelength channels are respectively denoted as wavelength channel #1, wavelength channel #2, wavelength channel #3, wavelength channel #4, wavelength channel #5, and wavelength channel #6.

[0193] Among them, wavelength channel #1 needs to close the original port, and the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #1 (in the normal state) is x1 dB. And the original port of wavelength channel #1 needs to go through 1 attenuation adjustment from the normal state to the closed state, that is, from x1 dB to the attenuation value corresponding to the closed state (denoted as x0 dB).

[0194] Wavelength channel #2 needs to close the original port, and the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #2 (in the normal state) is x2 dB. And the original port of wavelength channel #2 needs to go through 2 attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the closed state, that is, the first attenuation adjustment is from x2 dB to x1 dB, and the second attenuation adjustment is from x1 dB to x0 dB.

[0195] Wavelength channel #3 needs to close the original port, and the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #3 (in the normal state) is x3 dB. And the original port of wavelength channel #3 needs to go through 3 attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the closed state, that is, the first attenuation adjustment is from x3 dB to x2 dB, the second attenuation adjustment is from x2 dB to x1 dB, and the third attenuation adjustment is from x1 dB to x0 dB.

[0196] Wavelength channel #4 needs to switch from the original port to the destination port, that is, it needs to perform the closing of the original port and the opening of the destination port. And the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #4 (in the normal state) is x3 dB, and the attenuation value of the destination port of wavelength channel #4 (in the normal state) is x3 dB. And the port switching process of wavelength channel #4 needs to go through 6 attenuation adjustments, that is, the first attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the original port changes from x3 dB to x2 dB, the second attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the original port changes from x2 dB to x1 dB, the third attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the original port changes from x1 dB to x0 dB, the fourth attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the destination port changes from x0 dB to x1 dB, the fifth attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the destination port changes from x1 dB to x2 dB, and the third attenuation adjustment is that the attenuation value of the destination port changes from x2 dB to x3 dB.

[0197] Wavelength channel #5 needs to switch from the original port to the destination port. That is, it is necessary to execute the closing of the original port and the opening of the destination port. Moreover, the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #5 (in the normal state) is x2 dB, and the attenuation value of the destination port of wavelength channel #5 (in the normal state) is x1 dB. And the port switching process of wavelength channel #5 requires 3 attenuation adjustments. That is, the first attenuation adjustment is for the attenuation value of the original port to change from x2 dB to x1 dB, the second attenuation adjustment is for the attenuation value of the original port to change from x1 dB to x0 dB, and the third attenuation adjustment is for the attenuation value of the destination port to change from x0 dB to x1 dB.

[0198] Wavelength channel #6 needs to open the destination port. The attenuation value of the destination port of wavelength channel #6 (in the normal state) is x3 dB. And the destination port of wavelength channel #6 needs 3 attenuation adjustments from the closed state to the normal state. That is, the first attenuation adjustment is from x0 dB to x1 dB, the second attenuation adjustment is from x1 dB to x2 dB, and the third attenuation adjustment is from x2 dB to x3 dB.

[0199] As Figure 11 shown, the third control image (in terms of timing) among the 6 control images (i.e., control image #3) is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x1 dB to x0 dB. That is, wavelength channels #1 to #5 complete the closing of the original ports through the same control image #3.

[0200] The fourth control image (in terms of timing) among the 6 control images (i.e., control image #4) is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x0 dB to x1 dB. That is, wavelength channels #4 to #6 open the destination ports through the same control image #4.

[0201] The first control image (in terms of timing) among the 6 control images (i.e., control image #1) is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x3 dB to x2 dB. That is, wavelength channels #3 and #4 complete the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the original port from x3 dB to x2 dB through control image #1. Since the attenuation values of the original ports of wavelength channels #1, #2, and #5 are greater than or equal to x2 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #1 in control image #1 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #1 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same). And the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #2 in control image #1 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #2 in the normal state, and the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #5 in control image #1 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #5 in the normal state. Also, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #6 in control image #1 keeps wavelength channel #6 in the closed state.

[0202] The second control image (i.e., control image #2) among the 6 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x2 dB to x1 dB. That is, wavelength channels #2, #3, #4, and #5 complete the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the original port from x2 dB to x1 dB through control image #2. Since the attenuation value of the original port of wavelength channel #1 is greater than or equal to x1 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #1 in control image #2 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #1 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same). And, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #6 in control image #2 keeps wavelength channel #6 in the closed state.

[0203] The fifth control image (i.e., control image #5) among the 6 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x1 dB to x2 dB. That is, wavelength channels #4 and #6 complete the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the destination port from x1 dB to x2 dB through control image #5. Since the attenuation value of the destination port of wavelength channel #5 in the normal state is greater than or equal to x1 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #5 in control image #5 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #5 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same). And, the sub-images corresponding to wavelength channels #1 to #3 in control image #5 keep the original ports of wavelength channels #1 to #3 in the closed state.

[0204] The sixth control image (i.e., control image #6) among the 6 control images is used for the attenuation adjustment process from x2 dB to x3 dB. That is, wavelength channels #4 and #6 complete the attenuation adjustment of the attenuation value of the destination port from x2 dB to x3 dB through control image #6. Since the attenuation value of the destination port of wavelength channel #5 in the normal state is greater than or equal to x2 dB, the sub-image corresponding to wavelength channel #5 in control image #6 is the same as the sub-image of wavelength channel #5 in the normal state (for example, the phases of the pixel points at the same positions in the two sub-images are the same). And, the sub-images corresponding to wavelength channels #1 to #3 in control image #6 keep the original ports of wavelength channels #1 to #3 in the closed state.

[0205] In S340, when the controller is the controller of an optical switching element (such as an LCOS), the controller controls the optical switching element, such as the liquid crystal display of an LCOS, according to the control image generated as described above.

[0206] When the controller is independently configured with an optical switching element (e.g., LCOS), the controller sequentially sends the above-mentioned multiple control images to the optical switching element, so that the optical switching element can perform optical path crossing based on the received control images.

[0207] Figure 12 It is a schematic block diagram of the optical switching device provided by this application. As Figure 12 shown, the device 400 includes a communication interface 410 and a processing unit 420.

[0208] The processing unit 420 is used to execute the above-mentioned control image generation process, that is, the specific processes of S310 to S330. Here, in order to avoid repetition, its detailed description is omitted.

[0209] For example, the communication interface 410 is used to execute the above-mentioned control image sending process, that is, the process of sending a control diagram to the optical switching element (or the controller in the optical switching element) in S340. Here, in order to avoid repetition, its detailed description is omitted.

[0210] In the above implementation manners, the communication interface 410 may include an output interface, and the output interface is used to implement the output (or say, send) function.

[0211] Optionally, the communication interface 410 may also include an input interface, and the input interface is used to implement the input (or say, receive) function. For example, the input of the port switching information of each wavelength channel in the above-mentioned M wavelength channels is not limited here.

[0212] Optionally, the communication interface 410 may also be an interface circuit. For example, the receiving circuit may include an input circuit and an output circuit.

[0213] Optionally, as an example, the device 400 may be the controller in the method embodiment, or a chip, integrated circuit, component, or module in the controller that implements the functions of the above-mentioned controller.

[0214] Optionally, the processing unit 420 may be a processing device. Among them, the function of the processing device may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the processing device may include at least one processor and at least one memory, where the at least one memory is used to store a computer program, and the at least one processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the at least one memory, so that the device 400 executes the operations and / or processes performed by the controller in each method embodiment.

[0215] Optionally, the processing device may only include a processor, and the memory for storing the computer program is located outside the processing device. The processor is connected to the memory through circuits / wires to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory.

[0216] In some examples, the processing device may also be a chip or an integrated circuit. For example, the processing device includes processing circuits / logic circuits and interface circuits. The interface circuits are used to receive signals and / or data and transmit the signals and / or data to the processing circuits, and the processing circuits process the signals and / or data to implement the various functions of the control device in the method embodiments.

[0217] Figure 13 Schematic structural diagram of the optical switching device provided by this application. As Figure 13 , the communication device 500 includes: one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520, and one or more communication interfaces 530. The processor 510 is used to control the communication interface 530 to send and receive information, the memory 520 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 510 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 520, so that the device 500 executes the processing and / or operations performed by the above-mentioned controller in the method embodiments of this application, that is, the actions of S310 to S340 above.

[0218] For example, the processor 510 may have Figure 12 the functions of the processing unit 420 in Figure 12 , and the communication interface 530 may have

[0219] Optionally, the memory and the processor in the above device embodiments may be physically independent units, or the memory may also be integrated with the processor, which is not limited herein.

[0220] In addition, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer instructions are stored. When the computer instructions are run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the operations and / or processes performed by the control device in the method embodiments of this application.

[0221] In addition, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are run on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by the control device in the method embodiments of this application are executed.

[0222] In addition, the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor, a memory for storing a computer program is provided separately from the chip, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that a controller installed with the chip executes the operations and / or processes performed by the controller in any one of the method embodiments.

[0223] Further, the chip may further include a communication interface. The communication interface may be an input / output interface or an interface circuit, etc. Further, the chip may further include the memory.

[0224] In addition, the present application further provides a communication device (for example, it may be a chip), which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive a signal and transmit the signal to the processor, and the processor processes the signal, so that the operations and / or processes performed by the controller in any one of the method embodiments are executed.

[0225] In addition, the present application further provides an optical switching device, which includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, and the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the at least one memory, so that the operations and / or processes performed by a control device in any one of the method embodiments are executed.

[0226] In addition, the present application further provides an optical switching element (for example, LCOS), which includes the above-mentioned controller. Or rather, the optical switching element has the function of implementing the optical switching element in each embodiment of the present application (specifically, the controller in the optical switching element for generating a control image).

[0227] The present application further provides a WSS device, which includes the optical switching element (for example, LCOS) in each embodiment of the present application.

[0228] The present application further provides a WSS device, which includes the optical switching element (for example, LCOS) and a controller in each embodiment of the present application.

[0229] The present application further provides an optical switching device, which includes the above-mentioned WSS device.

[0230] The processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. During implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be completed by the integrated logic circuit in hardware or instructions in software form in the processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware-encoded processor, or executed and completed by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the encoded processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0231] The memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0232] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a ROADM network to which the WSS applicable to the present application is applied. As Figure 14 shown, the add / drop wavelength dimension WSS is used for dynamic add / drop wavelength control, that is, the services in one or more optical transform units (OTUs) connected thereto are controlled by it to be turned on and off. The line-side dimension WSS is used for dynamic direction control. Different WSSs are connected to optical fibers in different directions, and the services selected by the add / drop wavelength dimension WSS are further directionally selected by the line dimension WSS. The above multi-level WSS combination enables the site to have wavelength dynamic switching capabilities, and a network composed of multiple sites with similar structures is a ROADM network.

[0233] Any change in the switching state of a WSS in the ROADM network will cause a change in the wavelength on / off state of the optical fiber link at its backend (the gain control of the EDFA is inaccurate during the change of the wavelength on / off state), so the present invention is applicable to all WSSs participating in the network formation in the ROADM network.

[0234] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0235] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0236] In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0237] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0238] In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of this application.

[0239] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims described above.

Claims

1. A method for optical switching, characterized in that, The method is applied to attenuate and adjust at least two wavelength channels of an optical switching element. The at least two wavelength channels include a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel. The method includes: Generating K images that are sequential in time. Among them, the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images. K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; Sending information of the K images to the optical switching element so that the optical switching element performs attenuation adjustment on the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels whose number of attenuation adjustments performed from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second wavelength channel includes multiple wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching state includes from the normal state to the off state.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is the image after the first image among the K images.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The K images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation intervals, and each of the K images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel. The method further includes: Generating L images that are sequential in time. L is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state. Among them, the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the first image among the L images is after the first image in time sequence; Sending information of the L images to the optical switching element so that the optical switching element performs attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The L images correspond one-to-one with L attenuation intervals, and each of the L images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The optical switching element includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The LCOS includes X pixel points, and the image is a set of phase states of each of the X pixel points.

11. A method for optical switching, characterized in that, Applied to an optical switching element including at least two wavelength channels, the at least two wavelength channels include a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel. The method includes: Obtain K consecutive images in time sequence, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images, K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; Perform attenuation adjustment on the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel according to the K images.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels whose number of attenuation adjustments performed from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The second wavelength channel includes a plurality of wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching state includes from the normal state to the off state.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

15. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is the image after the first image among the K images.

16. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The K images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation intervals, and each of the K images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

17. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel, and the method further includes: Receive L consecutive images in time sequence, L is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state. The first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the first image among the L images is located after the first image in time sequence; Perform attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel according to the L images.

18. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The L images correspond one-to-one with L attenuation intervals, and each of the L images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

19. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The optical switching element includes liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The LCOS includes X pixel points, and the image is a set of the phase states of each of the X pixel points.

21. An optical switching device, characterized in that, The device is used to perform attenuation adjustment on at least two wavelength channels of an optical switching element. The at least two wavelength channels include a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel. The device includes: A processing unit for generating K consecutive images in time sequence, wherein the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images, K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; A sending unit for sending the information of the K images to the optical switching element, so that the optical switching element adjusts the attenuation of the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein, The first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels whose number of attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

23. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The second wavelength channel includes a plurality of wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching state includes changing from the normal state to the off state.

24. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

25. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is the image after the first image among the K images.

26. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The K images correspond one-to-one with K attenuation intervals, and each of the K images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

27. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel, and The processing unit is further configured to generate L consecutive images in time sequence, L is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state. The first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first image among the K images, and the first image among the L images is located after the first image in time sequence; The sending unit is further configured to send the information of the L images to the optical switching element, so that the optical switching element adjusts the attenuation of the third wavelength channel.

28. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The L images correspond one-to-one with L attenuation intervals, and each of the L images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

29. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The optical switching element includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that, The LCOS includes X pixel points, and the image is a set of the phase states of each pixel point among the X pixel points.

31. An optical switching device, characterized in that, Configured in or itself being an optical switching element including at least two wavelength channels, the at least two wavelength channels including a first wavelength channel and a second wavelength channel, the device includes: An acquisition unit, configured to acquire K consecutive images in time sequence, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same one of the K images, K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; A processing unit, configured to perform attenuation adjustment on the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel according to the K images.

32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that, The first wavelength channel includes a wavelength channel among the at least two wavelength channels whose number of attenuation adjustments from the normal state to the off state is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

33. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that The second wavelength channel includes a plurality of wavelength channels among the at least two wavelength channels whose switching state includes changing from the normal state to the off state.

34. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel among the K images is different from the image used for the first attenuation adjustment of the second wavelength channel.

35. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The image used for the first attenuation of the second wavelength channel is an image after the first image among the K images.

36. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The K images are in one-to-one correspondence with K attenuation intervals, and each of the K images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

37. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The at least two wavelength channels further include a third wavelength channel, and A receiving unit is configured to receive L consecutive images in time sequence, L is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the third wavelength channel from the off state to the normal state. The first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the first one of the K images, and the first image among the L images is located after the first image in time sequence; The processing unit is further configured to perform attenuation adjustment on the third wavelength channel according to the L images.

38. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The L images are in one-to-one correspondence with L attenuation intervals, and each of the L images is used for the attenuation adjustment of at least one wavelength channel within the attenuation interval corresponding to the image.

39. The device according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The optical switching element includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

40. The device according to claim 39, characterized in that, The LCOS includes X pixel points, and the image is a set of the phase states of each of the X pixel points.

41. A liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), characterized in that, Comprising: A liquid crystal display, including a plurality of pixel points whose phase states are adjustable; An interface, configured to acquire K consecutive images in time sequence, where the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same one of the K images, K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of attenuation adjustments performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; A controller for controlling the phase states of a plurality of pixel points of the liquid crystal display according to the K images to achieve attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

42. A liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), characterized in that, Comprising: A liquid crystal display including a plurality of pixel points whose phase states are adjustable; A first controller for generating K images that are continuous in time sequence. Among them, the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel are switched to the off state through the same image among the K images. K is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and K depends on the number of times of attenuation adjustment performed by the first wavelength channel from the normal state to the off state. Each of the K images includes a first sub-image and a second sub-image. The first sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the first wavelength channel, and the second sub-image is used to indicate the attenuation adjustment value of the second wavelength channel; A second controller for controlling the phase states of the plurality of pixel points of the liquid crystal display according to the K images to achieve attenuation adjustment of the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel.

43. A wavelength selective switch WSS, characterized in that, Comprising: An input port for inputting an optical signal having a plurality of wavelength channels; The liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) according to any one of claims 41 or 42 for performing attenuation adjustment on at least two wavelength channels in the optical signal, where the at least two wavelength channels include the first wavelength channel and the second wavelength channel; An output port for outputting the optical signal after the attenuation adjustment.

44. A reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer, characterized in that, Comprising: A demultiplexing module, a multiplexing module; The demultiplexing module is used to download a first optical wavelength signal to a site; The multiplexing module is used to receive a second optical wavelength signal uploaded by the site; Wherein, the demultiplexing module and / or the multiplexing module is the wavelength selective switch according to claim 43.

45. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, Instructions are stored in the computer storage medium. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

46. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

47. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processing circuit and a communication interface. The processing circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 11 to generate data and / or signals to be transmitted, and the communication interface is used to transmit the data and / or signals.

48. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processing circuit and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive data and / or signals to be processed and transmit the data and / or signals to be processed to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit processes the data and / or signals to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 - 20.

Images