Integrated transmission multifunctional optical device

Abstract

The application discloses an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device, which comprises M input collimators, N main switching collimators, N secondary switching collimators, M emergency disaster recovery collimators, M*N micro relays, 2(M*N) mirrors and a control board. The application integrates electrical devices (the control board and the micro relays) and optical devices (the collimators and the mirrors) into one, has the characteristics of compact structure and simple and reliable process, has two groups of M*N non-blocking optical path switches, and additionally has one group of M optical paths for optical path emergency disaster recovery, which has important value for practical application of a multi-channel transmission integrated optical switching module, and can be flexibly and stably applied to a wide range of application occasions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical switching technology, and more specifically to an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device. Background Technology

[0002] Optical switching modules play a crucial role in applications such as cloud computing and data centers, establishing interconnected networks and enabling high-speed data exchange. Each optical switching module has one or more selectable transmission ports, performing physical switching or logical operations on optical signals within optical transmission lines or integrated optical circuits, thus playing a vital role in optical networks. Existing optical switching modules are primarily composed of cascaded MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) optical switches. To achieve optical switching with M inputs and N outputs, the optical switching module requires M 1×N and N 1×M MEMS optical switches. The inputs of the M 1×N MEMS optical switches form the M inputs of the optical switching module, and the outputs of the M 1×N MEMS optical switches are sequentially connected to the outputs of the N 1×M MEMS optical switches, with the inputs of the N 1×M MEMS optical switches forming the N outputs of the optical switching module. For example... Figure 1 This is a 4×4 optical switching module composed of eight 1×4 MEMS optical switches. However, this type of optical switching module has shortcomings: 1. It can only realize M×N optical switching functions and does not have the emergency disaster recovery function of M optical paths. Therefore, for some special application scenarios that require the optical path to always be unobstructed (such as military applications), the existing optical switching module is not entirely suitable; 2. When MEMS optical switches are used in cascade, they are not only complex in structure, but also have poor performance problems such as low isolation reliability, large insertion loss and long switching time; 3. Due to the blockade of core MEMS technology from foreign countries, we can only purchase foreign MEMS chips to assemble MEMS optical switches, and we cannot arbitrarily modify the MEMS itself. Since the MEMS technology itself cannot maintain power loss, the existing optical switching module also cannot achieve power loss retention. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention addresses the problems of existing optical switching modules lacking optical path emergency disaster recovery capabilities, thus making them unsuitable for critical applications, as well as their complex structure and poor performance. It provides an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] An integrated transmission multifunctional optical device includes M input collimators, N main switching collimators, N secondary switching collimators, M emergency disaster recovery collimators, M×N miniature relays, 2 (M×N) reflectors, and a control board; all miniature relays are arranged in a regular matrix on the control board to form a relay matrix; each miniature relay consists of two sets of horizontally arranged contacts; each set of contacts includes one stationary contact and one moving contact, with the stationary contact directly below and the moving contact directly above. Two stationary contacts of each miniature relay are fixedly mounted on the control board; all collimators—M input collimators, N main switching collimators, N secondary switching collimators, and M emergency recovery collimators—are at the same horizontal level; the M input collimators, N main switching collimators, M emergency recovery collimators, and N secondary switching collimators are respectively arranged around the relay matrix; the M input collimators are arranged vertically in parallel on the first side of the relay matrix, and are directly opposite each row of miniature relays in the relay matrix; the N main switching collimators are arranged horizontally... M emergency collimators are arranged parallel to each other on the second side of the relay matrix, each facing a set of contacts of the miniature relays in each column of the miniature relay array; M emergency collimators are arranged vertically parallel to each other on the third side of the relay matrix, each facing a set of contacts of the miniature relays in each row of the relay matrix; N secondary switching collimators are arranged horizontally parallel to each other on the fourth side of the relay matrix, each facing another set of contacts of the miniature relays in each column of the miniature relay array; each of the two moving contacts of each miniature relay is equipped with a reflector, wherein the main reflector... The reflecting surface is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator of the corresponding row and the main switching collimator of the corresponding column. The reflecting surface of the secondary mirror is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator of the corresponding row and the secondary switching collimator of the corresponding column. The control terminals of the two sets of contacts of all miniature relays are electrically connected to the control board. The two sets of contacts of each miniature relay work independently under the control of the control board. That is, the control board turns the stationary contact of one set of contacts of the miniature relay on and off, so that the moving contact of that set of contacts is attracted and separated from the stationary contact, and then the moving contact drives the reflector on it to rise and fall.

[0006] When the main reflector of the miniature relay in row m and column n is in the raised state and the secondary reflector is in the lowered state, the height of the main reflector is the same as the height of all collimators, and the height of the secondary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator in row m is reflected by the main reflector in row m and column n to the main switching collimator in column n, and the light signal is output by the main switching collimator in column n.

[0007] When the secondary reflector of the miniature relay in row m and column n is in the raised state and the primary reflector is in the lowered state, the height of the secondary reflector is the same as the height of all collimators, and the height of the primary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator in row m is reflected by the secondary reflector in row m and column n to the secondary switching collimator in column n, and the light signal is output by the secondary switching collimator in column n.

[0008] When all the primary and secondary reflectors of the miniature relays in the m-th row are in the lowered state, the height of the primary and secondary reflectors is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator in the m-th row passes directly through the primary and secondary reflectors and enters the emergency disaster recovery collimator in the m-th row, and is output by the emergency disaster recovery collimator in the m-th row.

[0009] In the above, m=1,2,…,M, n=1,2,…,N, M and N are set positive integers greater than 1.

[0010] In the above scheme, the row spacing or column spacing between any two adjacent relay matrices is equal.

[0011] In the above scheme, each group of contacts of each miniature relay mainly consists of a coil, an iron core, an armature, and a return spring; the coil and the iron core together form the stationary contact of the group of contacts; the armature forms the moving contact of the group of contacts; the lead-out end of the coil forms the control end of the group of contacts; the coil is wound inside the iron core, the armature is located directly above the iron core, one end of the return spring is connected to the iron core, and the other end is connected to the armature.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following characteristics:

[0013] 1. This invention integrates electrical components (control board and micro relay) with optical components (collimator and reflector) into one unit, featuring a compact structure and simple and reliable process. It not only has two sets of M×N non-blocking optical path switching, but also has an additional set of M optical paths for optical path emergency disaster recovery. This is of great value for the practical application of multi-channel transmission integrated optical switching modules, making them flexible and stable for a wide range of applications.

[0014] 2. Since all optical links in this invention are non-cascaded and transmission is achieved directly through free space collimation, the optical transmission link is optimized, which improves switching reliability and effectively reduces insertion loss and switching time. Taking 16×16 as an example, the volume can be made below 30×30×30mm, the insertion loss is ≤1dB, the switching time is ≤8ms, the single-mode isolation is ≥60dB, and the operating temperature range is -45 to 85 degrees. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing optical switching module.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main switching operation state of an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device (the secondary switching collimator and the emergency disaster recovery collimator are not shown in the figure).

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the secondary switching operation state of an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device (the main switching collimator and the emergency disaster recovery collimator are not shown in the figure).

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the emergency disaster recovery operation of an integrated transmission multifunctional optical device (the main switching collimator and the secondary switching collimator are not shown in the figure).

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a miniature relay.

[0020] The following numbers are labeled in the diagram: 1. Input collimator; 2. Main switching collimator; 3. Secondary switching collimator; 4. Emergency disaster recovery collimator; 5. Miniature relay; 51. Coil; 52. Iron core; 53. Return spring; 54. Armature; 6. Reflector; 7. Control board. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific examples.

[0022] An integrated transmission multifunctional optical device, such as Figures 2-4 As shown, the system includes M input collimators 1, N main switching collimators 2, N secondary switching collimators 3, M emergency disaster recovery collimators 4, M×N miniature relays 5, 2 (M×N) reflectors 6, and a control board 7. M and N are set positive integers greater than 1, and can be the same or identical. M represents the number of input channels of the optical switching module given in the system design, and N represents the number of switching channels of the optical switching module given in the system design.

[0023] All miniature relays 5 are arranged in a regular matrix on the control board 7 to form a relay matrix. The row spacing or column spacing between any two adjacent relay matrices is equal. Each miniature relay 5 consists of two sets of horizontally arranged contacts. Each set of contacts includes one stationary contact and one moving contact, with the stationary contact directly below and the moving contact directly above. The two stationary contacts of each miniature relay 5 are fixedly mounted on the control board 7. In this invention, the miniature relays 5 can be composed of commercially available relays or self-developed relays. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, each set of contacts of each miniature relay 5 mainly consists of a coil 51, an iron core 52, an armature 54, and a return spring 53, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown. Coil 51 is wound inside iron core 52, and coil 51 and iron core 52 together form the stationary contact of this set of contacts. The lead-out end of coil 51 forms the control end of this set of contacts. Armature 54 is located directly above iron core 52, and armature 54 forms the moving contact of this set of contacts. One end of return spring 53 is connected to iron core 52, and the other end is connected to armature 54. As long as a certain voltage is applied across coil 51, a certain current will flow through coil 51, thereby generating an electromagnetic effect. Under the attraction of electromagnetic force, armature 54 will overcome the tension of return spring 53 and be attracted to iron core 52, causing the moving contact of armature 54 to engage with the stationary contact.

[0024] All collimators—M input collimators 1, N main switching collimators 2, N secondary switching collimators 3, and M emergency recovery collimators 4—are at the same horizontal height. These collimators are positioned around the relay matrix. The M input collimators 1 are arranged vertically in parallel on one side of the relay matrix (e.g., the right side), each directly opposite a miniature relay 5 in each row of the matrix. The N main switching collimators 2 are arranged horizontally in parallel on the other side of the relay matrix (e.g., the rear side), each directly opposite a set of contacts of a miniature relay 5 in each column of the miniature relay 5 array. The M emergency recovery collimators 4 are arranged vertically in parallel on another side of the relay matrix (e.g., the left side), each directly opposite a miniature relay 5 in each row of the matrix. The N secondary switching collimators 3 are arranged horizontally in parallel on the other side of the relay matrix (e.g., the front side), each directly opposite another set of contacts of a miniature relay 5 in each column of the miniature relay 5 array.

[0025] Each miniature relay 5 has a reflector 6 mounted on each of its two moving contacts. The reflective surface of the main reflector is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator 1 of the corresponding row and the main switching collimator 2 of the corresponding column. The reflective surface of the secondary reflector is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator 1 of the corresponding row and the secondary switching collimator 3 of the corresponding column.

[0026] The control terminals of the two sets of contacts of all miniature relays 5 are electrically connected to the control board 7. The two sets of contacts of each miniature relay 5 work independently under the control of the control board 7. That is, the control board 7 turns the stationary contact of one set of contacts of the miniature relay 5 on and off, so that the moving contact of that set of contacts is engaged and disengaged from the stationary contact, and then the moving contact drives the reflector 6 on it to rise and fall.

[0027] The optical switching module of this invention can realize optical path switching or optical path emergency disaster recovery for at least one path. It can achieve up to M×N non-blocking optical switching and M optical paths for optical emergency disaster recovery. During optical path switching, it is only necessary to raise the reflector 6 on the miniature relay 5 to reflect the optical path output from the input collimator 1 of the corresponding row to the switching collimator in the corresponding column. The reflectors 6 of the miniature relays 5 before and after the reflector 6 are lowered to prevent the optical path from being blocked, thus achieving optical path switching. During optical path emergency disaster recovery, it is only necessary to lower all the reflectors 6 on the miniature relays 5 to prevent the optical path output from the input collimator 1 of the corresponding row from directly passing through to the emergency disaster recovery collimator 4 in the same row, thus achieving optical path emergency disaster recovery.

[0028] 1) Main switching working status (e.g.) Figure 2 When the main reflector of the miniature relay 5 in the m-th row and n-th column is in the raised state and the secondary reflector is in the lower state, the height of the main reflector is the same as the height of all collimators, and the height of the secondary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the optical signal output from the input collimator 1 in the m-th row is reflected by the main reflector in the m-th row and n-th column to the main switching collimator 2 in the n-th column, and the optical signal is output by the main switching collimator 2 in the n-th column.

[0029] 2) Switching working status (e.g.) Figure 3 When the secondary reflector of the miniature relay 5 in the m-th row and n-th column is in the raised state and the primary reflector is in the lower state, the height of the secondary reflector is the same as the height of all collimators, and the height of the primary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator 1 in the m-th row is reflected by the secondary reflector in the m-th row and n-th column to the secondary switching collimator 3 in the n-th column, and the light signal is output by the secondary switching collimator 3 in the n-th column.

[0030] 3) Emergency disaster recovery status (e.g.) Figure 4 When all the primary and secondary reflectors of the miniature relays 5 in the m-th row are in the lowered state, the height of the primary and secondary reflectors is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the optical signal output from the input collimator 1 in the m-th row passes directly through the primary and secondary reflectors and enters the emergency disaster recovery collimator 4 in the m-th row, and is output by the emergency disaster recovery collimator 4 in the m-th row.

[0031] The above m=1,2,…,M, n=1,2,…, N.

[0032] It should be noted that although the embodiments described above are illustrative, they are not intended to limit the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Any other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art under the guidance of this invention without departing from its principles are considered to be within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An integrated transmission multifunctional optical device, characterized in that, It includes M input collimators (1), N main switching collimators (2), N secondary switching collimators (3), M emergency disaster recovery collimators (4), M×N miniature relays (5), 2 (M×N) reflectors (6), and a control board (7); All miniature relays (5) are arranged in a regular matrix on the control board (7) to form a relay matrix; each miniature relay (5) consists of two sets of horizontally arranged contacts; each set of contacts includes one stationary contact and one moving contact, the stationary contact and the moving contact are positioned opposite each other vertically, with the stationary contact located directly below and the moving contact located directly above; the two stationary contacts of each miniature relay (5) are fixedly mounted on the control board (7); All collimators, namely M input collimators (1), N main switching collimators (2), N secondary switching collimators (3), and M emergency disaster recovery collimators (4), are at the same horizontal level; the M input collimators (1), N main switching collimators (2), M emergency disaster recovery collimators (4), and N secondary switching collimators (3) are respectively arranged around the relay matrix; the M input collimators (1) are arranged vertically in parallel on the first side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to the miniature relays (5) in each row of the relay matrix; the N main switching collimators (4) are arranged vertically in parallel on the first side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to the miniature relays (5) in each row of the relay matrix; the N main switching collimators (4) are arranged vertically in parallel on the first side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to the miniature relays (5) in each row of the relay matrix; the M ... The collimators (2) are arranged horizontally in parallel on the second side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to a set of contacts of the micro relays (5) in each column of the micro relay (5) array; M emergency disaster recovery collimators (4) are arranged vertically in parallel on the third side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to the micro relays (5) in each row of the relay matrix; N secondary switching collimators (3) are arranged horizontally in parallel on the fourth side of the relay matrix, and are respectively opposite to another set of contacts of the micro relays (5) in each column of the micro relay (5) array; Each miniature relay (5) has a reflector (6) installed on each of its two moving contacts. The reflective surface of the main reflector is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator (1) of the corresponding row and the main switching collimator (2) of the corresponding column. The reflective surface of the secondary reflector is simultaneously opposite to the input collimator (1) of the corresponding row and the secondary switching collimator (3) of the corresponding column. The control terminals of the two sets of contacts of all miniature relays (5) are electrically connected to the control board (7); the two sets of contacts of each miniature relay (5) work independently under the control of the control board (7). That is, the control board (7) turns on and off the stationary contact of one set of contacts of the miniature relay (5), so that the moving contact of that set of contacts is attracted and separated from the stationary contact, and then the moving contact drives the reflector (6) on it to descend and rise. When the main reflector of the miniature relay (5) in row m and column n is in the rising state and the secondary reflector is in the falling state, the height of the main reflector is the same as the height of all collimators and the height of the secondary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator (1) in row m is reflected by the main reflector in row m and column n to the main switching collimator (2) in column n, and the light signal is output by the main switching collimator (2) in column n. When the secondary reflector of the miniature relay (5) in row m and column n is in the rising state and the primary reflector is in the falling state, the height of the secondary reflector is the same as the height of all collimators and the height of the primary reflector is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator (1) in row m is reflected by the secondary reflector in row m and column n to the secondary switching collimator (3) in column n, and the light signal is output by the secondary switching collimator (3) in column n. When the primary and secondary reflectors of all the micro relays (5) in the m-th row are in the lowered state, the height of the primary and secondary reflectors is lower than the height of all collimators. At this time, the light signal output from the input collimator (1) in the m-th row passes directly through the primary and secondary reflectors and enters the emergency disaster recovery collimator (4) in the m-th row, and is output by the emergency disaster recovery collimator (4) in the m-th row. In the above, m=1,2,…,M, n=1,2,…,N, M and N are set positive integers greater than 2.

2. The integrated transmission multifunctional optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The row or column spacing between any two adjacent relay matrices is equal.

3. The integrated transmission multifunctional optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each miniature relay (5) consists of a coil (51), an iron core (52), an armature (54), and a return spring (53). The coil (51) and the iron core (52) together form the stationary contact of the group of contacts. The armature (54) forms the moving contact of the group of contacts. The lead-out end of the coil (51) forms the control end of the group of contacts. The coil (51) is wound inside the iron core (52), the armature (54) is located directly above the iron core (52), and one end of the return spring (53) is connected to the iron core (52), and the other end is connected to the armature (54).

Images