A wavelength selective switch and optical signal processing method

Abstract

This application discloses a wavelength selective switch and an optical signal processing method for reconstructing optical signal transmission links and reducing the demand for optical switching engines. This application includes a wavelength selective switch (WSS), which comprises: a first incident port, a second incident port, a dispersive element, a first lens module, and a switching engine. The dispersive element disperses a first optical signal transmitted through the first incident port into a first set of optical signals, where each optical signal in the first set has a different wavelength; it also disperses a second optical signal transmitted through the second incident port into a second set of optical signals, where each optical signal in the second set has a different wavelength. The first lens module transmits a target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine; the target optical signal pair is any one of the optical signal pair sets, and the optical signal pairs in the set have the same wavelength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical signal processing, and more particularly to a wavelength selective switch and an optical signal processing method. Background Technology

[0002] The wavelength selective switch (WSS) is a key component in a reconfigurable optical branching multiplexing system. The WSS demultiplexes optical signals of different wavelengths in the incident link. These signals are transmitted to different regions of the optical switching engine, which individually controls the incident light of different wavelengths, allowing each link to be transmitted to a different output port, thus completing the link reconfiguration.

[0003] In existing wavelength selective switches, different wavelength links at different incident ports need to occupy different areas of the optical switching engine in order to achieve individual control of each link. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a wavelength selective switch and an optical signal processing method, which is used to reconstruct optical signal transmission links and reduce the need for optical switching engines for wavelength selective switches.

[0005] A first aspect of this application provides a wavelength selective switch (WSS), comprising: a first incident port, a second incident port, a dispersive element, a first lens module, and a switching engine. The dispersive element disperses a first optical signal transmitted through the first incident port into a first set of optical signals, each optical signal in the first set having a different wavelength; and disperses a second optical signal transmitted through the second incident port into a second set of optical signals, each optical signal in the second set having a different wavelength. The first lens module transmits a target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine. The target optical signal pair is any one of the optical signal pair sets, the optical signal pairs in the set have the same wavelength, and one optical signal in any given optical signal pair is from the first set of optical signals, while the other optical signal is from the second set of optical signals.

[0006] In this possible implementation, for a target optical signal pair with the same wavelength transmitted through the first incident port and the second incident port, the first lens module transmits the target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine, thereby achieving the same control for the same wavelength at different incident ports, thus reducing the optical area requirement of the WSS for the switching engine.

[0007] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the target optical signal includes a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal, and the WSS also includes multiple output ports; the switching engine is used to transmit the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal to the multiple output ports.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The first and second lenses are located between the optical fiber array and the dispersive element, and the third lens is located between the dispersive element and the switching engine. The optical fiber array includes a first incident port, a second incident port, and multiple exit ports. The first lens receives a first optical signal and a second optical signal transmitted through the first and second incident ports and transmits them to the second lens. The second lens receives the first and second optical signals transmitted by the first lens and transmits them to the dispersive element. The third lens receives a set of first optical signals and a set of second optical signals transmitted by the dispersive element and transmits them to the switching engine.

[0009] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first incident port and the second incident port are symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module, the distance between the fiber array and the first lens is the focal length of the first lens, the distance between the first lens and the second lens is the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses, the distance between the second lens and the dispersive element is the focal length of the second lens, and the distance between the dispersive element and the third lens is the focal length of the third lens.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the WSS further includes: a second lens module, which is used to receive a third optical signal sent by the switching engine and transmit the third optical signal to a first output port among a plurality of output ports; and to receive a fourth optical signal sent by the switching engine and transmit the fourth optical signal to a second output port among a plurality of output ports.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first exit port is the exit port corresponding to the second incident port, and the second exit port is the exit port corresponding to the first incident port.

[0012] In this possible implementation, the same area of ​​the switching engine controls the transmission directions of the third and fourth optical signals, thereby swapping the transmission paths of the two optical signals relative to existing technologies, and achieving the same control over the same wavelength at different incident ports.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the WSS further includes: a first polarizing beam splitter, a second polarizing beam splitter, a first half-wave plate, and a second half-wave plate. The first polarizing beam splitter is used to split the first optical signal into first polarized light and second polarized light, and transmits the first polarized light to a dispersive element and the second polarized light to the first half-wave plate. The first half-wave plate is used to deflect the second polarized light before transmitting it to the dispersive element. The second polarizing beam splitter is used to split the second optical signal into third polarized light and fourth polarized light, and transmits the third polarized light to the dispersive element and the fourth polarized light to the second half-wave plate. The second half-wave plate is used to deflect the second polarized light before transmitting it to the dispersive element.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the fiber array is an M*(N+1) fiber column, where M is the number of input ports and N is the number of output ports in the same column as the input ports.

[0015] A second aspect of this application provides an optical signal processing method applied to a wavelength selective switch (WSS). The WSS includes a first incident port, a second incident port, a dispersive element, a first lens module, and a switching engine. The method includes: dispersing a first optical signal transmitted through the first incident port into a first optical signal set using the dispersive element, wherein each optical signal in the first optical signal set has a different wavelength; dispersing a second optical signal transmitted through the second incident port into a second optical signal set using the dispersive element, wherein each optical signal in the second optical signal set has a different wavelength; and transmitting a target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine using the first lens module. The target optical signal pair is any one of the optical signal pair sets, and the optical signal pairs in the optical signal pair set have the same wavelength. In any given optical signal pair, one optical signal is from the first optical signal set, and the other optical signal is from the second optical signal set.

[0016] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the target optical signal includes a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal, the WSS also includes multiple output ports, and the method further includes: transmitting the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal to the multiple output ports through a switching engine.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The first and second lenses are located between the optical fiber array and the dispersive element, and the third lens is located between the dispersive element and the switching engine. The optical fiber array includes a first incident port, a second incident port, and multiple exit ports. The method further includes: receiving a first optical signal and a second optical signal transmitted through the first and second incident ports via the first lens, and sending them to the second lens; receiving the first and second optical signals transmitted by the first lens via the second lens, and sending them to the dispersive element; and receiving a set of first optical signals and a set of second optical signals transmitted by the dispersive element via the third lens, and sending them to the switching engine.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first incident port and the second incident port are symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module, the distance between the fiber array and the first lens is the focal length of the first lens, the distance between the first lens and the second lens is the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses, the distance between the second lens and the dispersive element is the focal length of the second lens, and the distance between the dispersive element and the third lens is the focal length of the third lens.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the WSS further includes a second lens module, and the method further includes: receiving a third optical signal sent by the switching engine through the second lens module, and transmitting the third optical signal to a first output port among a plurality of output ports; receiving a fourth optical signal sent by the switching engine through the second lens module, and transmitting the fourth optical signal to a second output port among a plurality of output ports.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first exit port is the exit port corresponding to the second incident port, and the second exit port is the exit port corresponding to the first incident port.

[0021] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the WSS further includes a first polarizing beam splitter, a second polarizing beam splitter, a first half-wave plate, and a second half-wave plate. The method further includes: splitting the first optical signal into first polarized light and second polarized light using the first polarizing beam splitter, transmitting the first polarized light to a dispersive element, and transmitting the second polarized light to the first half-wave plate. The second polarized light is then deflected by the first half-wave plate and transmitted to the dispersive element. The second optical signal is then split into third polarized light and fourth polarized light using the second polarizing beam splitter, transmitting the third polarized light to the dispersive element, and transmitting the fourth polarized light to the second half-wave plate. The second polarized light is then deflected by the second half-wave plate and transmitted to the dispersive element.

[0022] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the fiber array is an M*(N+1) fiber column, where M is the number of input ports and N is the number of output ports in the same column as the input ports.

[0023] The third aspect of this application provides an optical processing device, which includes a wavelength selection switch as described in the first aspect or any specific implementation of the first aspect. The wavelength selection switch can implement the optical signal processing method described in the second aspect or any specific implementation of the second aspect.

[0024] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of this application have the following advantages:

[0025] In this embodiment, for a target optical signal pair with the same wavelength transmitted through the first incident port and the second incident port, the first lens module transmits the target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine, thereby achieving the same control for the same wavelength at different incident ports, thereby reducing the optical area requirement of the WSS for the switching engine. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1a A schematic diagram of a wavelength selective switch;

[0027] Figure 1bThis is another schematic diagram of a wavelength selective switch;

[0028] Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of a wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2b This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2c This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 3a This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3b This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3c This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4a This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4b This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5a This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 5b This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 5c This is another schematic diagram of the wavelength selective switch transmitting optical signals in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 6a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a port matrix array of a wavelength selective switch in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 6b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another port matrix array of the wavelength selective switch in this embodiment of the application;

[0041] Figure 6c This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another port matrix array of the wavelength selective switch in this embodiment of the application;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an optical signal processing method in an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light processing device in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0044] This application provides a wavelength selective switch and an optical signal processing method, which is used to reconstruct optical signal transmission links and reduce the need for optical switching engines for wavelength selective switches.

[0045] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. As those skilled in the art will recognize, with the development of technology and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0046] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0047] like Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown, the wavelength selective switch (WSS) 100 is a key component in the reconfigurable optical branching multiplexing system. The wavelength selective switch can demultiplex optical signals of different wavelengths incident at the input port 101. These different wavelength signals are transmitted to different regions of the switching engine 104 of the wavelength selective switch 100. The switching engine 104 individually controls the incident light of different wavelengths, allowing each link to be transmitted to a different output port 105. The optical signal incident at each input port 101 is transmitted to one of the multiple output ports 105 in the same column as the input port, thus completing the link reconfiguration.

[0048] like Figure 2a , 2b and Figure 2cAs shown, this application embodiment provides a wavelength selection switch 200, which includes: a first incident port 201, a second incident port 202, a dispersive element 203, a first lens module 204, and a switching engine 205.

[0049] The first incident port 201 and the second incident port 202 form an incident port pair. The first incident port 201 in the incident port pair is used to transmit the first optical signal to the dispersive element 203; the second incident port 202 in the incident port pair is used to transmit the second optical signal to the dispersive element 203.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first incident port 201 and the second incident port 202 in this embodiment are symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module 204, but the specific implementation is not limited here.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the wavelength selection switch 200 in this embodiment of the application further includes other incident ports, such as a third incident port and a fourth incident port. The third incident port and the fourth incident port are used to transmit the received optical signal to the dispersive element 203. Their specific functions are similar to those of the first incident port 201 and the second incident port 202 mentioned above, and will not be described again here.

[0052] In this embodiment of the application, the first lens module 204 may include a first lens 206 (lens 1), a second lens 207 (lens 2), and a third lens 208 (lens 3). The first lens 206 and the second lens 207 are located between the fiber array and the dispersive element 203, and the third lens 208 is located between the dispersive element 203 and the switching engine 205.

[0053] The first lens 206 is used to receive the first optical signal and the second optical signal transmitted from the first incident port and the second incident port, and send them to the second lens.

[0054] The second lens 207 is used to receive the first optical signal and the second optical signal transmitted by the first lens and send them to the dispersive element 203.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first lens module 204 includes lens 1, lens 2, and lens 3. An optical fiber array is arranged along the axis of symmetry in the XY plane. The distance between the optical fiber array and lens 1 is the focal length of lens 1. The distance between lens 1 and lens 2 is the sum of their focal lengths. The distance between lens 2 and the chromatic dispersion unit is the focal length of lens 2. The distance between the chromatic dispersion unit and lens 3 is the focal length of lens 3. Signals from the input port are transmitted to different positions of the chromatic dispersion unit via lenses 1 and 2. After passing through lens 3, signals of the same wavelength from different ports cover the same area of ​​the optical switching engine.

[0056] The dispersive element 203 is used to disperse the received optical signal. If the received optical signal is a composite optical signal, the dispersive element 203 disperses the composite optical signal into optical signals of at least two different wavelengths. Specifically, the dispersive element 203 disperses the first optical signal transmitted through the first incident port 201 into a first optical signal set. The first optical signal is a composite optical signal, and the first optical signal set includes a third optical signal. The other optical signals in the first optical signal set have different wavelengths from the third optical signal. Then, the dispersive element 203 transmits the optical signals of the first optical signal set to the first lens module 204.

[0057] The dispersive element 203 is also used to disperse the second optical signal transmitted through the second incident port 202 into a second optical signal set. The second optical signal is not a composite optical signal, and the second optical signal set includes a fourth optical signal. Then, the dispersive element 203 transmits the optical signal of the second optical signal set to the third lens 208 in the first lens module 204.

[0058] It is understandable that, such as Figure 2b As shown, the dispersive element 203 in this embodiment is used to disperse the composite optical signal transmitted through the incident port into optical signals of at least two different wavelengths. When the wavelength selection switch 200 in this embodiment also includes other incident ports, the dispersive element 203 is used to receive the optical signals transmitted through these incident ports and disperse the composite optical signals in these optical signals into multiple optical signals of different wavelengths. Its specific function is similar to that of the dispersive element 203 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] The third lens 208 in the first lens module 204 is used to transmit the optical signal transmitted by the dispersive element 203 to the switching engine 205. Specifically, for an optical signal pair consisting of an optical signal from a first optical signal set and an optical signal from a second optical signal set, where the two optical signals in the pair have the same wavelength, the third lens 208 will transmit both optical signals of the pair to the same area of ​​the switching engine 205.

[0060] like Figure 3c As shown, the first lens module 204 is used to transmit the third optical signal from the first optical signal set and the fourth optical signal from the second optical signal set to the same area in the switching engine. The third optical signal and the fourth optical signal are a pair of optical signals, and the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal have the same wavelength.

[0061] In this embodiment, the two optical signals in a pair of optical signals with the same wavelength have the same angle with the main axis of the first lens module 204. Specifically, the third and fourth optical signals in this embodiment have the same angle with the main axis of the first lens module 204.

[0062] The switching engine 205 receives the optical signal transmitted by the first lens module 204 and transmits the received optical signal to the corresponding output port by adjusting the reflection angle of different areas of the switching engine. Specifically, for optical signal pairs transmitted to the same area, the switching engine transmits either of the two optical signals to one of the output ports corresponding to the other optical signal. The output port corresponding to this optical signal is one of multiple output ports in the same column as the optical signal. That is, compared to the prior art which transmits the optical signal to one of the output ports in the group corresponding to the optical signal itself, the switching engine 205 in this embodiment swaps the transmission paths of the two optical signals in a pair.

[0063] like Figure 2c As shown, specifically, the switching engine 205 is used to transmit the received third optical signal to the second output port corresponding to the second input port, and to transmit the received fourth optical signal to the second output port corresponding to the second input port. That is, in the prior art, the switching engine transmits the split third optical signal of the first optical signal transmitted through the first input port to the first output port corresponding to the first input port, and the switching engine transmits the split fourth optical signal of the second optical signal transmitted through the second input port to the second output port corresponding to the second input port. Compared with the prior art, the switching engine 205 in this embodiment switches the transmission paths of the third and fourth optical signals.

[0064] like Figure 3a , 3b and Figure 3c As shown, the wavelength selection switch 300 in this embodiment includes an optical fiber array 301, a first lens 302, a second lens 303, a second lens module 304, a third lens 305, an optical switching engine 306, and a dispersion unit 307. The second lens module 304 includes a fourth lens, namely lens 4, which is located between the optical switching engine 306 and the optical fiber array 301. The optical switching engine 306 synchronously controls the transmission direction of the same wavelength signals transmitted through different input ports, and these signals are coupled into different output ports using lens 4. The fourth lens 304 is used to receive the optical signal transmitted by the optical switching engine 306 and transmit the optical signal to the output port in the optical fiber array 301.

[0065] The above embodiments mainly address the case where the switching engine only responds to single-polarized light. Therefore, it is necessary to convert different polarization states of the input signal into the same polarization state to satisfy the condition that the optical switching engine only responds to single-polarized light. The following describes the single-polarized light solution:

[0066] like Figure 4aAs shown, in one possible implementation, the wavelength selective switch 400 further includes a polarizing beam splitter prism and a half-wave plate. Specifically, the wavelength selective switch 400 includes an fiber array 401, a first lens 402, a second lens 403, a dispersive element 404, a third lens 405, an optical switching engine 406, and further includes a first polarizing beam splitter prism 407, a second polarizing beam splitter prism 408, a first half-wave plate 409, and a second half-wave plate 410. The first polarizing beam splitter prism 407 is used to split the first optical signal into first polarized light and second polarized light, and transmits the first polarized light to the dispersive element and the second polarized light to the first half-wave plate. The first half-wave plate 409 is used to deflect the second polarized light before transmitting it to the dispersive element. The second half-wave plate 410 is used to deflect a fourth polarized light before transmitting it to the second polarizing beam splitter prism 408. The second polarizing beam splitter 408 is used to combine the third and fourth polarized light into a second optical signal and transmit the second polarized light to the output port.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the port of the wavelength selection switch 400 is an incident-outgoing composite port, and the optical paths of the first polarizing beam splitter 407, the second polarizing beam splitter 408, the first half-wave plate 409, and the second half-wave plate 410 for transmitting optical signals are all reversible, without being specifically limited here.

[0068] In this possible implementation, a polarizing beam splitter prism and a half-wave plate are added between the incident port and the lens. After the optical signal is transmitted to the polarizing beam splitter prism PBS, the P-beam passes through the PBS and the half-wave plate to become the S1-beam. The S-beam in the original signal is reflected by the PBS and then reflected again by the triangular mirror, and transmitted parallel to the S1-beam. It is then transmitted to the dispersion unit through lenses 1 and 2. The signals of different wavelengths in the S-beam and S1-beam are transmitted in different directions and are transmitted to the switching engine through lens 3, covering the same area (the P-beam and S-beam can be interchanged in the combined device). Since the two output ports are symmetrical, the signal of the same wavelength in the other input port will also be transmitted to the same area of ​​the switching engine, and the signals of the two input ports exchange transmission paths in the dispersion plane through the switching engine and are transmitted to the corresponding ports.

[0069] like Figure 4bAs shown, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned polarization beam splitter can also be a Wollaston prism. The optical signal at the input port is transmitted along a symmetrical angle after passing through the Wollaston prism. After passing through a half-wave plate, it becomes a light signal with the same polarization state. After being collimated by lens 1, it is transmitted parallel to different positions in the dispersion unit. Signals of different wavelengths in the transmitted signal are transmitted along different angles and then transmitted to the optical switching engine via lens 2. The same wavelength light signals in the two beams cover the same position of the optical switching engine. Because the two output ports are symmetrical, the same wavelength signal in the other input port will also be transmitted to the same area of ​​the switching engine. Furthermore, the signals from the two input ports exchange transmission paths in the dispersion plane via the switching engine and are transmitted to the corresponding ports. Lens 3 exists in the optical path in the port direction, and the optical switching engine, in conjunction with the lens, realizes port switching.

[0070] like Figure 5a , Figure 5b and Figure 5c As shown, the incident and emission ports in this embodiment can form a port matrix array. The port array can be an M*N port array, where M is the number of incident ports and N is the number of emission ports in an emission port group, that is, an emission port group corresponding to an incident port (i.e., multiple emission ports in the same column as the incident port).

[0071] In one possible implementation, the port matrix composed of the incident and exit ports in this embodiment may include four incident ports: a first incident port, a second incident port, a third incident port, and a fourth incident port. The first and second incident ports form one incident port pair, and the third and fourth incident ports form another incident port pair. The first and second incident ports are symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module, and the third and fourth incident ports are also symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module. The port matrix also includes a first exit port group corresponding to the first incident port, a second exit port group corresponding to the second incident port, a third exit port group corresponding to the third incident port, and a fourth exit port group corresponding to the fourth incident port. The first exit port group consists of exit ports in the same column as the first incident port, the second exit port group consists of exit ports in the same column as the second incident port, the third exit port group consists of exit ports in the same column as the third incident port, and the fourth exit port group consists of exit ports in the same column as the fourth incident port.

[0072] One possible implementation is, such as Figure 6a and Figure 6b As shown, in the port matrix composed of incident and exit ports in the embodiments of this application, the incident port may be located in the middle of the exit port or not, and is not limited here.

[0073] One possible implementation is, such as Figure 6c As shown, in the port matrix composed of incident and exit ports in this embodiment, not all columns necessarily contain both incident and exit ports; it is sufficient that each incident port has a corresponding exit port. Incident and exit ports can be combined arbitrarily, and this is not limited here.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the incident port and the exit port in this embodiment can be incident-exit composite ports that simultaneously have the functions of incident optical signal and exit optical signal, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0075] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of an optical signal processing method in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 As shown, this application provides an optical signal processing method applied to a wavelength selective switch (WSS). The WSS includes at least one incident port pair, a dispersive element, a first lens module, and a switching engine. The first and second incident ports in the target incident port pair are symmetrical about the central axis of the first lens module. The target incident port pair is any one of the at least one incident port pair. The method includes:

[0076] 701. WSS disperses the first optical signal and the second optical signal into a first optical signal set and a second optical signal set.

[0077] A wavelength selective switch disperses the first optical signal transmitted through the first incident port into a first optical signal set using a dispersive element, where each optical signal in the first optical signal set has a different wavelength. Similarly, a wavelength selective switch disperses the second optical signal transmitted through the second incident port into a second optical signal set using the same dispersive element, where each optical signal in the second optical signal set has a different wavelength.

[0078] 702. WSS transmits the target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine.

[0079] The wavelength selection switch transmits the target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine through a lens. The target optical signal pair is any one of the optical signal pairs in the optical signal pair set. Any optical signal pair in the optical signal pair set has the same wavelength, and one optical signal in any optical signal pair is an optical signal from the first optical signal set, while the other optical signal is an optical signal from the second optical signal set.

[0080] 703. WSS transmits optical signals to the output port.

[0081] The wavelength selection switch transmits the third optical signal to one of the output ports in the output port group corresponding to the fourth optical signal through the switching engine; and transmits the fourth optical signal to one of the output ports in the output port group corresponding to the third optical signal.

[0082] In this embodiment, the angle between the third optical signal and the first lens module is the same as the angle between the fourth optical signal and the first lens module.

[0083] In this embodiment of the application, multiple outgoing port groups and at least one incoming port pair form an M*N port array, where M is the number of incoming port pairs and N is the number of outgoing ports in an outgoing port group.

[0084] In this embodiment of the application, the optical signal processing method uses... Figures 2a to 6c The wavelength selection switch in any of the embodiments shown performs corresponding steps to achieve this, as detailed in the references. Figures 2a to 6c The descriptions of the wavelength selection switches shown in any of these examples will not be repeated here.

[0085] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a light processing device in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 As shown, this application embodiment provides an optical processing device, which includes... Figures 2a to 6c Any of the wavelength selection switches shown, the wavelength switch is used to perform Figure 7 The optical signal processing method shown is not detailed here.

[0086] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0088] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0089] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0090] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it 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 all or part of the 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 cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A wavelength selective switch (WSS) characterized by The WSS comprises: a first incident port, a second incident port, a dispersion element, a first lens module and a switching engine; the first incident port and the second incident port are symmetrical along the central axis of the first lens module; the dispersion element is used for dispersing the first optical signals transmitted by the first incident port into a first optical signal set, each optical signal in the first optical signal set having a different wavelength; and dispersing the second optical signals transmitted by the second incident port into a second optical signal set, each optical signal in the second optical signal set having a different wavelength; the first lens module is used for transmitting a target optical signal pair into the same area in the switching engine, the target optical signal pair being any one of a set of optical signal pairs, the optical signal pairs in the set of optical signal pairs having the same wavelength, and one optical signal in any optical signal pair being an optical signal in the first optical signal set and the other optical signal being an optical signal in the second optical signal set.

2. The WSS of claim 1, wherein The target optical signal comprises a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal, and the WSS further comprises a plurality of egress ports; the switching engine is used for transmitting the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal to the plurality of egress ports.

3. The WSS of claim 2, wherein, The first lens module comprises a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, the first lens and the second lens being between a fiber array and the dispersion element, the third lens being between the dispersion element and the switching engine, the fiber array comprising the first incident port, the second incident port and the plurality of egress ports; the first lens is used for receiving the first optical signals and the second optical signals transmitted by the first incident port and the second incident port, and transmitting to the second lens; the second lens is used for receiving the first optical signals and the second optical signals transmitted by the first lens, and transmitting to the dispersion element; the third lens is used for receiving the first optical signal set and the second optical signal set transmitted by the dispersion element, and transmitting to the switching engine.

4. The WSS of claim 3, wherein, The distance between the fiber array and the first lens is the focal length of the first lens, the distance between the first lens and the second lens is the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses, the distance between the second lens and the dispersion element is the focal length of the second lens, and the distance between the dispersion element and the third lens is the focal length of the third lens.

5. The WSS of claim 4, wherein, The WSS further comprises: a second lens module, the second lens module being used for receiving the third optical signal transmitted by the switching engine, and transmitting the third optical signal to a first egress port in the plurality of egress ports; and receiving the fourth optical signal transmitted by the switching engine, and transmitting the fourth optical signal to a second egress port in the plurality of egress ports.

6. The WSS of claim 5, wherein, The first egress port is the egress port corresponding to the second incident port, and the second egress port is the egress port corresponding to the first incident port.

7. The WSS of claim 6, wherein, The WSS further comprises a first polarization beam splitter, a second polarization beam splitter, a first half-wave plate and a second half-wave plate; The first polarization beam splitter prism is configured to split a first optical signal into a first polarized light and a second polarized light, and transmit the first polarized light to a dispersion element and the second polarized light to the first half-wave plate. The first half-wave plate is configured to transmit the second polarized light to the dispersion element after deflecting the second polarized light. The second polarization beam splitter prism is configured to split a second optical signal into a third polarized light and a fourth polarized light, and transmit the third polarized light to a dispersion element and the fourth polarized light to the second half-wave plate. The second half-wave plate is configured to transmit the fourth polarized light to the dispersion element after deflecting the fourth polarized light.

8. The WSS according to any of claims 3-7, characterized in that, The optical fiber array is an M*(N+1) optical fiber array, M is the number of incident ports, and N is the number of exit ports in the same column as the incident ports.

9. A method of processing an optical signal, characterized by The method is applied to a wavelength selective switch (WSS), the WSS includes a first incident port, a second incident port, a dispersion element, a first lens module, and a switching engine, the first incident port and the second incident port are symmetrical along the central axis of the first lens module, and the method includes: dispersing a first optical signal transmitted by the first incident port into a first optical signal set through the dispersion element, the wavelengths of the optical signals in the first optical signal set being different; dispersing a second optical signal transmitted by the second incident port into a second optical signal set through the dispersion element, the wavelengths of the optical signals in the second optical signal set being different; transmitting a target optical signal pair to the same area in the switching engine through the first lens module, the target optical signal pair being any one of a set of optical signal pairs, the wavelengths of the optical signal pairs in the set of optical signal pairs being the same, and one optical signal in any optical signal pair being an optical signal in the first optical signal set and the other optical signal being an optical signal in the second optical signal set.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein The target optical signal includes a third optical signal and a fourth optical signal, the WSS further includes a plurality of exit ports, and the method further includes: transmitting the third optical signal and the fourth optical signal to the plurality of exit ports through the switching engine.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens, the first lens and the second lens are between an optical fiber array and the dispersion element, the third lens is between the dispersion element and the switching engine, the optical fiber array includes the first incident port, the second incident port, and the plurality of exit ports, and the method further includes: receiving the first optical signal and the second optical signal transmitted by the first incident port and the second incident port through the first lens and sending to the second lens; receiving the first optical signal and the second optical signal transmitted by the first lens through the second lens and sending to the dispersion element; receiving the first optical signal set and the second optical signal set transmitted by the dispersion element through the third lens and sending to the switching engine.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The distance between the fiber array and the first lens is the focal length of the first lens, the distance between the first lens and the second lens is the sum of the focal lengths of the two lenses, the distance between the second lens and the dispersion element is the focal length of the second lens, and the distance between the dispersion element and the third lens is the focal length of the third lens.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The WSS further comprises a second lens module, and the method further comprises: receiving, by the second lens module, a third optical signal sent by the switching engine, and transmitting the third optical signal to a first exit port of the plurality of exit ports; receiving, by the second lens module, a fourth optical signal sent by the switching engine, and transmitting the fourth optical signal to a second exit port of the plurality of exit ports.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first exit port is the exit port corresponding to the second entrance port, and the second exit port is the exit port corresponding to the first entrance port.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The WSS further comprises a first polarization beam splitter, a second polarization beam splitter, a first half-wave plate, and a second half-wave plate, and the method further comprises: splitting, by the first polarization beam splitter, a first optical signal into a first polarized light and a second polarized light, and transmitting the first polarized light to a dispersion element and the second polarized light to the first half-wave plate; transmitting the second polarized light to the dispersion element after being deflected by the first half-wave plate; splitting, by the second polarization beam splitter, a second optical signal into a third polarized light and a fourth polarized light, and transmitting the third polarized light to a dispersion element and the fourth polarized light to the second half-wave plate; transmitting the fourth polarized light to the dispersion element after being deflected by the second half-wave plate.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The fiber array is an M*(N+1) fiber array, where M is the number of entrance ports, and N is the number of exit ports in the same column as the entrance ports.

17. A light processing device, characterized by The optical processing device comprises the WSS of any one of claims 1-8.

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