A multi-beam array optical switch and its control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of optical communication technologies, and particularly to a multi-beam array optical switch and a control method thereof. The multi-beam array optical switch proposed by the present invention includes a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator. Fiber arrays are provided in both the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the fiber arrays. At least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center are received respectively through the dual-fiber structure. By providing an array lens assembly inside, it is equivalent to integrating the function of a circulator inside the array optical switch. In terms of cost, only a set of array lens assemblies is added and the original single optical fiber is changed to a dual-core optical fiber, reducing the complexity of the structure of the multi-beam array optical switch and also saving the cost of thousands of circulators.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical communication technologies, and particularly to a multi-beam array optical switch and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The MxN array optical switch is the most important core of optical circuit switching (OCS). It mainly consists of an array optical switching switch chip and device based on micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, and is a large-capacity centralized optical switching technology. The MxN array optical switch can achieve arbitrary pairing connections between M input channels and N output channels. The MEMS micromirror array realized based on semiconductor processing technology is driven by an external circuit to control the spatial path of optical signals. Cooperating with a multi-dimensional optical switching optical system and the stable packaging of large-size optical devices, the optical signal exchange between two-dimensional input and output routings is realized. It has the advantages of low power consumption, low cost, small size, high speed, etc., and realizes the non-blocking routing and switching combination function of M optical inputs to N optical outputs. The switching is all based on the optical layer, without wavelength exchange or electrical exchange, and is mainly applied to the interconnection between large data centers and within the data center, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) optical switching, and cloud computing.

[0003] The array optical switch usually has M inputs and N outputs. As Figure 1 shown, any connection of the input and output channels can be realized by an internal MEMS deflecting mirror. The internal schematic diagram is as Figure 2 shown, which consists of a two-dimensional fiber array, an array lens, and an MEMS array deflecting mirror. As Figure 3 shown in , during the use of the OCS optical path switch, each input and output port will be matched with a circulator and the transceiver module of the data center for connection. With the development of data centers in recent years, the number of ports of the array optical switch has gradually developed from the typical 96x96 to 576x576 in commercial use, and even supports up to 1024x1024 at most. Each port requires a circulator, and the required number of circulators will increase sharply, resulting in a sharp increase in the complexity and usage cost of the OCS optical switch.

[0004] In view of this, overcoming the defects of the existing technology is an urgent problem to be solved in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to reduce the demand for circulators during the use of the array optical switch.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a multi-beam array optical switch is provided, comprising: a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator that are sequentially coupled along an optical path; the first array collimator includes a fiber array and an array lens assembly that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole;

[0008] The first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center;

[0009] The array lens assembly is used to collimate the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmit them to the rotating mirror assembly;

[0010] The rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator;

[0011] The second array collimator is used to transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to a transceiver module of an output data center.

[0012] Preferably, the rotating mirror assembly includes a first rotating mirror and a second rotating mirror; the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are sequentially arranged between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surfaces of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are arranged opposite to each other;

[0013] The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to rotate their respective mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0014] Preferably, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle, and after reaching the second rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the second array collimator at a second incident angle;

[0015] The ranges of the first incident angle and the second incident angle are both 15° - 30°.

[0016] Preferably, the geometric size of the light spot of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal on the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror is less than or equal to the mirror surface size of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror.

[0017] Preferably, the array lens assembly includes a first array lens and a second array lens that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; the first array lens and the second array lens have the same focal point;

[0018] The first array lens is used to focus the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator;

[0019] The second array lens is used to collimate the focused first optical signal and / or second optical signal, and transmit the collimated first optical signal and / or second optical signal to the rotary mirror assembly.

[0020] Preferably, the multi-beam array optical switch further includes at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component, and a laser component;

[0021] The first output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the first monitoring component;

[0022] The first input end of the first beam splitter is used to receive the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second input ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the laser component;

[0023] The input ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the output ends of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected to the transceiver module of the output end data center, and is used to transmit the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the second output ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the second monitoring component.

[0024] Preferably, the first monitoring component includes a first optical switch and a first detector that are coupled along the optical path;

[0025] The first beam splitter is used to split the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center to obtain the first optical signal and a third optical signal, transmit the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch; the first optical switch is used to selectively transmit the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

[0026] Preferably, the laser component includes a laser and a second optical switch that are coupled along the optical path;

[0027] When there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used to emit a test optical signal, and the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the test optical signal to the first beam splitter. The first beam splitter is used to split the test optical signal and then transmit it to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring component respectively.

[0028] Preferably, the second monitoring component includes a third optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path;

[0029] The second beam splitter is used to divide the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the third optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0030] In a second aspect, a control method for a multi-beam array optical switch is provided. The method is applicable to the multi-beam array optical switch as described in the first aspect, and the method includes:

[0031] The first optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second optical fiber receives the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center;

[0032] The array lens assembly collimates the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmits it to the rotating mirror assembly;

[0033] The rotating mirror assembly selectively transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator;

[0034] The second array collimator transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0036] The multi-beam array optical switch proposed by the present invention includes a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator. Among them, on the basis of the existing solution, fiber arrays are provided in both the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the fiber arrays. At least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center are received through the dual-fiber structure, and by arranging an array lens assembly inside, it is equivalent to integrating the function of a circulator inside the array optical switch. In terms of cost, only a set of array lens assemblies is added and the original single fiber is changed to a dual-core fiber, reducing the complexity of the structure of the multi-beam array optical switch and also saving the cost of thousands of circulators. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic internal structural diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 It is another schematic structural diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 It is a schematic internal structural diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first array collimator of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the fiber array of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 It is another schematic structural diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 It is a specific schematic structural diagram of the first array collimator of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 It is another structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 10 It is a structural schematic diagram of an input / output monitoring device of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 11 It is a more specific structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 12 It is a structural schematic diagram of a first beam splitter of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 13 It is a structural schematic diagram of a second beam splitter of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 14 It is a specific structural schematic diagram of a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component and a laser component of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of the output waveform of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 16 It is a flow schematic diagram of a control method of an array optical switch provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0054] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0055] Unless otherwise required by the context, in the entire specification and claims, the term "comprising" is interpreted as an open inclusive meaning, that is, "including, but not limited to". In the description of the specification, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "examples", "specific examples" or "some examples", etc. are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics related to the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. The schematic representations of the above terms are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner, that is, although they may be carried in the above-mentioned embodiments or examples due to reasons such as the order and position of appearance, but it does not limit that they can be carried by one embodiment or example in a combined manner.

[0056] In the description of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more. In addition, for example, for the same type of nouns in the description, they are described as two independent individuals by adding "A" and "B" at the end. In this case, the features defined with "A" and "B" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the same type of individuals and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features.

[0057] In the description of some embodiments, the expressions "coupled", "coupled to" and "connected" and their derivatives may be used. For example, in the description of some embodiments, the term "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more components have direct physical or electrical contact with each other. Another example is that in the description of some embodiments, the term "coupled to" may be used to indicate that two or more components have direct physical or electrical contact. However, the term "connected" or "coupled" may also mean that two or more components do not have direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other, such as "optical path coupling" and "wireless connection". The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the content of the present invention.

[0058] In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0059] Embodiment 1:

[0060] During the use of the existing multi-beam array optical switch, it needs to be connected to the transceiver module of the external data center. This requires connecting a circulator to each input end and output end of the array optical switch so that the array optical switch can be used in reverse, that is, the original input end becomes the output end and the original output end becomes the input end. However, as the number of input and output ends of the array optical switch increases, it is inevitable to increase the number of circulators, which will not only increase the cost of the array optical switch, but also increase the structural complexity of the array optical switch accordingly.

[0061] To solve the above problems, a multi-beam array optical switch is proposed in this embodiment, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown in the figure, it includes a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; the first array collimator includes a fiber array and an array lens assembly that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole; the first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from a transceiver module of the input data center; the array lens assembly is used to collimate the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmit it to the rotating mirror assembly; the rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator; the second array collimator is used to transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to a transceiver module of an output data center. Among them, in the prior art, a circulator is respectively connected to the input end and the output end of an array optical switch. The first port of the input circulator receives an optical signal and transmits it to the input end of the array optical switch from the second port of the input circulator. This optical signal is transmitted to the second port of the output circulator through the output end of the array optical switch, and then output to the transceiver module of the output data center through the first port of the output circulator. Then, the third port of the output circulator receives another optical signal sent by the transceiver module of the output data center and transmits this optical signal to the transceiver module of the input data center through the same principle as above to achieve bidirectional transmission of the array optical switch.

[0062] It should be noted here that the structure of the second array collimator is similar to that of the first array collimator, and also includes a fiber array and an array lens assembly that are sequentially coupled along the optical path. In this embodiment, taking the first array collimator as an example, the structures and functions of the fiber array and the array lens assembly are introduced. In addition, this embodiment takes the devices experienced by the optical signal transmitted from the first array collimator to the second array collimator as an example for introduction. According to the principle of optical path reversibility, the devices experienced by the optical signal transmitted from the second array collimator to the first array collimator are also similar, and will not be elaborated here.

[0063] In an actual application scenario, for the first array collimator, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can both receive optical signals from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmit the received optical signals to the second array collimator; correspondingly, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber also receive optical signals from the transceiver module of the output data center. In this case, the transceiver module of the input data center can send the first optical signal only to the first optical fiber; or send the second optical signal only to the second optical fiber; or send the first optical signal to the first optical fiber and the second optical signal to the second optical fiber. It can be determined according to the actual situation specifically.

[0064] Or, the first optical fiber receives the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmits the received optical signal to the second collimator, and the second optical fiber receives the optical signal from the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0065] Or, the second optical fiber receives the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmits the received optical signal to the second array collimator, and the first optical fiber receives the optical signal from the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0066] The following takes the first optical fiber for receiving the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center and the second optical fiber for receiving the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center as an example for explanation.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the first array collimator respectively correspond to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the second array collimator, that is, the first optical signal transmitted from the first optical fiber in the first array collimator will be output from the first optical fiber in the second array collimator after transmission, and the second optical signal transmitted from the second optical fiber in the first array collimator will be output from the second optical fiber in the second array collimator after transmission. Similarly, using the bidirectional transmission principle of the array optical switch, the optical signal transmitted from the first optical fiber in the second array collimator is output from the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and the optical signal transmitted from the second optical fiber in the second array collimator is output from the second optical fiber in the first array collimator. For the convenience of description, the bidirectional transmission characteristics of the array optical switch can be illustrated by the forward transmission of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal in this embodiment. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal can be transmitted separately or simultaneously. This embodiment takes simultaneous transmission as an example. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are a group and both come from the transceiver module of the input data center.

[0068] The structures of the first array collimator and the second array collimator are the same, and both include an optical fiber array, such as Figure 6As shown, multiple array unit holes are provided on the fiber optic array. At least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole. The number of optical fibers in each array unit hole needs to be determined according to the actual number of input and output channels of the array optical switch, generally 2N (N≥1) fibers. The structure of the first array collimator and the number of optical fibers in the array unit holes of the fiber optic array of the second array collimator need to match so that an optical signal can be input from any channel and output from any channel.

[0069] The first array collimator is provided at the input end of the array optical switch, and the second array collimator is provided at the output end of the array optical switch. The first array collimator is responsible for collimating the optical signal received from the fiber optic array. The fiber optic array is a matrix containing multiple array unit holes, and each optical fiber in the array unit hole can independently transmit an optical signal.

[0070] The function of the array lens assembly is to collimate the optical signal received by the fiber optic array, that is, to adjust the propagation direction of the light rays to make them parallel light. The collimated light rays can be transmitted more effectively and the optical loss can be reduced. The rotating mirror assembly is used to receive the collimated optical signals and selectively transmit them to the second array collimator. The rotating mirror assembly can, according to a control signal or a corresponding algorithm, determine which light rays are directed to which port.

[0071] Overall, the multi-beam array optical switch receives an optical signal through the fiber optic array in the first array collimator, collimates it using the lens assembly, selects the optical path using the rotating mirror assembly, and finally outputs the optical signal to the target device through the second array collimator. The advantage of this optical switch is that it can provide a high-density optical path and can quickly and dynamically adjust the optical path configuration to adapt to different optical signal transmission requirements.

[0072] The multi-beam array optical switch proposed in this embodiment includes a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator. Among them, on the basis of the existing solution, fiber optic arrays are provided in both the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and multiple array unit holes are provided on the fiber optic array. At least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center are received through the dual-fiber structure. By internally providing an array lens assembly, it is equivalent to integrating the function of a circulator inside the array optical switch. In terms of cost, only a set of array lens assemblies is added and the original single fiber is changed to a dual-core fiber, reducing the complexity of the structure of the multi-beam array optical switch and also saving the cost of thousands of circulators.

[0073] Next, other structures in the multi-beam array optical switch will be introduced.

[0074] In one embodiment, asFigure 7 As shown, the rotating mirror assembly includes a first rotating mirror and a second rotating mirror; the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are sequentially arranged between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surfaces of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are arranged opposite to each other; the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to respectively rotate their own mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator. In one embodiment, both the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror can be MEMS array rotating mirrors. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are transmitted to the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror after passing through the first array collimator, and the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle. After reaching the second rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the second array collimator at a second incident angle; the ranges of the first incident angle and the second incident angle are both 15° - 30°. As Figure 7 shown, by rotating the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal can be transmitted to the second rotating mirror. Then rotate the mirror surface of the second rotating mirror to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the second array collimator at the output end of the array optical switch and output it to the transceiver module in the output end data center. In one embodiment, the geometric size of the light spot of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal on the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror is less than or equal to the mirror surface size of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror.

[0075] Taking the first array collimator as an example, as Figure 8 shown, the array lens assembly in the first array collimator includes a first array lens and a second array lens coupled in sequence along the optical path; the first array lens and the second array lens have the same focal point; the first array lens is used to focus the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator; the second array lens is used to collimate the focused first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and transmit the collimated first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0076] Among them, the first array lens is located at the starting part of the optical path and is used to receive the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator. Its main function is to focus the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal, converging the optical signal from a divergent state to a point. The function of the second array lens is to collimate the optical signal focused by the first array lens. Collimation means adjusting the optical signal from a converging state to a parallel state, which can ensure a stable optical path during the transmission of the optical signal.

[0077] In summary, through the combination of the first array lens and the second array lens, the array lens assembly realizes the focusing and collimation of optical signals, provides high-quality optical signal input for the rotating mirror assembly, and thus ensures the efficient and reliable optical path control function of the multi-beam array optical switch.

[0078] When the array optical switch is applied in optical transmission and large data centers, etc., considering the reliability issue of the array optical switch, it is necessary to monitor the state of the array optical switch. Once a failure occurs, data protection can be carried out by quickly switching to a backup channel, etc. Existing monitoring methods such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, integrated devices Tap-PD are provided at both the optical signal input end and the optical signal output end of the array optical switch. A small part of the signal light is split into the internal photodiode (Photo Diode, abbreviated as PD) for monitoring. Another method is to split a small part of the optical signal light into an independent PD through two separate devices for detection. No matter which of the two schemes, multiple integrated devices are required. As the demand for the number of channels of the array optical switch continues to grow, commercial array optical switches have developed from the typical 96x96 to 576x576, and the cost of monitoring the state of the array optical switch is also increasing rapidly. And this traditional power monitoring only monitors the optical power of the input port and the output port, and is very dependent on the external signal light. Without the input of external signal light, the monitoring of the switching state is inaccurate.

[0079] To solve the above problems, in one embodiment, as Figure 11 shown, the multi-beam array optical switch further includes at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component, and a laser component; the first output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the first monitoring component; the first input end of the first beam splitter is used to receive the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and the second input ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the laser component; the input ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the output ends of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected to the transceiver module of the output data center for transmitting the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; the second output ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the second monitoring component.

[0080] Among them, in one embodiment, as Figure 12As shown, the first beam splitter includes a first input end (COM1), a second input end (COM2), a first output end (signal end), and a second output end (Tap end). Among them, when the array optical switch is an MxN array optical switch, the COM1 of M first beam splitters serves as the input port for the optical signals for the overall integrated monitoring function; the COM2 of M first beam splitters is connected to the laser component; the signal ends of M first beam splitters are connected to the input ends of the MxN array optical switch; the Tap of M first beam splitters is connected to the first monitoring component.

[0081] The COM1 of the first beam splitter serves as the input port when the customer uses it, for receiving external optical signals; the COM2 of the first beam splitter is connected to the spare built-in laser component. When an optical signal is input at COM1, most of the optical energy is output to the signal end, and a small part of the optical energy is output to the Tap of the first beam splitter. When a test optical signal from the laser component is input at COM2, according to the splitting principle of the beam splitter, only a small part of the signal is output to the signal end, and most of the optical signals are output to the Tap of the first beam splitter. By switching the input and output channels of the array optical switch, the test optical signal output by the laser component can enter from any input port. In this way, the switching state of the array optical switch and the turning on and off of the laser component can be controlled by the circuit, so that there is a usable built-in light source (i.e., the test optical signal) at each input end. Although the energy divided to the signal end is a small part, it still meets the OCS monitoring use. Although the splitting ratio of the beam splitter can be adjusted, too high a splitting ratio will cause too large an insertion loss when the customer uses it. Usually, the splitting ratio is controlled at 1% - 10%.

[0082] In one embodiment, as Figure 13 shown, the second beam splitter includes an input end (COM), a first output end (signal end), and a second output end (Tap). The COM of N second beam splitters is connected to the output end of the MxN array optical switch; the signal ends on the output side of N second beam splitters serve as the output ports for the overall integrated monitoring function; the Tap on the output side of N second beam splitters is connected to the second monitoring component.

[0083] The first optical signal from the second array collimator enters the second beam splitter from the COM of the second beam splitter, and then is split by the second beam splitter. Among them, most of the light is distributed to the signal end of the second beam splitter for transmission to the opposite device; a small part of the light is distributed to the Tap of the second beam splitter for transmission to the second monitoring component for detection. By selecting the input and output channels of the array optical switch, the optical signals at all output ends of the array optical switch can be detected by the second monitoring component.

[0084] The first beam splitter is usually composed of a tapered beam splitter used in communication. Optical splitting for energy is achieved through the fused tapering of two optical fibers to generate optical exchange. Additionally, a prism beam splitting device can also be used, where different splitting ratios are achieved by coating a beam splitting film on it. The second beam splitter can also adopt the same manufacturing solution, and the specific manufacturing process will not be elaborated in detail in this embodiment.

[0085] In one embodiment, as Figure 14 shown, the first monitoring component includes a first optical switch and a first detector coupled along the optical path; the first beam splitter is used to split the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center to obtain the first optical signal and the third optical signal, and transmit the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch; the first optical switch is used to selectively transmit the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

[0086] Among them, the third optical signal is transmitted from the first beam splitter to the first optical switch, and the first optical switch can selectively control the transmission path of the optical signal and selectively transmit the third optical signal. The first optical switch can control which channel the third optical signal is transmitted from to the first detector by switching different states.

[0087] The main function of the first detector is to detect and measure the characteristics of the optical signal. By receiving the third optical signal, the detector can measure and analyze parameters such as the intensity and wavelength of the signal. Through this design, the system can effectively split, transmit, and detect external optical signals. The combination of the first optical switch and the first detector enables the system to flexibly and selectively detect specific optical signals, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the test.

[0088] In one embodiment, as Figure 14 shown, the laser component includes a laser and a second optical switch coupled along the optical path; when there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used to emit a test optical signal, the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the test optical signal to the first beam splitter, and the first beam splitter is used to split the test optical signal and then transmit it to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring component respectively.

[0089] Among them, in order not to affect the monitoring of the array optical switch state when there is no external optical signal input, a test optical signal is emitted by a laser. The second optical switch is used to receive the test optical signal and selectively transmit the test optical signal to the second input end (i.e., COM2) of the first beam splitter, and then the first beam splitter transmits the test optical signal to the input end of the array optical switch and the first monitoring component respectively. The working principles and functions of the subsequent second beam splitter and the second monitoring component are the same as the above, only the sources of the optical signals are different. One is the external optical signal, and the other is the test optical signal emitted by the laser, which will not be elaborated too much in this embodiment.

[0090] In one embodiment, as Figure 14 shown, the second monitoring component includes a third optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path; the second beam splitter is used to divide the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the third optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0091] Among them, the first detector, the second detector and the laser are conventional optical communication devices, and the corresponding wavelength can be selected as 1310nm or 1550nm. The second monitoring component has the same structure as the first monitoring component. The optical signals of multiple input ends and output ends of the array optical switch can be monitored by one first detector and one second detector, or the optical signals of different wavelengths can be monitored by multiple first detectors and second detectors. Since the number of ports of the current array optical switch has developed rapidly, monitoring the ports by one detector can no longer meet the requirements of multiple ports. Therefore Figure 14 multiple detectors are taken as an example in

[0092] In one embodiment, this solution can also determine from which input port of the array optical switch the optical signal is input according to the wavelength of the external optical signal or the test optical signal. Specifically: a modulation format is added to the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and an appropriate modulation technology can be selected according to the information to be transmitted and the requirements of the system. According to the selected modulation technology, a corresponding modulator is designed. For example, for intensity modulation, an optical intensity modulator may be required; for frequency modulation, a radio frequency oscillator may be required to change the frequency of the light. Finally, the modulator is integrated into the system to ensure that the modulator is compatible with the optical transmitter and receiver. When there is no external optical signal, taking adding a modulation format to the test optical signal as an example, as Figure 15As shown, the upper signal 1 is the original test optical signal, and the lower signal 2 is the test optical signal after adding a modulation format. By means of the second optical switch, when switching on each input channel and adding a modulation format, the test optical signals output from which ports by m lasers can be distinguished. The second detector at the output end of the array optical switch analyzes the received optical signal to distinguish which input end the output end of the array optical switch is currently connected to.

[0093] The first optical switch, the second optical switch, and the third optical switch, as optical switching devices, can all be 1xM optical switches, which have one COM end as the input end and M output ends. It can satisfy the condition that light enters from the COM and exits from any one of the M output ends. It can also be used in the reverse way, with the M output ends as the light inlet and the COM end as the light outlet. The 1xM optical switch in this embodiment can adopt a MEMS optical switch, which has obvious advantages in terms of large ports. When increasing the number of ports of the MEMS optical switch, basically only the cost of optical fibers increases, and the cost of the optical chip remains basically the same. The 1xM optical switch can also adopt other mechanical optical switches, planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical switches or other types, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0094] This embodiment saves the cost of thousands of PDs, and can adaptively complete the monitoring of the state of the array optical switch without completely relying on external optical signals; in addition, a first beam splitter is adopted at the input end, and through the cooperation of the built-in laser and the optical switch, light can enter from any input end of the array optical switch, realizing more complex monitoring of the state of the array optical switch, such as port optical power monitoring, internal actual switching state, self-calibration, etc.

[0095] Embodiment 2:

[0096] In Embodiment 1, a multi-beam array optical switch was proposed. In this embodiment, a control method for the multi-beam array optical switch will be proposed, such as Figure 16 As shown, the method includes:

[0097] Step 101: The first optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and the second optical fiber receives the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center; the array lens assembly collimates the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmits it to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0098] According to the multi-beam array optical switch proposed in Embodiment 1, by replacing the single-core optical fiber in the existing solution with a dual-core optical fiber, the receiving end of the first optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the outside, and the receiving end of the second optical fiber receives the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center. And the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are collimated by the array lens assembly and then respectively transmitted to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0099] Step 102: The rotating mirror assembly selectively transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0100] The rotating mirror assembly receives the collimated optical signals (the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal), and selectively transmits them to the second array collimator, that is, the rotating mirror assembly can decide which light rays are directed to which port output according to a control signal or a corresponding algorithm. Selectively direct the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the second array collimator corresponding to a certain output end of the array optical switch.

[0101] Step 103: The second array collimator transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0102] Among them, the array collimator also includes at least two optical fibers. These two optical fibers respectively receive the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal transmitted from the rotating mirror assembly, and transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the opposite device and the transceiver module of the output data center through these two optical fibers.

[0103] For the specific structure of the array optical switch, refer to Embodiment 1 and will not be elaborated herein.

[0104] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-beam array optical switch, characterized in that, Comprising: A first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; The first array collimator includes an optical fiber array and an array lens assembly that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; A plurality of array unit holes are provided on the optical fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole; The first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from a transceiver module of the input data center; The array lens assembly is used to collimate the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmit it to the rotating mirror assembly; The rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator; The second array collimator is used to transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to a transceiver module of an output data center; The array lens assembly includes a first array lens and a second array lens that are sequentially coupled along the optical path; the focal points of the first array lens and the second array lens are the same; The first array lens is used to focus the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal; The second array lens is used to collimate the focused first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and transmit the collimated first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

2. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mirror assembly includes a first rotating mirror and a second rotating mirror; the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are sequentially arranged between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surfaces of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are arranged opposite to each other; The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to respectively rotate their mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

3. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle, and after reaching the second rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are incident on the second array collimator at a second incident angle; The ranges of the first incident angle and the second incident angle are both 15° - 30°.

4. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 2, wherein The geometric size of the light spot of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal on the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror is less than or equal to the mirror surface size of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror.

5. The multi-beam array optical switch according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The multi-beam array optical switch further includes at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component, and a laser component; The first output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the input ends of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the first monitoring component; The first input end of the first beam splitter is used to receive an optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, and the second input ends of the first beam splitter are respectively connected to the laser component; The input ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the output ends of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected to the transceiver module of the output end data center, and is used for transmitting the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the second output ends of the second beam splitter are respectively connected to the second monitoring component.

6. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first monitoring component includes a first optical switch and a first detector which are coupled along the optical path; The first beam splitter is used for splitting the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center to obtain the first optical signal and the third optical signal, transmitting the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and transmitting the third optical signal to the first optical switch; The first optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

7. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The laser component includes a laser and a second optical switch which are coupled along the optical path; When there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used for emitting a test optical signal, the second optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the test optical signal to the first beam splitter, and the first beam splitter is used for splitting the test optical signal and then respectively transmitting it to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring component.

8. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second monitoring component includes a third optical switch and a second detector which are coupled along the optical path; The second beam splitter is used for splitting the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmitting the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; The third optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

9. A control method for a multi-beam array optical switch, characterized in that, The method is applicable to the multi-beam array optical switch according to any one of claims 1-8, and the method includes: The first optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second optical fiber receives the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center; The array lens component collimates the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmits it to the rotating mirror component; The rotating mirror component selectively transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator; The second array collimator transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center.

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