Optical communication device and optical communication method

Abstract

An optical communication device is provided with: one or more optical distribution units having a first surface having a plurality of first ports and a second surface having a plurality of second ports different from the first surface, one or more downstream signal ports and one or more subscriber transmission device ports connecting n (n is an integer of 1 or more) subscriber transmission devices are allocated to a plurality of first ports. One or more upstream signal ports and one or more subscriber reception device ports to which the n subscriber reception devices are connected are allocated to a plurality of second ports, from which the optical signal inputted from the first port is outputted; and an optical distribution control unit that controls the connection relationship between the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports of the one or more optical distribution units.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical communication device and an optical communication method. Background Art

[0002] In the past, an optical communication device capable of relaying an optical signal according to a destination while reducing delay has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the optical communication device described in Patent Document 1, an optical signal sent from a subscriber device is electrically processed only when necessary, but when not necessary, it is not electrically processed and reaches the opposite subscriber device in the same state as an optical signal. Therefore, compared with conventional optical communication devices based on electrical processing, low-delay communication is achieved.

[0003] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 100 having a conventional optical communication device. The optical communication system 100 includes an L×L optical switch 110, an electrical processing unit 111, and a control unit 112 constituting the optical communication device. A plurality of subscriber devices 140 are connected to the L×L optical switch 110. The L×L optical switch 110 is connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths, and outputs an optical signal input from any optical transmission path to other optical transmission paths. Figure 7 The L×L optical switch 110 shown has L (L is an integer greater than or equal to 2) first ports and L second ports. The first ports and the second ports are arranged on different surfaces. For example, the L first ports are arranged on the first surface of the L×L optical switch 110, and the L second ports are arranged on the second surface of the L×L optical switch 110. In this way, the number of ports on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch 110 is equal.

[0004] One or more transmitting / receiving ports for the subscriber device and one or more up / down signal ports for the electric processing unit 111 are allocated to the first port of the L×L optical switch 110. The transmitting / receiving port for the subscriber device is a port connected to the subscriber device 140 and used to input and output uplink or downlink signals. The up / down signal port for the electric processing unit 111 is a port connected to the electric processing unit 111 and used to input and output uplink or downlink signals. Furthermore, one or more up / down signal ports for the transmission path direction, one or more up / down signal ports for the return communication, and one or more up / down signal ports for the electric processing unit 111 are allocated to the second port of the L×L optical switch 110. The up / down signal ports for the transmission path direction are ports connected to other devices (e.g., other L×L optical switches 110) other than the device connected to the same L×L optical switch 110 and used to input and output uplink or downlink signals. The up / down signal ports for the return communication are ports used for return communication and used to input and output uplink or downlink signals.

[0005] The control unit 112 includes a wavelength management control unit 120 and an optical SW control unit 130. The wavelength management control unit 120 allocates a wavelength to the subscriber device 140. The control signal may use a wavelength band for the main signal or a wavelength band different from the wavelength for the main signal. The control signal may be inserted from below the L×L optical switch 110 using a coupler or the like, or may be inserted from above the L×L optical switch 110. The optical SW control unit 130 switches the path of the L×L optical switch 110. For example, the optical SW control unit 130 controls the connection of the L×L optical switch 110 to the path on the side where the subscriber device 140 as the communication destination is located, so that the subscriber device 140 connected to the L×L optical switch 110 can communicate with the subscriber device 140 as the communication destination. It is also possible to use different optical switches to accommodate the upstream and downstream optical signals, but since the number of optical switches can be reduced, it is desirable to use the same switch to accommodate the upstream and downstream signals.

[0006] The electrical processing unit 111 performs signal processing on the optical signal transmitted by the subscriber device 140 in the electrical field as required. Specifically, the electrical processing unit 111 performs signal processing after converting the optical signal transmitted by the subscriber device 140 into an electrical signal. The electrical processing unit 111 converts the electrical signal after signal processing into an optical signal again and outputs the optical signal. When the uplink signal from the subscriber device 140 is communicated in the transmission path direction or return communication via the electrical processing unit 111, the optical signal enters from the first surface (first port side) of the L×L optical switch 110 and is output from the uplink signal port of the electrical processing unit 111 on the second surface (second port side) before reaching the electrical processing unit 111. The optical signal that has passed through the electrical processing unit 111 enters from the uplink signal port of the electrical processing unit 111 on the first surface (first port side) of the L×L optical switch 110 and is output from the uplink signal port for the transmission path direction or return communication on the second surface (second port side).

[0007] When the subscriber device 140 receives an optical signal from the transmission path direction or the return communication destination via the electrical processing unit 111, the optical signal enters from the second surface (second port side) of the L×L optical switch 110 and is output from the downstream signal port of the electrical processing unit 111 on the first surface (first port side), and then reaches the electrical processing unit 111. The optical signal that has passed through the electrical processing unit 111 enters from the downstream signal port of the electrical processing unit 111 on the second surface (second port side) of the L×L optical switch 110 and is output from the subscriber device receiving port on the first surface (first port side).

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 131001 Summary of the invention

[0011] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0012] When passing through the electrical processing unit 111, the optical signal is output from either the first surface or the second surface, and after being subjected to signal processing in the electrical field, is input to the L×L optical switch 110 from the opposite surface. Therefore, the number of ports required for the first surface and the second surface is equal. On the other hand, regarding the number of ports required for other uses (for example, transmission path direction or return communication, etc.), the number of ports on the second surface to which the subscriber device 140 is not connected is greater than the number of ports on the first surface to which the subscriber device 140 is connected. For example, when the number of subscriber devices 140 is n (n is an integer greater than 1) and the number of transmission path directions is N (N is an integer greater than 1), the number of ports required on the first surface to which the subscriber device 140 is connected is 2n (one subscriber device 140 uses two ports, an upstream port and a downstream port), whereas the number of ports required on the transmission path direction side of the second surface to which the subscriber device 140 is not connected is 2nN. Furthermore, the first surface does not require ports for realizing loopback communication within the L×L optical switch 110 and between the L×L optical switches 110, but the second surface requires such ports. When the number of L×L optical switches 110 is K (K is an integer greater than or equal to 1), the number of ports required on the second surface is 2n(K+1).

[0013] In the conventional structure, the number of ports required for the first side connected to the subscriber device 140 is 2n+2n ports, and the number of ports required for the second side not connected to the subscriber device 140 is 2nN+2n+2n (when the number of L×L optical switches 110 is K, 2nN+2n+2n(K-1)+2n) ports. In this way, the number of ports required for the second side is greater than the number of ports required for the first side, resulting in asymmetry. In this case, when using an optical switch in which the number of ports on the first side is the same as the number of ports on the second side, a portion of the first port connected to the subscriber device 140 is left unused. In this way, in the case Figure 7 In the conventional structure shown, in an optical switch where the number of ports on the first surface is the same as the number of ports on the second surface, the user occupancy rate is low and the optical switch cannot be effectively used. In addition, such a problem is not limited to an optical switch where the number of ports on the first surface is the same as the number of ports on the second surface, but is also a problem that occurs in an optical switch where the number of ports on the first surface is different from the number of ports on the second surface.

[0014] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of effectively utilizing an optical distribution unit such as an optical switch having a plurality of ports on a first surface and a second surface.

[0015] Solutions for solving problems

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention is an optical communication device comprising: one or more optical dispatching units, which have a first surface having a plurality of first ports and a second surface different from the first surface having a plurality of second ports, one or more ports for downlink signals and one or more ports for subscriber transmitting devices connected to n subscriber transmitting devices are allocated to the plurality of first ports, one or more ports for uplink signals and one or more ports for subscriber receiving devices connected to n subscriber receiving devices are allocated to the plurality of second ports, and an optical signal input from the first port is output from the second port, wherein n is an integer greater than 1; and an optical dispatching control unit, which controls the connection relationship between the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports of the one or more optical dispatching units.

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention is an optical communication method, wherein one or more optical dispatching units have a first surface having multiple first ports and a second surface different from the first surface having multiple second ports, one or more ports for downlink signals and one or more ports for subscriber transmitting devices connected to n subscriber transmitting devices are allocated to the multiple first ports, one or more ports for uplink signals and one or more ports for subscriber receiving devices connected to n subscriber receiving devices are allocated to the multiple second ports, an optical signal input from the first port is output from the second port, wherein n is an integer greater than 1, and the connection relationship between the multiple first ports and the multiple second ports of the one or more optical dispatching units is controlled.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, a light distribution section such as an optical switch having a plurality of ports on each of the first surface and the second surface can be effectively utilized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of the optical communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of the optical communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system according to Modification 1 of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system according to Modification 2 of the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system according to a third embodiment.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system including a conventional optical communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Please refer to the attached Figure 1 One embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0029] (First Embodiment)

[0030] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 1 according to a first embodiment. The optical communication system 1 includes an L×L optical switch 11, an electrical processing unit (not shown), and a control unit 12. The L×L optical switch 11, the electrical processing unit (not shown), and the control unit 12 are, for example, functional units that constitute one optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1 may not include the electrical processing unit if it is not necessary.

[0031] The L×L optical switch 11 is connected to a plurality of optical transmission paths, and outputs an optical signal input from any optical transmission path to other optical transmission paths. The optical transmission path is, for example, an optical fiber. The L×L optical switch 11 has L first ports 18 and L second ports 19. The first port 18 and the second port 19 are provided on different surfaces. For example, the L first ports 18 are provided on the first surface of the L×L optical switch 110, and the L second ports 19 are provided on the second surface of the L×L optical switch 110. In this way, the number of ports of the L×L optical switch 11 on the first surface and the second surface is equal. The L×L optical switch 11 is one form of an optical dispatching unit.

[0032] The first port 18 of the L×L optical switch 11 is allocated with one or more ports 18-1 for subscriber transmission devices, one or more ports 18-2 for transmission path direction downstream signals, one or more ports 18-3 for return communication downstream signals, and one or more ports 18-4 for electrical processing unit downstream signals. The subscriber transmission device port 18-1 is connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 ( Figure 1The port 18-2 for downstream signals in the transmission path direction is a port for connecting to other devices (e.g., other L×L optical switches 11, etc.) other than the device connected to the same L×L optical switch 11, and is a port for inputting and outputting downstream signals. The port 18-3 for downstream signals for return communication is a port for return communication, and is a port for inputting and outputting downstream signals. The port 18-4 for downstream signals for the electrical processing unit is a port for connecting to the electrical processing unit, and is a port for inputting and outputting downstream signals.

[0033] Furthermore, one or more subscriber receiving device ports 19-1, one or more transmission path direction uplink signal ports 19-2, one or more return communication uplink signal ports 19-3, and one or more electrical processing unit uplink signal ports 19-4 are allocated to the second port 19 of the L×L optical switch 11. The subscriber receiving device port 19-1 is connected to the subscriber receiving device 15 ( Figure 1 The port 19-2 for the uplink signal in the transmission path direction is a port for connecting to other devices (for example, other L×L optical switches 11, etc.) other than the device connected to the same L×L optical switch 11, and is a port for inputting and outputting the uplink signal. The port 19-3 for the uplink signal for the return communication is a port for the return communication, and is a port for inputting and outputting the uplink signal. The port 19-4 for the uplink signal for the electrical processing unit is a port for connecting to the electrical processing unit, and is a port for inputting and outputting the uplink signal.

[0034] The number of the subscriber transmission device ports 18-1 and the subscriber reception device ports 19-1 are equal, the number of the transmission path direction downlink signal ports 18-2 and the transmission path direction uplink signal ports 19-2 are equal, the number of the return communication downlink signal ports 18-3 and the return communication uplink signal ports 19-3 are equal, and the number of the electrical processing unit downlink signal ports 18-4 and the electrical processing unit uplink signal ports 19-4 are equal. The subscriber transmission device 14 is connected to the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 of the L×L optical switch 11 via an optical transmission path. The subscriber reception device 15 is connected to the subscriber reception device port 19-1 of the L×L optical switch 11 via an optical transmission path.

[0035] The subscriber transmission device 14 is connected to the L×L optical switch 11 via an optical access network such as a PON (Passive Optical Network). The subscriber transmission device 14 includes an optical transmission unit. The optical transmission unit transmits optical signals of one or more wavelengths. In this way, the subscriber transmission device 14 can communicate at any wavelength.

[0036] The subscriber receiving device 15 is connected to the L×L optical switch 11 via an optical access network such as a PON, for example. The subscriber receiving device 15 includes a light receiving unit that receives an optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmitting device 14 or other devices.

[0037] The control unit 12 is connected to the L×L optical switch 11 via an optical transmission path. The control unit 12 includes a wavelength management control unit 121 and an optical SW control unit 122. The wavelength management control unit 121 allocates wavelengths to the subscriber transmission device 14 and the subscriber reception device 15. When the wavelength management control unit 121 allocates wavelengths to the subscriber transmission device 14 and the subscriber reception device 15, the optical SW control unit 122 switches the paths between the ports of the L×L optical switch 11 so that the subscriber transmission device 14 is connected to the control unit 12 or the subscriber reception device 15 is connected to the control unit 12.

[0038] The optical SW control unit 122 switches the connection between the ports of the L×L optical switch 11. For example, the optical SW control unit 122 switches the connection between the ports of the L×L optical switch 11 so that the subscriber transmitting device 14 can communicate with the desired subscriber receiving device 15.

[0039] The control unit 12 stores a management table and port information. The management table includes information for identifying the subscriber transmitting device 14 and the subscriber receiving device 15, information on wavelengths assigned to the subscriber transmitting device 14 and the subscriber receiving device 15, and information on ports to which the subscriber transmitting device 14 or the subscriber receiving device 15 is connected. The port information indicates information related to the first port 18 and the second port 19.

[0040] More specifically, the port information includes, as information related to the first port 18, the number of ports allocated to the subscriber sending device port 18-1, the transmission path direction downlink signal port 18-2, the return communication downlink signal port 18-3, and the electric processing unit downlink signal port 18-4, and information indicating the purpose of each port, and as information related to the second port 19, the number of ports allocated to the subscriber receiving device port 19-1, the transmission path direction uplink signal port 19-2, the return communication uplink signal port 19-3, and the electric processing unit uplink signal port 19-4, and information indicating the purpose of each port. The control unit 12 is configured to include one or more processors and memories.

[0041] Next, we will give specific examples (1) to (6) to illustrate the Figure 1 Each communication that can be realized in the optical communication system 1 shown in FIG. Figure 1Numbers are added to clearly indicate the communications shown in (1) to (6).

[0042] (1): When any subscriber devices contained in the same L×L optical switch 11 perform return communication with each other (for example, the subscriber sending device 14 and the subscriber receiving device 15), the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber sending device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber sending device 14 as the sending object with the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber receiving device 15 as the sending destination.

[0043] (2): When any subscriber sending device 14 sends an optical signal to any subscriber device in the direction of another transmission path, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber sending device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber sending device 14 as the sending object to the port 19-2 for the upstream signal in the transmission path direction.

[0044] (3): When any subscriber receiving device 15 receives an optical signal sent from any subscriber device in the direction of another transmission path, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 of the subscriber receiving device 15 connected as the receiving object of the optical signal to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3.

[0045] (4): When any subscriber sending device 14 sends an optical signal to any subscriber receiving device contained in other L×L optical switches 11 contained in the same base, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber sending device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber sending device 14 as the sending object to the port 19-3 for the return communication uplink signal.

[0046] (5): When any subscriber receiving device 15 receives an optical signal transmitted from any subscriber transmitting device contained in other L×L optical switches 11 contained in the same base, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 of the subscriber receiving device 15 connected as the receiving object of the optical signal to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3.

[0047] (6): When the communication of (1) to (5) needs to go through the electrical processing unit, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the up and down signal ports for each purpose (for example, the port 18-1 for the subscriber's sending device, the port 18-2 for the downlink signal in the transmission path direction, the port 18-3 for the downlink signal of the return communication, the port 19-1 for the subscriber's receiving device, the port 19-2 for the uplink signal in the transmission path direction, and the port 19-3 for the uplink signal of the return communication) with the up and down signal ports of the electrical processing unit (for example, the downlink signal port 18-4 of the electrical processing unit or the uplink signal port 19-4 of the electrical processing unit).

[0048] For example, when an optical signal transmitted from a subscriber transmitting device 14 is transmitted to a subscriber receiving device 15 via an electrical processing unit, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber transmitting device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmitting device 14 as the transmitting object with the electrical processing unit uplink signal port 19-4, and to connect the electrical processing unit downlink signal port 18-4 with the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber receiving device 15 as the transmitting destination.

[0049] As described above, it is known that the optical communication system 1 according to the first embodiment can realize all communication modes that can be realized by the conventional configuration.

[0050] Figure 2 1 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 2 In the processing, the communication shown in (1) is taken as an example for explanation.

[0051] The optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11 to connect the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target with the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination (step S101). The optical SW control unit 122 generates a control signal including an instruction to connect the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target with the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination. The optical SW control unit 122 transmits the generated control signal to the L×L optical switch 11 (step S102).

[0052] The L×L optical switch 11 switches the connection between the ports based on the control signal sent from the optical SW control unit 122 (step S103). Specifically, the L×L optical switch 11 connects the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target and the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination. As a result, the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination can receive the optical signal sent from the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target.

[0053] The subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination transmits an optical signal (step S104). The optical signal transmitted from the subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination is input to the subscriber transmitting device port 18-1 of the L×L optical switch 11 via the optical transmission path. The subscriber transmitting device port 18-1 is connected to the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination. Therefore, the optical signal input to the subscriber transmitting device port 18-1 is output from the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination (step S105). In this way, the L×L optical switch 11 transmits the optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmitting device 14 as the transmission object to the subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination. The subscriber receiving device 15 as the destination receives the optical signal output from the L×L optical switch 11.

[0054] Next, a conventional structure (for example, Figure 7 The difference between the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment and that of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment is the connection in the L×L optical switch 11.

[0055] (i: About the joiner port)

[0056] In the conventional structure, the port for the subscriber's transmitting device and the port for the subscriber's receiving device are both allocated as ports on the same surface (for example, the first surface). Therefore, the number of used ports is asymmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch, and the number is 2n on the first surface and 0 on the second surface. On the other hand, in the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, the port 18-1 for the subscriber's transmitting device and the port 19-1 for the subscriber's receiving device are allocated on different surfaces, for example, the port 18-1 for the subscriber's transmitting device is allocated on the first surface, and the port 19-1 for the subscriber's receiving device is allocated on the second surface. Therefore, the number of used ports is symmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch 11, and the number is n respectively.

[0057] (ii: Regarding the port used for the transmission path)

[0058] In the conventional structure, the ports for the uplink signal and the downlink signal in the transmission path direction are allocated as ports on the same surface (for example, the second surface). Therefore, the number of used ports is asymmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch, and the number is 0 on the first surface and 2nN on the second surface, respectively. On the other hand, in the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, the port 18-2 for the downlink signal in the transmission path direction and the port 19-2 for the uplink signal in the transmission path direction are allocated on different surfaces, for example, the port 18-2 for the downlink signal in the transmission path direction is allocated on the first surface, and the port 19-2 for the uplink signal in the transmission path direction is allocated on the second surface. Therefore, the number of used ports is symmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch 11, and the number is nN, respectively.

[0059] (iii: About the return communication port)

[0060] (Return in the Same L×L Optical Switch 11)

[0061] In the conventional structure, in the same L×L optical switch, the ports for uplink signals and downlink signals for return communication are allocated to the ports of the same surface (for example, the second surface). Therefore, the number of used ports is asymmetric between the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch, and the number is 0 on the first surface and 2n on the second surface, respectively. On the other hand, in the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, as described in (i: regarding the subscriber port), the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 to which the subscriber transmission device 14 is connected is allocated to the first surface, and the subscriber reception device port 19-1 to which the subscriber reception device 15 is connected is allocated to the second surface, so that return is directly realized through the same L×L optical switch 11. Therefore, the wiring and ports for uplink and downlink signals for return communication in the same L×L optical switch 11 are not required.

[0062] (When there are K L×L optical switches 11 and a return between the L×L optical switches 11 is required)

[0063] In the previous structure, the ports for the return communication uplink signal and the ports for the downlink signal between the L×L optical switches are allocated as ports on the same surface (for example, the second surface). Therefore, the number of used ports is asymmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch, and the number is 0 on the first surface and 2n(K-1) on the second surface. On the other hand, in the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, the port 18-3 for the return communication downlink signal is allocated on the first surface, and the port 19-3 for the return communication uplink signal is allocated on the second surface. Therefore, the number of used ports is symmetric on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch 11, and the number is n(K-1) respectively. At this time, K L×L optical switches 11 can be expanded vertically, horizontally, or by other expansion methods.

[0064] (iv: Regarding the ports of the electrical processing unit)

[0065] In the conventional structure, the paired ports for the uplink and downlink signals of the electrical processing unit are allocated on both sides of the first surface and the second surface. Therefore, the number of ports used is symmetrical on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch, and the number is 2n respectively. On the other hand, in the structure of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, only the port 18-4 for the downlink signal of the electrical processing unit is allocated on the first surface, and only the port 19-4 for the uplink signal of the electrical processing unit is allocated on the second surface. Therefore, the number of ports used is symmetrical on the first surface and the second surface of the L×L optical switch 11, and the number is 2n respectively.

[0066] As described above, in the conventional configuration, 2n+2n ports are required on the first surface, and 2nN+2n+2n ports are required on the second surface (in the case of K L×L optical switches, 2nN+2n+2n(K-1)+2n ports are required), and the number of ports is asymmetric. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, both the first surface and the second surface are n+nN+2n (in the case of K L×L optical switches 11, n+nN+n(K-1)+2n) and symmetrical, and the ports of the L×L optical switch 11 can be appropriately utilized. In addition, in the configuration of the optical communication system 1 of the first embodiment, by changing the connection structure, the functions completely identical to the conventional functions are realized, and the utilization efficiency of the L×L optical switch 11 is maximized. In the range where the number of required ports does not exceed the number of ports L of the L×L optical switch 11, when N=3, L=96, and K=3, the maximum number of accommodation n is 6 in the conventional configuration, while it is 12 in the present configuration, which is doubled. Therefore, a light dispatching section such as an optical switch can effectively utilize the same number of ports provided on the first surface as the number of ports provided on the second surface.

[0067] (Variation 1 of the First Embodiment)

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the structure for effectively using the L×L optical switch 11 when the optical communication system 1 includes the L×L optical switch 11 having the same number of ports on the first surface and the second surface was described. Instead of the L×L optical switch 11, the optical communication system 1 may be configured to include an X×Y optical switch having different numbers of ports on the first surface and the second surface. Figure 3 FIG. is a structural example diagram of an optical communication system 1 according to Modification Example 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 3 The illustrated optical communication system 1 includes one X×Y optical switch 13, an electrical processing unit (not shown), and a control unit 12. In addition, the X×Y optical switch 13, the electrical processing unit (not shown), and the control unit 12 are, for example, functional units constituting one optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1 may not include the electrical processing unit when not required.

[0069] The X×Y optical switch 13 has X (X is an integer of 2 or more) first ports and Y second ports. The first ports and the second ports are provided on different surfaces. For example, the X first ports are provided on the first surface of the X×Y optical switch 13, and the Y second ports are provided on the second surface of the X×Y optical switch 13. Here, X and Y are different values, and a structure where X < Y is shown in Figure 3 For example, in Figure 3 an example is shown in which the number of second ports 19 provided on the second surface of the X×Y optical switch 13 is greater than the number of first ports 18 provided on the first surface of the X×Y optical switch 13. In addition, the number of first ports 18 provided on the first surface of the X×Y optical switch 13 may also be greater than the number of second ports 19 provided on the second surface of the X×Y optical switch 13. In this way, the X×Y optical switch 13 has different numbers of ports on the first surface and the second surface.

[0070] Figure 3 The illustrated optical communication system 1 only has different numbers of ports from the optical communication system 1 shown in Figure 1 but the processing is the same. In addition, in the optical communication system 1 shown in Figure 3 in the optical communication system 1, port 19-5 among the second ports 19 can be assigned to any one of the subscriber receiving device port 19-1, the transmission path direction upstream signal port 19-2, the return communication upstream signal port 19-3, or the electrical processing unit upstream signal port 19-4. Therefore, a part of the number of upstream and downstream signals is not an object. When the number of first ports 18 provided on the first surface of the X×Y optical switch 13 is greater than the number of second ports 19 provided on the second surface of the X×Y optical switch 13, port 18-5 among the first ports 18 can be assigned to any one of the subscriber transmitting device port 18-1, the transmission path direction downstream signal port 18-2, the return communication downstream signal port 18-3, or the electrical processing unit downstream signal port 18-4.

[0071] In such a configuration, within the range where the number of required ports does not exceed the number of ports of the X×Y optical switch 13, in the case of N=3, X=96, Y=64, and K=3, the maximum number of accommodation n is 8 in the present configuration, which is 1.3 times the conventional configuration, while the maximum number of accommodation n is 6. Therefore, even in an optical distribution unit such as an optical switch in which the number of ports provided on the first surface is different from the number of ports provided on the second surface, effective use can be achieved.

[0072] (Variation 2 of the first embodiment)

[0073] The optical communication system 1 may include a plurality of L×L optical switches 11 . Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 1 according to a modification of the first embodiment. Figure 4 The optical communication system 1 shown includes K L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K, K electrical processing units (not shown), and a control unit 12 (not shown). In addition, the K L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K, K electrical processing units (not shown), and the control unit 12 (not shown) are functional units that constitute, for example, one optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1 may not include an electrical processing unit when it is not necessary. Here, the number of electrical processing units is set to be the same as the number of L×L optical switches 11, but the number of electrical processing units and the number of L×L optical switches 11 may be different. The configuration of the multiple L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K is not limited to the following. Figure 4 The horizontal arrangement shown may also be arranged in the vertical direction, or may be a combination of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0074] Figure 4 The optical communication system 1 shown in the figure is different from the optical communication system 1 in that it includes a plurality of L×L optical switches 11. Figure 1 The optical communication system 1 shown is different in structure. Figure 4 The other structures of the optical communication system 1 shown are Figure 1 The same optical communication system 1 is shown. Figure 1 The differences of the optical communication system 1 are shown.

[0075] The L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K have the same structure. In addition, the allocation of ports may be different or the same among the L×L optical switches 11. When there are a plurality of L×L optical switches 11, for example, an optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmitting device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 can be transmitted to the subscriber receiving device 15 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K, and vice versa.

[0076] Here, the processing in the case where an arbitrary subscriber transmission device 14 transmits an optical signal to an arbitrary subscriber device (subscriber device accommodated in another L×L optical switch 11) in the direction of another transmission path is described. As a premise, it is assumed that the return communication uplink signal port 19-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-1 and the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K are connected via an optical transmission path, and the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-1 and the transmission path direction uplink signal port 19-2 of the L×L optical switch 11-K are connected via an optical transmission path.

[0077] First, a case where an optical signal is transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 to the subscriber reception device 15 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K is described. The optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-1 to connect the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target to the return communication uplink signal port 19-3. Furthermore, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-K to connect the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 to the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination. As a result, the optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 is input to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K via the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 and the return communication uplink signal port 19-3. The optical signal input to the return communication downstream signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K is output from the subscriber receiving device port 19-1 and received by the subscriber receiving device 15 at the transmission destination.

[0078] Next, a case where an optical signal is transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K to the subscriber reception device 15 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 is described. The optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-K to connect the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target to the transmission path direction uplink signal port 19-2. Furthermore, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-1 to connect the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 to the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination. As a result, the optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K is input to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-1 via the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 and the transmission path direction uplink signal port 19-2. The optical signal input to the return communication downstream signal port 18 - 3 of the L×L optical switch 11 - 1 is output from the subscriber receiving device port 19 - 1 and received by the subscriber receiving device 15 at the transmission destination.

[0079] In addition, Figure 4 In the optical communication system 1 shown, a plurality of X×Y optical switches 13 may be provided in place of the plurality of L×L optical switches 11 , or an X×Y optical switch 13 may be provided in place of a part of the L×L optical switches 11 .

[0080] (Second Embodiment)

[0081] In the second embodiment, a configuration in which a loopback function unit is provided for efficient loopback communication between a plurality of optical switches will be described.

[0082] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 1a according to a second embodiment. The optical communication system 1a includes an L×L optical switch 11, an electrical processing unit (not shown), a control unit 12, and a return unit 20. The L×L optical switch 11, the electrical processing unit (not shown), the control unit 12 (not shown), and the return unit 20 are, for example, functional units constituting an optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1a may not include the electrical processing unit when it is not necessary.

[0083] The optical communication system 1a is different in structure from the optical communication system 1 in that it further includes a folded portion 20. The other structures of the optical communication system 1a are the same as those of the optical communication system 1. Therefore, the differences from the optical communication system 1 will be described.

[0084] The return section 20 is a functional section for performing effective return communication with other L×L optical switches 11. The return section 20 includes WSS21 and WSS22. WSS21 has multiple input ports and a single output port. WSS21 multiplexes the optical signals input to each input port and outputs the optical signals from the output port to WSS22. WSS21 is a wavelength selective optical switch. WSS22 has a single input port and multiple output ports. WSS22 separates the wavelength multiplexed signal input to the input port by wavelength and distributes it to any one of the multiple output ports for output. In addition, the control section 12 switches the output port of each wavelength of WSS21 and WSS22.

[0085] In addition to the processing shown in the first embodiment, the control unit 12 controls switching of the output port of the return unit 20 .

[0086] exist Figure 5 In the configuration shown, although the number of ports required for loopback communication is changed, the need for paired up / down signals for loopback communication remains unchanged. Therefore, the configuration can be similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0087] According to the optical communication system 1a configured as above, since the WSS is provided as the return section 20, an optical signal of an arbitrary wavelength can be output to the target L×L optical switch 11 by controlling the return section 20. Therefore, efficient return communication between a plurality of optical switches can be realized.

[0088] (Variation 1 of the Second Embodiment)

[0089] The optical communication system 1a may be configured to use an X×Y optical switch 13 instead of the L×L optical switch 11 as in the first embodiment. The optical communication system 1a configured in this way only has a small number of ports. Figure 5 The optical communication system 1a shown is different, but the processing is the same.

[0090] (Variation 2 of the Second Embodiment)

[0091] The optical communication system 1 a may include a plurality of L×L optical switches 11 . Figure 6 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 1 a according to a modification of the second embodiment. Figure 6The optical communication system 1 shown includes K L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K, K electrical processing units (not shown), a control unit 12 (not shown), and a return unit 20. In addition, the K L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K, K electrical processing units (not shown), a control unit 12 (not shown), and a return unit 20 are, for example, functional units that constitute one optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1a may not include an electrical processing unit when it is not necessary. Here, the number of electrical processing units is set to be the same as the number of L×L optical switches 11, but the number of electrical processing units and the number of L×L optical switches 11 may be different. The configuration of the multiple L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K is not limited to the following. Figure 6 The horizontal arrangement as shown can also be arranged in the vertical direction, or can be a combination of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0092] Figure 6 The optical communication system 1a shown in the figure is different from the optical communication system 1a in that it includes a plurality of L×L optical switches 11. Figure 5 The optical communication system 1a shown is different in structure. Figure 6 The other structures of the optical communication system 1a shown are Figure 5 The same optical communication system 1a is shown. Figure 5 The optical communication system 1a shown is different.

[0093] The L×L optical switches 11-1 to 11-K have the same structure. In addition, the allocation of ports may be different or the same among the L×L optical switches 11. When there are a plurality of L×L optical switches 11, for example, an optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmitting device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 can be transmitted to the subscriber receiving device 15 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K, and vice versa.

[0094] Here, the processing when an arbitrary subscriber transmission device 14 transmits an optical signal to an arbitrary subscriber device (subscriber device accommodated in another L×L optical switch 11) in the direction of another transmission path is described. As a premise, it is assumed that the return communication uplink signal port 19-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-1 and the return section 20 are connected via an optical transmission path, and the return section 20 and the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K are connected via an optical transmission path.

[0095] The case where an optical signal is transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 to the subscriber reception device 15 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-K is described. The optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-1 to connect the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 connected to the subscriber transmission device 14 as the transmission target to the return communication upstream signal port 19-3. Furthermore, the optical SW control unit 122 controls the L×L optical switch 11-K to connect the return communication downstream signal port 18-3 to the subscriber reception device port 19-1 connected to the subscriber reception device 15 as the transmission destination. Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the return unit 20 so that the optical signal (for example, the optical signal of the wavelength λ1) transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 is output from the port connected to the return communication downstream signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K. Thus, the optical signal transmitted from the subscriber transmission device 14 accommodated in the L×L optical switch 11-1 is input to the return section 20 via the subscriber transmission device port 18-1 and the return communication uplink signal port 19-3. The optical signal input to the return section 20 is demultiplexed by the WSS 22, and an optical signal of wavelength λ1 is output from a port connected to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K. The other optical signal output from the port connected to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K is input to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K. The optical signal input to the return communication downlink signal port 18-3 of the L×L optical switch 11-K is output from the subscriber reception device port 19-1 and received by the subscriber reception device 15 at the transmission destination.

[0096] In addition, Figure 6 In the optical communication system 1 a shown, a plurality of X×Y optical switches 13 may be provided in place of the plurality of L×L optical switches 11 , or an X×Y optical switch 13 may be provided in place of a part of the L×L optical switches 11 .

[0097] (Third Embodiment)

[0098] In the third embodiment, a configuration for accommodating a plurality of subscribers for one port will be described.

[0099] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an optical communication system 1b according to a third embodiment. The optical communication system 1b includes an L×L optical switch 11, an electrical processing unit (not shown), a control unit 12, a multiplexing unit 23, and a separation unit 24. The L×L optical switch 11, the electrical processing unit (not shown), the control unit 12, the multiplexing unit 23, and the separation unit 24 are, for example, functional units constituting one optical communication device. In addition, the optical communication system 1b may not include the electrical processing unit when it is not necessary.

[0100] The optical communication system 1b is different in structure from the optical communication system 1 in that it further includes a multiplexing unit 23 and a separation unit 24. The other structures of the optical communication system 1b are the same as those of the optical communication system 1. Therefore, the differences from the optical communication system 1 will be described.

[0101] The multiplexing unit 23 multiplexes optical signals of different wavelengths transmitted from the plurality of subscriber transmission devices 14. The multiplexing unit 23 is connected to any of the subscriber transmission device ports 18-1 via an optical transmission path. The multiplexing unit 23 is, for example, a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) filter, a coupler, or an AWG (Arrayed waveguide gratings).

[0102] The separator 24 demultiplexes or branches the optical signal output from the L×L optical switch 11. The separator 24 is connected to any of the receiving device ports 19-1 of the subscribers via an optical transmission path. The multiplexer 23 is, for example, a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) filter, a coupler, or an AWG (Arrayed waveguide grating).

[0103] The operation of the optical communication system 1 b is the same as that of the optical communication system 1 except that the multiplexing unit 23 and the demultiplexing unit 24 are added.

[0104] According to the optical communication system 1b configured as above, a plurality of subscriber transmission devices 14 or subscriber reception devices 15 can be accommodated in one port by providing the multiplexing unit 23 and the demultiplexing unit 24. Therefore, compared with the optical communication system 1, more devices can be used for communication.

[0105] (Variation 1 of the Third Embodiment)

[0106] The optical communication system 1b may be configured by using an X×Y optical switch 13 instead of the L×L optical switch 11 of the first embodiment. The optical communication system 1b configured in this way differs only in the number of ports. Figure 7 In the optical communication system 1b shown, the processing is the same.

[0107] (Variation 2 of the Third Embodiment)

[0108] The optical communication system 1 b may be configured to include a plurality of L×L optical switches 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this case, it is not necessary to include the multiplexing unit 23 and the demultiplexing unit 24 in all the L×L optical switches 11 .

[0109] (Variation 3 of the Third Embodiment)

[0110] The optical communication system 1 b may be configured to include the return portion 20 as in the second embodiment.

[0111] (Variation 4 of the Third Embodiment)

[0112] When the optical communication system 1 b includes a plurality of L×L optical switches 11 , a plurality of X×Y optical switches 13 may be provided instead of the plurality of L×L optical switches 11 , or a portion of the L×L optical switches 11 may be replaced with X×Y optical switches 13 .

[0113] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to the embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0114] Industrial Applicability

[0115] The present invention can be applied to an optical communication system including a light distribution unit having a plurality of ports on a first surface and a second surface respectively.

[0116] Explanation of symbols

[0117] 11, 11-1~11-K: L×L optical switch; 12: control unit; 13: X×Y optical switch; 14: subscriber sending device; 15: subscriber receiving device; 20: return unit; 21, 22: WSS; 100, 100a, 100b: optical communication system; 121: wavelength management control unit; 122: optical SW control unit.

Claims

1. An optical communication device comprising: One or more optical dispatching units, comprising a first surface having a plurality of first ports and a second surface different from the first surface having a plurality of second ports, one or more ports for downstream signals and one or more ports for subscriber transmitting devices connected to n subscriber transmitting devices being allocated to the plurality of first ports, one or more ports for upstream signals and one or more ports for subscriber receiving devices connected to n subscriber receiving devices being allocated to the plurality of second ports, and outputting optical signals input from the first ports from the second ports, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and The optical dispatch control unit controls the connection relationship between the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports of the one or more optical dispatch units.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1, wherein The one or more downstream signal ports include any one of a transmission path direction downstream signal port connected to another device other than the device connected to the same optical dispatching unit, a return communication downstream signal port for return communication, and an electrical processing unit downstream signal port connected to an electrical processing unit that performs electrical signal processing. The one or more uplink signal ports include any one of an uplink signal port in the transmission path direction connected to other devices other than the device connected to the same optical dispatching unit, a return communication uplink signal port used for return communication, and an electrical processing unit uplink signal port connected to an electrical processing unit that performs electrical signal processing.

3. The optical communication device according to claim 2, wherein The optical splitter further comprises a return section, the return section being composed of a plurality of wavelength selective switches and outputting an optical signal of a specific wavelength to a target optical splitter among the one or more optical splitters. The turnaround section is connected to the turnaround communication downlink signal port and the turnaround communication uplink signal port.

4. The optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: One or more multiplexing units for multiplexing optical signals of different wavelengths respectively transmitted from a plurality of subscriber transmitting devices; and One or more separation units that branch or demultiplex the input optical signal, wherein the one or more multiplexing units are connected to the one or more subscriber sending devices using ports, The one or more separation units are connected to the one or more subscriber receiving device ports.

5. The optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The number of the first ports is the same as the number of the second ports, and the one or more ports for the subscriber sending device, the one or more ports for the downlink signal, the one or more ports for the subscriber receiving device, and the one or more ports for the uplink signal are allocated in a manner that takes the number of uplink and downlink signals as the object.

6. The optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The number of the first ports and the number of the second ports are different numbers, and the one or more ports for the subscriber sending device, the one or more ports for the downlink signal, the one or more ports for the subscriber receiving device, and the one or more ports for the uplink signal are allocated in a manner that a part of the number of uplink and downlink signals is not targeted.

7. An optical communication method, wherein One or more optical dispatching units have a first surface having a plurality of first ports and a second surface different from the first surface having a plurality of second ports, one or more ports for downstream signals and one or more ports for subscriber transmitting devices connected to n subscriber transmitting devices are allocated to the plurality of first ports, one or more ports for upstream signals and one or more ports for subscriber receiving devices connected to n subscriber receiving devices are allocated to the plurality of second ports, and an optical signal input from the first port is output from the second port, wherein n is an integer greater than 1, Controlling the connection relationship between the plurality of first ports and the plurality of second ports of the one or more optical dispatching units.

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