Optical crossover system and optical crossover network

Abstract

The invention provides an optical cross system and an optical cross network, and belongs to the technical field of optical communication. The optical cross system comprises a line side assembly and a branch side assembly, the line side assembly comprises a plurality of first wavelength switching modules, a first optical path switching module and a plurality of second wavelength switching modules, and the branch side assembly comprises a second optical path switching module. The first wavelength switching module inputs line side signals to the first optical path switching module, the second optical path switching module inputs up-wave signals to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching, and the first optical path switching module inputs straight-through signals in the line side signals to the second wavelength switching module and receives the up-wave signals. And inputting an upper wave signal to the second wavelength switching module. According to the invention, signal switching is realized through optical path switching, and a high-dimension optical cross system can be provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical communication technologies, and particularly to an optical cross-connect system and an optical cross-connect network. Background Art

[0002] In an optical cross-connect network, with the continuous growth of the information transmission bandwidth, the required fiber capacity gradually increases. However, the continuous improvement of the fiber capacity of a single fiber is restricted. Increasing the number of fibers is the most direct means to significantly improve the transmission bandwidth. Then, it is necessary to increase the dimension of the optical cross-connect system in the optical network. The optical cross-connect system uses a wavelength selector switch (WSS) as the core switching unit. N 1*N WSSs are interconnected in a mesh to implement an N-dimensional distributed optical cross-connect system. By controlling the 1*N WSS to route the line-side signals according to the wavelength granularity, multi-dimensional line-side wavelength-level all-optical scheduling can be achieved.

[0003] The WSSs are interconnected through an optical backplane. As the dimension N increases, the number of optical fiber links for interconnection between the WSSs increases according to the law of N 2 This poses a huge challenge to the reliability of the optical backplane, and thus there are great challenges in the process of the optical cross-connect system evolving towards high dimensions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an optical cross-connect system and an optical cross-connect network. By adopting this optical cross-connect system, a three-stage cascaded architecture is used, and it is not necessary to use an optical backplane to implement, making it easier for the optical cross-connect system to evolve towards high dimensions, and it can also perform wavelength addition simultaneously.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical cross-connect system, including a line-side component and a tributary-side component. The line-side component includes a plurality of first wavelength switching modules, a first optical path switching module, and a plurality of second wavelength switching modules. The tributary-side component includes a second optical path switching module. The first wavelength switching modules are connected to the first optical path switching module, the first optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching modules, and the second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. Each first wavelength switching module is configured to receive a line-side signal and output the line-side signal to the first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module is configured to output the through signal in the line-side signal to a first target second wavelength switching module among the plurality of second wavelength switching modules. The second optical path switching module is configured to receive an up-conversion signal, and through optical path switching, output the up-conversion signal to the first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module is further configured to output the up-conversion signal to a second target second wavelength switching module among the plurality of second wavelength switching modules. Each second wavelength switching module is configured to output the received signal.

[0006] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, the optical cross-connect system includes a line-side component and a tributary-side component. The line-side component is implemented based on a wavelength switching module and an optical path switching module, and the tributary-side component is implemented based on the optical path switching module. Since the optical path switching module is a device for switching optical paths and does not perform switching based on wavelengths, it can achieve high-dimensional cross-connect. Therefore, the optical cross-connect system can provide a high-dimensional scalable optical cross-connect architecture, supporting the evolution of the optical cross-connect system towards high dimensions. Moreover, due to the presence of the tributary-side component, it can also simultaneously perform wavelength conversion upwards.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment, the tributary-side component further includes a third optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module is further configured to output the dropped signal in the line-side signal to the third optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module is configured to receive the dropped signal and output the dropped signal through optical path switching.

[0008] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, the tributary-side component further includes an optical path switching module to perform wavelength conversion downwards, enabling wavelength conversion downwards to be simultaneously achieved when the optical cross-connect system evolves towards high dimensions.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input ports of the wavelength conversion component are respectively connected to the output ports of at least one first optical path switching module one by one, and the output ports are respectively connected to the input ports of at least one first optical path switching module one by one. The wavelength conversion component is configured to receive the first signal input by at least one first optical path switching module, convert the first signal into a second signal, where the wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, the wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict in multiple second wavelength switching modules, and the wavelength of the second signal has no wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength switching module, and input the second signal to at least one first optical path switching module.

[0010] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, when there is a wavelength conflict when the first signal is switched to the second wavelength switching module, the first optical path switching module outputs the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. After wavelength conversion, a second signal is obtained and then input to the first optical path switching module for optical path switching, so that the second signal has no wavelength conflict with the signal input by at least one second wavelength switching module, enabling more flexible signal transmission.

[0011] In an alternative manner, the optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected to the lower-wavelength output port of at least one third optical path switching module one by one, and the output port is connected to the upper-wavelength input port of at least one second optical path switching module. At least one third optical path switching module is further configured to receive the first signal input by the first optical path switching module, input the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict among multiple second wavelength switching modules. The wavelength conversion component is configured to convert the first signal into a second signal, input the second signal to at least one second optical path switching module. The wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, and the wavelength of the second signal does not have a wavelength conflict among at least one second wavelength switching module. At least one third optical path switching module is further configured to input the second signal to the first optical path switching module.

[0012] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, when there is a wavelength conflict when the first signal is switched to the second wavelength switching module, the first optical path switching module outputs the first signal to the third optical path switching module to output the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. After the wavelength conversion component performs wavelength conversion on the first signal, a second signal is obtained, and then through the second optical path switching module, it is input to the first optical path switching module for optical path switching, so that there is no wavelength conflict in the signals input by the second signal in at least one second wavelength switching module, making the signal transmission more flexible.

[0013] In an alternative manner, the wavelength conversion component includes a pump light providing module, a multiplexing module, a nonlinear medium module, and a filtering module. The pump light providing module is configured to input the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal to the multiplexing module. The multiplexing module is configured to receive the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal, combine the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal to obtain a combined signal, and input the combined signal to the nonlinear medium module. The nonlinear medium module is configured to obtain a nonlinearly converted signal based on the first signal and the pump light signal in the combined signal, and input the nonlinearly converted signal to the filtering module. The filtering module is configured to filter the nonlinearly converted signal to obtain the second signal and output the second signal.

[0014] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, the wavelength conversion component directly converts the first signal into the second signal through the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal, rather than first converting it into an electrical signal and then into an optical signal, thereby improving the conversion efficiency.

[0015] In an alternative manner, for each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module. Each first optical path switching module is configured to control the optical path between the input port and the output port, and output the through signal and the up-converted signal to the corresponding second wavelength switching module. In this way, all the modules in the line-side component are fully connected, enabling more flexible line-side signal switching.

[0016] In an alternative manner, there are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the line-side component further includes a fourth optical path switching module. For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module, the up-converted port of the second optical path switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the down-converted port of the third optical path switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module is configured to, when at least one first optical path switching module fails, replace at least one first optical path switching module to perform optical switching processing.

[0017] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, there is also a backup optical path switching module in the optical cross-connect system. When at least one first optical path switching module fails, the backup optical path switching module is used to perform optical switching processing, enabling signal switching protection and switching.

[0018] In an alternative manner, there are multiple second optical path switching modules, and the multiple second optical path switching modules include a first group of switching modules and a second group of switching modules. Each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. The second group of switching modules is configured to receive the up-converted signal, and through optical path switching, input the up-converted signal to the first group of switching modules. In the second group of switching modules, the signals with the same wavelength sent by the same second optical path switching module are sent to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. The first group of switching modules is configured to, through optical path switching, input the up-converted signal to the first optical path switching module.

[0019] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, in the second group of switching modules, a certain second optical path switching module receives two upper-wave signals with the same wavelength. This second optical path switching module switches the two signals with the first wavelength to two different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules for upper-wave processing, so that signals with the same wavelength can enter the same first optical path switching module for switching.

[0020] In an optional manner, for each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules. In this way, the second optical path switching modules in the two groups are fully connected, making the optical path switching more flexible.

[0021] In an optional manner, there are multiple third optical path switching modules. The multiple third optical path switching modules include a third group of switching modules and a fourth group of switching modules. Each third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. The third group of switching modules is used to receive lower-wave signals and input lower-wave signals to the fourth group of switching modules. In the fourth group of switching modules, the signals with the same wavelength received by the same second optical path switching module come from different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. The fourth group of switching modules is also used to output lower-wave signals through optical path switching.

[0022] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, a certain lower-wave receiving device is connected to a third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules. During lower-wave processing, when multiple signals with the same wavelength belong to this lower-wave receiving device, the same first optical path switching module lower-waves the multiple signals to different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules, so that the multiple signals enter the third optical path switching module connected to this lower-wave receiving device, and this third optical path switching module belongs to the fourth group of optical path switching modules. In this way, the lower-wave receiving device can receive multiple signals with the same wavelength.

[0023] In an optional manner, for each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to each third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules. In this way, the third optical path switching modules in the two groups are fully connected, making the optical path switching more flexible.

[0024] In an optional manner, the number of the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module is greater than or equal to 64.

[0025] In an optional manner, both the first optical path switching module and the second optical path switching module are microelectromechanical system optical cross-connect devices or waveguide optical switch arrays.

[0026] In an alternative manner, the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are WSSs. Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module is a de-multiplexer (DMUX), and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX). Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs).

[0027] In a second aspect, the present disclosure further provides an optical cross-connect network, including a plurality of optical cross-connect systems in the first aspect and any optional manner, and each optical cross-connect system in the plurality of optical cross-connect systems is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the networking of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is another schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a two-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 is another schematic structural diagram of a two-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 are three schematic structural diagrams of a first optical path switching module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 7 is still another schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 8 is still another schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a 128-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 10 is another schematic structural diagram of a 128-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 11 It is another schematic structural diagram of a two-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 12 It is another schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 13 It is another schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 14 It is a schematic structural diagram of a wavelength conversion component provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the following will further describe the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] An optical cross-connect (OXC) system is applied to large-capacity optical transmission scenarios such as backbone optical fiber networks. The optical cross-connect system is simply referred to as an optical cross-connect system. Based on the optical cross-connect system for networking, a high-speed interconnected wavelength-direct network is constructed. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an optical cross-connect network is provided. The optical cross-connect network is an ultra-large-capacity optical network based on all-optical cross-connect. In Figure 1 it includes multiple optical cross-connect systems. The optical cross-connect system is also called an optical cross-connect site. Each optical cross-connect network is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect network. The optical cross-connect systems are connected by optical fiber links. As the demand for transmission capacity continues to increase, the number of optical fiber links continues to grow, and the dimension of the optical cross-connect system also increases accordingly. The dimension of the optical cross-connect system refers to the number of line-side optical fibers connected to the optical cross-connect system. For example, it transitions from the current 32 dimensions to 64 dimensions and evolves towards 128 dimensions or even 256 dimensions in the future. Figure 1 Five optical cross-connect systems are shown in it. In fact, there are more optical cross-connect systems, and other devices docked with the optical cross-connect systems, such as routers, are not shown. These other devices are used to converge and send the service data of users to the optical cross-connect system, or receive the service data of users from the optical cross-connect system and perform subsequent processing to complete the transfer of the service data of users.

[0044] Currently, the optical cross-connect system uses a wavelength selective switch as the core switching unit and is implemented by mesh interconnecting N 1*N wavelength selective switches. In this way, when the optical cross-connect system expands towards ultra-high dimensions, as the dimension increases, the performance of the wavelength selective switch itself deteriorates rapidly, such as insertion loss, and the number of optical fiber links interconnected between the wavelength selective switches increases according to the law of N 2 The law of growth poses a huge challenge to the reliability of the optical backplane and is difficult to support continuous evolution.

[0045] Based on this, an optical cross-connect system is provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical cross-connect system includes a line-side component and a tributary-side component. The line-side component is implemented based on a wavelength switching module and an optical path switching module, and the tributary-side component is implemented based on the optical path switching module. Since the optical path switching module is a device for switching optical paths and does not perform switching based on wavelengths, it can achieve high-dimensional cross-connect. Therefore, the optical cross-connect system can provide a high-dimensional scalable optical cross-connect architecture and support the evolution of the optical cross-connect system to the hundred-dimensional level. Moreover, due to the existence of the tributary-side component, it can also simultaneously perform wavelength addition and dropping.

[0046] Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of the optical cross-connect system is provided. Refer to Figure 2 , the optical cross-connect system includes a line-side component and a tributary-side component. The line-side component is used to receive line-side signals and then send the line-side signals directly to the line side or send them to the tributary side for wavelength dropping processing. The line-side component is a three-stage cascaded architecture, including a plurality of first wavelength switching modules, a first optical path switching module, and a plurality of second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module is connected to a line optical fiber, and the number of line-side optical fibers that the plurality of first wavelength switching modules can connect to is equal to the dimension of the optical cross-connect system. The first wavelength switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module, the first optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching module, and each second wavelength switching module is connected to a line optical fiber.

[0047] The tributary-side component is used for wavelength addition and dropping processing, including a second optical path switching module and a third optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module to achieve wavelength addition, and the third optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module to achieve wavelength dropping, supporting the evolution of the optical cross-connect system to a high dimension. In addition, the second optical path switching module is also connected to a wavelength addition providing device, which is a device for providing wavelength addition signals. The third optical path switching module is also connected to a wavelength dropping receiving device, which is a device for receiving wavelength dropping signals. The wavelength addition providing device and the wavelength dropping receiving device may be the same or different.

[0048] When a signal is transmitted, the first wavelength switching module receives a line-side signal from the line-side optical fiber. The signal that continues to be transmitted on the line side (the through signal) passes through the first optical path switching module to achieve optical path-level switching and is input to the first target second wavelength switching module. The signal in the line-side signal that is transmitted to the branch-side component is called the down-converted signal. The down-converted signal is input to the third optical path switching module through the first optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module outputs the down-converted signal through the optical path switching function. The optical path switching function refers to the function of changing the optical path of the signal input from the input port and outputting it to the output port. When using the optical path switching function, the signal input from the input port will not be split according to the wavelength. For example, signals of multiple wavelengths are input from a certain input port, and these signals of multiple wavelengths are output together from the same output port. The signal input from the branch-side component to the line-side component is called the up-converted signal. The up-converted signal providing device inputs the up-converted signal to the second optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module receives the up-converted signal and inputs the up-converted signal to the first optical path switching module through the optical path switching function. The first optical path switching module inputs the up-converted signal to the second target second wavelength switching module. Each second wavelength switching module combines the received signals to obtain a combined signal and inputs the combined signal to the line-side optical fiber, so that the combined signal is transmitted on the line side.

[0049] Here, the first target second wavelength switching module can be understood as the second wavelength switching module to which the through signal is switched, and the second target second wavelength switching module can be understood as the second wavelength switching module to which the up-converted signal is switched. The destinations of different through signals are different, and the target second wavelength switching modules are different. The destinations of different up-converted signals are different, and the target second wavelength switching modules are also different.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the second optical path switching module and the third optical path switching module can be two separate devices or two logical modules belonging to the same device.

[0051] In an alternative embodiment, the first wavelength switching module is an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), and the second wavelength switching module is an AWG. Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module is a wavelength selective switch (WSS), and the second wavelength switching module is a WSS. Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module is a demultiplexer (DMUX), and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX).

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, the first optical path switching module is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical cross-connect (OXC) device, a WSS, or an array of waveguide optical switches.

[0053] In an alternative manner, the second optical path switching module is a MEMS OXC device, a WSS, or an array of waveguide optical switches.

[0054] It should be noted that both the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module can be implemented by wavelength switching devices. Similarly, the second wavelength switching module can also be implemented by a wavelength switching device. The first optical path switching module to the third optical path switching module can all be implemented by optical path switching devices.

[0055] In an alternative manner, Figure 3 Another structural schematic diagram of the optical cross-connect system is provided. Refer to Figure 3 , there are N first wavelength switching modules, where N is greater than 1 and N is the dimension of the optical cross-connect system. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and M output ports, and is a 1*M wavelength switching module. Each output port outputs a single-wavelength signal, or outputs a signal of multiple wavelength combinations, or does not output a signal. There are N second wavelength switching modules, and each second wavelength switching module includes M input ports and 1 output port, and is an M*1 wavelength switching module. Each input port inputs a single-wavelength signal, or outputs a signal of multiple wavelength combinations, or does not output a signal.

[0056] The first optical path switching module is one or more. The first optical path switching module includes multiple input ports and multiple output ports, and the optical path interconnection can be controlled between the multiple input ports and the multiple output ports.

[0057] When the first optical path switching module is one, all the output ports of each first wavelength switching module are connected to the multiple input ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one by one. All the input ports of each second wavelength switching module are connected to the multiple output ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one by one. In this way, the signal output by each first wavelength switching module can enter the first optical path switching module, and the signal output by the first optical path switching module can enter each second wavelength switching module.

[0058] When the first optical path switching module is multiple, for each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module, and the ports of the two are connected one by one. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module, and the ports of the two are connected one by one. In this way, the signal output by each first wavelength switching module can enter each first optical path switching module, and the signal output by each first optical path switching module can enter each second wavelength switching module.

[0059] The second optical path switching module(s) is / are one or more. Each second optical path switching module includes a first wavelength multiplexing port and a wavelength multiplexing input port. The first wavelength multiplexing port is used to connect to the first optical path switching module, and the wavelength multiplexing input port is used to connect to the tributary side wavelength multiplexing providing device. The number of wavelength multiplexing input ports may be the same as or different from the number of first wavelength multiplexing ports. Among them, the number of first wavelength multiplexing ports included in different second optical path switching modules may be the same or different, and the optical path between the first wavelength multiplexing port and the wavelength multiplexing input port can be controlled to achieve optical path change.

[0060] When there is one second optical path switching module and one first optical path switching module, all the first wavelength multiplexing ports of the second optical path switching module are connected to multiple input ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one by one.

[0061] When there is one second optical path switching module and multiple first optical path switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module includes multiple wavelength multiplexing port groups. The number of first wavelength multiplexing ports in each wavelength multiplexing port group is greater than or equal to 1. For each wavelength multiplexing port group, the ports in the wavelength multiplexing port group are connected to the input ports of a first optical path switching module one by one, and different wavelength multiplexing port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules.

[0062] When there are multiple second optical path switching modules and one first optical path switching module, each second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module, the number of first wavelength multiplexing ports is greater than or equal to 1, and all the first wavelength multiplexing ports are connected to the input ports of the first optical path switching module one by one.

[0063] When there are multiple second optical path switching modules and multiple first optical path switching modules, each second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. Each second optical path switching module includes multiple wavelength multiplexing port groups. The number of first wavelength multiplexing ports in each wavelength multiplexing port group is greater than or equal to 1. For each second optical path switching module, the ports in a wavelength multiplexing port group are connected to the input ports of a first optical path switching module one by one, and different wavelength multiplexing port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules. In this way, the wavelength multiplexing signals of each second optical path switching module can be input into any first optical path switching module.

[0064] Through the above connection relationship, for each second optical path switching module, after a certain wavelength multiplexing input port of the second optical path switching module receives a wavelength multiplexing signal, the optical path between the wavelength multiplexing input port and the first wavelength multiplexing port is controlled, so that the wavelength multiplexing signal is input into the first optical path switching module through the first wavelength multiplexing port.

[0065] The third optical path switching module is one or more. Each third optical path switching module includes a first demultiplexing port and a demultiplexing output port. The first demultiplexing port is connected to the first optical path switching module, and the demultiplexing output port is connected to the branch - side demultiplexing receiving device. The number of demultiplexing output ports may be the same as or different from the number of first demultiplexing ports. Among them, the number of first demultiplexing ports included in different third optical path switching modules may be the same or different, and the optical path between the first demultiplexing port and the demultiplexing output port can be controlled to achieve optical path change.

[0066] When there is one third optical path switching module and one first optical path switching module, all the first demultiplexing ports of the third optical path switching module are connected to multiple output ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one - to - one.

[0067] When there is one third optical path switching module and multiple first optical path switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module includes multiple demultiplexing port groups. The number of first demultiplexing ports in each demultiplexing port group is greater than or equal to 1. For each demultiplexing port group, the ports in the demultiplexing port group are connected to the output ports of a first optical path switching module one - to - one, and different demultiplexing port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules.

[0068] When there are multiple third optical path switching modules and one first optical path switching module, each third optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the number of first demultiplexing ports is greater than or equal to 1, and all the first demultiplexing ports are connected to at least one output port of the first optical path switching module one - to - one.

[0069] When there are multiple third optical path switching modules and multiple first optical path switching modules, each third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. Each third optical path switching module includes multiple demultiplexing port groups. The number of first demultiplexing ports in each demultiplexing port group is greater than or equal to 1. For each third optical path switching module, the ports in a demultiplexing port group are connected to the output ports of a first optical path switching module one - to - one, and different demultiplexing port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules. In this way, the demultiplexing signals output by the first optical path switching module can be input to any third optical path switching module.

[0070] For each third optical path switching module, after a certain first demultiplexing port of the third optical path switching module receives a demultiplexing signal, the optical path between the first demultiplexing port and the demultiplexing output port is controlled so that the demultiplexing signal is output to the demultiplexing receiving device through the first demultiplexing port.

[0071] For a better understanding Figure 3 of the architecture shown Figure 4An example of an optical cross-connect system with a smaller dimension is given. Refer to Figure 4 , there are 2 first wavelength exchange modules and 2 second wavelength exchange modules, which are 1*4 and 4*1 WSSs respectively. There are 4 first optical path exchange modules, and each first optical path exchange module is a 3*3 MESM OXC device. There is 1 second optical path exchange module and 1 third optical path exchange module, and both the second optical path exchange module and the third optical path exchange module are 4*4 MESM OXC devices. Among them, when the two modules are connected, each provides a port for connection.

[0072] Figure 5 An example of an optical cross-connect system with a smaller dimension is given. Refer to Figure 5 , there are 2 first wavelength exchange modules and 2 second wavelength exchange modules, which are 1*4 and 4*1 WSSs respectively. There are 2 first optical path exchange modules, and each first optical path exchange module is a 6*6 MESM OXC device. There is 1 second optical path exchange module and 1 third optical path exchange module, and both the second optical path exchange module and the third optical path exchange module are 4*4 MESM OXC devices. Among them, when the two modules are connected, each provides two ports for one-to-one connection.

[0073] It should be noted that among multiple first wavelength exchange modules, the wavelengths of the signals input by different first wavelength exchange modules to a first optical path exchange module may be the same or different, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0074] Optionally, when there are multiple first optical path exchange modules, there is one port or multiple ports connecting between each first wavelength exchange module and each first optical path exchange module. When each provides one port for connection, it means that the number of first optical path exchange modules is equal to the number of output ports of each first wavelength exchange module. Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 . When each provides multiple ports for connection, it means that the number of first optical path exchange modules is less than the number of output ports of each first wavelength exchange module. Refer to Figure 5 . In this way, the higher the port dimension of each first optical path exchange module, the fewer the number of first optical path exchange modules. For example, refer to Figure 6 , for the first optical path exchange module, P*Q input ports and P*Q output ports need to be provided. The first optical path exchange module may include P Q*Q MEMS OXC devices, or include P / 2 2Q*2Q MEMSOXC devices, or include P / 3 3Q*3Q MEMS OXC devices, or include 1 (P*Q)*(P*Q) MEMS OXC device. In this way, since the cost of a 2Q*2Q MEMS OXC device is lower than twice the cost of a Q*Q MEMS OXC device, making the dimension of the MEMS OXC device higher results in lower cost.

[0075] Optionally, the first wavelength switching module is a DMUX, and the second wavelength switching module is a MUX. The optical cross-connect system can be applied to the C+L band. Refer to Figure 7 , in Figure 7 , the application of the optical cross-connect system to the C+L band is shown. The spectral width of the C+L band is 12 THz. Assuming that the transmission rate of the signal of each wavelength is 800 Gb / s, each optical fiber can accommodate at most 60 wavelengths of signals for transmission. For a 128-dimensional optical switch, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules, each of which is a 1*60 DMUX, 60 first optical path switching modules, each of which is a 160*160 first MEMS OXC device, 128 second wavelength switching modules, each of which is a 60*1 MUX. There are 32 second optical path switching modules, each of which is a 60*60 second MEMS OXC device, and 32 third optical path switching modules, each of which is a 60*60 third MEMS OXC device.

[0076] On the line side, 128 line-side optical fibers are respectively connected to the input ports of 128 1*60 DMUXs. The 60 output ports of each 1*60 DMUX are respectively connected to one input port of 60 first MEMS OXC devices. The 60 input ports of each 60*1 MUX are also respectively connected to one output port of 60 first MEMS OXC devices.

[0077] On the tributary side, for each second MEMS OXC device, the 60 up-wave ports of the second MEMS OXC device are respectively connected to one input port of 60 second MEMS OXC devices for up-wave. For each third MEMS OXC device, the 60 down-wave ports of the third MEMS OXC device are respectively connected to one output port of 60 first MEMS OXC devices for down-wave.

[0078] During signal transmission, each DMUX distributes the signals of 60 wavelengths in each optical fiber to its 60 output ports, and there is a signal of one wavelength at each output port. The signals distributed by the DMUX pass through the first MEMS OXC device to implement the optical path switching function, switching from any input port to any output port of the first MEMS OXC device, entering the 60*1 MUX for transmission or entering the third MEMS OXC device for wavelength reduction. The second MEMS OXC device inputs the wavelength-increased signal to the first MEMS OXC device, passes through a certain first MEMS OXC device to implement the optical path switching function, switches from any input port to any output port of the first MEMS OXC device, and also enters the 60*1 MUX. The 60*1 MUX combines the received signals and outputs them from the output port.

[0079] It should be noted that in Figure 7 , the wavelengths of the signals responsible for switching by each first optical path switching module are the same or different.

[0080] In an alternative manner, there are multiple first optical path switching modules. When some or all of the first optical path switching modules fail, in order not to affect the normal signal transmission, the line-side component further includes a fourth optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module is connected to the first wavelength switching module, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching module, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to the second optical path switching module, and is connected to the third optical path switching module.

[0081] When there is at least one faulty first optical path switching module, the first wavelength switching module inputs the target line-side signal to the fourth optical path switching module, and the target line-side signal is the signal originally sent to the at least one faulty first optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module inputs the target wavelength-increased signal to the fourth optical path switching module, and the target wavelength-increased signal is the signal originally sent to the at least one first optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module replaces the at least one first optical path switching module and performs the optical path switching function on the target line-side signal and the target wavelength-increased signal, inputs the direct-through signal to the second wavelength switching module, and inputs the target wavelength-reduced signal in the target line-side signal to the third optical path switching module. The second wavelength switching module receives the signal input by the fourth optical path switching module and outputs it. The second optical path switching module receives the target wavelength-reduced signal and outputs it.

[0082] Optionally, for each fourth optical path switching module, each first wavelength switching module provides at least one backup output port connected thereto, each second wavelength switching module provides at least one backup input port connected thereto, each second optical path switching provides at least one second wavelength-adding port connected thereto, and each third optical path switching module provides at least one second wavelength-dropping port connected thereto. For the specific connection manner, refer to the connection manner between the first optical path switching module and other modules, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0083] Optionally, the number of ports of the first optical path switching module is the same as or different from that of the fourth optical path switching module. Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of the optical cross-connect system when they are the same is provided. Refer to Figure 8 , there are N first wavelength switching modules, which are 1*(M + L) WSSs, including one input port, M output ports, and L backup output ports; there are N second wavelength switching modules, which are (M + L)*1 WSSs, including one output port, M input ports, and L backup input ports; there are M first optical path switching modules, which are (N + K)*(N + K) first MEMS OXC devices, including N + K input ports and N + K output ports; there are L fourth optical path switching modules, which are (N + K)*(N + K) first MEMS OXC devices, including N + K input ports and N + K output ports; there are K second optical path switching modules and K third optical path switching modules. The second optical path switching module is a (M + L)*(M + L) second MEMS OXC device, and the third optical path switching module is a (M + L)*(M + L) third MEMS OXC device. Each second optical path switching module includes M first wavelength-adding ports and L second wavelength-adding ports, and each third optical path switching module includes M first wavelength-dropping ports and L second wavelength-dropping ports.

[0084] On the line side, for the convenience of description, in the first wavelength switching module, the backup output port and the output port are collectively referred to as the output port, and in the second wavelength switching module, the backup input port and the input port are collectively referred to as the input port. The N 1*(M + L) WSSs have N input ports, and N line-side optical fibers are connected to the N input ports one by one. Each 1*(M + L) WSS provides M + L output ports, and the M + L output ports are respectively connected to one input port of the M + L first MEMS OXC devices. Each (M + L)*1 WSS provides M + L input ports, and the M + L input ports are respectively connected to one output port of the M + L first MEMS OXC devices. The N (M + L)*1 WSSs have N output ports, and the N output ports are connected to the N line-side optical fibers one by one.

[0085] On the branch side, for the sake of convenient description, the first upper optical ports and the second upper optical ports are collectively referred to as upper optical ports, and the first lower optical ports and the second lower optical ports are collectively referred to as lower optical ports. Each first MEMS OXC device provides K input ports, and the K input ports are respectively connected to an upper optical port of K second MEMS OXC devices for up-conversion. Each first MEMS OXC device provides K output ports, and the K output ports are respectively connected to a lower optical port of K third MEMS OXC devices for down-conversion.

[0086] When there is no faulty first MEMS OXC device among the M first MEMS OXC devices, for each 1*(M + L) WSS, the received signal is output among the M output ports according to wavelengths. Each output port outputs a single-wavelength signal, or a multi-wavelength signal, or no signal. The signals output from the M output ports pass through the M first MEMS OXC devices to implement an optical path switching module, which switches from any input port of each first MEMS OXC device to any output port of the first MEMS OXC device. The M input ports that enter the (M + L)*1 WSS, or part of the signals enter the third MEMS OXC device for down-conversion. On the branch side, the second MEMS OXC device inputs an up-conversion signal to the first MEMS OXC device, and this part of the up-conversion signal also enters the (M + L)*1 WSS. The (M + L)*1 WSS combines the received signals and outputs them from the output port. When there are G faulty first MEMS OXC devices among the M first MEMS OXC devices, for each 1*(M + L) WSS, the target line-side signal (the signal originally responsible for switching by the faulty first MEMS OXC device) is output to G first MEMS OXC devices among the L first MEMS OXC devices. Each second MEMS OXC device outputs the target up-conversion signal (the signal originally responsible for switching by the faulty first MEMS OXC device) to the G first MEMS OXC devices, and the G first MEMS OXC devices switch the received signals, enabling the optical cross-connect system to still work properly.

[0087] It should be noted that the optical cross-connect system is also connected to a controller. The signal receiving end will feedback to the controller whether the signal is received. If the signal that a certain first optical path switching module is responsible for switching is not received, it indicates that the first optical path switching module is faulty. The controller switches the signal that the faulty first optical path switching module is responsible for switching to use the fourth optical path switching module for switching.

[0088] It should also be noted that the number of the fourth optical path switching modules can be set according to actual needs. Figure 8In this case, the number of ports of the first optical path switching module is the same as that of the fourth optical path switching module. In practice, the number of ports of the first optical path switching module and the fourth optical path switching module may also be different. For example, both the input ports and output ports of the first optical path switching module are 160, and both the input ports and output ports of the fourth optical path switching module are 320. It means that the number of signals switched by one fourth optical path switching module is twice that of the first optical path switching module. If two first optical path switching modules fail, one fourth optical path switching module can be used to replace them.

[0089] In an alternative approach, when the optical cross-connect system supports 128 dimensions, there are multiple structures for the optical cross-connect system, and the following provides Method 1 to Method 3.

[0090] Method 1: In the optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules and 128 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 60 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 160 input ports and 160 output ports. There are 32 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 60 upper-wave input ports and 60 upper-wave ports. There are 32 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 60 lower-wave output ports and 60 lower-wave ports. In this way, in the optical cross-connect system, when two modules are connected, each provides one port for connection, and the ports for connection between different modules are different.

[0091] Method 2: In the optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules and 128 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 30 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 32 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 60 upper-wave input ports and 60 upper-wave ports. There are 32 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 60 lower-wave output ports and 60 lower-wave ports. In this way, in the optical cross-connect system, when two modules are connected, each provides two ports for one-to-one connection, and the ports for connection between different modules are different. See Figure 9 。

[0092] Method 3: In the optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules and 128 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 30 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 16 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 120 upstream wave input ports and 120 upstream wave ports. There are 16 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 120 downstream wave output ports and 120 downstream wave ports. In this way, in the optical cross-connect system, when two modules on the line side are connected, they each provide two ports for one-to-one connection. When each second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module, they each provide four ports for one-to-one connection. When each third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module, they each provide four ports for one-to-one connection. The ports for connection between different modules are different. See Figure 10 .

[0093] Optionally, when the optical cross-connect system supports 256 dimensions, in the optical cross-connect system, there are 256 first wavelength switching modules and 256 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 60 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 64 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 60 upstream wave input ports and 60 upstream wave ports. There are 64 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 60 downstream wave output ports and 60 downstream wave ports. In this way, in the optical cross-connect system, when two modules are connected, they each provide one port for connection. The ports for connection between different modules are different.

[0094] It should be noted that in the above several methods, it is the case where only the first optical path switching module exists. Assuming that the first optical path switching module is the same as the fourth optical path switching module, when both the first optical path switching module and the fourth optical path switching module exist, the total number of them is 60 in Method 1 and Method 4, and the total number of them is 30 in Method 2 and Method 3. The number of the first optical path switching module and the fourth optical path switching module is set according to actual needs.

[0095] In an alternative approach, when each first optical path switching module is responsible for switching signals of one wavelength, if multiple signals of the first wavelength are simultaneously input into a certain second optical path switching module, since the signals of the first wavelength are input into the same first optical path switching module and each second optical path switching module can only input one signal of the first wavelength to this first optical path switching module, then these multiple signals cannot be up-converted simultaneously. To solve this problem, the networking method of multiple second optical path switching modules is improved. The multiple second optical path switching modules are divided into two groups, denoted as the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules. Both the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules include multiple second optical path switching modules. For each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, this second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. For example, the second optical path switching modules in different groups are pairwise connected. The number of second optical path switching modules in the two groups can be the same or different.

[0096] In the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules, each second optical path switching module includes an up-conversion port and an up-conversion input port. In the first group of switching modules, the up-conversion input port of each second optical path switching module is divided into multiple up-conversion input port groups, and the number of ports in each up-conversion input port group is greater than or equal to 1. In the second group of switching modules, the up-conversion port of each second optical path switching module is divided into multiple up-conversion port groups. In the second group of switching modules, one up-conversion port group is connected to the ports of one up-conversion input port group in the first group of switching modules one by one, and different up-conversion port groups correspond to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. In the second group of switching modules, the up-conversion input port of the second optical path switching module is used to connect to an up-conversion signal providing device. In the first group of switching modules, the up-conversion port of the second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module.

[0097] When signals are transmitted, the up-conversion signal providing device inputs up-conversion signals to the second group of switching modules. A certain second optical path switching module in this second group of switching modules receives the up-conversion signals. Assuming that the up-conversion signals include signals with the same wavelength, the signals with the same wavelength are sent to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. These different second optical path switching modules input the signals with the same wavelength to the same first optical path switching module.

[0098] Similarly, when each first optical path switching module is responsible for switching signals of one wavelength, if a certain downstream receiving device simultaneously receives multiple beams of signals of the first wavelength, the signals of the first wavelength are output to the same first optical path switching module for downstream conversion, and this first optical path switching module can only input one beam of signals of the first wavelength to each third optical path switching module, and each optical path switching module can only send one beam of signals of the first wavelength to the connected downstream receiving device, then these multiple beams of signals cannot be simultaneously down-converted to the same downstream receiving device. To solve this problem, the networking method of multiple third optical path switching modules is improved. The multiple third optical path switching modules are divided into two groups, denoted as the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules. Both the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules include multiple third optical path switching modules. For each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, this third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. For example, the third optical path switching modules in different groups are pairwise connected. The number of third optical path switching modules in the two groups can be the same or different.

[0099] In the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules, each third optical path switching module includes a downstream port and a downstream output port. In the third group of switching modules, the downstream output port of each third optical path switching module is divided into multiple downstream output port groups, and the number of ports in each downstream output port group is greater than or equal to 1. In the fourth group of switching modules, the downstream port of each third optical path switching module is divided into multiple downstream port groups. For the fourth group of switching modules, one downstream port group is connected to the ports in one downstream output port group in the third group of switching modules one by one, and different downstream port groups correspond to different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. In the fourth group of switching modules, the downstream output port of the third optical path switching module is used to connect to the downstream receiving device. In the third group of switching modules, the downstream port of the third optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module.

[0100] During signal transmission, the third group of switching modules receives the downstream signal. Suppose there are signals with the same wavelength in this downstream signal and they are sent to the same downstream receiving device. In the third group of switching modules, different third optical path switching modules will receive the signals with the same wavelength. These different third optical path switching modules send the signals with the same wavelength to the same third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, and this third optical path switching module outputs the signals with the same wavelength to the downstream receiving device.

[0101] In this way, in the second group of switching modules, if a certain second optical path switching module receives multiple up-wave signals of the first wavelength, the second optical path switching module exchanges these multiple signals to multiple different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules for up-wave, so that signals with the same wavelength can enter the same first optical path switching module. Similarly, during down-wave, the same first optical path switching module can also simultaneously down-wave multiple signals with the same wavelength, and these multiple signals belong to the same down-wave receiving device.

[0102] It should be noted that in the above description, when two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules are connected, the number of ports connected between every two second optical path switching modules can be the same or different. When two third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules are connected, the number of ports connected between every two third optical path switching modules can be the same or different.

[0103] For example, referring to Figure 11 , both the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules include two second optical path switching modules, each second optical path switching module is 4*4, both the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules include two third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module is 4*4. There are 4 first optical path switching modules, and both the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are 2, which are 1*4 and 4*1 WSS respectively. In the second group of switching modules, the left second optical path switching module is connected to the up-wave providing device A and outputs two signals of wavelength A. The left second optical path switching module receives these two signals and sends them to the two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules respectively, and these two second optical path switching modules both input the received signals into the same first optical path switching module. The right third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules is connected to the down-wave receiving device B and receives two signals of wavelength B. In the third group of switching modules, the two third optical path switching modules respectively receive one signal of wavelength B and send them to the right third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, and this third optical path switching module outputs two signals of wavelength B to the device B.

[0104] In an alternative manner, the wavelengths of the signals received by the same second wavelength switching module are usually different. In some cases, the first optical path switching module cannot input signals with the same wavelength to different second wavelength switching modules. When the first optical path switching module inputs signals to the second wavelength switching module, it inputs signals with the same wavelength to the same second wavelength switching module. When the second wavelength switching module performs combined output, there is a wavelength conflict. For example, the line-side signals input by each first wavelength switching module include signals of a first wavelength, and the signals of the first wavelength are not demodulated. At this time, the up-converted signals also include signals of the first wavelength, so there will be multiple beams of signals of the first wavelength in the same second wavelength switching module. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the wavelength of the signal can be converted by a wavelength conversion component so that the wavelengths of the signals input to the same second wavelength switching module are different.

[0105] The optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. When there are signals with wavelength conflicts, the wavelength conversion component converts the signals of the first wavelength into signals of a second wavelength, and the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength. In this way, after the signals of the first wavelength and the signals of the second wavelength are input to the same second wavelength switching module, there is only one beam of signals of the second wavelength in the second wavelength switching module, and there will be no conflict during combined output.

[0106] Optionally, Figure 12 Another structure of the optical cross-connect system is provided. Refer to Figure 12 , the wavelength conversion component is connected to the first optical path switching module. For example, there are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the wavelength conversion component is connected to X first optical path switching modules, where X is greater than or equal to 1. Specifically, the wavelength conversion component includes an input port and an output port. Among the X first optical path switching modules, each first optical path switching module includes an input port and an output port. For each first optical path switching module, one or more output ports are connected to the input port of the wavelength conversion component in a one-to-one manner, and one or more input ports are connected to the output port of the wavelength conversion component in a one-to-one manner. Here, when there are multiple port connections, it means that the same first optical path switching module can output multiple beams of signals for wavelength conversion at the same time.

[0107] Among the X first optical path switching modules, assume that the target first optical path switching module is configured to input a first signal to the same second wavelength switching module, and there is a signal with the same wavelength as the first signal in the second wavelength switching module. The target first optical path switching module inputs the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component converts the first signal into a second signal and inputs the second signal to a certain first optical path switching module among the X first optical path switching modules. The wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, and the wavelength of the second signal does not conflict with the wavelengths of other signals sent to at least one second wavelength switching module. This first optical path switching module inputs the second signal to a certain second wavelength switching module among the at least one second wavelength switching module through the optical path switching function. The second wavelength switching module combines and outputs the second signal and the other received signals. In this way, when there is a wavelength conflict, the wavelength can be converted by the wavelength conversion component, and the wavelength conversion component is directly connected to the first optical path switching module, without affecting the up / down wavelength function. Here, the first optical path switching modules passed by the first signal and the second signal can be the same or different.

[0108] Optionally, Figure 13 Another structure of the optical cross-connect system is provided. Refer to Figure 13 , the wavelength conversion component is connected to Y second optical path switching modules and is also connected to Z third optical path switching modules, where Y and Z are greater than or equal to 1, and Y and Z can be the same or different. Specifically, the wavelength conversion component includes an input port and an output port. Among the Y second optical path switching modules, each second optical path switching module includes a connection input port. For each second optical path switching module, there is one or more connection input ports that are connected to the output port of the wavelength conversion component one by one. Each third optical path switching module includes a connection output port. For each third optical path switching module, there is one or more connection output ports that are connected to the input port of the wavelength conversion component one by one. Here, when there are multiple port connections, it means that for the same second optical path switching module, multiple beams of signals can be output simultaneously for wavelength conversion.

[0109] Among multiple first optical path switching modules, assume that a certain first optical path switching module is configured to input a first signal to the same second wavelength switching module, and there is a signal with the same wavelength as the first signal in the second wavelength switching module. Through the optical path switching function, the first optical path switching module inputs the first signal to a certain third optical path switching module among Z third optical path switching modules. Through the optical path switching function, the third optical path switching module inputs the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component converts the first signal into a second signal and inputs the second signal to a certain second optical path switching module among Y second optical path switching modules. The wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, and the wavelength of the second signal does not conflict with the wavelengths of other signals sent to at least one second wavelength switching module. The second optical path switching module inputs the second signal to a certain first optical path switching module. Through the optical path switching function, the first optical path switching module inputs the second signal to a certain second wavelength switching module among at least one second wavelength switching modules. The second wavelength switching module combines and outputs the second signal with other received signals. Here, the first optical path switching modules passed by the first signal and the second signal may be the same or different. In this way, the wavelength conversion component is connected to the second optical path switching module. After the second signal enters the second optical path switching module, it can be input to the first optical path switching module from any up-conversion port, so that it can be input from any input port of the second wavelength conversion module, improving the flexibility of cross-connection while supporting wavelength conversion.

[0110] Optionally, to simplify the control logic, the second signal is still sent to the second wavelength switching module where the first signal was originally sent for output, and is still sent to the first optical path switching module where the first signal was originally sent for switching. This is only an example here, and the specific signal transmission path can be scheduled according to actual needs, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0111] Optionally, the wavelength conversion component is connected to the output port of the first wavelength switching module and the input port of the first optical path switching module. The first wavelength switching module inputs the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component uses the pump optical signal corresponding to the first signal to convert the first signal into a second signal and inputs the second signal to the input port of the first optical path switching module. In this way, after wavelength conversion first and then output through the second wavelength switching module, the wavelengths do not conflict.

[0112] Optionally, Figure 14 A structural schematic diagram of the wavelength conversion component is provided. Refer to Figure 14 , the wavelength conversion component includes a pump optical signal providing module, a multiplexing module, a nonlinear medium module, and a filtering module. The multiplexing module is located on the optical path where the pump optical component outputs the pump optical signal and on the optical path where the wavelength conversion component inputs the first signal. The nonlinear medium is located on the optical path between the multiplexing module and the filtering module.

[0113] The pump light providing module outputs a pump light signal corresponding to the first signal. The multiplexing module merges the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal with the first signal one by one to obtain a merged signal, and inputs the merged signal to the nonlinear medium module. The nonlinear medium module transmits the merged signal, obtains a nonlinearly converted signal through the nonlinear effect, and inputs the nonlinearly converted signal to the filtering module. The filtering module filters out the signals in the signal that are not of the specified wavelength to obtain a second signal, inputs the second signal to the output port, and inputs the second signal to the first optical path switching module or the second optical path switching module through the output port. Here, if the wavelength of a certain first signal is the first wavelength and it is desired to convert and obtain a second signal of the second wavelength, the nonlinearly converted signal may include not only the second signal of the second wavelength, but also the signal of the first signal that is not completely converted, and may also include the pump light signal that is not completely converted. Therefore, it is necessary to filter out the second signals that are not of the second wavelength. In this way, when the wavelength conversion component converts the optical signal of the first wavelength into the optical signal of the second wavelength, the optical signal is directly converted into the optical signal, rather than first converting the optical signal into an electrical signal and then modulating to obtain the optical signal, which can reduce costs.

[0114] Optionally, the pump light providing module is a laser. The multiplexing module is a MUX. The nonlinear medium module may include highly nonlinear optical fiber, silicon nitride material waveguide, aluminum gallium arsenide material waveguide, etc. The filtering module is a filter.

[0115] Optionally, the pump light signals corresponding to signals of different wavelengths may be different, and the nonlinear media may also be different.

[0116] Optionally, in another implementation manner of the wavelength conversion component, the wavelength conversion component may also first convert the optical signal into an electrical signal and then convert the electrical signal into an optical signal to achieve wavelength conversion.

[0117] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system is further connected to a controller, which determines signals with wavelength conflicts. For example, signals of a first wavelength are output in each first wavelength switching module, the signals of the first wavelength are not wavelength-converted downward, and there are also signals of the first wavelength among the wavelength-converted upward signals. Then, when the signals of the first wavelength are switched to the second wavelength conversion module, there will be wavelength conflicts for the signals of the first wavelength. The controller controls the first optical path switching module to output a beam of signals of the first wavelength to the wavelength conversion component, or controls the first optical path switching module and the third optical path switching module to output a beam of signals of the first wavelength to the wavelength conversion component for wavelength conversion processing, and then controls the second optical path switching module to input to the first optical path switching module. The controller may be a controller that controls the first optical path switching module, the second optical path switching module, and the third optical path switching module. For example, when the controller controls the signals input from the input port in the first optical path switching module to be switched to the output port, it determines that two beams of signals of the first wavelength are to be switched to the second port and the third port, and the second port and the third port are connected to the same second wavelength switching module, then it switches the signals of the first wavelength switched to the second port to the output port connected to the wavelength conversion component. When the wavelength conversion component inputs signals of the second wavelength, it controls the signals of the second wavelength to be switched to the second port. In this way, the wavelengths of the signals output from the second port and the third port are different.

[0118] In the present disclosure, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. It should be understood that there is no logical or temporal dependence relationship between "first" and "second", nor are the quantity and execution order limited. It should also be understood that although the following description uses terms such as first and second to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of various examples, the second optical path switching module may be referred to as the first optical path switching module, and similarly, the first optical path switching module may be referred to as the second optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module and the first optical path switching module may both be optical switching matrices, and in some cases, may be separate and different optical switching matrices.

[0119] In the present disclosure, the meaning of the term "at least one" refers to one or more, and the meaning of the term "a plurality" refers to two or more.

[0120] The above description is only an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An optical cross-connect system, characterized in that, It includes a line-side component and a branch-side component. The line-side component includes a plurality of first wavelength conversion modules, a first optical path switching module, and a plurality of second wavelength conversion modules. The branch-side component includes a second optical path switching module; The first wavelength conversion module is connected to the first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module is connected to each second wavelength conversion module. The second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module; Each first wavelength conversion module is configured to receive a line-side signal and output the line-side signal to the first optical path switching module; The first optical path switching module is configured to output the through signal in the line-side signal to the first target second wavelength conversion module among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; The second optical path switching module is configured to receive an up-wave signal and output the up-wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching; The first optical path switching module is further configured to output the up-wave signal to the second target second wavelength conversion module among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; Each second wavelength conversion module is configured to output the received signal.

2. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1, wherein The branch-side component further includes a third optical path switching module; The first optical path switching module is further configured to output the down-wave signal in the line-side signal to the third optical path switching module; The third optical path switching module is configured to receive the down-wave signal and output the down-wave signal through optical path switching.

3. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected to the output port of at least one first optical path switching module one by one, and the output port is connected to the input port of the at least one first optical path switching module one by one; The wavelength conversion component is configured to receive a first signal input by the at least one first optical path switching module, convert the first signal into a second signal. The wavelength of the first signal is different from that of the second signal. The wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules, and the wavelength of the second signal has no wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength conversion module; Input the second signal to the at least one first optical path switching module.

4. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 2, wherein The optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected to the down-wave output port of at least one third optical path switching module one by one, and the output port is connected to the up-wave input port of at least one second optical path switching module; The at least one third optical path switching module is further configured to receive a first signal input by the first optical path switching module and input the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; The wavelength conversion component is configured to convert the first signal into a second signal and input the second signal to the at least one second optical path switching module. The wavelength of the first signal is different from that of the second signal. The wavelength of the second signal has no wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength conversion module; The at least one second optical path switching module is further configured to input the second signal to the first optical path switching module.

5. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The wavelength conversion component includes a pump light providing module, a multiplexing module, a nonlinear medium module, and a filtering module; The pump light providing module is configured to input the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal to the multiplexing module; The multiplexing module is configured to receive the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal, combine the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal to obtain a combined signal, and input the combined signal to the nonlinear medium module; The nonlinear medium module is configured to obtain a nonlinearly converted signal based on the first signal and the pump light signal in the combined signal, and input the nonlinearly converted signal to the filtering module; The filtering module is configured to filter the nonlinearly converted signal to obtain the second signal and output the second signal.

6. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module; Each first optical path switching module is configured to control the optical path between the input port and the output port, and output the direct-through signal and the up-converted signal to the corresponding second wavelength switching module.

7. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that There are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the line-side component further includes a fourth optical path switching module; For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module; For each second optical path switching module, the up-converted port of the second optical path switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the down-converted port of the third optical path switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module; The fourth optical path switching module is configured to, when at least one first optical path switching module fails, perform optical switching processing instead of the at least one first optical path switching module.

8. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, There are multiple second optical path switching modules, and the multiple second optical path switching modules include a first group of switching modules and a second group of switching modules; Each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module; for each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules; The second group of switching modules is configured to receive the up-converted signal, input the up-converted signal to the first group of switching modules through optical path switching, and in the second group of switching modules, the wavelength-identical signals sent by the same second optical path switching module are sent to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules; The first set of switching modules is configured to input the upper-wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching.

9. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 8, wherein For each second optical path switching module in the second set of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to each second optical path switching module in the first set of switching modules.

10. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 2, characterized in that, There are multiple third optical path switching modules, and the multiple third optical path switching modules include a third set of switching modules and a fourth set of switching modules; Each third optical path switching module in the third set of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module; for each third optical path switching module in the fourth set of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third set of switching modules; The third set of switching modules is configured to receive the lower-wave signal and input the lower-wave signal to the fourth set of switching modules. In the fourth set of switching modules, the wavelength-identical signals received by the same second optical path switching module come from different third optical path switching modules in the third set of switching modules; The fourth set of switching modules is further configured to output the lower-wave signal through optical path switching.

11. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 10, characterized in that, For each third optical path switching module in the fourth set of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to each third optical path switching module in the third set of switching modules.

12. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The number of the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module is greater than or equal to 64.

13. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, Both the first optical path switching module and the second optical path switching module are microelectromechanical system optical cross-connect devices or waveguide optical switch arrays.

14. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are wavelength selective switches (WSS); or, The first wavelength switching module is a demultiplexer (DMUX), and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX); or, The first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG).

15. An optical cross-connect network, characterized in that, Comprising multiple optical cross-connect systems as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14; Each of the multiple optical cross-connect systems is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect system.

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