WSS and related method and system
By utilizing the dispersion and beam deflection functions of the WSS device, parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals is achieved, solving the problems of slow detection speed and high system complexity in existing technologies, improving detection efficiency and reducing system complexity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411495475.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing optical performance monitors (OPMs) are slow when performing single-wavelength detection, which cannot meet the needs of rapid detection of multiple wavelength optical signals in the network, and require additional configuration of beam splitters, increasing system complexity.
The WSS device is used to decompose the combined optical signal into multiple wavelength optical signals through a dispersion device, and the deflection direction is adjusted by a beam deflection device so that each wavelength optical signal is sent to the detection module in proportion. The detection module performs parallel power detection according to the marking, avoiding the need to configure an additional beam splitter.
Parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals was achieved, which improved detection efficiency, reduced system complexity, and eliminated the need for additional beam splitters.
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Figure CN121923709A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of optical transmission, and in particular to a WSS and related methods and systems. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of social informatization, the amount of data transmitted in trunk pipelines is increasing. In order to increase the transmission capacity of a single optical fiber in the trunk pipeline, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology is usually used to multiplex the signal light for transmission. That is, signal light carrying different wavelengths of service is combined into a beam and transmitted along a single optical fiber.
[0003] To ensure network reliability and optimize system performance, detection points need to be set up within the network to identify, locate, and respond quickly to various faults and performance degradations. Currently, this mainly relies on optical performance monitors (OPMs) for single-wavelength detection, which can only inspect each wavelength individually, resulting in slow detection speed. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This application provides a WSS and related methods and systems that enable parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals, improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, parallel power detection can be achieved without the need for additional beam splitters for wavelength beam splitting, which helps reduce system complexity.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a WSS (Wireless Surface Mount System), comprising: at least one first port, at least one second port, a dispersion device, a beam deflection device, and a detection module. The detection module is a detection port, used to connect to the detection device, meaning the detection device is deployed externally to the WSS. Alternatively, the detection module is the detection device itself, integrated within the WSS. The dispersion device decomposes a combined optical signal from at least one first port into multiple wavelengths of optical signals. Each wavelength of the optical signal carries a marker, and the markers carried by different wavelengths are different. The beam deflection device adjusts the deflection direction of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals from the dispersion device. At least one wavelength of optical signal from the beam deflection device is transmitted to at least one second port via the dispersion device to achieve optical switching. Furthermore, a portion of the optical signal from each wavelength of the beam deflection device is transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device, effectively splitting a portion of each wavelength of optical signal for transmission to the detection module. The detection device determines the power of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals based on the markers carried by each wavelength of the optical signals from the beam deflection device.
[0006] In this embodiment, since optical signals of different wavelengths carry different identifiers, the detection device can determine the power of each wavelength's optical signal based on the identifier, in addition to performing power detection on multiple wavelength optical signals. This enables parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals, improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, since the dispersion device in the WSS can achieve wavelength beam splitting, parallel power detection can be achieved without the need for an additional beam splitter for wavelength beam splitting, which helps reduce system complexity.
[0007] In some possible implementations, each wavelength of the optical signal comprises multiple sub-wavelength optical signals. Specifically, multiple sub-wavelength optical signals, representing a portion of the optical signal from each wavelength source at the beam deflection device, are transmitted to the detection module via a dispersion device at multiple time intervals. This allows the detection device to detect the optical signals input at different time intervals, thereby obtaining a more refined power spectrum at the sub-wavelength granularity.
[0008] In some possible implementations, the multiple wavelength optical signals include a first wavelength optical signal and a second wavelength optical signal. The first wavelength optical signal includes a first sub-wavelength optical signal and a second sub-wavelength optical signal, and the second wavelength optical signal includes a third sub-wavelength optical signal and a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal. The first and second sub-wavelength optical signals carry a first identifier, and the third and fourth sub-wavelength optical signals carry a second identifier. A portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device in a first time period, and a portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device in a second time period. It should be understood that all sub-wavelength optical signals included in each sub-wavelength optical signal carry the same identifier, eliminating the need to assign a corresponding identifier to each sub-wavelength optical signal individually, thus reducing implementation costs.
[0009] In some possible implementations, the detection device is used to determine the power of a first sub-wavelength optical signal based on a first identifier carried by a portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during a first time period, and to determine the power of a third sub-wavelength optical signal based on a second identifier carried by a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during the same first time period. The detection device is also used to determine the power of a second sub-wavelength optical signal based on a first identifier carried by a portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during a second time period, and to determine the power of a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal based on a second identifier carried by a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during the same second time period. It should be understood that since the two sub-wavelength optical signals received by the detection device in each time period carry different identifiers, the detection device can detect the power of two sub-wavelength optical signals in parallel during each time period. Therefore, by detecting the power of all four sub-wavelength optical signals over two time periods, the power spectrum of the optical signal at the sub-wavelength granularity can be obtained.
[0010] In some possible implementations, the beam deflection device is a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) micromirror array, which enriches the implementation options of this scheme.
[0011] In some possible implementations, each of the multiple wavelengths of optical signal is loaded with a pilot signal, and the pilot signals loaded with different wavelengths are different. That is, the identifier carried by each wavelength of optical signal can be a superimposed pilot signal. In this way, the detection device can quickly determine the power of each wavelength of optical signal by using pilot detection, based on power detection.
[0012] In some possible implementations, the detection device includes a photodetector (PD), an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital signal processor (DSP). The PD performs power detection on optical signals of multiple wavelengths from the beam deflection device to output electrical signals. The amplifier amplifies the electrical signals. The ADC converts the amplified electrical signals into digital signals. The DSP performs digital signal processing on the digital signals individually to determine the power of the optical signals of each wavelength based on the identifiers carried by those signals. In other words, this implementation performs parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals based on electrical signals after photoelectric conversion. Compared to single-wavelength detection methods that directly detect the power of optical signals using an OPM, this multi-wavelength parallel detection is more efficient.
[0013] In some possible implementations, the dispersive device is a grating, a diffractive optical element, or a metasurface, which enriches the ways in which this solution can be implemented.
[0014] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a reconfiguration optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), which includes multiple WSSs as described in any embodiment of the first aspect, and the multiple WSSs transmit optical signals to each other.
[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an optical transmission system comprising multiple optical communication devices, a multiplexer, an optical amplifier, and a ROADM as described in the second aspect. The multiplexer is used to combine optical signals from the multiple optical communication devices to obtain a combined optical signal. The optical amplifier is used to amplify the combined optical signal and transmit the amplified combined optical signal to the ROADM.
[0016] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a method for detecting optical signals, which is applied to a WSS (Wireless Spectrometer). The WSS includes at least one first port, at least one second port, a dispersion device, a beam deflection device, and a detection module. The detection module is the detection port, used to connect to a detection device, or the detection module is the detection device itself. The method includes: decomposing a combined optical signal from at least one first port into multiple wavelengths of optical signals using the dispersion device, wherein each wavelength of the optical signal carries a marker, and the markers carried by different wavelengths are different; adjusting the deflection direction of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals from the dispersion device using the beam deflection device, wherein at least one wavelength of optical signal from the beam deflection device is transmitted to at least one second port via the dispersion device, and a portion of the optical signal from each wavelength of the beam deflection device is transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device; and determining the power of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals respectively using the detection device based on the markers carried by each wavelength of optical signal from the beam deflection device.
[0017] In some possible implementations, each wavelength of the optical signal includes multiple sub-wavelength optical signals, wherein multiple sub-wavelength optical signals of a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device at multiple time intervals.
[0018] In some possible implementations, the multiple wavelength optical signals include a first wavelength optical signal and a second wavelength optical signal. The first wavelength optical signal includes a first sub-wavelength optical signal and a second sub-wavelength optical signal. The second wavelength optical signal includes a third sub-wavelength optical signal and a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal. The first and second sub-wavelength optical signals carry a first identifier, and the third and fourth sub-wavelength optical signals carry a second identifier. A portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via a dispersion device during a first time period. A portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via a dispersion device during a second time period.
[0019] In some possible implementations, determining the power of multiple wavelength optical signals by the detection device based on the identifiers carried by each of the multiple wavelength optical signals from the beam deflection device includes: determining the power of a first sub-wavelength optical signal by the detection device in a first time period based on a first identifier carried by a portion of a first sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device, and determining the power of a third sub-wavelength optical signal by the detection device in the first time period based on a second identifier carried by a portion of a third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device; determining the power of a second sub-wavelength optical signal by the detection device in a second time period based on a first identifier carried by a portion of a second sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device, and determining the power of a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal by the detection device in the second time period based on a second identifier carried by a portion of a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device.
[0020] In some possible implementations, the beam deflection device is an LCOS or a MEMS micromirror array.
[0021] In some possible implementations, each of the multiple wavelength optical signals is loaded with a pilot signal, and the pilot signals loaded with different wavelengths of optical signals are different.
[0022] In some possible implementations, the detection device includes a PD, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a DSP. Determining the power of multiple wavelengths of optical signals from the beam deflection device based on the identifiers carried by each wavelength includes: detecting the power of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals from the beam deflection device using the PD to output an electrical signal; amplifying the electrical signal using the amplifier; converting the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal using the ADC; and performing digital signal processing on the digital signal using the DSP to determine the power of the multiple wavelengths of optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each wavelength.
[0023] In some possible implementations, the dispersive device is a grating, a diffractive optical element, or a metasurface.
[0024] In this embodiment, a detection module is provided in the WSS. This detection module can be a detection device integrated within the WSS, or it can be a detection port for connecting to an external detection device. In the WSS, a dispersion device decomposes the input combined optical signal into multiple wavelengths of optical signal, and a beam deflection device adjusts the deflection direction of each wavelength of optical signal. A portion of the optical signal from each wavelength originating from the beam deflection device is transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device, effectively separating a certain proportion of the optical signal from each wavelength for power detection. Since different wavelengths of optical signal carry different identifiers, the detection device can determine the power of each wavelength's optical signal based on these identifiers, in addition to power detection of multiple wavelengths. This achieves parallel power detection of multiple wavelengths of optical signal, improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, since the dispersion device in the WSS can perform wavelength beam splitting, parallel power detection can be achieved without the need for an additional beam splitter, which helps reduce system complexity. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical communication system;
[0026] Figure 2 This is a system architecture diagram of ROADM;
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a WSS structure in an embodiment of this application;
[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of WSS in the embodiments of this application;
[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of the top adjustment process in this application.
[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the detection device in this application.
[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of multiple sub-wavelength optical signals in each wavelength optical signal in the embodiments of this application;
[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of time-division control of the beam deflection device in this application.
[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the optical signal power spectrum at the sub-wavelength granularity in an embodiment of this application;
[0034] Figure 10This is a schematic flowchart of an optical signal detection method in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0035] This application provides a WSS and related methods and systems that enable parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals, improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, parallel power detection can be achieved without the need for additional beam splitters for wavelength beam splitting, which helps reduce system complexity.
[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in this application specification, claims, and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, not to limit a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the above terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that the embodiments described in this application can be implemented in a sequence other than that described in this application. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical communication system. Figure 1 As shown, this optical communication system is specifically a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical transmission system. Multiple optical communication devices transmit optical signals of different wavelengths. A WDM multiplexer combines these signals and couples the combined signal into an optical fiber for transmission. The transmission path includes at least one optical amplifier and a reconfiguration optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM). The optical amplifier amplifies the optical signal. The ROADM enables wavelength-level optical switching. Specifically, the ROADM includes a wavelength select switch (WSS), which can allocate any wavelength from the combined optical signal input from the input port to any output port.
[0038] Figure 2 This is a system architecture diagram for ROADM. (Example) Figure 2As shown, a ROADM consists of a line-side module and a client-side module. The line-side module typically includes multiple interconnected WSSs, while the client-side module includes an add-drop wavelength selective switch (ADWSS). The ADWSS includes a line-side port and a client-side port. The line-side port connects to the WSS in the line-side module, and the client-side port connects to the client-side optical transceiver module, such as an optical transport unit (OTU). The WSS in the line-side module is used to transmit optical signals to or receive optical signals from the line side, while the ADWSS in the client-side module is used for up-wave or down-wave operation. It should be noted that the WSS provided in this embodiment can specifically be either a WSS in the line-side module or an ADWSS in the client-side module. The distinction between WSS and ADWSS will not be made further below; both will be referred to as WSS for explanation and clarification.
[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the WSS in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the WSS includes a port assembly 10, a dispersion device 20, and a beam deflection device 30. The port assembly 10 includes at least one first port, at least one second port, and a detection port. This application does not limit the specific number of the first and second ports in the port assembly. Figure 3 For example, port component 10 includes a first port 101, second ports 102-104, and a detection port 105. For ease of explanation, the direction of light transmission is defined as the Z-direction, the port direction as the X-direction, and the direction of light dispersion as the Y-direction. It should be understood that the port direction can also be called the switching direction, and the dispersion direction can also be called the wavelength direction. The X-direction is perpendicular to the Y-direction, the X-direction is perpendicular to the Z-direction, and the Y-direction is perpendicular to the Z-direction.
[0040] Specifically, the input to the first port 101 is a combined optical signal comprising multiple wavelengths. This application does not limit the number of wavelengths included in the combined optical signal. Figure 3 For example, the combined optical signal includes three wavelengths: λ1, λ2, and λ3. The dispersion device 20 decomposes the combined optical signal into three wavelengths in the Z direction, spatially separating them so that they are incident on different positions on the beam deflection device 30. The beam deflection device 30 is used to adjust the deflection direction of each of the three wavelengths. The three wavelengths of optical signals from the beam deflection device 30 are then transmitted through the dispersion device 20 to their respective second ports. For example, the optical signal with wavelength λ1 is transmitted to second port 102, the optical signal with wavelength λ2 is transmitted to second port 103, and the optical signal with wavelength λ3 is transmitted to second port 104, and so on. Figure 3As shown by the solid arrows in the diagram. Furthermore, a portion of the optical signal from each wavelength from the beam deflection device 30 is transmitted to the detection port 105 via the dispersion device 20. This is equivalent to the beam deflection device 30 diverting a portion of the optical signal from each wavelength to the detection port 105, specifically as follows: Figure 3 As shown by the dashed arrow in the diagram. Detection port 105 is used to connect to detection device 60, which is used to detect the power of each input wavelength optical signal.
[0041] In this way, the embodiments of this application ensure that the optical signal of each wavelength can be output to the corresponding second port to realize the optical switching function, and also ensure that a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength is transmitted to the detection port 105 to realize parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals, thereby improving detection efficiency. In other words, the embodiments of this application, while maintaining the original optical switching function of WSS, also utilize the wavelength beam splitting capability of WSS to realize parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals, eliminating the need for an additional beam splitter for wavelength beam splitting, which helps to reduce system complexity.
[0042] by Figure 3 For example, the energy of each wavelength of optical signal input from the first port 101 is denoted as 100%, the energy of each wavelength of optical signal output from the detection port 105 is denoted as x%, the energy of the wavelength λ1 optical signal output from the second port 102 is denoted as 1-x%, the energy of the wavelength λ2 optical signal output from the second port 103 is denoted as 1-x%, and the energy of the wavelength λ3 optical signal output from the second port 104 is denoted as 1-x%. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific value of x. Generally speaking, the majority of the optical signal of each wavelength should be transmitted to the corresponding second port, and a small portion of the optical signal of each wavelength should be transmitted to the detection port 105. Furthermore, the value of x can be the same or different for different wavelengths of optical signal. It should be noted that the beam deflection device 30 is divided into multiple regions, each of which can be independently controlled to flexibly adjust the deflection direction of the incident beam, enabling the beam deflection device 30 to achieve pixelated control. Several possible implementation methods of the beam deflection device are described below.
[0043] In one possible implementation, the beam deflection device 30 is a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), to... Figure 3For example, a light signal with wavelength λ1 is incident on region 1 of the LCOS, a light signal with wavelength λ2 is incident on region 2 of the LCOS, and a light signal with wavelength λ3 is incident on region 3 of the LCOS. Regions 1, 2, and 3 each contain multiple pixels. Taking the light signal with wavelength λ1 incident on region 1 as an example, the phase distribution of all pixels in region 1 can be adjusted by using a periodically distributed phase grating, thereby adjusting the deflection direction of the light signal with wavelength λ1. The periodically distributed phase grating can be a blazed grating, etc. It should be understood that the light signal with wavelength λ1 will diffract after being incident on region 1, and there can be multiple diffraction directions. For example, x% of the light signal with wavelength λ1 diffracts and propagates towards detection port 105, while 1-x% of the light signal with wavelength λ1 diffracts and propagates towards the second port 102. The same principle applies to light signals with wavelength λ2 and wavelength λ3, which will not be elaborated further here.
[0044] In another possible implementation, the beam deflection device 30 is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) micromirror array, which includes multiple micromirrors. Figure 3 For example, a light signal with wavelength λ1 is incident on region 1 of the MEMES micromirror array, a light signal with wavelength λ2 is incident on region 2 of the MEMES micromirror array, and a light signal with wavelength λ3 is incident on region 3 of the MEMES micromirror array. This MEMES micromirror array can be a piston-type array, where the vertical displacement of each micromirror can be independently controlled, allowing each micromirror to flexibly adjust the deflection direction of the incident light signal as needed. Taking a light signal with wavelength λ1 incident on region 1 as an example, by adjusting the vertical displacement of each micromirror in region 1, the optical path length of the light signal with wavelength λ1 through each micromirror in region 1 is adjusted, which is equivalent to adjusting the phase distribution of all pixels in region 1. This causes the light signal with wavelength λ1 to diffract after being incident on region 1, specifically in multiple diffraction directions. For example, x% of the light signal with wavelength λ1 diffracts and propagates towards detection port 105, while 1-x% of the light signal with wavelength λ1 diffracts and propagates towards the second port 102. The same applies to optical signals with wavelength λ2 and wavelength λ3, which will not be elaborated here.
[0045] In some possible scenarios, such as Figure 3 As shown, the WSS may further include lens 40 and lens 50, wherein lens 40 is located between port assembly 10 and dispersive device 20, and lens 50 is located between dispersive device 20 and beam deflection device 30. Additionally, the WSS may also include a polarization assembly (…). Figure 3(Not shown), the polarization component is used to polarize the input combined optical signal so that each wavelength of the combined optical signal has a specified polarization state.
[0046] It should be noted that the port component 10 can be implemented in various forms, including but not limited to fiber arrays and waveguide arrays, specifically one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays. The dispersive component 20 can be implemented in various forms, including but not limited to gratings, diffractive optical elements, or metasurfaces. It should be understood that the above... Figure 3 The optical path design shown in the WSS is only an example. In practical applications, other optical path designs are also possible to adapt to various commonly used optical path designs in WSS. For example, WSS can also use a reflective dispersive component 20, or a transmissive beam deflection device 30. The specific optical paths are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.
[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the WSS in an embodiment of this application. Different from... Figure 3 The structure shown is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, port component 10 no longer includes Figure 3 The detection port 105 shown is replaced by the detection device 60 integrated inside the WSS. That is, a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength from the beam deflection device 30 is transmitted to the detection device 60 via the dispersion device 20. This is equivalent to the beam deflection device 30 diverting a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength to the detection device 60 for transmission. Specifically, as shown... Figure 4 As shown by the dashed arrow in the diagram. The detection device 60 is used to detect the power of each input wavelength optical signal separately.
[0048] It should be noted that each wavelength of the combined optical signal input from the first port 101 carries a unique identifier, meaning that different wavelengths of optical signals carry different identifiers. Therefore, the detection device 60 can determine the power of multiple wavelengths of optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each of the input wavelengths. In one possible implementation, each wavelength of optical signal can undergo identification processing. For example, the identification processing can utilize light sensor (LS) technology, where an additional modulation frequency is superimposed on each wavelength of optical signal, where the modulation frequency corresponds to the wavelength of each wavelength. In this way, the detection device 60 can distinguish the intensity of different frequency signals in the time or frequency domain, thereby enabling the detection of the power of each input wavelength of optical signal.
[0049] As a method of identifying optical signals of each wavelength, the optical signal can be tuned at the transmitting end of each wavelength. Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating one implementation of the top adjustment process in this application. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the modulation process involves superimposing a small-amplitude low-frequency sine or cosine modulation onto the optical signal of each wavelength at the transmitting end. When this low-frequency sine or cosine signal is superimposed on the optical signal, it modulates the intensity of the optical signal, effectively modulating the intensity of the optical signal using a low-frequency sine or cosine signal. It should be understood that this low-frequency sine or cosine signal can also be called a pilot signal. That is, each wavelength of the optical signal carries a pilot signal as its identifier, and different wavelengths of optical signals carry different pilot signals. For example, a light signal with wavelength λ1 is superimposed with pilot signal 1, and the frequency f1 of pilot signal 1 corresponds to wavelength λ1; a light signal with wavelength λ2 is superimposed with pilot signal 2, and the frequency f2 of pilot signal 2 corresponds to wavelength λ2; a light signal with wavelength λ3 is superimposed with pilot signal 3, and the frequency f3 of pilot signal 3 corresponds to wavelength λ3, and so on. In this way, the detection device 60 can quickly determine the power of the optical signal of each wavelength by using pilot detection, based on power detection.
[0050] Based on the above-mentioned identification processing, the detection method of the detection device 60 will be described in detail below. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the detection device in this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the detection device 60 includes a photodetector (PD) 601, an amplifier 602, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 603, and a digital signal processor (DSP) 604. Specifically, the PD 601 performs power detection on the input multi-wavelength optical signal and converts the power detection result into an electrical signal output; for example, the PD 601 can output a voltage value. The amplifier 602 amplifies the electrical signal output by the PD 601. The ADC 603 converts the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal. The DSP 604 performs digital signal processing on the digital signal to determine the power of the optical signal at each wavelength by identifying the pilot signal superimposed on the optical signal at each wavelength. As an example, the DSP 604 may specifically include a bandpass filter, a sampling module, a fast fourier transform (FFT) module, a pilot identification module, etc.
[0051] Based on the WSS described above, parallel power detection of multiple wavelength optical signals can be achieved. In some possible scenarios, each wavelength optical signal can be further divided into multiple sub-wavelength optical signals. That is, the more refined wavelength range obtained by dividing the wavelength range covered by each wavelength optical signal is the wavelength range covered by the sub-wavelength optical signal. The following further describes the implementation method of power detection at the sub-wavelength granularity. Specifically, considering that assigning a corresponding identifier to each sub-wavelength optical signal would require higher costs for modulation and demodulation, in this embodiment, all sub-wavelength optical signals included in each sub-wavelength optical signal carry the same identifier. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of multiple sub-wavelength optical signals within each wavelength optical signal in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, taking the division of each wavelength's optical signal into four sub-wavelength optical signals as an example, the optical signal of wavelength λ1 includes sub-wavelength λ1.1, sub-wavelength λ1.2, sub-wavelength λ1.3, and sub-wavelength λ1.4 optical signals. All four sub-wavelength optical signals carry identifier 1, which can be a pilot signal 1 of superimposed frequency f1. The optical signal of wavelength λ2 includes sub-wavelength λ2.1, sub-wavelength λ2.2, sub-wavelength λ2.3, and sub-wavelength λ2.4 optical signals. All four sub-wavelength optical signals carry identifier 2, which can be a pilot signal 2 of superimposed frequency f2. And so on. Furthermore, the beam deflection device 30 performs time-division adjustment on multiple sub-wavelength optical signals in a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength, so that multiple sub-wavelength optical signals are transmitted to the detection port 105 or the detection device 60 at different time periods. Correspondingly, the detection device 60 detects the optical signals input at different time periods, thereby obtaining the power spectrum of the optical signal at the sub-wavelength granularity.
[0052] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of time-division control of the beam deflection device in this application. For example... Figure 8As shown, taking the division of each wavelength of optical signal into four sub-wavelength optical signals as an example, the beam deflection device 30 adjusts the deflection direction of sub-wavelength λ1.1, sub-wavelength λ2.1, ..., sub-wavelength λn.1, representing x% of the total optical signal, during time period 1. This ensures that these sub-wavelength signals are transmitted to detection port 105 or detection device 60 via dispersion device 20 during time period 1, while other optical signals are transmitted to their respective second ports. Similarly, the beam deflection device 30 adjusts the deflection direction of sub-wavelength λ1.2, sub-wavelength λ2.2, ..., sub-wavelength λn.2, representing x% of the total optical signal, during time period 2. This ensures that these sub-wavelength signals are transmitted to detection port 105 or detection device 60 via dispersion device 20 during time period 2, while other optical signals are transmitted to their respective second ports. During time period 3, the beam deflection device 30 adjusts the deflection direction of x% of the sub-wavelength λ1.3, x% of the sub-wavelength λ2.3, ..., x% of the sub-wavelength λn.3 optical signals, so that these signals are transmitted to the detection port 105 or the detection device 60 via the dispersion device 20 during time period 3. Other optical signals are transmitted to their respective second ports. During time period 4, the beam deflection device 30 adjusts the deflection direction of x% of the sub-wavelength λ1.4, x% of the sub-wavelength λ2.4, ..., x% of the sub-wavelength λn.4 optical signals, so that these signals are transmitted to the detection port 105 or the detection device 60 via the dispersion device 20 during time period 4. Other optical signals are transmitted to their respective second ports.
[0053] Accordingly, during time period 1, the detection device 60 determines the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.1 optical signal based on the identifier 1 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ1.1 optical signal, determines the power of the sub-wavelength λ2.1 optical signal based on the identifier 2 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ2.1 optical signal, ..., and determines the power of the sub-wavelength λn.1 optical signal based on the identifier n carried by the input sub-wavelength λn.1 optical signal. During time period 2, the detection device 60 determines the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.2 optical signal based on the identifier 1 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ1.2 optical signal, determines the power of the sub-wavelength λ2.2 optical signal based on the identifier 2 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ2.2 optical signal, ..., and determines the power of the sub-wavelength λn.2 optical signal based on the identifier n carried by the input sub-wavelength λn.2 optical signal. In time period 3, detection device 60 determines the power of the input sub-wavelength λ1.3 optical signal based on identifier 1 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ1.3 optical signal, determines the power of the input sub-wavelength λ2.3 optical signal based on identifier 2 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ2.3 optical signal, and so on, based on identifier n carried by the input sub-wavelength λn.3 optical signal. In time period 4, detection device 60 determines the power of the input sub-wavelength λ1.4 optical signal based on identifier 1 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ1.4 optical signal, determines the power of the input sub-wavelength λ2.4 optical signal based on identifier 2 carried by the input sub-wavelength λ2.4 optical signal, and so on, based on identifier n carried by the input sub-wavelength λn.4 optical signal. In other words, detection device 60 can detect the power of n sub-wavelength optical signals in each time period, and therefore can detect the power of all 4×n sub-wavelength optical signals over 4 time periods, thus obtaining the power spectrum of the optical signal at the sub-wavelength granularity.
[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the optical signal power spectrum at the sub-wavelength granularity in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 9 As shown in (a) above, taking an optical signal with wavelength λ1 including sub-wavelength λ1.1, sub-wavelength λ1.2, sub-wavelength λ1.3, and sub-wavelength λ1.4 as an example, the detection device 60 detects the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.1 optical signal as P1 in time period 1, the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.2 optical signal as P2 in time period 2, the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.3 optical signal as P3 in time period 3, and the power of the sub-wavelength λ1.4 optical signal as P4 in time period 4. Therefore, the following can be obtained: Figure 9 The optical signal power spectrum at the sub-wavelength granularity is shown in (b).
[0055] The optical signal detection method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.
[0056] Figure 10This is a schematic flowchart of an optical signal detection method in an embodiment of this application. The optical signal detection method is based on the WSS described in the above embodiment, and the structure of the WSS can be referred to above. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The detailed description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here. The method for detecting the optical signal includes the following steps.
[0057] 1. The combined optical signal from the first port is decomposed into multiple wavelength optical signals by a dispersive device.
[0058] In this embodiment, a dispersion device can spatially separate multiple wavelengths of light signals in a combined optical signal, allowing them to be incident on different positions on a beam deflection device. It should be noted that each wavelength of light signal in the combined optical signal carries a unique identifier; that is, different wavelengths carry different identifiers. For example, the identifier carried by each wavelength can specifically be a pilot signal superimposed on each wavelength. This processing method can be called light sensor (LS) technology.
[0059] 2. Adjust the deflection direction of multiple wavelengths of light signals separately using a beam deflection device.
[0060] Specifically, based on the adjustment of the beam deflection device, multiple wavelengths of optical signals are transmitted to their respective corresponding second ports via the dispersion device. Furthermore, a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength is transmitted to the detection port or detection device via the dispersion device, effectively diverting a portion of each wavelength's optical signal to the detection port or detection device through the beam deflection device. In this way, the embodiments of this application ensure that each wavelength's optical signal can be output to its corresponding second port to achieve optical switching, while also ensuring that a portion of each wavelength's optical signal is transmitted to the detection port or detection device to achieve parallel power detection of multiple wavelengths of optical signals, thus improving detection efficiency.
[0061] In some possible scenarios, each wavelength of optical signal can be further divided into multiple sub-wavelength optical signals, with all sub-wavelength optical signals within each sub-wavelength carrying the same identifier. Furthermore, a beam deflection device can be used to time-division adjust multiple sub-wavelength optical signals within a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength, allowing these sub-wavelength optical signals to be transmitted to the detection port or detection device at different times. This facilitates the detection device in detecting the optical signals input at different times, thereby obtaining the power spectrum of the optical signal at the sub-wavelength granularity.
[0062] 3. Power detection is performed on the input optical signals of multiple wavelengths using a detection device.
[0063] In one possible implementation, the detection device can be deployed outside the WSS, and the detection device is connected to the detection port inside the WSS, as shown in the specific structure. Figure 3 As shown. In another possible implementation, the detection device can also be integrated into the WSS content, with a specific structure as shown. Figure 4 As shown, the detection device, based on power detection, can distinguish the power of each wavelength of optical signal by identifying the identifier carried by each wavelength of optical signal, thereby enabling the rapid determination of the power of each wavelength of optical signal in a parallel manner.
[0064] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. A wavelength selective switch (WSS), characterized in that, include: The device includes at least one first port, at least one second port, a dispersion device, a beam deflection device, and a detection module; wherein the detection module is a detection port, which is used to connect to a detection device, or the detection module is a detection device. The dispersion device is used to decompose the combined optical signal from the at least one first port into optical signals of multiple wavelengths, wherein each of the multiple wavelength optical signals carries an identifier, and the identifiers carried by the optical signals of different wavelengths are different. The beam deflection device is used to adjust the deflection direction of the multiple wavelengths of light signals from the dispersion device, wherein light signals of at least one wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the at least one second port through the dispersion device, and a portion of the light signals of each wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module through the dispersion device. The detection device is used to determine the power of multiple wavelength optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each of the multiple wavelength optical signals from the beam deflection device.
2. The WSS according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical signal of each wavelength includes multiple sub-wavelength optical signals, wherein multiple sub-wavelength optical signals from a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module through the dispersion device at multiple time periods.
3. The WSS according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The multiple wavelength optical signals include a first wavelength optical signal and a second wavelength optical signal. The first wavelength optical signal includes a first sub-wavelength optical signal and a second sub-wavelength optical signal. The second wavelength optical signal includes a third sub-wavelength optical signal and a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal. The first sub-wavelength optical signal and the second sub-wavelength optical signal carry a first identifier. The third sub-wavelength optical signal and the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal carry a second identifier. A portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device during the first time period. A portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device during the second time period.
4. The WSS according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detection device is used to determine the power of the first sub-wavelength optical signal based on the first identifier carried by a portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during the first time period, and to determine the power of the third sub-wavelength optical signal based on the second identifier carried by a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device during the first time period. The detection device is used to determine the power of the second sub-wavelength optical signal in the second time period based on the first identifier carried by a portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device, and to determine the power of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal in the second time period based on the second identifier carried by a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device.
5. The WSS according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The beam deflection device is a silicon-based liquid crystal LCOS or a micromirror array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
6. The WSS according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Each of the multiple wavelength optical signals is loaded with a pilot signal, and the pilot signals loaded with different wavelengths are different.
7. The WSS according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The detection device includes a photodetector (PD), an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital signal processor (DSP). The PD is used to detect the power of optical signals of multiple wavelengths from the beam deflection device to output an electrical signal; The amplifier is used to amplify the electrical signal; The analog-to-digital converter is used to convert the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal; The DSP is used to perform digital signal processing on the digital signals respectively, so as to determine the power of the multiple wavelength optical signals according to the identifiers carried by the multiple wavelength optical signals respectively.
8. The WSS according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The dispersive device is a grating, a diffractive optical element, or a metasurface.
9. A reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM), characterized in that, include: A plurality of WSSs as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of WSSs transmit optical signals to each other.
10. An optical transmission system, characterized in that, include: Multiple optical communication devices, multiplexers, optical amplifiers, and the ROADM as described in claim 9; The multiplexer is used to combine optical signals from the plurality of optical communication devices to obtain a combined optical signal; The optical amplifier is used to amplify the combined optical signal and transmit the amplified combined optical signal to the ROADM.
11. A method for detecting optical signals, characterized in that, The method is applied to a wavelength selective switch (WSS), the WSS including at least one first port, at least one second port, a dispersion device, a beam deflection device, and a detection module; wherein, the detection module is a detection port, the detection port being used to connect to a detection device, or, the detection module is a detection device; the method includes: The dispersion device decomposes the combined optical signal from the at least one first port into multiple wavelength optical signals, wherein each wavelength of the multiple wavelength optical signals carries a marker, and the markers carried by different wavelengths are different. The deflection direction of the multiple wavelengths of light signals from the dispersion device is adjusted by the beam deflection device, wherein light signals of at least one wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the at least one second port through the dispersion device, and a portion of the light signals of each wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module through the dispersion device. The detection device determines the power of multiple wavelength optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each of the multiple wavelength optical signals from the beam deflection device.
12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The optical signal of each wavelength includes multiple sub-wavelength optical signals, wherein multiple sub-wavelength optical signals from a portion of the optical signal of each wavelength from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module through the dispersion device at multiple time periods.
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The multiple wavelength optical signals include a first wavelength optical signal and a second wavelength optical signal. The first wavelength optical signal includes a first sub-wavelength optical signal and a second sub-wavelength optical signal. The second wavelength optical signal includes a third sub-wavelength optical signal and a fourth sub-wavelength optical signal. The first sub-wavelength optical signal and the second sub-wavelength optical signal carry a first identifier. The third sub-wavelength optical signal and the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal carry a second identifier. A portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device during the first time period. A portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal and a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device are transmitted to the detection module via the dispersion device during the second time period.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The detection device determines the power of multiple wavelength optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each wavelength of optical signal from the beam deflection device, including: The detection device determines the power of the first sub-wavelength optical signal in the first time period based on the first identifier carried by a portion of the first sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device, and determines the power of the third sub-wavelength optical signal in the first time period based on the second identifier carried by a portion of the third sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device. The detection device determines the power of the second sub-wavelength optical signal in the second time period based on the first identifier carried by a portion of the second sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device, and determines the power of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal in the second time period based on the second identifier carried by a portion of the fourth sub-wavelength optical signal from the beam deflection device.
15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The beam deflection device is a silicon-based liquid crystal LCOS or a micromirror array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, Each of the multiple wavelength optical signals is loaded with a pilot signal, and the pilot signals loaded with different wavelengths are different.
17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The detection device includes a photodetector (PD), an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a digital signal processor (DSP). The detection device determines the power of multiple wavelength optical signals based on the identifiers carried by each wavelength of optical signal from the beam deflection device, including: The PD performs power detection on optical signals of multiple wavelengths from the beam deflection device to output electrical signals. The electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier. The amplified electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter. The DSP performs digital signal processing on the digital signals to determine the power of the multiple wavelength optical signals based on the identifiers carried by the multiple wavelength optical signals.
18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, The dispersive device is a grating, a diffractive optical element, or a metasurface.