Wavelength router, optical transport network and data center

Abstract

This application provides a wavelength router, an optical transmission network, and a data center, aiming to reduce the size of the wavelength router. In the wavelength router provided by this application, the grating structure is integrated on the second outer wall of the first optical prism, improving the integration density of the wavelength router. Simultaneously, the first outer wall forms a cylindrical reflector. A light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical reflector and the grating structure to a deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the grating structure and the cylindrical reflector again before being output to the fiber array. This folds the optical path of the light beam between the fiber array, the deflection unit, and the grating structure, reducing the size of the wavelength router.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of data backup technology, specifically to a wavelength router, an optical transmission network, and a data center. Background Technology

[0002] Wavelength routers with multiple input and output ports require a variety of spatial optical components, such as fiber arrays, collimating mirror arrays, cylindrical lenses, reflectors, transmission mirrors, and optical field modulators, making it difficult to reduce the size of the wavelength router. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a wavelength router, an optical transmission network, and a data center, with the aim of reducing the size of the wavelength router.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0005] On one hand, embodiments of this application provide a wavelength router, which includes a first optical prism, a grating structure, an optical fiber array, and a deflection unit. The first optical prism includes a first outer wall and a second outer wall. The first outer wall forms a cylindrical reflector. The grating structure is in contact with the second outer wall. The optical fiber array is used to project an input light beam into the first optical prism or to receive a light beam output from the first optical prism. The light beam input from the optical fiber array passes through the cylindrical reflector and the grating structure and is directed to the deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the grating structure and the cylindrical reflector and is output to the optical fiber array.

[0006] The wavelength router provided in this application integrates a grating structure on the second outer wall of the first optical prism, improving the integration density of the wavelength router. Simultaneously, the first outer wall forms a cylindrical reflector. The light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical reflector and the grating structure to the deflection unit. After deflection by the deflection unit, it passes through the grating structure and the cylindrical reflector again before being output to the fiber array. This folds the optical path of the light beam between the fiber array, the deflection unit, and the grating structure, reducing the size of the wavelength router. Furthermore, during optical switching by the wavelength router, the optical path of the light beam remains inside the first optical prism, reducing the possibility of the external environment affecting the beam propagation path and improving the applicability of the wavelength router.

[0007] In some embodiments, the grating structure includes a reflective grating and a transmission grating, both of which are in contact with the second outer wall; the wavelength router further includes a second optical prism and a reflector, the second optical prism being located on the side of the transmission grating away from the first optical prism, and the reflector being positioned opposite to the second optical prism and the transmission grating; the light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical reflector and the reflective grating and is directed to the deflection unit, deflected by the deflection unit, and then output to the fiber array through the transmission grating, the reflector, and the cylindrical reflector.

[0008] In other embodiments, the grating structure includes a reflective grating and a transmission grating, the reflective grating being in contact with the second outer wall and the transmission grating being located inside the first optical prism; the wavelength router also includes a reflector, which is also in contact with the second outer wall and is disposed opposite to the transmission grating; the light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical reflector and the reflective grating and is directed to the deflection unit, deflected by the deflection unit, and then output to the fiber array through the transmission grating and the cylindrical reflector.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first optical prism further includes a third outer wall disposed opposite to the second outer wall, and the deflection unit and the fiber array are in contact with the third outer wall to reduce the spacing between the fiber array and the first optical prism, as well as the spacing between the deflection unit and the first optical prism, thereby reducing the overall size of the wavelength router.

[0010] In some embodiments, multiple fiber optic arrays are provided, and these arrays are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to the arrangement of the fiber optic arrays and deflection units; multiple deflection units are also provided, and these units are arranged adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to the arrangement of the fiber optic arrays and deflection units. By providing multiple fiber optic arrays and multiple deflection units, the wavelength router can simultaneously perform wavelength selection and wavelength routing for multiple beams, thereby improving the optical switching capacity of the wavelength router.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fiber array includes multiple fiber units, each fiber unit including a circulator, a first fiber, a second fiber, and a third fiber. The circulator includes a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first fiber is connected to the first port, the second fiber to the second port, and the third fiber to the third port. A light beam enters the circulator from the first port via the first fiber and is incident on a first optical prism via the second fiber from the second port. The light beam returning to the fiber unit enters the circulator from the second port via the second fiber and is output from the third port via the third fiber. By configuring the circulator, each fiber unit can both input a light beam to the first optical prism and receive an output light beam emitted from the first optical prism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fiber optic array includes a first fiber optic array and a second fiber optic array, with a deflection unit, the first fiber optic array, and the second fiber optic array spaced apart. A light beam input from the first fiber optic array passes through a cylindrical mirror and a grating structure to the deflection unit, is deflected by the deflection unit, and then passes through the grating structure and a cylindrical mirror before being output to the second fiber optic array. By separately configuring a first fiber optic array for inputting a light beam to a first optical prism and a second fiber optic array for receiving the output light beam emitted from the first optical prism, the fiber optic array can both input and output light beams.

[0013] In some embodiments, the deflection unit includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCD) or a microelectromechanical system (MEMS).

[0014] In the above embodiments, the deflection unit has a first deflection reflection angle and a second deflection reflection angle, the first deflection reflection angle being opposite to the second deflection reflection angle.

[0015] After the light beam passes through the grating structure for the first time, it is dispersed into multiple beams of different wavelengths, which are then reflected at different angles and directed to different positions on the deflection unit. The deflection unit adjusts the beams of different wavelengths accordingly. For one particular beam, the deflection unit deflects it by a first deflection angle. The beam is then reflected back to the grating structure for beam combining. The combined beam is then reflected a second time through the grating structure, which again disperses it into multiple beams of different wavelengths. These beams are then reflected sequentially by cylindrical mirrors formed by the first outer wall to the deflection unit. For one particular beam, the deflection unit deflects it by a second reflection angle, ensuring that the deflected beam is directed parallel to the fiber array, thus reducing insertion loss during optical switching.

[0016] In other embodiments, the deflection unit includes a fixed reflection array, which includes a plurality of reflection units arranged in an array, each reflection unit having a fixed reflection angle.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the fixed reflective array includes a reflective layer, a polarizing layer, a first electrode layer and a first liquid crystal layer arranged in sequence, with multiple reflective units disposed in the reflective layer, and liquid crystal molecules disposed in the first liquid crystal layer.

[0018] By applying different voltages to the first electrode layer, the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer is changed (so that the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer are deflected), so as to fine-tune the deflection angle of the beam directed towards the fixed reflection array, improve the coupling degree between the deflected beam and the fiber array, and reduce the insertion loss of the beam in the wavelength routing process.

[0019] Since liquid crystal molecules only deflect light beams with a certain polarization direction, when a light beam with orthogonal polarization directions (the light beam has a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction that are perpendicular to each other) is directed toward the fixed reflective array layer, the first liquid crystal layer only deflects the light beam with the first polarization direction. The light beam with the second polarization direction can be converted to the first polarization direction after passing through the polarization layer. During the process of reflection by the reflective layer, the first liquid crystal layer can also deflect the light beam that has been converted to the first polarization direction. This improves the utilization rate of the light beam in the fixed reflective array and reduces the insertion loss of the light beam in the fixed reflective array.

[0020] In some embodiments, the fixed reflective array further includes a second electrode layer and a second liquid crystal layer, the second electrode layer being located between the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer, and the second liquid crystal layer also containing liquid crystal molecules; the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules located in the first liquid crystal layer is different from the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules located in the second liquid crystal layer. Thus, the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer can achieve deflection of the light beam in two directions.

[0021] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide an optical transmission network, which includes the aforementioned wavelength router and optical add-drop multiplexer, with the wavelength router connected to the optical add-drop multiplexer.

[0022] In another aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a data center, which includes multiple racks, a scheduler, and the aforementioned wavelength router. The racks are used to fix communication equipment, and the wavelength router is connected to the communication equipment fixed in the multiple racks through the scheduler.

[0023] In another aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a data center, which includes a central processing unit, memory, and the aforementioned wavelength router, wherein the central processing unit is connected to the memory through the wavelength router.

[0024] It is understood that the beneficial effects of the optical transmission network and data center provided by the above embodiments of this application can be referred to the beneficial effects of the wavelength router mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this application, the accompanying drawings used in some embodiments of this application will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only drawings of some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings. In addition, the drawings described below can be regarded as schematic diagrams and are not intended to limit the actual size of the product, the actual flow of the method, the actual timing of the signals, etc. involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the optical transmission network connection in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a data center connection in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection of another data center in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 ;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical fiber unit in the embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 ;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the wavelength router structure in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 ;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the first and second deflection angles of the deflection unit;

[0037] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed mirror array in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0038] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed mirror array in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0039] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the fixed mirror array in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 .

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer; 2. Wavelength router; 3. Data center; 4. First optical prism; 5. First outer wall; 6. Second outer wall; 7. Third outer wall; 8. Fiber array; 9. Grating structure; 10. Deflection unit; 11. Reflection grating; 12. Transmission grating; 13. Second optical prism; 14. Mirror; 15. Fiber unit; 16. Circulator; 17. First fiber; 18. Second fiber; 19. Third fiber; 20. First fiber array; 21. Second fiber array; 22. Fixed mirror array; 23. Reflection unit; 24. First electrode layer; 25. First liquid crystal layer; 26. Polarizing layer; 27. Second electrode layer; 28. Second liquid crystal layer. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, directional terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "horizontal," and "vertical" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0044] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium.

[0045] It should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or an integral connection; they can also refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 This application provides an optical transport network, which may include a reconfigurable optical add / drop multiplexer (ROADM) and a wavelength router 2 with multiple input ports and multiple output ports. The ROADM has a network node interface (NNI) and a user network interface. The NNI is connected to each network node device to realize interconnection between multiple network node devices. The user network interface is used to connect to various user devices, such as routers, switches, etc. In this embodiment, the wavelength router 2 is connected to the user network interface, and the wavelength router 2 has a wavelength selection function, which can simultaneously input and / or output multiple optical signals with specific wavelengths.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 This application embodiment also provides a data center 3, which may include a central processing unit (CPU) and memory, as well as a wavelength router 2 with multiple input ports and multiple output ports. The CPU is connected to the memory through the wavelength router 2. Both the CPU and the memory may include multiple CPUs. The wavelength router 2 also has the function of wavelength selection, realizing the communication connection between multiple CPUs and multiple memory in the form of optical signals.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 This application also provides another data center 3, which includes multiple racks, a scheduler, and wavelength routers 2. Each wavelength router 2 has multiple output ports. A rack, also known as a rack-mounted server, is used to fix connectors, enclosures, and communication equipment within a telecommunications cabinet. Each output port is connected to a communication device fixed in a rack via a scheduler. The scheduler sorts information before the wavelength router 2 sends it to the communication device, thus enabling scheduling of communication between the wavelength router 2 and the multiple communication devices fixed in the racks.

[0049] In the above embodiments, wavelength router 2 can perform wavelength selection and wavelength routing functions.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 In some embodiments, the wavelength router 2 includes a first optical prism 4, which can be positioned in an XYZ coordinate system. The first optical prism 4 may include a first outer wall 5, a second outer wall 6, and a third outer wall 7, all perpendicular to the XY plane. The second outer wall 6 is connected to both the first outer wall 5 and the third outer wall 7. Both the second outer wall 6 and the third outer wall 7 are transmissive to light beams. The first outer wall 5 forms a cylindrical reflector that reflects light beams into the first optical prism 4. The wavelength router 2 also includes a fiber optic array 8, which is positioned close to the first optical prism 4 and is used to input light beams into the first optical prism 4 or to receive light beams emitted from the first optical prism 4. The wavelength router 2 further includes a grating structure 9 and a deflection unit 10. The grating structure 9 is in contact with the second outer wall 6, and the deflection unit 10 and the fiber optic array 8 are both positioned on the third outer wall 7. In one embodiment where the first optical prism 4 includes a first outer wall 5 and a third outer wall 7, the first outer wall 5 and the third outer wall 7 are arranged opposite to each other. The fiber optic array 8 and the deflection unit 10 can be disposed on the side of the third outer wall 7 away from the first outer wall 5. For example, the fiber optic array 8 and the deflection unit 10 can be attached to the third outer wall 7 (i.e., the fiber optic array 8 and the deflection unit 10 are in contact with the third outer wall 7) to reduce the spacing between the fiber optic array 8 and the first optical prism 4, as well as the spacing between the deflection unit 10 and the first optical prism 4, thereby reducing the overall volume of the wavelength router 2. The fiber optic array 8 is located on the side of the deflection unit 10 away from the grating structure 9.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the path for the wavelength router 2 to realize optical signal input and output is as follows: the fiber array 8 inputs a light beam into the first optical prism 4, the light beam input from the fiber array 8 passes through the third outer wall 7 and enters the interior of the first optical prism 4, and is directed towards the cylindrical reflector formed by the first outer wall 5; after being reflected by the cylindrical reflector, it is directed towards the grating structure 9 that is attached to the second outer wall 6, and after passing through the grating structure 9, the light beam is dispersed into multiple light beams of different wavelengths. The multiple light beams of different wavelengths are directed towards different positions on the deflection unit 10 at different reflection angles. The deflection unit 10 performs different scheduling on the light beams of different wavelengths, deflects each light beam of different wavelengths distributed at different positions and reflects it to the grating structure 9 for beam combining, and the combined light beam is then reflected by the cylindrical reflector formed by the first outer wall 5 to the fiber array 8, thus completing the output of the light beam.

[0052] Reference Figure 5 In the above embodiments, the grating structure 9 may include a reflective grating 11 and a transmittance grating 12.

[0053] In some embodiments, both the reflective grating 11 and the transmission grating 12 are in contact with the second outer wall 6, and the reflective grating 11 and the transmission grating 12 may be arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other on the second outer wall 6. The wavelength router 2 also includes a second optical prism 13 and a reflector 14. The second optical prism 13 is located on the side of the transmission grating 12 away from the first optical prism 4, and the reflector 14 is in contact with the second optical prism 13 and is arranged opposite to the transmission grating 12.

[0054] In this embodiment, the path for the wavelength router 2 to realize optical signal input and output is as follows: the fiber array 8 inputs a light beam into the first optical prism 4, the light beam input from the fiber array 8 passes through the third outer wall 7 and enters the interior of the first optical prism 4, and is directed towards the cylindrical reflector formed by the first outer wall 5; after being reflected by the cylindrical reflector, it is directed towards the reflection grating 11 that is attached to the second outer wall 6, the light beam is dispersed into multiple light beams of different wavelengths after passing through the reflection grating 11, the multiple light beams of different wavelengths are directed towards the cylindrical reflector at different reflection angles, the cylindrical reflector reflects the light beams of multiple different wavelengths to different positions on the deflection unit 10, the deflection unit 10 performs different scheduling on the light beams of different wavelengths, deflects each light beam of wavelength distributed at different positions and directs it towards the cylindrical reflector, the cylindrical reflector reflects the deflected light beams of multiple different wavelengths to the transmission grating 12 for beam combining, the combined light beam enters the second optical prism 13, and after passing through the reflector 14 that is in contact with the second optical prism 13, the light beam returns along the original path to complete the output of the light beam.

[0055] Reference Figure 6 In other embodiments, the wavelength router 2 further includes a reflector 14. Both the reflective grating 11 and the reflector 14 are in contact with the second outer wall 6. The reflective grating 11 and the reflector 14 can be arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other on the second outer wall 6. The transmission grating 12 is formed inside the first optical prism 4 (for example, the transmission grating 12 is formed inside the first optical prism 4 by laser engraving). In this embodiment, the wavelength router 2 achieves the same path for optical signal input and output. Compared with the previous embodiment, this embodiment eliminates the second optical prism 13, reducing the complexity of the wavelength router 2 and facilitating its manufacturing and production.

[0056] In the wavelength router 2 provided in this application embodiment, the grating structure 9 is integrated on the second outer wall 6 of the first optical prism 4, which improves the integration of the wavelength router 2. At the same time, the first outer wall 5 forms a cylindrical reflector. The light beam input from the fiber array 8 passes through the cylindrical reflector and the grating structure 9 and is directed to the deflection unit 10. After being deflected by the deflection unit 10, it passes through the grating structure 9 and the cylindrical reflector and is output to the fiber array 8. This folds the optical path of the light beam between the fiber array 8, the deflection unit 10, and the grating structure 9, reducing the volume of the wavelength router 2. Furthermore, during the optical switching process of the wavelength router 2, the optical path of the light beam is always located inside the first optical prism 4, reducing the possibility that the external environment of the wavelength router 2 will affect the propagation path of the light beam and improving the applicability of the wavelength router 2.

[0057] Reference Figure 7 In some embodiments, multiple fiber optic arrays 8 and multiple deflection units 10 can be provided. In the Z direction, multiple fiber optic arrays 8 are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other, and multiple deflection units 10 are arranged adjacent to each other. Providing multiple fiber optic arrays 8 and multiple deflection units 10 allows the wavelength router 2 to simultaneously perform wavelength selection and wavelength routing for multiple beams, increasing the optical switching capacity of the wavelength router 2. Furthermore, multiple fiber optic arrays 8 can complete optical switching through the same first optical prism 4, further improving the integration of the wavelength router 2 and reducing the cost of implementing optical switching.

[0058] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 8 In some embodiments, the fiber optic array 8 may include multiple fiber optic units 15, each of which can be used to input a light beam to the first optical prism 4 and to receive an output light beam emitted from the first optical prism 4. For example, the fiber optic array 8 includes multiple fiber optic units 15, each of which includes a circulator 16, a first fiber 17, a second fiber 18, and a third fiber 19. The circulator 16 includes a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first fiber 17 is connected to the first port, the second fiber 18 is connected to the second port, and the third fiber 19 is connected to the third port. The light beam enters the circulator 16 from the first port via the first fiber 17 and is emitted into the first optical prism 4 from the second port via the second fiber 18. The light beam returning to the fiber optic unit 15 enters the circulator 16 from the second port via the second fiber 18 and is output from the third port via the third fiber 19. By configuring the circulator 16, each fiber optic unit 15 can both input a light beam to the first optical prism 4 and receive an output light beam emitted from the first optical prism 4, thereby enabling the fiber optic array 8 to both input and output light beams.

[0059] Reference Figure 9In other embodiments, the fiber optic array 8 may include a first fiber optic array 20 and a second fiber optic array 21, wherein the first fiber optic array 20 may include multiple optical fibers, and the second fiber optic array 21 may also include multiple optical fibers. The multiple optical fibers in the first fiber optic array 20 are all used to input a light beam to the first optical prism 4, and the multiple optical fibers in the second fiber optic array 21 are all used to receive the output light beam emitted from the first optical prism 4. In embodiments where the wavelength router 2 includes a deflection unit 10, the deflection unit 10, the first fiber optic array 20, and the second fiber optic array 21 are spaced apart along the Y direction. By respectively configuring the first fiber optic array 20 for inputting a light beam to the first optical prism 4 and the second fiber optic array 21 for receiving the output light beam emitted from the first optical prism 4, the fiber optic array 8 can both input and output light beams.

[0060] In the embodiment where the wavelength router 2 is used to implement wavelength selection, the deflection unit 10 includes liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), etc. LCoS is an optical field manipulation element with rich degrees of freedom, capable of dynamic deflection control of different wavelengths and achieving deflection control at different angles for different wavelengths. MEMS consists of multiple arrayed mirrors, each of which can rotate to achieve dynamically adjustable two-dimensional deflection of the incident light beam.

[0061] Reference Figure 10 In the above embodiments, multiple first fiber arrays 20 and multiple second fiber arrays 21 can be provided, and multiple deflection units 10 can also be provided; wherein, in the Z direction, multiple first fiber arrays 20 are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other, multiple second fiber arrays 21 are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other, and multiple deflection units 10 are arranged adjacent to each other; setting multiple first fiber arrays 20, multiple second fiber arrays 21, and multiple deflection units 10 can also enable the wavelength router 2 to perform wavelength selection and wavelength routing of multiple beams simultaneously, thereby improving the optical switching capacity of the wavelength router 2.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 11In the above embodiment, the deflection unit 10 has a first deflection reflection angle A and a second deflection reflection angle B, which are opposite to each other. After the light beam passes through the grating structure 9 for the first time, multiple light beams of different wavelengths are dispersed and directed at different positions on the deflection unit 10 at different reflection angles. The deflection unit 10 performs different scheduling on the light beams of different wavelengths. For one of the light beams, the deflection unit 10 deflects the light beam at the first deflection reflection angle A. Then, after the light beam is deflected, it is reflected back to the grating structure 9 for beam combining. The combined light beam is reflected back to the grating structure 9 for the second time. The grating structure 9 disperses the combined light beam into multiple light beams of different wavelengths again. The light beams of different wavelengths are then reflected sequentially by the cylindrical reflector formed by the first outer wall 5 to the deflection unit 10. For one of the light beams, the deflection unit 10 deflects the light beam at the second deflection reflection angle B, so that the deflected light beam can be directed parallel to the fiber array 8, reducing the insertion loss of the light beam during the optical switching process.

[0063] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 12 In an embodiment where the wavelength router 2 is used to implement wavelength routing function, the deflection unit 10 includes a fixed reflection array 22, which includes multiple arrayed reflection units 23, each reflection unit 23 having a fixed reflection angle; the reflection angle of each reflection unit 23 can be adjusted according to the requirements of wavelength routing.

[0064] In this embodiment, the fixed reflective array 22 includes a reflective layer, and multiple reflective units 23 are disposed on the reflective layer to enable the fixed reflective array 22 to realize the routing function of the wavelength router 2. In some embodiments, the fixed reflective array 22 may also include a first electrode layer 24 and a first liquid crystal layer 25. The first liquid crystal layer 25 contains liquid crystal molecules. By applying different voltages to the first electrode layer 24, the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 25 can be changed (that is, the liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal layer 25 are deflected), so as to finely adjust the deflection angle of the beam directed towards the fixed reflective array 22, improve the coupling degree between the deflected beam and the fiber array 8, and reduce the insertion loss of the beam in the wavelength routing process.

[0065] In the above embodiments, the fixed reflective array 22 further includes a polarization layer 26. Since liquid crystal molecules only deflect light beams with a certain polarization direction, when a light beam with orthogonal polarization directions (the light beam has a first polarization direction and a second polarization direction that are perpendicular to each other) is directed toward the fixed reflective array 22 layer, the first liquid crystal layer 25 only deflects the light beam with the first polarization direction. The light beam with the second polarization direction can be converted to the first polarization direction after passing through the polarization layer 26. During the process after reflection by the reflective layer, the first liquid crystal layer 25 can also deflect the light beam that has been converted to the first polarization direction. This improves the utilization rate of the light beam in the fixed reflective array 22 and reduces the insertion loss of the light beam in the fixed reflective array 22.

[0066] Reference Figure 13 , Figure 14 In other embodiments, the fixed reflective array 22 includes a second electrode layer 27 and a second liquid crystal layer 28. The second electrode layer 27 is located between the first liquid crystal layer 25 and the second liquid crystal layer 28. Liquid crystal molecules are also disposed within the second liquid crystal layer 28. The long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules located in the first liquid crystal layer 25 is different from that of the liquid crystal molecules located in the second liquid crystal layer 28. In embodiments where both the first liquid crystal layer 25 and the second liquid crystal layer 28 extend perpendicularly to the X direction, the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules located in the first liquid crystal layer 25 is different from that of the liquid crystal molecules located in the second liquid crystal layer 28. Therefore, the first liquid crystal layer 25 can deflect the light beam incident on the fixed reflective array 22 in the Y direction, and the second liquid crystal layer 28 can deflect the light beam incident on the fixed reflective array 22 in the Z direction (the first liquid crystal layer 25 and the second liquid crystal layer 28 can achieve deflection of the light beam in both directions).

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit them; although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A wavelength router, characterized in that, include: A first optical prism, the first optical prism includes a first outer wall and a second outer wall, the first outer wall forming a cylindrical reflector; A grating structure, wherein the grating structure is in contact with the second outer wall; The fiber array and deflection unit are used to direct an input beam into the first optical prism or to receive a beam output from the first optical prism. The light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical mirror and the grating structure and is directed towards the deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the grating structure and the cylindrical mirror and is output to the fiber array.

2. The wavelength router according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grating structure includes a reflective grating and a transmittance grating, both of which are in contact with the second outer wall; The wavelength router further includes a second optical prism and the reflector. The second optical prism is located on the side of the transmission grating away from the first optical prism, and the reflector is arranged opposite to the second optical prism and the transmission grating. The light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical mirror and the reflection grating and is directed towards the deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the transmission grating, the mirror, and the cylindrical mirror before being output to the fiber array.

3. The wavelength router according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grating structure includes a reflective grating and a transmission grating. The reflective grating is in contact with the second outer wall, and the transmission grating is located inside the first optical prism. The wavelength router also includes a reflector, which is also in contact with the second outer wall and is positioned opposite to the transmission grating. The light beam input from the fiber array passes through the cylindrical mirror and the reflection grating and is directed towards the deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the transmission grating and the cylindrical mirror and is output to the fiber array.

4. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first optical prism also includes a third outer wall disposed opposite to the second outer wall, and the deflection unit and the fiber array are in contact with the third outer wall.

5. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The fiber optic array is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple fiber optic arrays are arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction perpendicular to the fiber optic array and the deflection unit; the deflection unit is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple deflection units are arranged adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction perpendicular to the fiber optic array and the deflection unit.

6. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The fiber array includes multiple fiber units, each fiber unit including a circulator, a first fiber, a second fiber, and a third fiber. The circulator includes a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first fiber is connected to the first port, the second fiber is connected to the second port, and the third fiber is connected to the third port. The light beam enters the circulator from the first port via the first optical fiber and enters the first optical prism from the second port via the second optical fiber; The beam returning to the fiber unit enters the circulator from the second port via the second fiber and exits from the third port via the third fiber.

7. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The fiber array includes a first fiber array and a second fiber array, and the deflection unit, the first fiber array and the second fiber array are spaced apart. The light beam input from the first fiber array passes through the cylindrical mirror and the grating structure and is directed towards the deflection unit. After being deflected by the deflection unit, it passes through the grating structure and the cylindrical mirror and is output to the second fiber array.

8. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The deflection unit includes a silicon-based liquid crystal and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS).

9. The wavelength router according to claim 8, characterized in that, The deflection unit has a first deflection reflection angle and a second deflection reflection angle, wherein the first deflection reflection angle is opposite to the second deflection reflection angle.

10. The wavelength router according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The deflection unit includes a fixed reflection array, which comprises multiple reflection units arranged in an array, each reflection unit having a fixed reflection angle.

11. The wavelength router according to claim 10, characterized in that, The fixed reflective array includes a reflective layer, a polarizing layer, a first electrode layer, and a first liquid crystal layer arranged in sequence. Multiple reflective units are disposed in the reflective layer, and liquid crystal molecules are disposed in the first liquid crystal layer.

12. The wavelength router according to claim 11, characterized in that, The fixed reflective array further includes a second electrode layer and a second liquid crystal layer. The second electrode layer is located between the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal molecules are also disposed in the second liquid crystal layer. The long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules located in the first liquid crystal layer is different from that of the liquid crystal molecules located in the second liquid crystal layer.

13. An optical transmission network, characterized in that, The optical transmission network includes a wavelength router and an optical add-drop multiplexer as described in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the wavelength router is connected to the optical add-drop multiplexer.

14. A data center, characterized in that, The data center includes multiple racks, a scheduler, and a wavelength router as described in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the racks are used to fix communication equipment, and the wavelength router is connected to the multiple communication equipment fixed in the racks through the scheduler.

15. A data center, characterized in that, The data center includes a central processing unit, memory, and a wavelength router as described in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the central processing unit is connected to the memory via the wavelength router.

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