Optical cross-connect device and optical communication system

Abstract

The application provides an optical cross device and an optical communication system, and belongs to the technical field of optical communication. A first deflection module is arranged in the optical cross device, and the first deflection module can process optical signals from different input ports by using different deflection angles, so that the switching angle range is the same when a first switching module switches the optical signals input by different input ports. A second deflection module is arranged in the optical cross device, and the second deflection module can process optical signals to different output ports by using different deflection angles, so that the switching angle range is the same when a second switching module switches the optical signals output by different output ports. In this way, the switching angle range of the optical switching module can be reduced without increasing the optical size, so that more port optical cross devices can be realized under the same switching angle range, or smaller optical size can be realized under the same port scale.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an optical cross-connect device and an optical communication system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of high-performance computing and the rise of artificial intelligence, the requirements for network transmission are becoming increasingly stringent. Traditional electrical switching networks face numerous challenges in terms of bandwidth, power consumption, and latency. Therefore, optical switching technology is considered to directly address these issues. Optical switching typically employs optical cross-connect devices. An optical cross-connect device includes an input port array, an input optical switching module, an output optical switching module, and an output port array. The input port array outputs optical signals to the input optical switching module. The input optical switching module switches the optical signals to the corresponding switching unit of the output optical switching module at the target output port. This target output port belongs to the output port array. The switching unit then outputs the optical signal to the target output port, thus achieving optical cross-connection between the input port array and the output port array.

[0003] In an optical cross-connect device, the optical switching module performs angle switching processing on the optical signal to achieve optical cross-connection. The larger the switching angle range of the optical switching module, the more complex the structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an optical cross-connect device and an optical communication system. While reducing the switching angle range of the optical switching module, it does not increase the optical size, thus enabling an optical cross-connect device with more ports within the same switching angle range. The technical solution adopted is as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides an optical cross-connect device, which includes an input port array, a first optical switching component, a second optical switching component, and an output port array. The first optical switching component is located on the output optical path of the input port array and on the input optical path of the second optical switching component, and the output port array is located on the output optical path of the second optical switching component. The first optical switching component includes a first switching module and a first deflection module, and the second optical switching component includes a second switching module and a second deflection module. The input port array is used to input optical signals. The first switching module is used to perform angle switching processing on the received optical signals. The first deflection module is used to deflect optical signals from different input ports in the input port array using different fixed deflection angles, so that different input ports in the first switching module correspond to the same switching angle range. The second switching module is used to perform angle switching processing on the received optical signals. The second deflection module is used to deflect optical signals destined for different output ports in the output port array using different fixed deflection angles, so that different output ports in the second switching module correspond to the same switching angle range. The output port array is used to output optical signals.

[0006] In the solution presented in this application, a first deflection module is provided in the optical cross-connect device. This first deflection module processes optical signals from different input ports using different fixed deflection angles, ensuring that the switching angle range remains the same when the first switching module switches between optical signals input from different input ports, thus reducing the switching angle range. Furthermore, a second deflection module is provided in the optical cross-connect device. This second deflection module processes optical signals destined for different output ports using different fixed deflection angles, ensuring that the switching angle range remains the same when the second switching module switches between optical signals output from different output ports, again reducing the switching angle range. This simplifies the structure of the switching module and allows for a reduction in the switching angle range without increasing the optical size. Therefore, an optical cross-connect device with more ports can be implemented within the same switching angle range, or a smaller optical size can be achieved with the same number of ports.

[0007] In one alternative approach, the first deflection module is a lens or a first prism array, which includes prism units in which the wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different input ports are different. This results in a simple structure and a smaller footprint for the first deflection module.

[0008] In one alternative embodiment, the second deflection module is a lens or a second prism array, which includes prism units in which the wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different output ports are different. This results in a simple structure and smaller footprint for the second deflection module.

[0009] In one alternative approach, when the number of input ports in the input port array is the same as the number of output ports in the output port array, the focal length of the lens is m*L, where m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module or the second deflection module in the optical crossover device, and L is the distance between the first and second switching modules. Thus, by setting the focal length of the lens, the first and second deflection modules can provide a suitable fixed deflection angle for the optical signal.

[0010] In one optional approach, the number of input ports in the input port array is multiple. In the first deflection module, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the input port array is (M-2i+1)*Δ1 / m, where i ranges from 1 to M, M is the number of input ports in the input port array, Δ1 = P1 / 2L, P1 is the distance between adjacent output ports in the output port array, L is the distance between the first switching module and the second switching module, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module. Thus, by setting a fixed deflection angle for the input ports, the fixed deflection angle means that the introduced deflection angle will not change, making the switching angle range of each switching unit in the first switching module the same. This allows for a reduction in optical path volume or a smaller optical size with the same port size, all within the same switching angle range.

[0011] In one optional approach, the number of output ports in the output port array is multiple. In the second deflection module, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th output port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the output port array is -(N-2i+1)*Δ2 / m, where i ranges from 1 to N, N is the number of output ports in the output port array, Δ2 = P2 / 2L, P2 is the distance between adjacent input ports in the input port array, L is the distance between the first and second switching modules, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the second deflection module. Thus, by setting a fixed deflection angle for the output ports, the fixed deflection angle means that the introduced deflection angle will not change, making the switching angle range of each switching unit in the second switching module the same. This allows for a reduction in optical path volume or a smaller optical size with the same port size, all within the same switching angle range.

[0012] In one alternative configuration, the first switching module is located on either the input or output optical path of the first deflection module; the second switching module is located on either the input or output optical path of the second deflection module. This allows for multiple configuration options for the first and second deflection modules, thereby reducing design complexity.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the optical crossover device further includes a reflection module. A first optical switching component is located on the input optical path of the reflection module, and a second optical switching component is located on the reflected output optical path of the reflection module. The reflection module can reflect the optical signal from the first optical switching component to the second optical switching component. In this way, by folding the optical crossover optical path through the reflection module, the size of the optical crossover device can be reduced.

[0014] In one alternative approach, the first switching module is a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS), a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) array, or a liquid crystal (LC) device, and the second switching module is a liquid crystal on silicon, a MEMS array, or a liquid crystal device.

[0015] Secondly, this application provides an optical communication system, which includes a plurality of optical cross-connect devices as described in the first aspect or any of the alternative embodiments of the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a network diagram of a data center;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a type of optical cross-connection device;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a network diagram of a data center provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another data center network provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 5 This is another network topology diagram of a data center provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a third structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a fourth structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the fifth structure of the optical cross-connect device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth structure of the optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the seventh structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 13 This is an eighth structural schematic diagram of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the ninth structure of an optical cross-connection device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an LC device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0031] Illustration

[0032] 1. Input port array; 2. First switching module; 3. First deflection module; 4. Second switching module; 5. Second deflection module; 6. Output port array; 7. Reflection module. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] With the rapid development of high-performance computing and the rise of artificial intelligence, the requirements for network transmission are becoming increasingly stringent. Traditional electrical switching networks face numerous challenges in terms of bandwidth, power consumption, and latency. Therefore, optical switching technology is being considered to directly address these issues. For example, in data centers, the demand for intelligent computing power is constantly increasing. Therefore, switches are needed to connect multiple computing servers to form a network, enabling the continuous expansion of intelligent computing clusters, which provide the computing power. In data center network architectures, the spine-leaf architecture is a typical example. The switches in the leaf layer connect to the servers, and each switch in the spine layer connects to all switches in the leaf layer. These switches are all electrical switches. The leaf layer switches aggregate traffic from the servers and connect directly to the spine layer. The switches in the spine layer are responsible for scheduling. (See [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 .

[0035] When introducing more advanced intelligent computing power, it is necessary to replace the existing switches with higher-speed switches. Furthermore, since data transmission between electrical switches is via optical signals, a large number of optical modules are required for photoelectric conversion. Therefore, as the scale of intelligent clusters expands, challenges arise in terms of power consumption and latency. Thus, it is worth considering directly using optical switching technology to address the bandwidth, power consumption, and latency issues of electrical switching networks.

[0036] In optical switching technology, an optical cross-connect unit is a device that implements optical switching; it is also called an optical switching equipment or optical switching device. In one optional configuration, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 The optical cross-connect device includes N input ports and N output ports. That is, the input port array includes N input ports, and the output port array also includes N output ports. An optical signal input from the input port array is incident on an input optical switching component. The input optical switching component, by switching its angle, outputs the optical signal to the position corresponding to the target output port in the output optical switching component. The output optical switching component, by switching its angle, outputs the optical signal to the target output port in the output port array, and the target output port outputs the optical signal.

[0037] exist Figure 2In the input port array, the ports are arranged sequentially from top to bottom, with the topmost input port being the first input port and the bottommost input port being the last input port. Similarly, in the output port array, the ports are arranged sequentially from top to bottom, with the topmost output port being the first output port and the bottommost output port being the last output port. Assuming the optical signal switches from the first input port to the first output port at a switching angle of 0°, and from the first input port to the last output port at a switching angle of -θ°, in this embodiment, clockwise angles are negative and counterclockwise angles are positive. Therefore, for the first input port, the switching angle range of the input optical switching component is required to be -θ° to 0°. Conversely, assuming the optical signal switches from the last input port to the first output port at a switching angle of θ°, and from the last input port to the last output port at a switching angle of 0°, the switching angle range of the input optical switching component is required to be 0° to θ°. To ensure a consistent switching angle range across all positions in the input optical switching component, due to the asymmetry of the switching angles, the required switching angle range is -θ° to θ°, which is 2(N-1)*α. This is twice the required angle range corresponding to the number of output ports minus one, where α is the step size for switching the angle of one port. For the input optical switching component, a larger switching angle increases the technical difficulty, structural complexity, and cost.

[0038] Based on this, this application provides an optical crossover device, which introduces a fixed deflection angle through a first deflection module and a second deflection module, so that while reducing the switching angle range of the optical switching components, the optical size is not increased. Thus, under the same switching angle conditions, a larger number of optical crossover optical paths with a larger number of ports can be achieved, or a smaller optical path volume can be achieved with the same number of ports.

[0039] The application scenarios of the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0040] Application Scenario 1: Optical cross-connect devices are used in data centers to replace electrical switches in the data center network, achieving benefits in bandwidth, power consumption, latency, and reliability. For example, see... Figure 3 Replace the electrical switches in the spine layer with optical cross-connectors, which are then connected to the individual electrical switches in the leaf layer. Alternatively, see [link to other documentation]. Figure 4In data center networks, optical cross-connectors (OCCs) are used to enable flexible and variable cross-connections between electrical switches in the spine and leaf layers, achieving a reconfigurable topology. This means the OCC connects to each electrical switch in the spine layer and also to each electrical switch in the leaf layer. In the event of a switch or communication link failure, protection switching can be achieved by changing the connection relationships, thereby improving system reliability. For example, if a switch in the spine layer fails, optical signals destined for that switch can be redirected to other switches. Alternatively, see [link to other documentation]. Figure 5 In data center networks, optical cross-connect devices are connected to computing units via optical fibers. The computing units are graphics processing units (GPUs) or neural network processing units (NPUs), etc. The computing units are connected to optical modules or are co-packaged optics (CPO) type computing units.

[0041] In a second application scenario, optical cross-connect devices are also used in networks that require optical signal switching. For example, they can be used in metropolitan area networks, backbone networks, or trunk networks.

[0042] The structure of the optical crossover device in the embodiments of this application will be described next.

[0043] The optical cross-connect device includes an input port array 1, a first optical switching component, a second optical switching component, and an output port array 6. The first optical switching component is located on the output optical path of the input port array 1, the second optical switching component is located on the output optical path of the first optical switching component, and the output port array 6 is located on the output optical path of the second optical switching component. Thus, after the optical signal enters from the input port array 1, it sequentially passes through the first optical switching component, the second optical switching component, and the output port array 6 before being output.

[0044] Input port array 1 includes M input ports, and output port array 6 includes N output ports. The M input ports are arranged in a one-dimensional configuration, and the N output ports are arranged in a one-dimensional configuration, or the M input ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration, and the N output ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration. M and N may be equal or unequal. In input port array 1, the spacing between adjacent input ports is the same, and in output port array 6, the spacing between adjacent output ports is the same. Optionally, both input port array 1 and output port array 6 can be individual fiber optic array units or fiber optic collimator arrays. When using fiber optic array units, a collimator is also provided between input port array 1 and the first optical switching component to collimate the optical signal input from input port array 1, and a collimator is also provided between output port array 6 and the second optical switching component to collimate the optical signal output from the second optical switching component. When using a fiber optic collimator array, the fiber optic collimator array performs input, output, and collimation processing on the optical signal.

[0045] The first optical switching component includes a first switching module 2 and a first deflection module 3. The first switching module 2 is located on the input optical path or the output optical path of the first deflection module 3. The first switching module 2 includes M first switching units, each corresponding to one of the M input ports. That is, the optical signal input to each input port is incident on a first switching unit, and the first switching units incident on different input ports are different. Each first switching unit is used to output the received optical signal to the second switching module 4. The first deflection module 3 is used to deflect the optical signals input from different input ports using different fixed deflection angles. The deflection angle of the optical signal at each input port is fixed. It can also be understood that the first deflection module 3 is used to introduce different fixed deflection angles for the optical signals input from different input ports. Here, "fixed" can be understood as the deflection angle not changing. Specifically, when the M input ports are arranged in a one-dimensional manner, the M first switching units in the first switching module 2 are arranged in a one-dimensional manner; when the M input ports are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, the M first switching units in the first switching module 2 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner.

[0046] The second optical switching component includes a second switching module 4 and a second deflection module 5. The second switching module 4 is located on the input optical path or the output optical path of the second deflection module 5. The second switching module 4 includes N second switching units, each corresponding one-to-one with one of the N output ports. That is, the optical signal output from each output port first passes through a second switching unit, and the second switching units passed through by the optical signals from different output ports are different. Each second switching unit is used to output the received optical signal. The second deflection module 5 is used to deflect the optical signals output from different output ports using different fixed deflection angles. The deflection angle of the optical signal output from each output port is fixed; it can also be understood that the second deflection module 5 introduces different fixed deflection angles to the optical signals output from different output ports. Specifically, when the N output ports are arranged in a one-dimensional configuration, the N second switching units in the second switching module 4 are arranged in a one-dimensional configuration; when the N output ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration, the N second switching units in the second switching module 4 are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration.

[0047] It should be noted that, since the first switching module 2 is used to switch the angle of the optical signal input to the input port, the first switching module 2 is also called the input switching engine. Since the second switching module 4 is used to switch the angle of the optical signal output to the output port, the second switching module 4 is also called the output switching engine.

[0048] In one alternative embodiment, the optical crossing optical path in the optical crossing device is a transmission optical path, that is, when the optical signal passes through the first switching module 2, it is transmitted by the first switching module 2 to the second switching module 4, and the second switching module 4 transmits and outputs the optical signal. Figures 6 to 9 Schematic diagrams of the first to fourth structures of the optical cross-connect device are provided. Figures 6 to 9 The difference lies in the positional relationship between the first switching module 2 and the first deflection module 3, and / or, the positional relationship between the second switching module 4 and the second deflection module 5. For example, see... Figure 6 The first deflection module 3 is located on the output optical path of the input port array 1, the first switching module 2 is located on the output optical path of the first deflection module 3, the second switching module 4 is located on the output optical path of the first switching module 2, the second deflection module 5 is located on the output optical path of the second switching module 4, and the output port array 6 is located on the output optical path of the second deflection module 5. (See also...) Figure 7 The first switching module 2 is located on the output optical path of the input port array 1, the first deflection module 3 is located on the output optical path of the first switching module 2, the second deflection module 5 is located on the output optical path of the first deflection module 3, the second switching module 4 is located on the output optical path of the second deflection module 5, and the output port array 6 is located on the output optical path of the second switching module 4. Figures 6 to 9In the first switching module 2, each small square is a first switching unit, and each small square of the second switching module 4 is a second switching unit.

[0049] exist Figure 6 In this circuit, the optical signal input from the input port array 1 is first deflected at a fixed angle by the first deflection module 3, and then incident on the first switching module 2. The first switching module 2 controls the output angle of the optical signal by controlling the switching angle of the first switching unit, thereby directing the optical signal onto the second switching unit corresponding to the target output port in the second switching module 4. By controlling the switching angle of the second switching unit, the optical signal is coupled to the target output port after being deflected at a fixed angle by the second deflection module 5, and the optical signal is output from the target output port. The first deflection module 3 introduces different fixed deflection angles for optical signals from different input ports, and the second deflection module 5 introduces different fixed deflection angles for optical signals destined for different output ports.

[0050] Figures 7 to 9 In China, the transmission principle of optical signals and Figure 6 Similarly, this will not be elaborated upon here.

[0051] In another alternative approach, the optical crossing optical path in the optical crossing device is a reflective optical path, that is, when the optical signal passes through the first switching module 2, it is reflected by the first switching module 2 to the second switching module 4, and the second switching module 4 reflects and outputs the optical signal. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a fifth structure for an optical cross-connector is provided. See also... Figure 10 The optical crossover device also includes a reflection module 7, which can be a reflector, either a planar reflector or a concave reflector. The first deflection module 3 is located on the optical path between the input port array 1 and the first switching module 2. The first optical switching component is located on the input optical path of the reflection module 7. The second optical switching component is located on the reflected output optical path of the reflection module 7. The output port array 6 is located on the reflected output optical path of the second optical switching component.

[0052] exist Figure 10In the process, the optical signal input from the input port array 1 is first deflected at a fixed first angle by the first deflection module 3, and then incident on the first switching module 2. The first switching module 2 controls the output angle of the optical signal by controlling the switching angle of the first switching unit, outputting the optical signal to the first deflection module 3. After the first deflection module 3 introduces a fixed first deflection angle to the optical signal, it is incident on the reflection module 7. The reflection module 7 reflects the optical signal and outputs it to the second deflection module 5. The second deflection module 5 introduces a fixed second deflection angle to the optical signal, and then incident on the second switching unit corresponding to the target output port in the second switching module 4. By controlling the switching angle of the second switching unit, the optical signal is coupled to the target output port after being introduced at a fixed second deflection angle by the second deflection module 5. The optical signal is then output from the target output port. Figure 10 In the process, the optical signal passes through the first deflection module 3 twice and the second deflection module 5 twice. The first deflection module 3 is for optical signals from different input ports, introducing different fixed deflection angles. The second deflection module 5 is for optical signals sent to different output ports, introducing different fixed deflection angles.

[0053] use Figure 10 The optical crossover device shown has a reflection module 7 between the first optical switching component and the second optical switching component, which is equivalent to folding the optical path once, thus reducing the optical path volume of the optical crossover device.

[0054] Optionally, in Figures 6 to 10 In any of the optical cross-connect devices shown, when the M input ports are arranged in one dimension and the N output ports are arranged in one dimension, the structures of the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are as follows:

[0055] The first deflection module 3 is a lens or a first prism array. The lens is a convex lens. The first prism array includes multiple prism units. Different prism units correspond to different input ports. The wedge angles of different prism units are different, so that different fixed deflection angles are introduced for the light signals input to different input ports.

[0056] The second deflection module 5 is a lens or a second prism array. The lens is a convex lens, and the second prism array includes multiple prism units. Different prism units correspond to different output ports, and the wedge angles of different prism units are different, so as to introduce different fixed deflection angles for the light signals output from different output ports.

[0057] Thus, the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are both lenses, or the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are both prism arrays, or the first deflection module 3 is a lens and the second deflection module 5 is a second prism array, or the first deflection module 3 is a first prism array and the second deflection module 5 is a lens. Figure 11 A sixth structural schematic diagram of the optical cross-connector is provided. Figure 11 In the middle, both the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are lenses. Figure 12 A seventh structural schematic diagram of the optical crossover device is provided. Figure 12 In the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5, both are prism arrays.

[0058] Optionally, when M equals N, the focal length of the lens is m*L, where m is the number of times the light signal passes through each lens in the optical crossing device, and L is the distance between the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4. For example, in Figures 6 to 9 In the optical crossover device shown, m equals 1. Figure 10 In the optical crossover device shown, m equals 2.

[0059] Optionally, in any optical cross-connect device, when the M input ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration and the N output ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration, the structures of the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are as follows:

[0060] The first deflection module 3 is a spherical lens or a first prism array. The first prism array includes multiple prism units, each corresponding to a different input port. The wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different input ports are different, so as to introduce different fixed deflection angles for the light signals input to different input ports. Each prism unit includes two prism units. The light signal passes through these two prism units in the first deflection module 3. In the two prism units, one prism unit is used to introduce a fixed deflection angle in the horizontal direction, and the other prism unit is used to introduce a fixed deflection angle in the vertical direction.

[0061] The second deflection module 5 is a spherical lens or a second prism array. The second prism array includes multiple prism units, each corresponding to a different output port. The wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different output ports are different, so as to introduce different fixed deflection angles to the optical signals output from different output ports. Each prism unit includes two prism units. The optical signal passes through these two prism units in the second deflection module 5. In the two prism units, one prism unit is used to introduce a fixed deflection angle in the horizontal direction, and the other prism unit is used to introduce a fixed deflection angle in the vertical direction.

[0062] In a two-dimensional optical cross-connector with ports, the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 may be of the same or different types.

[0063] It should be noted that when the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are of the same type, only one type of deflection module needs to be made when manufacturing the optical crossover device, instead of two types, which simplifies the structure of the optical crossover device.

[0064] Optionally, in Figures 6 to 10 In any of the optical cross-connect devices shown, as described above, the first switching module 2 includes M first switching units, and the second switching module 4 includes N second switching units. The M first switching units have the same switching angle range, and the N second switching units have the same switching angle range.

[0065] The following explanation uses an example of a one-dimensional arrangement of M ports and a one-dimensional arrangement of N ports.

[0066] When M is less than or equal to N, in the first deflection module 3, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port arranged from top to bottom in the input port array 1 is (M-2i+1)*Δ1 / m, where i takes values ​​from 1 to M, M is the number of input ports in the input port array 1, Δ1=P1 / 2L, P1 is the distance between adjacent output ports in the output port array 6, L is the distance between the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module 3.

[0067] When M is less than or equal to N, in the second deflection module 5, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th output port arranged from top to bottom in the output port array 6 is -(N-2i+1)*Δ2 / m, where i takes values ​​from 1 to N, N is the number of output ports in the output port array 6, Δ2=P2 / 2L, P2 is the distance between adjacent input ports in the input port array 1, L is the distance between the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the second deflection module 3.

[0068] The case where M is greater than N is the same as the case where M is less than or equal to N, and will not be repeated here.

[0069] First, consider the case where P1 equals P2, and use P to represent both. After introducing the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5, when M equals N, the switching angle range of the first switching unit is the same as that of the second switching unit. When M does not equal N, the angle range of the first switching unit is different from that of the second switching unit.

[0070] 1. Case 1: M equals N.

[0071] Assuming the distance between the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4 is L, and M equals N, then the height of both the input port array 1 and the output port array 6 is P*(N-1). Figures 6 to 9Before the addition of the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5, the optical signal input from the first input port of the input port array 1 is to be output to the last output port in the output port array 6. The switching angle of this optical signal by the switching unit in the first switching module 2 is -θ°, tanθ°=(N-1)*P / L. Since θ is very small, θ° can be approximately equal to (N-1)*P / L. The optical signal input from the last input port of the input port array 1 is to be output to the first output port of the output port array 6. The switching angle of this optical signal by the switching unit in the first switching module 2 is θ°. Therefore, in order to ensure that the switching angle range of each switching unit is the same, the switching angle range is -θ° to θ°.

[0072] To ensure that the switching angle range of all first switching units in the first switching module 2 is the same, for the i-th input port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the input port array 1, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port in the first deflection module 3 is (N-2i+1)*Δ / m, where Δ is P / 2L, i takes values ​​from 1 to N, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module 3. This effectively changes the switching angle range of all first switching units to -θ° / 2 to θ° / 2.

[0073] For example, in Figures 6 to 9 In the optical crossover device shown, M equals N. After the optical signal passes through the first deflection module 3 once, m equals 1. Then the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port is (N-2i+1)*Δ. That is to say, for the N input ports arranged from top to bottom, the fixed deflection angles introduced sequentially from the first input port to the Nth input port are (N-1)*Δ, (N-3)*Δ, (N-5)*Δ, ..., –(N-1)*Δ.

[0074] exist Figure 10 In the optical crossover device shown, M equals N, and the optical signal passes through the first deflection module 3 twice, m equals 2. Then the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port is (N-2i+1)*Δ / 2. That is to say, for the N input ports arranged from top to bottom, the fixed deflection angles introduced sequentially from the first input port to the Nth input port are (N-1)*Δ / 2, (N-3)*Δ / 2, (N-5)*Δ / 2, ..., –(N-1)*Δ / 2.

[0075] To ensure that the switching angle range of all second switching units in the second switching module 4 is the same, for the i-th input port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the input port array 1, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port in the second deflection module 5 is -(N-2i+1)*Δ / m, where Δ is P / 2L, i takes values ​​from 1 to N, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the second deflection module 5. This effectively changes the switching angle range of all second switching units to -θ° / 2 to θ° / 2.

[0076] For example, in Figures 6 to 9 In the optical crossover device shown, M equals N. After the optical signal passes through the second deflection module 5 once, m equals 1. Then the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th output port is -(N-2i+1)*Δ. That is to say, for the N output ports arranged from top to bottom, the fixed deflection angles introduced sequentially from the first output port to the Nth output port are -(N-1)*Δ, -(N-3)*Δ, -(N-5)*Δ, ..., (N-1)*Δ.

[0077] exist Figure 10 In the optical crossover device shown, M equals N, and the optical signal passes through the second deflection module 5 twice, where m equals 2. Then, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th output port is -(N-2i+1)*Δ / 2. That is to say, for the N output ports arranged from top to bottom, the fixed deflection angles introduced sequentially from the first output port to the Nth output port are -(N-1)*Δ / 2, -(N-3)*Δ / 2, -(N-5)*Δ / 2, ..., (N-1)*Δ / 2.

[0078] In this way, the switching angle range of the first switching unit and the second switching unit is the same, and both are reduced to half of their original range.

[0079] 2. Case 2: M is not equal to N.

[0080] After the introduction of the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5, although the switching angle range of the first switching unit is different from that of the second switching unit, the fixed deflection angle introduced by the first deflection module 3 is similar to the case where M equals N in the previous text, and the fixed deflection angle introduced by the second deflection module 5 is similar to the case where M equals N in the previous text, which will not be repeated here.

[0081] Figure 13 A structural schematic diagram of the eighth type of optical cross-connection device is also provided. Figure 13 In this case, M is not equal to N, and P1 and P2 are the same.

[0082] Next, consider the case where P1 and P2 are different.

[0083] Consider the case where M is not equal to N, and the heights of input port array 1 and output port array 6 are equal. The switching angle range of the first switching unit is the same as that of the second switching unit. The fixed deflection angle introduced by the first deflection module 3 is the same as that in the case where M equals N, and the fixed deflection angle introduced by the second deflection module 5 is the same as that in the case where M equals N, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] It should be noted that when the M input ports and N output ports are arranged in a two-dimensional configuration, the first deflection module 3 introduces the same fixed deflection angle for different input ports, and the second deflection module 5 introduces the same fixed deflection angle for different output ports. Compared to the one-dimensional arrangement of input and output ports, this is equivalent to introducing fixed deflection angles simultaneously in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The principle is the same as in the one-dimensional arrangement, and will not be elaborated here. For example, when M equals N and P1 and P2 are equal, the fixed deflection angles introduced by the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are the same, and the switching angle range of the first switching unit is the same as that of the second switching unit.

[0085] In one alternative approach, the first deflection module 3 and the first switching module 2 are placed close together, and the second deflection module 5 and the second switching module 4 are placed close together. The distance between them can be set according to actual simulation results or empirical values, and the specific distance is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the first deflection module 3 can be attached to the first switching module 2, and the second deflection module 5 can be attached to the second switching module 4.

[0086] In one alternative approach, the first switching module 2 can be an LCOS, MEMS array, or LC device, and the second switching module 4 can be an LCOS, MEMS array, or LC device. Figure 14 A ninth structural schematic diagram of the optical crossover device is provided. Figure 14 In this configuration, both the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4 are LC devices. Figure 14 This example uses an LC device as a transmissive switching module. See [link / reference]. Figure 15 The LC device comprises multiple liquid crystal waveplates and multiple birefringent devices. The polarization state of the incident light signal can be altered by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal waveplates. The birefringent devices introduce different fixed deflection angles for incident light signals with different polarization states. In the LC device, the liquid crystal waveplates and birefringent devices are arranged alternately in a cascaded structure. The number of cascaded liquid crystal waveplates and birefringent devices is set according to the number of ports. In the LC device, when the cascade number is K, the number of input ports and output ports are both 2. K In another implementation, LC devices can also serve as reflective switching modules.

[0087] It should be noted that when the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4 are of the same type, only one type of switching module needs to be manufactured when making the optical cross-connect device, instead of two types, which simplifies the structure of the optical cross-connect device.

[0088] In addition, the optical cross-connect device also includes a control module, which is electrically connected to the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4. The control module is used to control the switching angle of the optical signal by the first switching module 2 and the second switching module 4.

[0089] In an alternative embodiment, where the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5 are also made into an electric control module, the control module is also used to control the first deflection module 3 and the second deflection module 5.

[0090] In this embodiment, a first deflection module 3 is introduced at the input port to introduce different fixed deflection angles for different input ports, and a second deflection module 5 is introduced at the output port to introduce different fixed deflection angles for different output ports. Without changing the number of ports, the switching angle range is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize an optical cross-connect device with a larger number of ports under the same switching angle range, or to realize a smaller optical path volume under the same number of ports, thereby reducing the volume of the optical cross-connect device.

[0091] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings in this application are merely logical schematic diagrams of the optical path. In actual applications of optical cross-connect devices, the arrangement of components may differ from the drawings, but the logical schematic diagram of the optical path remains the same. Figure 1 Sample.

[0092] All of the above-mentioned optional technical solutions can be combined in any way to form the optional embodiments of this application, and will not be described in detail here.

[0093] This application also provides an optical communication system, which includes multiple optical cross-connect devices. The optical communication system can be applied to application scenario 1 and application scenario 2 mentioned above. When applied to application scenario 1, each of the multiple optical cross-connect devices serves as an optical switch in the spine layer.

[0094] In the embodiments of this application, the optical cross device can also be referred to as an optical crossconnection (OXC) device.

[0095] In this application, the terms "first" and "second," etc., are used to distinguish identical or similar items that have substantially the same function and purpose. It should be understood that there is no logical or temporal dependency between "first" and "second," nor does it limit the quantity or execution order. It should also be understood that although the following description uses the terms "first" and "second," etc., to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of various examples, a first deflection module can be referred to as a second deflection module, and similarly, a second deflection module can be referred to as a first deflection module. Both the first and second deflection modules can be deflection modules, and in some cases, they can be separate and distinct deflection modules.

[0096] The phrase "A and / or B" in the preceding text can be understood to include three cases: A, B, and A and B.

[0097] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and such modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An optical crossover device, characterized in that, It includes an input port array, a first optical switching component, a second optical switching component, and an output port array; the first optical switching component is located on the output optical path of the input port array and on the input optical path of the second optical switching component, and the output port array is located on the output optical path of the second optical switching component; the first optical switching component includes a first switching module and a first deflection module, and the second optical switching component includes a second switching module and a second deflection module; The input port array is used to input optical signals; The first switching module is used to perform angle switching processing on the received optical signal; The first deflection module is used to deflect optical signals from different input ports in the input port array using different fixed deflection angles, so that in the first switching module, different input ports correspond to the same switching angle range. The second switching module is used to perform angle switching processing on the received optical signal; The second deflection module is used to deflect optical signals destined for different output ports in the output port array using different fixed deflection angles, so that in the second switching module, different output ports correspond to the same switching angle range. The output port array is used to output optical signals.

2. The optical crossover device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first deflection module is a lens or a first prism array. The first prism array includes prism units, and the wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different input ports in the first prism array are different.

3. The optical crossover device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second deflection module is a lens or a second prism array, which includes prism units. In the second prism array, the wedge angles of the prism units corresponding to different output ports are different.

4. The optical crossover device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When the number of input ports in the input port array is the same as the number of output ports in the output port array, the focal length of the lens is m*L, where m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module or the second deflection module in the optical crossover device, and L is the distance between the first switching module and the second switching module.

5. The optical crossover device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the first deflection module, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th input port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the input port array is (M-2i+1)*Δ1 / m, where i ranges from 1 to M, M is the number of input ports in the input port array, Δ1 = P1 / 2L, P1 is the distance between adjacent output ports in the output port array, L is the distance between the first switching module and the second switching module, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the first deflection module.

6. The optical crossover device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, In the second deflection module, the fixed deflection angle corresponding to the i-th output port arranged sequentially from top to bottom in the output port array is -(N-2i+1)*Δ2 / m, where i takes values ​​from 1 to N, N is the number of output ports in the output port array, Δ2=P2 / 2L, P2 is the distance between adjacent input ports in the input port array, L is the distance between the first switching module and the second switching module, and m is the number of times the optical signal passes through the second deflection module.

7. The optical crossover device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first switching module is located on the input optical path or the output optical path of the first deflection module; The second switching module is located on the input optical path or the output optical path of the second deflection module.

8. The optical crossover device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The optical crossover device further includes a reflection module, wherein the first optical switching component is located on the input optical path of the reflection module, and the second optical switching component is located on the reflected output optical path of the reflection module; The reflection module is used to reflect the optical signal from the first optical switching component to the second optical switching component.

9. The optical crossover device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first switching module is a silicon-based liquid crystal, a microelectromechanical system array, or a liquid crystal device, and the second switching module is a silicon-based liquid crystal, a microelectromechanical system array, or a liquid crystal device.

10. An optical communication system, characterized in that, The optical communication system includes a plurality of optical cross-connect devices as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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