Submarine branching unit

Abstract

To provide a submarine branching unit that interconnects the trunks of two different systems, allowing them to communicate with each other.SOLUTION: A submarine branching unit includes two first system side trunk line pairs L1, L2 arranged in parallel to each other between a first trunk and a second trunk, two second system side trunk line pairs L3, L4 arranged in parallel to each other between a third trunk and a fourth trunk, and an optical switch group 10 that switches the connection state between the first system side trunk line pair and the second system side trunk line pair according to control from a control device 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a submarine branching unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a submarine branching device that switches between an optical communication path between trunk stations and an optical communication path between a trunk station and a branch station within a single system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 194842 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to interconnect the trunks of two different systems and enable communication between them.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure has an object to provide a submarine branching unit that can interconnect trunks of two different systems and enable communication between them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A submarine branching device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises two first system side trunk line pairs arranged in parallel to each other between a first trunk and a second trunk, two second system side trunk line pairs arranged in parallel to each other between a third trunk and a fourth trunk, and a group of optical switches that switch the connection state between the first system side trunk line pair and the second system side trunk line pair in accordance with control from a control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a submarine branching unit that can interconnect trunks of two different systems and enable communication between them. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a submarine branching unit 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a submarine branching unit 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing route 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing route 2. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing route 3. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing route 4. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing route 5. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing route 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer 1000 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0010] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a submarine branching unit 1. As shown in FIG.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the submarine branching unit 1 according to the first embodiment includes two first system-side trunk line pairs L1 and L2 arranged in parallel between the first trunk and the second trunk, two second system-side trunk line pairs L3 and L4 arranged in parallel between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and an optical switch group 10 that switches the connection state between the first system-side trunk line pair L1 and L2 and the second system-side trunk line pair L3 and L4 under the control of a control device 20 installed in each trunk. The first trunk to the fourth trunk are also referred to as trunk stations or terminal stations.

[0012] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by controlling the optical switch group in accordance with control from the control device 20, it is possible to interconnect the trunks of two different systems (between the trunk line pair L1, L2 on the first system side and the trunk line pair L3, L4 on the second system side) and enable communication between them.

[0013] (Second embodiment) Next, a submarine branching unit according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2 onwards. The second embodiment is a more specific version of the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the submarine branching unit 1. As shown in FIG.

[0015] A submarine branching unit 1 according to the second embodiment is applicable to a submarine cable system. As shown in Fig. 2, the submarine branching unit 1 includes two first system side trunk line pairs L1, L2 arranged in parallel with each other between a first trunk A and a second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A, two second system side trunk line pairs L3, L4 arranged in parallel with each other between a third trunk B and a fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B, and an optical switch group 10 that switches the connection state between the first system side trunk line pair L1, L2 and the second system side trunk line pair L3, L4.

[0016] The two first system side trunk line pairs L1 and L2 and the two second system side trunk line pairs L3 and L4 have the same configuration as each other.

[0017] First, the configuration of one of the first system-side trunk line pair L1 will be described.

[0018] One first system side trunk line pair L1 includes a first system side upstream trunk line L1U and a first system side downstream trunk line L1D.

[0019] The first system side upstream trunk line L1U includes a first trunk side upstream trunk line L1Ua, a first intermediate upstream trunk line L1Ub, a second trunk side upstream trunk line L1Uc, a first optical switch SW3 that switches the connection between the first trunk side upstream trunk line L1Ua and the first intermediate upstream trunk line L1Ub or the optical switch group 10, and a second optical switch SW1 that switches the connection between the second trunk side upstream trunk line L1Uc and the first intermediate upstream trunk line L1Ub or the optical switch group 10.

[0020] On the other hand, the first system side down trunk line L1D includes a first trunk side down trunk line L1Da, a first intermediate down trunk line L1Db, a second trunk side down trunk line L1Dc, a third optical switch SW4 that switches the connection between the first trunk side down trunk line L1Da and the first intermediate down trunk line L1Db or the optical switch group 10, and a fourth optical switch SW2 that switches the connection between the second trunk side down trunk line L1Dc and the first intermediate down trunk line L1Db or the optical switch group 10.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the other trunk line pair L2 on the first system side will be described.

[0022] The other first system side trunk line pair L2 includes a first system side upstream trunk line L2U and a first system side downstream trunk line L2D.

[0023] The first system side upstream trunk line L2U includes a first trunk side upstream trunk line L2Ua, a first intermediate upstream trunk line L2Ub, a second trunk side upstream trunk line L2Uc, a first optical switch SW7 that switches the connection between the first trunk side upstream trunk line L2Ua and the first intermediate upstream trunk line L2Ub or the optical switch group 10, and a second optical switch SW5 that switches the connection between the second trunk side upstream trunk line L2Uc and the first intermediate upstream trunk line L2Ub or the optical switch group 10.

[0024] On the other hand, the first system side down trunk line L2D includes a first trunk side down trunk line L2Da, a first intermediate down trunk line L2Db, a second trunk side down trunk line L2Dc, a third optical switch SW8 that switches the connection between the first trunk side down trunk line L2Da and the first intermediate down trunk line L2Db or the optical switch group 10, and a fourth optical switch SW6 that switches the connection between the second trunk side down trunk line L2Dc and the first intermediate down trunk line L2Db or the optical switch group 10.

[0025] Next, the configuration of one of the trunk line pairs L3 on the second system side will be described.

[0026] One of the second system side trunk line pairs L3 includes a second system side upstream trunk line L3U and a second system side downstream trunk line L3D.

[0027] The second system side upstream trunk line L3U includes a third trunk side upstream trunk line L3Ua, a second intermediate upstream trunk line L3Ub, a fourth trunk side upstream trunk line L3Uc, a fifth optical switch SW106 that switches the connection between the third trunk side upstream trunk line L3Ua and the second intermediate upstream trunk line L3Ub or the optical switch group 10, and a sixth optical switch SW108 that switches the connection between the fourth trunk side upstream trunk line L3Uc and the second intermediate upstream trunk line L3Ub or the optical switch group 10.

[0028] On the other hand, the second system side down trunk line L3D includes a third trunk side down trunk line L3Da, a second intermediate down trunk line L3Db, a fourth trunk side down trunk line L3Dc, a seventh optical switch SW105 that switches the connection between the third trunk side down trunk line L3Da and the second intermediate down trunk line L3Db or the optical switch group 10, and an eighth optical switch SW107 that switches the connection between the fourth trunk side down trunk line L3Dc and the second intermediate down trunk line L3Db or the optical switch group 10.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the other trunk line pair L4 on the second system side will be described.

[0030] The other second system side trunk line pair L4 includes a second system side upstream trunk line L4U and a second system side downstream trunk line L4D.

[0031] The second system side upstream trunk line L4U includes a third trunk side upstream trunk line L4Ua, a second intermediate upstream trunk line L4Ub, a fourth trunk side upstream trunk line L4Uc, a fifth optical switch SW102 that switches the connection between the third trunk side upstream trunk line L4Ua and the second intermediate upstream trunk line L4Ub or the optical switch group 10, and a sixth optical switch SW104 that switches the connection between the fourth trunk side upstream trunk line L4Uc and the second intermediate upstream trunk line L4Ub or the optical switch group 10.

[0032] On the other hand, the second system side down trunk line L4D includes a third trunk side down trunk line L4Da, a second intermediate down trunk line L4Db, a fourth trunk side down trunk line L4Dc, a seventh optical switch SW101 that switches the connection between the third trunk side down trunk line L4Da and the second intermediate down trunk line L4Db or the optical switch group 10, and an eighth optical switch SW103 that switches the connection between the fourth trunk side down trunk line L4Dc and the second intermediate down trunk line L4Db or the optical switch group 10.

[0033] Next, the first to eighth optical switches will be described.

[0034] The first to eighth optical switches are each a 1×2 optical switch. Specifically, the first optical switches (SW3, SW7), fourth optical switches (SW2, SW6), fifth optical switches (SW106, SW102), and eighth optical switches (SW107, SW103) are each an optical switch with two inputs (input ports) and one output (output port), and are switched to connect either of the two inputs to the one output under control of a control device (not shown). The first optical switches (SW3, SW7), fourth optical switches (SW2, SW6), fifth optical switches (SW106, SW102), and eighth optical switches (SW107, SW103) may be publicly known optical switches with two inputs (input ports) and one output (output port).

[0035] On the other hand, the second optical switches (SW1, SW5), the third optical switches (SW4, SW8), the sixth optical switches (SW108, SW104), and the seventh optical switches (SW105, SW101) are each an optical switch with one input (input port) and two outputs (output ports), and are switched to either one input or two outputs under control of the control device. The second optical switches (SW1, SW5), the third optical switches (SW4, SW8), the sixth optical switches (SW108, SW104), and the seventh optical switches (SW105, SW101) may be publicly known optical switches with one input (input port) and two outputs (output ports).

[0036] Next, the optical switch group 10 will be described.

[0037] The optical switch group 10 includes a first optical switch group 11, a second optical switch group 12, and a third optical switch group 13 arranged in parallel with each other.

[0038] The first optical switch group 11 is made up of optical switches SW9 to SW12. The second optical switch group 12 is made up of optical switches SW109 to SW112. The third optical switch group 13 is made up of optical switches SW201, SW202, SW301, and SW302.

[0039] The optical switches SW9 to SW12 constituting the first optical switch group 11 and the optical switches SW109 to SW112 constituting the second optical switch group 12 are each a 1×2 optical switch.

[0040] Specifically, the optical switches SW10, SW12, SW110, and SW112 are each an optical switch with two inputs (input ports) and one output (output port), and are switched to connect either of the two inputs to one output under control of a control device. As the optical switches SW10, SW12, SW110, and SW112, known optical switches with two inputs (input ports) and one output (output port) may be used.

[0041] On the other hand, the optical switches SW9, SW11, SW109, and SW111 are each an optical switch with one input (input port) and two outputs (output ports), and are switched between connection with either one input or two outputs according to control from the control device. As the optical switches SW9, SW11, SW109, and SW111, known optical switches with one input (input port) and two outputs (output ports) may be used.

[0042] The optical switches SW201, SW202, SW301, and SW302 that make up the third optical switch group 13 are each a 2×2 optical switch.

[0043] Specifically, the optical switches SW201, SW202, SW301, and SW302 constituting the third optical switch group 13 are each a two-input (input port) two-output (output port) optical switch, and are switched to connect either of the two inputs to either of the two outputs according to control from the control device. The optical switches SW201, SW202, SW301, and SW302 constituting the third optical switch group 13 may be publicly known two-input (input port) two-output (output port) optical switches.

[0044] The first to eighth optical switches and the optical switches that make up the optical switch group 10 are connected as shown in FIG.

[0045] For example, the first trunk-side upward trunk line L1Ua is connected to the output of the first optical switch SW3. Meanwhile, one output of the second optical switch SW1 is connected to one input of the first optical switch SW3. Furthermore, one output of the optical switch SW9 is connected to the other input of the first optical switch SW3. The same is true for the other first to fourth optical switches.

[0046] Meanwhile, the other input of the first optical switch SW3 is connected to one output of the optical switch SW9 that constitutes the first optical switch group 11. Meanwhile, the other output of the optical switch SW9 is connected to one input of the fourth optical switch SW6. The same is true for the other optical switches SW10 to SW12 that constitute the first optical switch group 11.

[0047] Furthermore, the output of optical switch SW12 is connected to the input of optical switch SW109, which constitutes second optical switch group 12. Meanwhile, one input of optical switch SW201 is connected to one output of optical switch SW109. Furthermore, one input of optical switch SW302 is connected to the other output of optical switch SW109. The same is true for the other optical switches SW110 to SW112, which constitute second optical switch group 12.

[0048] Furthermore, one input of the optical switch SW201 constituting the third optical switch group 13 is connected to one output of the optical switch SW109. Meanwhile, one output of the optical switch SW111 is connected to the other input of the optical switch SW201. Furthermore, one input of the fifth optical switch SW106 is connected to one output of the optical switch SW201. Meanwhile, one input of the fifth optical switch SW102 is connected to the other output of the optical switch SW201. The same applies to the other optical switches SW202, SW301, and SW302 constituting the third optical switch group 13.

[0049] Furthermore, the third trunk-side upward trunk line L3Ua is connected to the output of the fifth optical switch SW106. Meanwhile, one output of the optical switch SW201 is connected to one input of the fifth optical switch SW106. Furthermore, one output of the sixth optical switch SW108 is connected to the other input of the fifth optical switch SW106. The same is true for the other fifth to eighth optical switches.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the first to fourth optical switches (SW1 to SW8) and the optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) configured as described above are provided in the first submarine branching unit BU1.

[0051] On the other hand, the fifth to eighth optical switches (SW101 to SW108) configured as described above are provided in the second submarine branching unit BU2. The first submarine branching unit BU1 and the second submarine branching unit BU2 each have a power supply switching function and are connected to each other by connection lines or connection cables as shown in Figure 2. The first to fourth optical switches (SW1 to SW8), the fifth to eighth optical switches (SW101 to SW108) and the optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) are connected to a control device (not shown) and are switched on and off independently of each other under the control of the control device.

[0052] According to the submarine branching device 1 (submarine cable system) configured as above, the optical switches are switched independently of each other under the control of the control device, thereby making it possible to configure routes 1 to 6 shown in Figures 3 to 8. Routes 1 to 6 are examples of uplink and downlink paths (uplink paths and downlink paths) of the present disclosure.

[0053] <Route 1> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing route 1.

[0054] Route 1 includes two up and down paths between the first trunk A and the second trunk (not shown) (up and down path P1 between A1 and A2 and up and down path P2 between A3 and A4 in Figure 3), and two up and down paths between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up and down path P3 between B1 and B2 and up and down path P4 between B3 and B4 in Figure 3).

[0055] Path 1 (upstream and downstream paths P1 to P4) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) on (off) as shown in FIG. 3 under the control of the control device.

[0056] <Route 2> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing route 2.

[0057] Route 2 includes one up-down path between the first trunk A and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P5 between A1 and B2 in Figure 4), one up-down path between the first trunk A and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P6 between A3 and A4 in Figure 4), one up-down path between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P7 between B3 and B4 in Figure 4), and one up-down path between the third trunk B and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P8 between B1 and A2 in Figure 4).

[0058] Path 2 (upstream and downstream paths P5 to P8) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) as shown in FIG. 4 under control of the control device.

[0059] <Route 3> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing route 3.

[0060] Route 3 includes one up-down path between the first trunk A and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P9 between A1 and B4 in Figure 5), one up-down path between the first trunk A and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P10 between A3 and A4 in Figure 5), one up-down path between the third trunk B and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P11 between B3 and A2 in Figure 5), and one up-down path between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P12 between B1 and B2 in Figure 5).

[0061] Path 3 (upstream and downstream paths P9 to P12) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) as shown in FIG. 5 under the control of the control device.

[0062] <Route 4> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing route 4.

[0063] Figure 6 includes one up-down path between the first trunk A and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P13 between A1 and A2 in Figure 6), one up-down path between the first trunk A and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P14 between A3 and B2 in Figure 6), one up-down path between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P15 between B3 and B4 in Figure 6), and one up-down path between the third trunk B and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P16 between B1 and A4 in Figure 6).

[0064] Path 4 (upstream and downstream paths P13 to P16) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) as shown in FIG. 6 under control of the control device.

[0065] <Route 5> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing route 5.

[0066] Route 5 includes one up-down path between the first trunk A and the third trunk B (up-down path P17 between A1 and B1 in Figure 7), one up-down path between the first trunk A and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P18 between A3 and A4 in Figure 7), one up-down path between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P19 between B3 and B4 in Figure 7), and one up-down path between the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B and the second trunk (not shown) opposite the first trunk A (up-down path P20 between B2 and A2 in Figure 7).

[0067] Path 5 (upstream and downstream paths P17 to P20) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) as shown in FIG. 7 under control of the control device.

[0068] <Route 6> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing route 6.

[0069] Route 6 includes one up-down path between the first trunk A and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P21 between A1 and B4 in Figure 8), one up-down path between the first trunk A and the third trunk B (up-down path P22 between A3 and B3 in Figure 8), and one up-down path between the third trunk B and the fourth trunk (not shown) opposite the third trunk B (up-down path P23 between B1 and B2 in Figure 8).

[0070] Path 6 (upstream and downstream paths P21 to P23) is configured by switching the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) as shown in FIG. 8 under control of the control device.

[0071] As described above, according to the second embodiment, by controlling the first to eighth optical switches (SW1 to SW8, SW101 to SW108) and the optical switch group 10 (SW9 to SW12, SW109 to SW112, SW201, SW202, SW301, SW302) in accordance with control from the control device 20, it is possible to interconnect the trunks of two different systems (between the trunk line pair L1, L2 on the first system side and the trunk line pair L3, L4 on the second system side) and enable communication between them.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, various routes (e.g., routes 1 to 6) can be configured between the trunks of two different systems (between the trunk line pair L1, L2 on the first system side and the trunk line pair L3, L4 on the second system side).

[0073] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to connect another system to the branch side, which is usually a station building.

[0074] In addition, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to flexibly interconnect the trunks of two different systems (between the trunk line pair L1, L2 on the first system side and the trunk line pair L3, L4 on the second system side), which has the advantage of leading to an increased communication range. <Hardware configuration> FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer 1000 according to this embodiment. Each device (first submarine branching device BU1, second submarine branching device BU2, control device) of the above-described submarine branching device 1 (submarine cable system) is realized by the computer 1000. As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a network interface 1003. The network interface 1003 may be used to communicate with a network node. The network interface 1003 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0075] The processor 1001 reads one or more programs, each containing a group of instructions for causing a computer to execute an algorithm (method) described using the drawings, from the memory 1002, and executes the read programs. The processor 1001 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 1001 may include multiple processors.

[0076] The memory 1002 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1002 stores programs. The memory 1002 may include storage located away from the processor 1001. In this case, the processor 1001 may access the memory 1002 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0077] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0078] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0079] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0080] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0082] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0083] (Appendix 1) two first system-side trunk line pairs arranged in parallel with each other between the first trunk and the second trunk; two pairs of second system side trunk lines arranged in parallel with each other between the third trunk and the fourth trunk; a group of optical switches that switch the connection state between the first system side trunk line pair and the second system side trunk line pair under control of a control device;

[0084] (Appendix 2) the first system side trunk line pair comprises a first system side upstream trunk line and a first system side downstream trunk line; the second system side trunk line pair comprises a second system side upstream trunk line and a second system side downstream trunk line; the first system side upstream trunk line comprises a first trunk side upstream trunk line, a first intermediate upstream trunk line, a second trunk side upstream trunk line, a first optical switch for switching a connection between the first trunk side upstream trunk line and the first intermediate upstream trunk line or the switch group, and a second optical switch for switching a connection between the second trunk side upstream trunk line and the first intermediate upstream trunk line or the switch group; the first system side downstream trunk line comprises a first trunk side downstream trunk line, a first intermediate downstream trunk line, a second trunk side downstream trunk line, a third optical switch for switching a connection between the first trunk side downstream trunk line and the first intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and a fourth optical switch for switching a connection between the second trunk side downstream trunk line and the first intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group; the second system side upstream trunk line comprises a third trunk side upstream trunk line, a second intermediate upstream trunk line, a fourth trunk side upstream trunk line, a fifth optical switch for switching a connection between the third trunk side upstream trunk line and the second intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and a sixth optical switch for switching a connection between the fourth trunk side upstream trunk line and the second intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group; the second system side downstream trunk line comprises a third trunk side downstream trunk line, a second intermediate downstream trunk line, a fourth trunk side downstream trunk line, a seventh optical switch for switching the connection between the third trunk side downstream trunk line and the second intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and an eighth optical switch for switching the connection between the fourth trunk side downstream trunk line and the second intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group; A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 1, in which an upstream trunk line and a downstream trunk line are formed between two of the first trunk, the second trunk, the third trunk, and the fourth trunk depending on the switching states of each of the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group.

[0085] (Appendix 3) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches are controlled so that two up and down paths are formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, and two up and down paths are formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

[0086] (Appendix 4) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, in which the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk.

[0087] (Appendix 5) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, in which the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk, and one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

[0088] (Appendix 6) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, in which the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk.

[0089] (Appendix 7) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, in which the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up and down path is formed between the fourth trunk and the second trunk.

[0090] (Appendix 8) A submarine branching device as described in Appendix 2, in which the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up and down path is formed between the first trunk and the third trunk, and one up and down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

[0091] (Appendix 9) the optical switch group includes a first optical switch group, a second optical switch group, and a third optical switch group arranged in parallel with each other; the first to fourth optical switches are connected to the first optical switch group; the first optical switch group is connected to the second optical switch group; the second optical switch group is connected to the third optical switch group; 3. The submarine branching unit according to claim 2, wherein the fifth to eighth optical switches are connected to the third optical switch group.

[0092] (Appendix 10) 10. The submarine branching unit according to claim 9, wherein the first to eighth optical switches, the first optical switch group, and the second optical switch group are each a 1×2 optical switch.

[0093] (Appendix 11) 11. The submarine branching device according to claim 10, wherein the third optical switch group is a 2x2 optical switch.

[0094] (Appendix 12) a first submarine branching unit provided with the first to fourth optical switches and the optical switch group; The submarine branching unit according to Supplementary note 2, further comprising: a second submarine branching unit in which the fifth to eighth optical switches are provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1...Submarine branching device 10...Optical switch group 11...First optical switch group 12...Second optical switch group 13...Third optical switch group 20...Control device 1000...computer 1001...Processor 1002...Memory 1003...Network interface A...1st trunk B…Third trunk BU1: First submarine branching unit BU2: Second submarine branching unit L1: One of the first system trunk line pairs L1U: Upstream trunk line on the first system side L1Ua: First trunk side up trunk line L1Ub: First intermediate up trunk line L1Uc: Second trunk side up trunk line L1D: Downstream trunk line on the 1st system side L2: The other trunk line pair on the first system side L2U: Upstream trunk line on the first system side L2Ua: First trunk side up trunk line L2Ub: First intermediate upstream trunk line L2Uc: Second trunk side up trunk line L2D: Downstream trunk line on the 1st system side L3: One pair of trunk lines on the second system side L3U: Second system side upstream trunk line L3Ua: Third trunk side up trunk line L3Ub: Second intermediate upstream trunk line L3Uc: 4th trunk side up trunk line L3D: Downstream trunk line on the second system side L4: The other trunk line pair on the second system side L4U: Second system side upstream trunk line L4Ua: Third trunk side up trunk line L4Ub: Second intermediate up trunk line L4Uc: 4th trunk side up trunk line L4D: Downstream trunk line on the 1st system side P1-P23...upper and lower passes SW3, SW7...First optical switch SW1, SW5...second optical switch, SW4, SW8...Third optical switch, SW2, SW6...Fourth optical switch SW106, SW102...5th optical switch, SW108, SW104...6th optical switch, SW105, SW101...7th optical switch SW107, SW103...8th optical switch

Claims

1. two first system-side trunk line pairs arranged in parallel with each other between the first trunk and the second trunk; two second system side trunk line pairs arranged in parallel with each other between the third trunk and the fourth trunk; a group of optical switches that switch the connection state between the first system side trunk line pair and the second system side trunk line pair under control of a control device;

2. the first system side trunk line pair comprises a first system side upstream trunk line and a first system side downstream trunk line; the second system side trunk line pair comprises a second system side upstream trunk line and a second system side downstream trunk line; the first system side upstream trunk line comprises a first trunk side upstream trunk line, a first intermediate upstream trunk line, a second trunk side upstream trunk line, a first optical switch for switching a connection between the first trunk side upstream trunk line and the first intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and a second optical switch for switching a connection between the second trunk side upstream trunk line and the first intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group; the first system side downstream trunk line comprises a first trunk side downstream trunk line, a first intermediate downstream trunk line, a second trunk side downstream trunk line, a third optical switch for switching a connection between the first trunk side downstream trunk line and the first intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and a fourth optical switch for switching a connection between the second trunk side downstream trunk line and the first intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, the second system side upstream trunk line comprises a third trunk side upstream trunk line, a second intermediate upstream trunk line, a fourth trunk side upstream trunk line, a fifth optical switch for switching a connection between the third trunk side upstream trunk line and the second intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and a sixth optical switch for switching a connection between the fourth trunk side upstream trunk line and the second intermediate upstream trunk line or the optical switch group; the second system side downstream trunk line comprises a third trunk side downstream trunk line, a second intermediate downstream trunk line, a fourth trunk side downstream trunk line, a seventh optical switch for switching a connection between the third trunk side downstream trunk line and the second intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, and an eighth optical switch for switching a connection between the fourth trunk side downstream trunk line and the second intermediate downstream trunk line or the optical switch group, A submarine branching device as described in claim 1, wherein an upstream trunk line and a downstream trunk line are formed between two of the first trunk, the second trunk, the third trunk, and the fourth trunk depending on the switching states of each of the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group.

3. The submarine branching device according to claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches are controlled so that two up and down paths are formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, and two up and down paths are formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

4. The submarine branching device of claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk.

5. The submarine branching device of claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk, and one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

6. The submarine branching device of claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the second trunk.

7. The submarine branching device of claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the second trunk, one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk, and one up-down path is formed between the fourth trunk and the second trunk.

8. The submarine branching device of claim 2, wherein the first to eighth optical switches and the optical switch group are controlled so that one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the fourth trunk, one up-down path is formed between the first trunk and the third trunk, and one up-down path is formed between the third trunk and the fourth trunk.

9. the optical switch group includes a first optical switch group, a second optical switch group, and a third optical switch group arranged in parallel with each other; the first to fourth optical switches are connected to the first optical switch group; the first optical switch group is connected to the second optical switch group; the second optical switch group is connected to the third optical switch group; 3. The submarine branching unit according to claim 2, wherein the fifth to eighth optical switches are connected to the third optical switch group.

10. 10. The submarine branching unit according to claim 9, wherein the first to eighth optical switches, the first optical switch group, and the second optical switch group are each a 1×2 optical switch.

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