Submarine branching device and control method

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium with which it is possible to realize path switching in an optical cable using fewer optical switches. The submarine branching device (11) according to the present disclosure comprises first to third optical switches (SW1 to SW3) each of which has first to fourth terminals (P1 to P4), and a control unit (111) for controlling the connections of each of the first to third optical switches (SW1 to SW3) to vertical-direction connections or horizontal-direction connections on the basis of a prescribed connection state, the first terminal (P1) of the first optical switch (SW1) and the input of a first line (A1) in a first path being connected to one another, the second terminal (P2) of the first optical switch (SW1) and the first terminal (P1) of the third optical switch (SW3) being connected to one another, and the third terminal (P3) of the first optical switch (SW1) and the output of a first line (B1) in a second path being connected to one another.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and more particularly to a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are capable of achieving route switching of an optical cable using a smaller number of optical switches. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing need for a more flexible system configuration for the submarine branching unit (BU), and it has become necessary to realize a configuration that establishes routes for all possible combinations of two branches for the three branches (between AB, AC, and CB) of the submarine branching unit. However, when a 1x2 optical switch (SW) is used, the number of fiber pairs (FP) is limited due to the upper limit on the number of switches that can be installed in the housing of the submarine branching unit. Therefore, it became necessary to raise the upper limit on the number of optical switches that can be installed in the housing by using a 2x2 optical switch instead of a 1x2 optical switch and reducing the number of optical switches relative to the number of required fiber pairs. The branches are sometimes called routes.

[0003] Paragraph 0028 of Patent Document 1 states that "In the optical underwater branching device shown in FIG. 5, the main transmission line connecting station A and station B is composed of two fiber pairs. Reversible four-terminal optical circulators 1-1 to 1-4 are inserted and connected between the optical fibers 4-1, 4-2 and the optical fibers 4-1', 4-2' of the first fiber pair, and between the optical fibers 4-3, 4-4 and the optical fibers 4-3', 4-4' of the second fiber pair. Reversible four-terminal optical circulators 1-5 and 1-6 are connected to the two fiber pairs of the optical fibers 5-1, 5-2 of the third fiber pair and the optical fiber pairs 5-3, 5-4 of the fourth fiber pair, which constitute the branching line. The function of the reversible four-terminal optical circulators 1-1 to 1-6 of this embodiment can also be realized by a 2x2 optical switch." Patent Document 1 does not state that the connection of each optical switch is controlled to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on the combination of branches to be connected.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, paragraph 0018 describes a method for operating a 2x2 optical switch. Patent Document 2 does not describe controlling the connection of each optical switch to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on the combination of branches to be connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-150409 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-289488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, it would be desirable to reduce the number of optical switches relative to the number of fiber pairs required, for example by using 2x2 optical switches.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The submarine branching unit according to the present disclosure comprises: first to third optical switches each having a first terminal to a fourth terminal; a control unit that controls each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; Equipped with a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected; The fourth terminal of the third optical switch is connected to the input of the second line of the second path.

[0009] The submarine branching unit according to the present disclosure comprises: first to sixth optical switches each having a first terminal to a fourth terminal; a control unit that controls each of the first to sixth optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; Equipped with a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected; a first terminal of the fourth optical switch and an output of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the fourth optical switch and a first terminal of the sixth optical switch are connected; a third terminal of the fourth optical switch and an input of a first line of a second path are connected; a fourth terminal of the fourth optical switch and a third terminal of the fifth optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the fifth optical switch and a third terminal of the sixth optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the fifth optical switch and an input of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the fifth optical switch and an output of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the sixth optical switch and an input of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; The fourth terminal of the sixth optical switch is connected to the output of the second line of the second path.

[0010] The control method according to the present disclosure includes: a first optical switch having a first terminal, a second optical switch having a third terminal, a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected; A method for controlling a submarine branching unit, comprising the steps of: Controlling each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; Equipped with.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising: a first optical switch having a first terminal, a second optical switch having a third terminal, a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected; A method for controlling a submarine branching unit, comprising the steps of: Controlling each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; A program that causes a computer to execute the above is stored. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are capable of realizing route switching of an optical cable using a smaller number of optical switches. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a connection state of a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 3B] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 3C] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 3D] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 3E] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment; [Figure 4A] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching device according to a comparative example of an embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. [Figure 4D] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. [Figure 4E] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching device according to a comparative example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0015] [Embodiment Mode] <Minimum configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a submarine branching unit of a minimum configuration according to an embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a submarine branching unit 11 according to the embodiment includes a first optical switch SW1, a second optical switch SW2, a third optical switch SW3, and a control unit 111.

[0017] The first optical switch SW1, the second optical switch SW2, and the third optical switch SW3 each have a first terminal P1, a second terminal P2, a third terminal P3, and a fourth terminal P4.

[0018] The control unit 111 controls the respective connections of the first optical switch SW1, the second optical switch SW2, and the third optical switch SW3 to vertical or horizontal connections based on a predetermined connection state.

[0019] The first terminal P1 of the first optical switch SW1 is connected to the input of the first line A1 of the first path. The second terminal P2 of the first optical switch SW1 is connected to the first terminal P1 of the third optical switch SW3. The third terminal P3 of the first optical switch SW1 is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path. The fourth terminal P4 of the first optical switch SW1 is connected to the third terminal P3 of the second optical switch SW2.

[0020] The first terminal P1 of the second optical switch SW2 is connected to the third terminal P3 of the third optical switch SW3. The second terminal P2 of the second optical switch SW2 is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path. The fourth terminal P4 of the second optical switch SW2 is connected to the input of the first line C1 of the third path.

[0021] The second terminal P2 of the third optical switch SW3 is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, and the fourth terminal P4 of the third optical switch SW3 is connected to the input of the second line B2 of the second path.

[0022] The submarine branching device 11 according to the embodiment is a branching device that can freely rearrange the fiber pairs (FP: Fiber Pair) on the trunk side that are connected to the blank side of the optical submarine cable connecting the terminal devices by switching the built-in optical switch SW.

[0023] In this example, the first line A1 of the first path and the second line A2 of the first path constitute one transmission / reception, the first line B1 of the second path and the second line B2 of the second path constitute one transmission / reception, and the first line C1 of the third path and the second line C2 of the third path constitute one transmission / reception.

[0024] Each of the first optical switch SW1, the second optical switch SW2, and the third optical switch SW3 is, for example, a 2x2 optical switch. The optical switch may also be called an optical path switch or a switch.

[0025] Here, the vertical connection is one in which the first terminal P1 and the second terminal P2 of each of the first optical switch SW1 to the third optical switch SW3 are connected, the third terminal P3 and the fourth terminal P4 are connected, the first terminal P1 and the third terminal P3 are not connected, and the second terminal P2 and the fourth terminal P4 are not connected. The horizontal connection is one in which the first terminal P1 and the third terminal P3 of each of the first optical switch SW1 to the third optical switch SW3 are connected, the second terminal P2 and the fourth terminal P4 are connected, the first terminal P1 and the second terminal P2 are not connected, and the third terminal P3 and the fourth terminal P4 are not connected.

[0026] The first to fifth states and the control methods of the control unit 111 for realizing them are shown below. The Nth state is sometimes called State N (where N is an integer from 1 to 5).

[0027] In the first state (see SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3A), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, and the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path. When performing the first state, the control unit 111 controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1 to the third optical switch SW3 to be vertically connected.

[0028] In the second state (see SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 3B), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, and the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path. When the control unit 111 performs the second state, it controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1 to the third optical switch SW3 to the horizontal connection.

[0029] In the third state (see SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 3C), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, and the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path. When performing the third state, the control unit 111 controls the connection of the first optical switch SW1 to the horizontal connection, and controls the connections of the second optical switch SW2 and the third optical switch SW3 to the vertical connection.

[0030] In the fourth state (see SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 3D), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, and the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path. When performing the fourth state, the control unit 111 controls the connection of the first optical switch SW1 and the third optical switch SW3 to a vertical connection, and controls the connection of the second optical switch SW2 to a horizontal connection.

[0031] In the fifth state (see SW1 to SW3 in FIG. 3E), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, and the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path. When performing the fifth state, the control unit 111 controls the connection of the first optical switch SW1 and the second optical switch SW2 to a vertical connection, and controls the connection of the third optical switch SW3 to a horizontal connection.

[0032] <Configuration> The minimum configuration of the submarine branching device shown in Fig. 1, for example, supports only input and not output for the first line A1 of the first route. Therefore, Figs. 3A to 3E show a configuration in which the first line A1 of the first route is also supported for output. In the example shown in Figs. 3A to 3E, one FP is formed by the first line A1 of the first route and the second line A2 of the first route, one FP is formed by the first line B1 of the second route and the second line B2 of the second route, and one FP is formed by the first line C1 of the third route and the second line C2 of the third route.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a connection state of a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment. The connection state may also be referred to as a path configuration state. In addition, the first line A1 of the first path may be referred to as A1, the second line A2 of the first path may be referred to as A2, the first line B1 of the second path may be referred to as B1, the second line B2 of the second path may be referred to as B2, the first line C1 of the third path may be referred to as C1, and the second line C2 of the third path may be referred to as C2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the submarine branching unit 11 can be in a first state (State 1) to a fifth state (State 5) by using (driving) the optical switch SW. The first state is a state in which A1 and C2 are connected, A2 and B2 are connected, and B1 and C1 are connected. The second state is a state in which A1 and B1 are connected, A2 and C1 are connected, and B2 and C2 are connected. The third state is a state in which A1 and B1 are connected, and A2 and B2 are connected. The fourth state is a state in which A1 and C2 are connected, and A2 and C1 are connected. The fifth state is a state in which B1 and C1 are connected, and B2 and C2 are connected.

[0035] The first to fifth states will now be described in more detail. 3A to 3E are block diagrams illustrating a submarine branching unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 3A shows the first state (State 1). FIG. 3B shows the second state (State 2). FIG. 3C shows the third state (State 3). FIG. 3D shows the fourth state (State 4). FIG. 3E shows the fifth state (State 5). 3A to 3E show settings of a drive circuit for the optical switch SW according to the embodiment. For simplicity, control unit 111 is omitted in FIGS. 3A to 3E.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3A to Fig. 3E, the submarine branching device according to the embodiment is configured to include two of the minimum configurations shown in Fig. 1. This results in a configuration in which two FP optical fibers (a pair of A1 and A2, a pair of B1 and B2, and a pair of C1 and C2) are input and output from each of the branches A to C of the submarine branching device 11. The submarine branching device 11 has a configuration in which two FP optical fibers are input and output, and six optical switches SW are arranged. The optical switches SW are, for example, 2x2 optical switches SW. The submarine branching device 11 establishes all routes by controlling the switching of these six optical switches SW to vertical connections and / or horizontal connections. The branches may also be called routes.

[0037] As shown in the upper part of Figure 3B, the submarine branching device 11 is composed of a first optical switch SW1 that can directly connect between A1 and B1 by switching the optical switch SW, a second optical switch SW2 that can directly connect between A2 and C1 by switching the optical switch SW, and a third optical switch SW3 that can directly connect between B2 and C2 by switching the optical switch SW.

[0038] As shown in the lower part of Figure 3B, the submarine branching device 11 is further composed of a fourth optical switch SW4 that can directly connect between A1 and B1 by switching the optical switch SW, a fifth optical switch SW5 that can directly connect between A2 and C1 by switching the optical switch SW, and a sixth optical switch SW6 that can directly connect between B2 and C2 by switching the optical switch SW.

[0039] The configuration of the submarine branching unit 11 will be described in further detail below. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E, the submarine branching device 11 according to the embodiment includes a first optical switch SW1 to a sixth optical switch SW6 and a control unit 111.

[0040] The first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 each have a first terminal P1 to a fourth terminal P4.

[0041] The control unit 111 controls each of the connections from the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state.

[0042] The connections from the first optical switch SW1 to the third optical switch SW3 are the same as in the minimum configuration (see FIG. 1), and have already been explained, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The first terminal P1 of the fourth optical switch SW4 is connected to the output of the first line A1 of the first path. The second terminal P2 of the fourth optical switch SW4 is connected to the first terminal P1 of the sixth optical switch SW6. The third terminal P3 of the fourth optical switch SW4 is connected to the input of the first line B1 of the second path. The fourth terminal P4 of the fourth optical switch SW4 is connected to the third terminal P3 of the fifth optical switch SW5.

[0044] The first terminal P1 of the fifth optical switch SW5 is connected to the third terminal P3 of the sixth optical switch SW6. The second terminal P2 of the fifth optical switch SW5 is connected to the input of the second line A2 of the first path. The fourth terminal P4 of the fifth optical switch SW5 is connected to the output of the first line C1 of the third path.

[0045] The second terminal P2 of the sixth optical switch SW6 is connected to the input of the second line C2 of the third path, and the fourth terminal P4 of the sixth optical switch SW6 is connected to the output of the second line B2 of the second path.

[0046] Each of the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 is, for example, a 2x2 optical switch.

[0047] Here, the vertical connections are connections in which the first terminal P1 and the second terminal P2 of each of the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 are connected, the third terminal P3 and the fourth terminal P4 are connected, the first terminal P1 and the third terminal P3 are not connected, and the second terminal P2 and the fourth terminal P4 are not connected. The horizontal connections are connections in which the first terminal P1 and the third terminal P3 of each of the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 are connected, the second terminal P2 and the fourth terminal P4 are connected, the first terminal P1 and the second terminal P2 are not connected, and the third terminal P3 and the fourth terminal P4 are not connected.

[0048] The first to fifth states and the control methods of the control unit 111 for realizing them are described below. The first line A1 of the first path and the second line A2 of the first path are collectively referred to as the first path A, the first line B1 of the second path and the second line B2 of the second path are collectively referred to as the second path B, and the first line C1 of the third path and the second line C2 of the third path are collectively referred to as the third path C.

[0049] The submarine branching device 11 can establish all possible paths between two branches that can be formed by the first path A, the second path B, and the third path C by controlling the configuration of the optical switch SW in a combination that corresponds to the first state to the fifth state.

[0050] The first state (see FIG. 3A) connects the input of the first line A1 of the first path to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, connects the input of the second line B2 of the second path to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, connects the input of the first line C1 of the third path to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, connects the input of the second line A2 of the first path to the output of the second line B2 of the second path, connects the input of the first line B1 of the second path to the output of the first line C1 of the third path, and connects the input of the second line C2 of the third path to the output of the first line A1 of the first path. That is, the first state interconnects the first line A1 of the first path to the second line C2 of the third path, interconnects the second line A2 of the first path to the second line B2 of the second path, and interconnects the first line B1 of the second path to the first line C1 of the third path. This interconnects the first route A, the second route B, and the third route C, and establishes all possible combinations of two edges for the three routes (between AB, between AC, and between CB). Thus, the first state is a state in which all routes are interconnected.

[0051] When the first state is executed, the control unit 111 controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 to be vertical connections, thereby establishing the path configurations of A1-C2, A2-B2, and B1-C1 in the first state.

[0052] The second state (see FIG. 3B) connects the input of the first line A1 of the first path to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, connects the input of the second line B2 of the second path to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, connects the input of the first line C1 of the third path to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, connects the input of the second line A2 of the first path to the output of the first line C1 of the third path, connects the input of the first line B1 of the second path to the output of the first line A1 of the first path, and connects the input of the second line C2 of the third path to the output of the second line B2 of the second path. That is, the second state interconnects the first line A1 of the first path to the first line B1 of the second path, interconnects the second line A2 of the first path to the first line C1 of the third path, and interconnects the second line C2 of the third path to the second line B2 of the second path. This interconnects the first path A, the second path B, and the third path C. Therefore, the second state is a state in which all paths are interconnected.

[0053] When the second state is performed, the control unit 111 controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1 to the sixth optical switch SW6 to the horizontal direction, thereby establishing the path configurations of A1-B1, A2-C1, and B2-C2 in the second state.

[0054] The third state (see FIG. 3C) connects the input of the first line A1 of the first path to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, connects the input of the second line B2 of the second path to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, connects the input of the first line C1 of the third path to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, connects the input of the second line A2 of the first path to the output of the second line B2 of the second path, connects the input of the first line B1 of the second path to the output of the first line A1 of the first path, and connects the input of the second line C2 of the third path to the output of the first line C1 of the third path. That is, the third state interconnects the first line A1 of the first path to the first line B1 of the second path, and interconnects the second line A2 of the first path to the second line B2 of the second path. In addition, the third state does not function as a path switching state because it connects the first line C1 of the third path and the second line C2 of the third path. In the third state, all paths are not connected to each other.

[0055] When the third state is performed, the control unit 111 controls the connection between the first optical switch SW1 and the fourth optical switch SW4 to a horizontal connection, and controls the connection between the second optical switch SW2, the third optical switch SW3, the fifth optical switch SW5, and the sixth optical switch SW6 to a vertical connection, thereby establishing the A1-B1 and A2-B2 path configurations in the third state.

[0056] In the fourth state (see FIG. 3D), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, the input of the second line A2 of the first path is connected to the output of the first line C1 of the third path, the input of the first line B1 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line B2 of the second path, and the input of the second line C2 of the third path is connected to the output of the first line A1 of the first path. In the fourth state, like the third state, not all paths are connected to each other.

[0057] When the fourth state is performed, the control unit 111 controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1, the third optical switch SW3, the fourth optical switch SW4, and the sixth optical switch SW6 to be vertically connected, and controls the connections of the second optical switch SW2 and the fifth optical switch SW5 to be horizontally connected, thereby establishing the path configurations A1-C2 and A2-C1 in the fourth state.

[0058] In the fifth state (see FIG. 3E), the input of the first line A1 of the first path is connected to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, the input of the second line B2 of the second path is connected to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, the input of the first line C1 of the third path is connected to the output of the first line B1 of the second path, the input of the second line A2 of the first path is connected to the output of the first line A1 of the first path, the input of the first line B1 of the second path is connected to the output of the first line C1 of the third path, and the input of the second line C2 of the third path is connected to the output of the second line B2 of the second path. In the fifth state, like the third state, not all paths are connected to each other.

[0059] When the fifth state is performed, the control unit 111 controls the connections of the first optical switch SW1, the second optical switch SW2, the fourth optical switch SW4, and the fifth optical switch SW5 to be vertically connected, and controls the connections of the third optical switch SW3 and the sixth optical switch SW6 to be horizontally connected, thereby establishing the path configurations of B1-C1 and B2-C2 in the fifth state.

[0060] The submarine branching unit 11 according to the embodiment can realize the first to fifth states and set various routes by controlling the connection of the optical switches SW to vertical or horizontal connections. In particular, the first and second states establish routes of all possible combinations of two branches for three routes (between AB, between AC, and between CB). The embodiment uses a 2x2 optical switch, and can reduce the number of optical switches SW compared to the comparative example described later. In this example, the number of optical switches SW required is six (see Figs. 3A to 3E).

[0061] As a result, according to the embodiments, it is possible to provide a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are capable of realizing route switching of an optical cable using a smaller number of optical switches.

[0062] In addition, since the submarine branching device 11 according to the embodiment can reduce the number of optical switches SW, the number of optical switches SW that can be mounted in one device can be increased accordingly. As a result, the number of FPs that can be accommodated in one device can be increased, and a high density of the number of FPs that can be accommodated can be realized.

[0063] Moreover, the submarine branching unit 11 according to the embodiment realizes a state in which all the routes are mutually connected in two states, a first state and a second state. Since the state in which all the routes are mutually connected is realized in two states (the first state and the second state), more flexible state switching is possible. When the state in which all the routes are mutually connected is realized, the current state may be changed to the first state or the second state by switching the optical switch SW. At this time, compared with a case in which the state in which all the routes are mutually connected can be realized only in one state (for example, only the second state), in the embodiment, it is sufficient to switch to the state in which the optical switch SW is switched less frequently between the first state and the second state. As a result, the embodiment can reduce the number of times the optical switch SW is switched and the switching time.

[0064] Here, consider the number of times the optical switch SW switches from the fourth state (see FIG. 3D) to the state in which all paths are interconnected.

[0065] For example, if the only state in which all paths are interconnected is the second state (see Figure 3B), in order to switch from the fourth state to the second state, it is necessary to switch (control) the four optical switches SW, namely the first optical switch SW1, the third optical switch SW3, the fourth optical switch SW4, and the sixth optical switch SW6, to horizontal connection.

[0066] On the other hand, in the embodiment, since the first and second states are the states in which all the paths are connected to each other, it is sufficient to switch to the state which requires fewer switching times of the optical switch SW. In this case, switching from the fourth state to the first state requires fewer switching times of the optical switch SW. To switch from the fourth state to the first state, it is sufficient to switch (control) two optical switches SW, the second optical switch SW2 and the fifth optical switch SW5, to the vertical connection.

[0067] As described above, in the embodiment, when realizing a state in which all paths are interconnected, it is possible to reduce the number of times the optical switch SW is switched and the switching time.

[0068] In general, the switching of the optical switch of the submarine branching device is performed by transmitting a switching signal from the land device to the submarine branching device. However, since the distance from the land device to the submarine branching device is long, the switching signal transmitted from the land device once may not reach the submarine branching device. For this reason, the switching signal for switching one optical switch is transmitted several or several tens of times. Therefore, by reducing the number of switching times by one, the actual number of switching signal transmissions can be significantly reduced, which is very effective and also reduces the switching time.

[0069] Furthermore, if any of the optical switches SW fails, the other optical switches SW that are not faulty can be switched and controlled based on the failure state of the optical switch SW to realize the first state or the second state, thereby realizing a state in which all paths are interconnected.

[0070] Specifically, if any of the optical switches SW fails while the connections are vertical, the non-failed optical switches SW are controlled to go into the first state, thereby realizing a state in which all the paths are connected to each other. Also, if any of the optical switches SW fails while the connections are horizontal, the non-failed optical switches SW are controlled to go into the second state, thereby realizing a state in which all the paths are connected to each other.

[0071] [Comparative Example] 4A to 4E are block diagrams illustrating a submarine branching unit according to a comparative example of the embodiment. FIG. 4A shows the first state (State 1). FIG. 4B shows the second state (State 2). FIG. 4C shows the third state (State 3). FIG. 4D shows the fourth state (State 4). FIG. 4E shows the fifth state (State 5).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4A , when the submarine branching device 51 according to the comparative example realizes the first state, the first optical switch SW1 and the twelfth optical switch SW12 are controlled to connect the input of the first line A1 of the first path to the output of the second line C2 of the third path, the sixth optical switch SW6 and the eighth optical switch SW8 are controlled to connect the input of the second line B2 of the second path to the output of the second line A2 of the first path, and the third optical switch SW3 and the ninth optical switch SW9 are controlled to connect the input of the first line C1 of the third path to the output of the second line C2 of the first path. the fifth optical switch SW5 and the seventh optical switch SW7 to connect the input of the second line A2 of the first path and the output of the second line B2 of the second path, the fourth optical switch SW4 and the tenth optical switch SW10 to connect the input of the first line B1 of the second path and the output of the first line C1 of the third path, and the eleventh optical switch SW11 and the second optical switch SW2 to connect the input of the second line C2 of the third path and the output of the first line A1 of the first path. Each of the first optical switch SW1 to the twelfth optical switch SW12 is a 1x2 optical switch.

[0073] As shown in Figures 4B to 4E, the submarine branching device 51 in the comparative example uses a total of 12 optical switches SW, from the first optical switch SW1 to the twelfth optical switch SW12, even when realizing the second state to the fifth state.

[0074] On the other hand, the submarine branching device 11 according to the embodiment uses six optical switches SW when realizing the first to fifth states (see FIGS. 3A to 3E). Therefore, the submarine branching device 51 according to the comparative example requires twice the number of optical switches SW compared to the submarine branching device 11 according to the embodiment.

[0075] As a result, in the comparative example, it is difficult to provide a submarine branching device, a control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are capable of implementing route switching of an optical cable using a smaller number of optical switches.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being configured as hardware, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be realized by having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a computer program to process each component.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the program can be stored and supplied to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable media includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (specifically, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (specifically, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, semiconductor memories (specifically, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), and EPROMs (Erasable PROMs)), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable media can supply the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 11, 51: Submarine branching device 111: Control unit SW1: First optical switch SW2: Second optical switch SW3: Third optical switch SW4: Fourth optical switch SW5: Fifth optical switch SW6: 6th optical switch SW7: Seventh optical switch SW8: 8th optical switch SW9: 9th optical switch SW10: 10th optical switch SW11: 11th optical switch SW12: 12th optical switch P1: 1st terminal P2: 2nd terminal P3: 3rd terminal P4: 4th terminal A: Pathway 1 B: 2nd pathway C: 3rd pathway A1: First track of the first route A2: The second track of the first route B1: First track of the second route B2: Second track of the second route C1: First track of the third route C2: 2nd track of the 3rd route

Claims

1. first to third optical switches each having a first terminal to a fourth terminal; a control unit that controls each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; Equipped with a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected to each other; Subsea branching device.

2. Each of the first to third optical switches is a 2x2 optical switch.

2. The submarine branching unit according to claim 1.

3. the vertical direction connection is a connection in which the first terminal and the second terminal of each of the first to third optical switches are connected, the third terminal and the fourth terminal are connected, the first terminal and the third terminal are not connected, and the second terminal and the fourth terminal are not connected, The horizontal connection is a connection in which the first terminal and the third terminal of each of the first to third optical switches are connected, the second terminal and the fourth terminal are connected, the first terminal and the second terminal are not connected, and the third terminal and the fourth terminal are not connected.

3. A submarine branching unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit is when performing a first state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, and an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a first line of the second path, the first to third optical switches are controlled to be connected in the vertical direction; when performing a second state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a first line of a second path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, and an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, the first to third optical switches are controlled to be connected in the horizontal direction; when performing a third state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a first line of a second path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, and an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, the first optical switch is controlled to be connected in the horizontal direction, and the second to third optical switches are controlled to be connected in the vertical direction; when performing a fourth state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of the first line of the second path, and an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of the second line of the first path, a connection between the first optical switch and the third optical switch is controlled to the vertical direction connection, and a connection of the second optical switch is controlled to the horizontal direction connection; when performing a fifth state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, and an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a first line of the second path, a connection between the first optical switch and the second optical switch is controlled to the vertical direction connection, and a connection of the third optical switch is controlled to the horizontal direction connection. A submarine branching unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. first to sixth optical switches each having a first terminal to a fourth terminal; a control unit that controls each of the first to sixth optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; Equipped with a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected to each other; a first terminal of the fourth optical switch and an output of a first line of a first path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the fourth optical switch and a first terminal of the sixth optical switch are connected to each other; a third terminal of the fourth optical switch and an input of a first line of a second path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the fourth optical switch and a third terminal of the fifth optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the fifth optical switch and a third terminal of the sixth optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the fifth optical switch is connected to an input of a second line of a first path; a fourth terminal of the fifth optical switch and an output of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the sixth optical switch and an input of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the sixth optical switch and an output of a second line of a second path are connected to each other; Subsea branching device.

6. Each of the first to sixth optical switches is a 2x2 optical switch.

6. A submarine branching unit according to claim 5.

7. the vertical direction connections are connections in which the first terminals and second terminals of the first to sixth optical switches are connected, the third terminals and fourth terminals of the first to sixth optical switches are connected, the first terminals and third terminals are not connected, and the second terminals and fourth terminals of the first to sixth optical switches are not connected, the horizontal connection is a connection in which the first terminal and the third terminal of each of the first to sixth optical switches are connected, the second terminal and the fourth terminal are connected, the first terminal and the second terminal are not connected, and the third terminal and the fourth terminal are not connected, 7. A submarine branching unit according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The control unit is when a first state is performed in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a first line of the second path, an input of a second line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of the second path, an input of a first line of a second path is connected to an output of a first line of a third path, and an input of a second line of a third path is connected to an output of a first line of the first path, when a second state is performed in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a first line of a second path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, an input of a second line of a first path is connected to an output of a first line of a third path, an input of a first line of a second path is connected to an output of a first line of a first path, and an input of a second line of a third path is connected to an output of a second line of a second path, the first to sixth optical switches are controlled to the horizontal connection; when performing a third state in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a first line of a second path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of a second line of the third path, an input of a second line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of the second path, an input of a first line of a second path is connected to an output of a first line of the first path, and an input of a second line of a third path is connected to an output of a first line of the third path, the first optical switch and the fourth optical switch are controlled to be connected in the horizontal direction, and the second, third, fifth, and sixth optical switches are controlled to be connected in the vertical direction, when a fourth state is performed in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of a third path, an input of a second line of a second path is connected to an output of the first line of the second path, an input of a first line of a third path is connected to an output of the second line of the first path, an input of a second line of a first path is connected to an output of the first line of the third path, an input of a first line of a second path is connected to an output of the second line of the second path, and an input of a second line of a third path is connected to an output of the first line of the first path, the first, third, fourth, and sixth optical switches are controlled to be connected in the vertical direction, and the second and fifth optical switches are controlled to be connected in the horizontal direction; when a fifth state is performed in which an input of a first line of a first path is connected to an output of a second line of the first path, an input of a second line of the second path is connected to an output of a second line of the third path, an input of a first line of the third path is connected to an output of the first line of the second path, an input of a second line of the first path is connected to an output of the first line of the first path, an input of a first line of the second path is connected to an output of the first line of the third path, and an input of a second line of the third path is connected to an output of the second line of the second path, the first, second, fourth, and fifth optical switches are controlled to be connected in the vertical direction, and the third and sixth optical switches are controlled to be connected in the horizontal direction. A submarine branching unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. a first optical switch having a first terminal, a second optical switch having a third terminal, a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected to each other; A method for controlling a submarine branching unit, comprising the steps of: Controlling each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; A control method comprising:

10. a first optical switch having a first terminal, a second optical switch having a third terminal, a first terminal of the first optical switch and an input of a first line of a first path are connected; a second terminal of the first optical switch is connected to a first terminal of the third optical switch; a third terminal of the first optical switch and an output of a first line of a second path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the first optical switch and a third terminal of the second optical switch are connected to each other; a first terminal of the second optical switch and a third terminal of the third optical switch are connected to each other; a second terminal of the second optical switch and an output of a second line of a first path are connected; a fourth terminal of the second optical switch and an input of a first line of a third path are connected to each other; a second terminal of the third optical switch and an output of a second line of a third path are connected to each other; a fourth terminal of the third optical switch and an input of a second line of a second path are connected to each other; A method for controlling a submarine branching unit, comprising the steps of: Controlling each of the first to third optical switches to a vertical connection or a horizontal connection based on a predetermined connection state; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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