Optical cross-connect system and optical cross-connect network

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of optical communications. Provided are an optical cross-connect system and an optical cross-connect network. The optical cross-connect system comprises a line-side assembly and a branch-side assembly, wherein the line-side assembly comprises a plurality of first wavelength switching modules, a first optical path switching module and a plurality of second wavelength switching modules; the branch-side assembly comprises a second optical path switching module; the first wavelength switching modules input line-side signals into the first optical path switching module; the second optical path switching module inputs upstream signals into the first optical path switching module by means of optical path switching; and the first optical path switching module inputs pass-through signals among the line-side signals into the second wavelength switching modules, receives the upstream signals, and inputs the upstream signals to the second wavelength switching modules. In the present application, signal switching is implemented by means of optical path switching, such that a high-dimensional optical cross-connect system can be provided.

Description

Optical cross-connect system and optical cross-connect network

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202410073515.8, filed on January 17, 2024, entitled “Optical cross-connect system and optical cross-connect network,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an optical cross-connect system and an optical cross-connect network. Background Art

[0003] In optical cross-connect networks, as information transmission bandwidth continues to grow, the required fiber capacity is gradually increasing. However, the continued improvement of the fiber capacity of a single fiber is constrained. Increasing the number of fibers is the most direct way to significantly increase transmission bandwidth, which necessitates increasing the dimensionality of the optical cross-connect system in the optical network. The optical cross-connect system uses wavelength selector switches (WSSs) as the core switching unit, interconnected by a mesh of N 1xN WSSs to achieve an N-dimensional distributed optical cross-connect system. By controlling the 1xN WSSs to route line-side signals at the wavelength granularity, multi-dimensional line-side wavelength-level all-optical scheduling can be achieved.

[0004] The WSSs are interconnected through optical backplanes. As the dimension N increases, the number of optical fiber links interconnecting the WSSs increases according to N. 2 The regular growth of optical backplanes poses a huge challenge to the reliability of optical backplanes, which makes the evolution of optical cross-connect systems towards high dimensions very challenging. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides an optical cross-connect system and an optical cross-connect network. The optical cross-connect system adopts a three-level cascade architecture and does not require an optical backplane for implementation, making it easier for the optical cross-connect system to evolve towards a higher dimension and also capable of simultaneously transmitting waves.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an optical cross-connection system, including a line side component and a branch side component, the line side component including multiple first wavelength switching modules, a first optical path switching module and multiple second wavelength switching modules, the branch side component including a second optical path switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module, the first optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching module, and the second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module, each first wavelength switching module is used to receive a line side signal and output the line side signal to the first optical path switching module, the first optical path switching module is used to output the through signal in the line side signal to the first target second wavelength switching module among the multiple second wavelength switching modules, the second optical path switching module is used to receive an upper wave signal and output the upper wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching, the first optical path switching module is also used to output the upper wave signal to the second target second wavelength switching module among the multiple second wavelength switching modules, and each second wavelength switching module is used to output the received signal.

[0007] In the solution presented in this application, the optical cross-connect system includes line-side components and branch-side components. The line-side components are implemented based on wavelength switching modules and optical path switching modules, while the branch-side components are implemented based on optical path switching modules. Because optical path switching modules are devices that switch optical paths, not wavelengths, and can achieve high-dimensional cross-connection, the optical cross-connect system can provide a high-dimensional, scalable optical cross-connect architecture, supporting the evolution of optical cross-connect systems to higher dimensions. Furthermore, due to the presence of branch-side components, simultaneous wavelength addition is also possible.

[0008] In an optional manner, the branch side component also includes a third optical path switching module, and the first optical path switching module is also used to output the drop wave signal in the line side signal to the third optical path switching module, and the third optical path switching module is used to receive the drop wave signal and output the drop wave signal through optical path switching.

[0009] In the solution shown in the present application, the branch side component also includes an optical path switching module to achieve wave dropping, so that when the optical cross-connect system evolves to a higher dimension, wave dropping can be achieved at the same time.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the optical cross-connect system also includes a wavelength conversion component, the input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected one-to-one with the output port of at least one first optical path switching module, and the output port is connected one-to-one with the input port of at least one first optical path switching module. The wavelength conversion component is used to receive a first signal input by at least one first optical path switching module, convert the first signal into a second signal, the wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, the wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict in multiple second wavelength switching modules, the wavelength of the second signal does not have a wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength switching module, and input the second signal to at least one first optical path switching module.

[0011] In the solution shown in the present application, when a wavelength conflict occurs when the first signal is exchanged to the second wavelength exchange module, the first optical path exchange module outputs the first signal to the wavelength exchange conversion component, performs wavelength conversion, obtains the second signal, and then inputs it into the first optical path exchange module for optical path exchange, so that the second signal has no wavelength conflict with the signal input by at least one second wavelength exchange module, making signal transmission more flexible.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the optical cross-connect system also includes a wavelength conversion component, the input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected one-to-one with the down-wavelength output port of at least one third optical path switching module, and the output port is connected with the up-wavelength input port of at least one second optical path switching module. The at least one third optical path switching module is also used to receive the first signal input by the first optical path switching module, input the first signal to the wavelength conversion component, the wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict in multiple second wavelength switching modules, the wavelength conversion component is used to convert the first signal into a second signal, input the second signal to at least one second optical path switching module, the wavelength of the first signal is different from the wavelength of the second signal, the wavelength of the second signal does not have a wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength switching module, and the at least one third optical path switching module is also used to input the second signal to the first optical path switching module.

[0013] In the solution shown in the present application, when a wavelength conflict occurs when the first signal is exchanged to the second wavelength exchange module, the first optical path exchange module outputs the first signal to the third optical path exchange module to output the first signal to the wavelength exchange conversion component. After the wavelength conversion component performs wavelength conversion on the first signal, a second signal is obtained, which is then input into the first optical path exchange module through the second optical path exchange module for optical path exchange, so that there is no wavelength conflict for the second signal input into at least one second wavelength exchange module, making signal transmission more flexible.

[0014] In an optional manner, the wavelength conversion component includes a pump light providing module, a combining module, a nonlinear medium module and a filtering module. The pump light providing module is used to input a pump light signal corresponding to the first signal into the combining module. The combining module is used to receive the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal, combine the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal to obtain a combined signal, and input the combined signal into the nonlinear medium module. The nonlinear medium module is used to obtain a nonlinearly converted signal based on the first signal and the pump light signal in the combined signal, and input the nonlinearly converted signal into the filtering module. The filtering module is used to filter the nonlinearly converted signal to obtain a second signal and output the second signal.

[0015] In the solution shown in the present application, the wavelength conversion component directly converts the first signal into the second signal through the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal, rather than first converting it into an electrical signal and then into an optical signal, thereby improving the conversion efficiency.

[0016] In one optional approach, each first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module, and each second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module. Each first optical path switching module is configured to control the optical path between the input port and the output port, outputting the through signal and the added signal to the corresponding second wavelength switching module. This fully connects all modules in the line-side assembly, enabling greater flexibility in line-side signal exchange.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the line side component also includes a fourth optical path switching module. For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module, the upper wave port of the second optical path switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the lower wave port of the third optical path switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module is used to replace at least one first optical path switching module to perform optical switching processing when at least one first optical path switching module fails.

[0018] In the solution shown in the present application, a backup optical path switching module is also present in the optical cross-connect system. When at least one first optical path switching module fails, the backup optical path switching module is used to perform optical switching processing, thereby performing signal switching protection switching.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple second optical path switching modules, and the multiple second optical path switching modules include a first group of switching modules and a second group of switching modules. Each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. The second group of switching modules is used to receive the upper wave signal and input the upper wave signal to the first group of switching modules through optical path switching. In the second group of switching modules, the same wavelength signal sent by the same second optical path switching module is sent to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. The first group of switching modules is used to input the upper wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching.

[0020] In the solution shown in the present application, in the second group of switching modules, a second optical path switching module receives two beams of uplink signals with the same wavelength. The second optical path switching module exchanges the two beams of first wavelength signals to two different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules for uplinking, so that signals with the same wavelength can enter the same first optical path switching module for exchange.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules is connected to each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules. In this way, the second optical path switching modules in both groups are fully connected, making optical path switching more flexible.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple third optical path switching modules, and the multiple third optical path switching modules include a third group switching module and a fourth group switching module. Each third optical path switching module in the third group switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module in the fourth group switching module, the third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third group switching modules. The third group switching module is used to receive the wavelet signal and input the wavelet signal to the fourth group switching module. In the fourth group switching module, the signal with the same wavelength received by the same second optical path switching module comes from different third optical path switching modules in the third group switching modules. The fourth group switching module is also used to output the wavelet signal through optical path switching.

[0023] In the solution described in this application, a certain wavelength drop receiving device is connected to a third optical path switching module in a fourth group of switching modules. During wavelength drop, when multiple signals with the same wavelength belong to the wavelength drop receiving device, the same first optical path switching module drops the multiple signals to a different third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules, allowing the multiple signals to enter the third optical path switching module connected to the wavelength drop receiving device. The third optical path switching module belongs to the fourth group of optical path switching modules. In this way, the wavelength drop receiving device can receive multiple signals with the same wavelength.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, for each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to each third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules. In this way, the third optical path switching modules in both groups are fully connected, making optical path switching more flexible.

[0025] In an optional manner, the number of the first wavelength switching modules and the second wavelength switching modules is greater than or equal to 64.

[0026] In an optional manner, the first optical path switching module and the second optical path switching module are both micro-electromechanical system optical cross-connect devices or waveguide optical switch arrays.

[0027] In an optional embodiment, the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are WSS, or the first wavelength switching module is a demultiplexer (DMUX) and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX), or the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG).

[0028] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an optical cross-connect network, comprising multiple optical cross-connect systems according to the first aspect and any optional manner, wherein each of the multiple optical cross-connect systems is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an optical cross-connect system network provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG3 is another structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a 2-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG5 is another structural schematic diagram of a 2-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of three structures of a first optical path switching module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a 128-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG10 is another structural diagram of a 128-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a 2-dimensional optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another structure of an optical cross-connect system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a wavelength conversion component provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the implementation methods of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The optical cross-connect (OXC) system is used in large-capacity optical transmission scenarios such as backbone fiber networks. The optical cross-connect system is referred to as the optical cross-connect system. Based on the optical cross-connect system networking, a high-speed interconnected wavelength direct network is built. Figure 1 provides a schematic diagram of the optical cross-connect network. The optical cross-connect network is an ultra-large-capacity optical network based on all-optical cross-connection. In Figure 1, it includes multiple optical cross-connect systems, which are also called optical cross-connect sites. Each optical cross-connect network is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect network. There are optical fiber links between the optical cross-connect systems. As the demand for transmission capacity continues to increase, the number of optical fiber links continues to grow, and the dimension of the optical cross-connect system also increases accordingly. The dimension of the optical cross-connect system refers to the number of line-side optical fibers connected to the optical cross-connect system. For example, the current 32-dimensional transition will be to 64-dimensional, and the future evolution will be towards 128-dimensional or even 256-dimensional. Figure 1 shows five optical cross-connect systems. In fact, there are more optical cross-connect systems. Other devices connected to the optical cross-connect systems, such as routers, are also not shown. These other devices are used to aggregate and send user business data to the optical cross-connect systems, or receive user business data from the optical cross-connect systems and perform subsequent processing to complete the migration of user business data.

[0045] At present, the optical cross-connect system uses wavelength selective switches as the core switching unit, and meshes N 1*N wavelength selective switches to achieve this. In this way, when the optical cross-connect system expands towards ultra-high dimensions, the performance of the wavelength selective switches themselves deteriorates sharply with the increase of dimensions, such as insertion loss, and the number of optical fiber links interconnected between wavelength selective switches increases according to N. 2 The regular growth of optical backplanes poses a huge challenge to the reliability of optical backplanes, making it difficult to support continuous evolution.

[0046] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical cross-connect system, which includes line-side components and branch-side components. The line-side components are implemented based on wavelength switching modules and optical path switching modules, while the branch-side components are implemented based on optical path switching modules. Because the optical path switching module is a device that switches optical paths, not based on wavelength, it can achieve high-dimensional cross-connection. Therefore, the optical cross-connect system can provide a high-dimensional scalable optical cross-connection architecture, supporting the evolution of optical cross-connection systems to hundreds of dimensions. Moreover, due to the presence of branch-side components, it can also achieve simultaneous wavelength addition and subtraction.

[0047] Figure 2 provides a structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system. Referring to Figure 2, the optical cross-connect system includes a line-side component and a branch-side component. The line-side component is used to receive line-side signals and then send the line-side signals directly to the line side or to the branch side for wavelet processing. The line-side component is a three-stage cascade architecture, including multiple first wavelength switching modules, first optical path switching modules, and multiple second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module is connected to a line optical fiber. The number of line-side optical fibers that can be connected to the multiple first wavelength switching modules is equal to the dimension of the optical cross-connect system. The first wavelength switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module, the first optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching module, and each second wavelength switching module is connected to the line-side optical fiber.

[0048] The branch-side components are responsible for wavelet addition and drop processing and include a second optical path switching module and a third optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module connects to the first optical path switching module to add waves, while the third optical path switching module connects to the first optical path switching module to drop waves, supporting the evolution of optical cross-connect systems to higher dimensions. Furthermore, the second optical path switching module connects to a wavelet adder, which provides the add wavelet signal. The third optical path switching module connects to a wavelet drop receiver, which receives the drop wavelet signal. The add wavelet adder and the drop wave receiver may or may not be the same device.

[0049] During signal transmission, the first wavelength switching module receives the line-side signal from the line-side optical fiber. The signal continuing to transmit on the line side (the through signal) passes through the first optical path switching module, achieving optical path-level switching, and is then input to the first target, the second wavelength switching module. The line-side signal transmitted to the branch-side component is called a drop signal. The drop signal is input to the third optical path switching module via the first optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module outputs the drop signal using the optical path switching function. The optical path switching function is the function of changing the optical path of the signal input from the input port to the output port. When using the optical path switching function, the input signal from the input port is not split according to wavelength. For example, if multiple wavelength signals are input from a certain input port, these multiple wavelength signals are output together from the same output port. The signal input from the branch-side component to the line-side component is called an add signal. The add signal is input by the add device to the second optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module receives the add signal and, using the optical path switching function, inputs the add signal to the first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module then inputs the add signal to the second target, the second wavelength switching module. Each second wavelength switching module combines the received signals to obtain a combined signal, and inputs the combined signal to the line-side optical fiber, so that the combined signal is transmitted on the line side.

[0050] Here, the first target second wavelength switching module can be understood as the second wavelength switching module to which the through signal is switched, and the second target second wavelength switching module can be understood as the second wavelength switching module to which the added signal is switched. Different through signals have different destinations, and different added signals have different destinations, and different second wavelength switching modules are also targeted.

[0051] In an optional manner, the second optical path switching module and the third optical path switching module may be two separate devices, or may be two logical modules belonging to the same device.

[0052] In one optional embodiment, the first wavelength switching module is an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), and the second wavelength switching module is an AWG. Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module is a WSS, and the second wavelength switching module is a WSS. Alternatively, the first wavelength switching module is a demultiplexer (DMUX), and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX).

[0053] In an optional manner, the first optical path switching module is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) OXC device, a WSS, or a waveguide optical switch array.

[0054] In an optional manner, the second optical path switching module is a MEMS OXC device, a WSS or a waveguide optical switch array.

[0055] It should be noted that the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module can both be implemented using wavelength switching devices, and similarly, the second wavelength switching module can also be implemented using wavelength switching devices. The first to third optical path switching modules can all be implemented using optical path switching devices.

[0056] In an optional manner, Figure 3 provides another structural schematic diagram of an optical cross-connect system. Referring to Figure 3, there are N first wavelength switching modules, where N is greater than 1 and N is the dimension of the optical cross-connect system. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and M output ports, and is a 1*M wavelength switching module. Each output port outputs a single wavelength signal, or outputs a signal of a combination of multiple wavelengths, or outputs no signal. There are N second wavelength switching modules, and each second wavelength switching module includes M input ports and 1 output port, and is an M*1 wavelength switching module. Each input port inputs a single wavelength signal, or outputs a signal of a combination of multiple wavelengths, or outputs no signal.

[0057] There are one or more first optical path switching modules, and the first optical path switching modules include multiple input ports and multiple output ports, and the multiple input ports and the multiple output ports can be controlled to achieve optical path interconnection.

[0058] When there is only one first optical path switching module, all output ports of each first wavelength switching module are connected to the multiple input ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one-to-one. All input ports of each second wavelength switching module are connected to the multiple output ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one-to-one. In this way, the signal output by each first wavelength switching module can enter the first optical path switching module, and the signal output by the first optical path switching module can enter each second wavelength switching module.

[0059] When there are multiple first optical path switching modules, for each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module, and the two ports are connected one-to-one. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module, and the two ports are connected one-to-one. In this way, the signal output by each first wavelength switching module can enter each first optical path switching module, and the signal output by each first optical path switching module can enter each second wavelength switching module.

[0060] There are one or more second optical path switching modules, each of which includes a first add-in port and an add-in input port. The first add-in port is used to connect to the first optical path switching module, and the add-in input port is used to connect to the branch-side add-in providing device. The number of add-in input ports may be the same as or different from the number of first add-in ports. Different second optical path switching modules may include the same or different numbers of first add-in ports, and the first add-in ports and the add-in input ports can be controlled to achieve optical path changes.

[0061] When there is one second optical path switching module and one first optical path switching module, all first add-wave ports of the second optical path switching module are connected to multiple input ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one-to-one.

[0062] When there is one second optical path switching module and multiple first optical path switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module includes multiple add-wave port groups, each of which has greater than or equal to one first add-wave port. For each add-wave port group, the ports in the add-wave port group are connected one-to-one to the input ports of one first optical path switching module, and different add-wave port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules.

[0063] When there are multiple second optical path switching modules and only one first optical path switching module, each second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each second optical path switching module, the number of first add-wave ports is greater than or equal to one, and all first add-wave ports are connected one-to-one to the input ports of the first optical path switching module.

[0064] When there are multiple second optical path switching modules and multiple first optical path switching modules, each second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. Each second optical path switching module includes multiple add-port groups, and the number of first add-ports in each add-port group is greater than or equal to one. For each second optical path switching module, the ports in one add-port group are connected one-to-one to the input ports of one first optical path switching module, and different add-port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules. In this way, the add-port signals of each second optical path switching module can be input to any first optical path switching module.

[0065] Through the above connection relationship, for each second optical path switching module, after a certain add-wave input port of the second optical path switching module receives the add-wave signal, the optical path between the add-wave input port and the first add-wave port is controlled so that the add-wave signal is input to the first optical path switching module through the first add-wave port.

[0066] There are one or more third optical path switching modules, each of which includes a first drop port and a drop output port. The first drop port is connected to the first optical path switching module, and the drop output port is connected to the branch-side drop receiving device. The number of drop output ports may be the same as or different from the number of first drop ports. Different third optical path switching modules may include the same or different numbers of first drop ports, and the first drop port and the drop output port can be controlled to achieve optical path changes.

[0067] When there is one third optical path switching module and one first optical path switching module, all first drop ports of the third optical path switching module are connected to multiple output ports of the first optical path switching module, and the ports are connected one to one.

[0068] When there is one third optical path switching module and multiple first optical path switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module includes multiple drop port groups, each drop port group having greater than or equal to one first drop port. For each drop port group, the ports in the drop port group are connected one-to-one to the output ports of one first optical path switching module, and different drop port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules.

[0069] When there are multiple third optical path switching modules and only one first optical path switching module, each third optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the number of first drop ports is greater than or equal to one, and all first drop ports are connected one-to-one to at least one output port of the first optical path switching module.

[0070] When there are multiple third optical path switching modules and multiple first optical path switching modules, each third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module. Each third optical path switching module includes multiple drop port groups, and the number of first drop ports in each drop port group is greater than or equal to one. For each third optical path switching module, the ports in a drop port group are connected one-to-one to the output ports of a first optical path switching module, and different drop port groups correspond to different first optical path switching modules. In this way, the drop signal output by the first optical path switching module can be input into any third optical path switching module.

[0071] For each third optical path switching module, after a first drop port of the third optical path switching module receives a drop signal, the optical path between the first drop port and the drop output port is controlled so that the drop signal is output to the drop receiving device through the first drop port.

[0072] To better understand the architecture shown in Figure 3, Figure 4 shows an example of a smaller-dimensional optical cross-connect system. As shown in Figure 4, there are two first and two second wavelength switching modules, each with a 1x4 and 4x1 WSS, respectively. There are four first optical path switching modules, each of which is a 3x3 MESM OXC device. There are one second and one third optical path switching module, each of which is a 4x4 MESM OXC device. When connected, each module provides a single port connection.

[0073] Figure 5 shows an example of a smaller optical cross-connect system. As shown in Figure 5, there are two first and two second wavelength switching modules, each with a 1x4 and 4x1 WSS, respectively. There are two first optical path switching modules, each with a 6x6 MESM OXC. There are one second and one third optical path switching module, each with a 4x4 MESM OXC. When connected, each module provides two ports, each connected in a one-to-one fashion.

[0074] It should be noted that, among the multiple first wavelength switching modules, the wavelengths of the signals input by different first wavelength switching modules to one first optical path switching module may be the same or different, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0075] Optionally, when there are multiple first optical path switching modules, each first wavelength switching module has one or more port connections with each other. When each provides one port connection, the number of first optical path switching modules is equal to the number of output ports of each first wavelength switching module, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. When each provides multiple port connections, the number of first optical path switching modules is less than the number of output ports of each first wavelength switching module, as shown in Figure 5. Thus, the higher the port dimension of each first optical path switching module, the fewer the number of first optical path switching modules. For example, referring to Figure 6, the first optical path switching module needs to provide P*Q input ports and P*Q output ports. The first optical path switching module may include P Q*Q MEMS OXC devices, or P / 2 2Q*2Q MEMS OXC devices, or P / 3 3Q*3Q MEMS OXC devices, or 1 (P*Q)*(P*Q) MEMS OXC device. Thus, since the cost of a 2Q*2Q MEMS OXC device is less than twice the cost of a Q*Q MEMS OXC device, the cost can be reduced by making the dimension of the MEMS OXC device higher.

[0076] Optionally, the first wavelength switching module is a DMUX, and the second wavelength switching module is a MUX. The optical cross-connect system can be applied to the C+L band. Referring to Figure 7, Figure 7 shows the application of the optical cross-connect system to the C+L band. The C+L band spectrum width is 12 THz. Assuming that the transmission rate of each wavelength signal is 800 Gb / s, each optical fiber can accommodate signals with a maximum of 60 wavelengths. For 128-dimensional optical switching, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules, each of which is a 1*60 DMUX; there are 60 first optical path switching modules, each of which is a 160*160 first MEMS OXC device; there are 128 second wavelength switching modules, each of which is a 60*1 MUX; there are 32 second optical path switching modules, each of which is a 60*60 second MEMS OXC device; and there are 32 third optical path switching modules, each of which is a 60*60 third MEMS OXC device.

[0077] On the line side, 128 line-side optical fibers are connected to the input ports of 128 1x60 DMUXs. The 60 output ports of each 1x60 DMUX are connected to one input port of 60 first MEMS OXC devices. The 60 input ports of each 60x1 MUX are also connected to one output port of 60 first MEMS OXC devices.

[0078] On the branch side, for each second MEMS OXC device, the 60 wave-adding ports of the second MEMS OXC device are respectively connected to one input port of the 60 second MEMS OXC devices for wave-adding. For each third MEMS OXC device, the 60 wave-dropping ports of the third MEMS OXC device are respectively connected to one output port of the 60 first MEMS OXC devices for wave-dropping.

[0079] During signal transmission, each DMUX distributes the 60 wavelengths of signals from each optical fiber to its 60 output ports, with each output port receiving a single wavelength signal. The signals distributed by the DMUX pass through the first MEMS OXC device, implementing optical path switching. They are then switched from any input port of the first MEMS OXC device to any output port, then enter the 60x1 MUX for transmission or enter the third MEMS OXC device for drop. The second MEMS OXC device inputs the added signal to the first MEMS OXC device. The signal passes through a first MEMS OXC device, implementing optical path switching, then switches from any input port of the first MEMS OXC device to any output port, also entering the 60x1 MUX. The 60x1 MUX combines the received signals and outputs them through the output ports.

[0080] It should be noted that, in FIG7 , the wavelengths of the signals exchanged by each first optical path switching module may be the same or different.

[0081] In an optional manner, there are multiple first optical path switching modules. When some or all of the first optical path switching modules fail, in order not to affect the normal transmission of the signal, the line side component also includes a fourth optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module is connected to the first wavelength switching module, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to the second wavelength switching module, the fourth optical path switching module is connected to the second optical path switching module, and is connected to the third optical path switching module.

[0082] When there is at least one faulty first optical path switching module, the first wavelength switching module inputs the target line-side signal to the fourth optical path switching module. The target line-side signal is the signal originally sent to the at least one faulty first optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module inputs the target added wave signal to the fourth optical path switching module. The target added wave signal is the signal originally sent to the at least one first optical path switching module. The fourth optical path switching module replaces the at least one first optical path switching module, performs optical path switching on the target line-side signal and the target added wave signal, inputs a through signal to the second wavelength switching module, and inputs a target dropped wave signal from the target line-side signal to the third optical path switching module. The second wavelength switching module receives and outputs the signal input from the fourth optical path switching module. The second optical path switching module receives and outputs the target dropped wave signal.

[0083] Optionally, for each fourth optical path switching module, each first wavelength switching module provides at least one backup output port connected thereto, each second wavelength switching module provides at least one backup input port connected thereto, each second optical path switching provides at least one second upstream port connected thereto, and each third optical path switching module provides at least one second downstream port connected thereto. For the specific connection method, please refer to the connection method between the first optical path switching module and other modules, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] Optionally, the first optical path switching module and the fourth optical path switching module have the same or different number of ports. Figure 8 provides a schematic structural diagram of the optical cross-connect system when both are the same. 8 , the number of the first wavelength switching modules is N, which is a 1*(M+L) WSS, including one input port, M output ports and L backup output ports. The number of the second wavelength switching modules is N, which is a (M+L)*1 WSS, including one output port, M input ports and L backup input ports. The number of the first optical path switching modules is M, which is a (N+K)*(N+K) first MEMS OXC device, including N+K input ports and N+K output ports. The number of the fourth optical path switching modules is L, which is a (N+K)*(N+K) first MEMS OXC device, including N+K input ports and N+K output ports. The number of the second optical path switching modules and the third optical path switching modules are both K, the second optical path switching module is a (M+L)*(M+L) second MEMS OXC device, and the third optical path switching module is a (M+L)*(M+L) third MEMS In the OXC device, each second optical path switching module includes M first add-wave ports and L second add-wave ports, and each third optical path switching module includes M first drop-wave ports and L second drop-wave ports.

[0085] On the line side, for ease of description, in the first wavelength switching module, the backup output port and the output port are collectively referred to as output ports, and in the second wavelength switching module, the backup input port and the input port are collectively referred to as input ports. N 1*(M+L) WSSs have N input ports, and N line-side optical fibers are connected one-to-one to the N input ports. Each 1*(M+L) WSS provides M+L output ports, and these M+L output ports are respectively connected to one input port of M+L first MEMS OXC devices. Each (M+L)*1 WSS provides M+L input ports, and these M+L input ports are respectively connected to one output port of M+L first MEMS OXC devices. N (M+L)*1 WSSs have N output ports, and these N output ports are connected one-to-one to N line-side optical fibers.

[0086] On the branch side, for ease of description, the first wave-adding port and the second wave-adding port are collectively referred to as wave-adding ports, and the first wave-dropping port and the second wave-dropping port are collectively referred to as wave-dropping ports. Each first MEMS OXC device provides K input ports, each of which is connected to a wave-adding port of the K second MEMS OXC devices for wave-adding. Each first MEMS OXC device provides K output ports, each of which is connected to a wave-dropping port of the K third MEMS OXC devices for wave-dropping.

[0087] When no faulty first MEMS OXC devices exist among the M first MEMS OXC devices, for each 1*(M+L) WSS, the received signal is distributed according to wavelength and outputted through M output ports. Each output port outputs a single-wavelength signal, a multi-wavelength signal, or no signal. The signals output from the M output ports pass through the M first MEMS OXC devices, implementing an optical path switching module, switching from any input port of each first MEMS OXC device to any output port of that first MEMS OXC device. The signals then enter the M input ports of the (M+L)*1 WSS, or part of the signals enter the third MEMS OXC device for wavelength drop. On the branch side, the second MEMS OXC device inputs the added signal to the first MEMS OXC device, and this added signal also enters the (M+L)*1 WSS. The (M+L)*1 WSS combines the received signals and outputs them from the output port. When there are G faulty first MEMS OXC devices among the M first MEMS OXC devices, for each 1*(M+L) WSS, the target line-side signal (the signal originally exchanged by the faulty first MEMS OXC device) is output to the G first MEMS OXC devices among the L first MEMS OXC devices, and each second MEMS OXC device outputs the target uplink signal (the signal originally exchanged by the faulty first MEMS OXC device) to the G first MEMS OXC devices. The G first MEMS OXC devices exchange the received signals, so that the optical cross-connect system can still operate normally.

[0088] It should be noted that the optical cross-connect system is also connected to a controller. The receiving end of the signal will feedback to the controller whether the signal is received. If the signal that a first optical path switching module is responsible for exchanging is not received, it means that the first optical path switching module is faulty. The controller will switch the signal that the faulty first optical path switching module is responsible for exchanging to the fourth optical path switching module for exchange.

[0089] It should also be noted that the number of fourth optical path switching modules can be set based on actual needs. In Figure 8, the first and fourth optical path switching modules have the same number of ports. In practice, the number of ports on the first and fourth optical path switching modules may differ. For example, if the first optical path switching module has 160 input ports and 160 output ports, and the fourth optical path switching module has 320 input ports and 320 output ports, then the number of signals exchanged by one fourth optical path switching module is twice the number of signals exchanged by the first optical path switching module. If two first optical path switching modules fail, one fourth optical path switching module can be used as a replacement.

[0090] In an optional manner, when the optical cross-connect system supports 128 dimensions, there are multiple structures of the optical cross-connect system, and manners 1 to 3 are provided below.

[0091] Method 1: In the optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules and 128 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 60 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 160 input ports and 160 output ports. There are 32 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 60 add-wave input ports and 60 add-wave ports. There are 32 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 60 drop-wave output ports and 60 drop-wave ports. This is equivalent to an optical cross-connect system in which two modules each provide a port connection when connected, and the ports connected between different modules are different.

[0092] Method 2: In the optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first wavelength switching modules and 128 second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 30 first optical path switching modules, and each first optical path switching module includes 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 32 second optical path switching modules, and each second optical path switching module includes 60 add-in input ports and 60 add-in ports. There are 32 third optical path switching modules, and each third optical path switching module includes 60 drop-in output ports and 60 drop-in ports. In this way, it is equivalent to an optical cross-connect system in which two modules each provide two ports for one-to-one connection when connected, and the ports connected between different modules are different, see Figure 9.

[0093] Method 3: In an optical cross-connect system, there are 128 first and second wavelength switching modules. Each first wavelength switching module includes one input port and 60 output ports, while each second wavelength switching module includes 60 input ports and one output port. There are 30 first optical path switching modules, each including 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 16 second optical path switching modules, each including 120 add-wavelength input ports and 120 add-wavelength ports. There are 16 third optical path switching modules, each including 120 drop-wavelength output ports and 120 drop-wavelength ports. This is equivalent to an optical cross-connect system in which, when two line-side modules are connected, each provides two ports for one-to-one connection. When each second optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module, each provides four ports for one-to-one connection. When each third optical path switching module is connected to each first optical path switching module, each provides four ports for one-to-one connection. The ports connected between different modules are different. See Figure 10.

[0094] Optionally, when the optical cross-connect system supports 256 dimensions, in the optical cross-connect system, there are 256 first wavelength switching modules and 256 second wavelength switching modules, each of which includes 1 input port and 60 output ports, and each of which includes 60 input ports and 1 output port. There are 60 first optical path switching modules, each of which includes 320 input ports and 320 output ports. There are 64 second optical path switching modules, each of which includes 60 add-wave input ports and 60 add-wave ports. There are 64 third optical path switching modules, each of which includes 60 drop-wave output ports and 60 drop-wave ports. In this way, it is equivalent to that in the optical cross-connect system, when two modules are connected, each provides a port for connection, and the ports connected between different modules are different.

[0095] It should be noted that the above-mentioned methods are based on the case where only the first optical path exchange module exists. Assuming that the first optical path exchange module is the same as the fourth optical path exchange module, when the first optical path exchange module and the fourth optical path exchange module exist at the same time, the total number of the two is 60 in methods one and four, and the total number of the two is 30 in methods two and three. The number of the first optical path exchange module and the fourth optical path exchange module is set according to actual needs.

[0096] In an optional manner, when each first optical path switching module is responsible for exchanging signals of one wavelength, if multiple beams of signals of the first wavelength are input simultaneously into a second optical path switching module, since the signals of the first wavelength are input into the same first optical path switching module, and each second optical path switching module can only input one beam of signals of the first wavelength into the first optical path switching module, then the multiple beams of signals cannot be simultaneously uploaded. In order to solve this problem, the networking method of the multiple second optical path switching modules is improved. The multiple second optical path switching modules are divided into two groups, represented as a first group of switching modules and a second group of switching modules. The first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules both include multiple second optical path switching modules. For each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. For example, the second optical path switching modules in different groups are connected in pairs. The number of second optical path switching modules in the two groups may be the same or different.

[0097] In the first group of switching modules and the second group of switching modules, each second optical path switching module includes a wavelink port and a wavelink input port. In the first group of switching modules, the wavelink input port of each second optical path switching module is divided into multiple wavelink input port groups, and the number of ports in each wavelink input port group is greater than or equal to 1. In the second group of switching modules, the wavelink port of each second optical path switching module is divided into multiple wavelink port groups. In the second group of switching modules, a wavelink port group is connected one-to-one with a port in a wavelink input port group in the first group of switching modules, and different wavelink port groups correspond to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules. In the second group of switching modules, the wavelink input port of the second optical path switching module is used to connect to a wavelink providing device. In the first group of switching modules, the wavelink port of the second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module.

[0098] During signal transmission, the wavelength adding device inputs the added wavelength signal to the second group of switching modules. A second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules receives the added wavelength signal. Assuming that the added wavelength signal includes a signal with the same wavelength, the signal with the same wavelength is sent to a different second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules. The different second optical path switching module then inputs the signal with the same wavelength to the same first optical path switching module.

[0099] Similarly, if each first optical path switching module is responsible for switching signals of a single wavelength, if a certain wavelength drop receiving device simultaneously receives multiple signals of the first wavelength, the signals of the first wavelength are output to the same first optical path switching module for drop-in, and the first optical path switching module can only input one signal of the first wavelength to each third optical path switching module, and each optical path switching module can only send one signal of the first wavelength to the connected wavelength drop receiving device, then the multiple signals cannot be dropped simultaneously to the same wavelength drop receiving device. To solve this problem, the networking method of multiple third optical path switching modules is improved. The multiple third optical path switching modules are divided into two groups, represented as a third group of switching modules and a fourth group of switching modules. The third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules each include multiple third optical path switching modules. For each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. For example, the third optical path switching modules in different groups are connected in pairs. The number of third optical path switching modules in the two groups can be the same or different.

[0100] In the third group of switching modules and the fourth group of switching modules, each third optical path switching module includes a drop port and a drop output port. In the third group of switching modules, the drop output port of each third optical path switching module is divided into a plurality of drop output port groups, and the number of ports in each drop output port group is greater than or equal to 1. In the fourth group of switching modules, the drop port of each third optical path switching module is divided into a plurality of drop port groups. For the fourth group of switching modules, a drop port group is connected one-to-one with a port in a drop output port group in the third group of switching modules, and different drop port groups correspond to different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules. In the fourth group of switching modules, the drop output port of the third optical path switching module is used to connect to a drop receiving device. In the third group of switching modules, the drop port of the third optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module.

[0101] During signal transmission, the third group of switching modules receives the dropped signal. If there is a signal with the same wavelength among the dropped signals and it is sent to the same dropped receiver, different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules will receive the signal with the same wavelength. These different third optical path switching modules will then send the signal with the same wavelength to the same third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules. The third optical path switching module will then output the signal with the same wavelength to the dropped receiver.

[0102] In this way, if a second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules receives multiple added signals of the first wavelength, the second optical path switching module switches these multiple signals to multiple different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules for added wavelength, allowing signals with the same wavelength to enter the same first optical path switching module. Similarly, when dropping wavelengths, the same first optical path switching module can also simultaneously drop multiple signals with the same wavelength, and these multiple signals belong to the same dropped wavelength receiving device.

[0103] It should be noted that in the above description, when the first switching module group is connected to two second optical path switching modules in the second switching module group, the number of ports connected between each two second optical path switching modules may be the same or different. When the third switching module group is connected to two third optical path switching modules in the fourth switching module group, the number of ports connected between each two third optical path switching modules may be the same or different.

[0104] For example, referring to Figure 11, the first and second groups of switching modules each include two second optical path switching modules, each of which is 4*4. The third and fourth groups of switching modules each include two third optical path switching modules, each of which is 4*4. There are four first optical path switching modules, and two first wavelength switching modules and two second wavelength switching modules, which are 1*4 and 4*1 WSS, respectively. In the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module on the left is connected to the upstream wavelength providing device A and outputs two beams of signals with wavelength A. The second optical path switching module on the left receives the two beams of signals and sends them to the two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules respectively. The two second optical path switching modules both input the received signals into the same first optical path switching module. The third optical path switching module on the right in the fourth group of switching modules is connected to the downstream wavelength receiving device B and receives two beams of signals with wavelength B. In the third group of switching modules, the two third optical path switching modules each receive a signal beam with wavelength B and send it to the third optical path switching module on the right in the fourth group of switching modules. The third optical path switching module outputs two signals with wavelength B to device B.

[0105] In an optional manner, the wavelengths of signals received by the same second wavelength exchange module are usually different. In some cases, the first optical path exchange module cannot input signals with the same wavelength into different second wavelength exchange modules. When the first optical path exchange module inputs signals to the second wavelength exchange module, the signals with the same wavelength are input into the same second wavelength exchange module. When the second wavelength exchange module merges and outputs, there is a wavelength conflict. For example, the line-side signal input by each first wavelength exchange module includes a signal with the first wavelength, and the signal with the first wavelength does not go down the wavelength. At this time, the up-wave signal also includes a signal with the first wavelength. Then, there will be multiple beams of signals with the first wavelength in the same second wavelength exchange module. In an embodiment of the present application, the wavelength of the signal can be converted by a wavelength conversion component so that the wavelengths of the signals input to the same second wavelength exchange module are different.

[0106] The optical cross-connect system also includes a wavelength conversion component. When conflicting wavelength signals are present, the wavelength conversion component converts the first wavelength signal into a second wavelength signal, where the first and second wavelengths are different. This allows the first and second wavelength signals to be input into the same second wavelength switching module, leaving only one second wavelength signal in the module, eliminating conflict when combined and output.

[0107] Optionally, Figure 12 provides another structure of the optical cross-connect system. Referring to Figure 12, the wavelength conversion component is connected to the first optical path switching module. For example, there are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the wavelength conversion component is connected to X first optical path switching modules, where X is greater than or equal to 1. Specifically, the wavelength conversion component includes an input port and an output port. Among the X first optical path switching modules, each first optical path switching module includes an input port and an output port. For each first optical path switching module, there are one or more output ports that are connected one-to-one with the input port of the wavelength conversion component, and there are one or more input ports that are connected one-to-one with the output port of the wavelength conversion component. Here, when there are multiple port connections, it means that the same first optical path switching module can simultaneously output multiple beams of signals for wavelength conversion.

[0108] Among X first optical path switching modules, assume that the target first optical path switching module is configured to input a first signal to the same second wavelength switching module, and that the second wavelength switching module contains a signal with the same wavelength as the first signal. The target first optical path switching module inputs the first signal to a wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component converts the first signal into a second signal and inputs the second signal to a first optical path switching module among the X first optical path switching modules. The wavelengths of the first signal and the second signal are different, and the wavelength of the second signal does not conflict with the wavelengths of other signals sent to at least one second wavelength switching module. The first optical path switching module, through the optical path switching function, inputs the second signal to a second wavelength switching module among the at least one second wavelength switching module. The second wavelength switching module combines the second signal with the other received signals and outputs the signal. In this way, if there is a wavelength conflict, the wavelength conversion component can be used to convert the wavelength. Furthermore, the wavelength conversion component is directly connected to the first optical path switching module, without affecting the wavelength add / drop function. The first optical path switching modules through which the first and second signals pass can be the same or different.

[0109] Optionally, Figure 13 provides another structure of the optical cross-connect system. Referring to Figure 13, the wavelength conversion component is connected to Y second optical path switching modules and to Z third optical path switching modules, where Y and Z are greater than or equal to 1, and Y and Z may be the same or different. Specifically, the wavelength conversion component includes an input port and an output port. Among the Y second optical path switching modules, each second optical path switching module includes a connection input port. For each second optical path switching module, there are one or more connection input ports that are connected one-to-one with the output port of the wavelength conversion component. Each third optical path switching module includes a connection output port. For each third optical path switching module, there are one or more connection output ports that are connected one-to-one with the input port of the wavelength conversion component. Here, when there are multiple port connections, it means that for the same second optical path switching module, multiple beams of signals can be output simultaneously for wavelength conversion.

[0110] Among multiple first optical path switching modules, assume that a first optical path switching module is configured to input a first signal to the same second wavelength switching module, and a signal with the same wavelength as the first signal exists in the second wavelength switching module. The first optical path switching module, through the optical path switching function, inputs the first signal to a third optical path switching module among Z third optical path switching modules. The third optical path switching module, through the optical path switching function, inputs the first signal to a wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component converts the first signal to a second signal and inputs the second signal to a second optical path switching module among Y second optical path switching modules. The wavelengths of the first and second signals are different, and the wavelength of the second signal does not conflict with the wavelengths of other signals sent to at least one second wavelength switching module. The second optical path switching module inputs a second signal to a first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module, through the optical path switching function, inputs the second signal to a second wavelength switching module among at least one second wavelength switching module. The second wavelength switching module combines the second signal with the other received signals and outputs the result. The first and second signals may pass through the same or different first optical path switching modules. In this way, the wavelength conversion component is connected to the second optical path switching module. After the second signal enters the second optical path switching module, it can be input to the first optical path switching module from any upstream port, and thus can be input from any input port of the second wavelength conversion module, thereby supporting wavelength conversion while improving the flexibility of cross-connection.

[0111] Optionally, to simplify the control logic, the second signal is also sent to the second wavelength switching module to which the first signal was originally sent for output, and is also sent to the first optical path switching module to which the first signal was originally sent for switching. This is merely an example, and the specific signal transmission path can be scheduled according to actual needs and is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0112] Optionally, the wavelength conversion component is connected to the output port of the first wavelength switching module and to the input port of the first optical path switching module. The first wavelength switching module inputs a first signal to the wavelength conversion component, which then uses a pump light signal corresponding to the first signal to convert the first signal into a second signal, and then inputs the second signal to the input port of the first optical path switching module. In this way, wavelength conversion is performed before the signal enters the second wavelength switching module for output, thereby preventing wavelength conflicts.

[0113] Optionally, Figure 14 provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a wavelength conversion assembly. Referring to Figure 14 , the wavelength conversion assembly includes a pump light supply module, a combiner module, a nonlinear medium module, and a filter module. The combiner module is located in the optical path of the pump light output signal from the pump light assembly and in the optical path of the first signal input to the wavelength conversion assembly. The nonlinear medium is located in the optical path between the combiner module and the filter module.

[0114] The pump light providing module outputs a pump light signal corresponding to the first signal. The combiner module combines the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal with the first signal one by one to generate a combined signal, which is then input into the nonlinear medium module. The nonlinear medium module transmits the combined signal, generating a nonlinearly converted signal through a nonlinear effect, which is then input into the filtering module. The filtering module filters signals not at the specified wavelength to generate a second signal, which is then input into an output port. The second signal is then input into the first optical path switching module or the second optical path switching module through the output port. Here, if a beam of the first signal has a first wavelength and is to be converted into a second signal at a second wavelength, the nonlinearly converted signal may include not only the second signal at the second wavelength but also signals that have not been fully converted from the first signal and pump light signals that have not been fully converted. Therefore, filtering is required for the second signal that is not at the second wavelength. Thus, when the wavelength conversion component converts an optical signal of the first wavelength into an optical signal of the second wavelength, it directly converts the optical signal into an optical signal, rather than first converting the optical signal into an electrical signal and then modulating it, which reduces costs.

[0115] Optionally, the pump light providing module is a laser. The wave combining module is a MUX. The nonlinear medium module may include a highly nonlinear optical fiber, a silicon nitride waveguide, or an aluminum gallium arsenide waveguide. The filtering module is a filter.

[0116] Optionally, the pump light signals corresponding to signals of different wavelengths may be different, and the nonlinear media may also be different.

[0117] Optionally, in another implementation of the wavelength conversion component, the wavelength conversion component may also first convert the optical signal into an electrical signal, and then convert the electrical signal into an optical signal, to achieve wavelength conversion.

[0118] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system is further connected to a controller that determines signals with wavelength conflicts. For example, if each first wavelength switching module outputs a signal of the first wavelength, the first wavelength signal is not dropped, and the added signal also contains a signal of the first wavelength, then when the first wavelength signal is exchanged to the second wavelength conversion module, a wavelength conflict will occur in the first wavelength signal. The controller controls the first optical path switching module to output a beam of first wavelength signals to the wavelength conversion component, or controls the first and third optical path switching modules to output a beam of first wavelength signals to the wavelength conversion component for wavelength conversion, and then controls the second optical path switching module to input the first wavelength signals to the first optical path switching module. The controller can be the controller that controls the first, second, and third optical path switching modules. For example, when the controller controls the exchange of signals input from an input port of the first optical path switching module to an output port, if it determines that two first wavelength signals are to be exchanged to the second and third ports, and the second and third ports are connected to the same second wavelength switching module, the first wavelength signal exchanged to the second port is exchanged to the output port connected to the wavelength conversion component. When the wavelength conversion component inputs a signal of the second wavelength, the signal of the second wavelength is controlled to be switched to the second port, so that the wavelengths of the signals output from the second port and the third port are different.

[0119] In this application, the terms "first" and "second" and the like are used to distinguish between identical or similar items having substantially the same effects and functions, and it should be understood that there is no logical or temporal dependency between "first" and "second", nor is there any limitation on quantity or order of execution. It should also be understood that although the following description uses the terms first and second, etc. to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the various examples, the second optical path switching module may be referred to as the first optical path switching module, and similarly, the first optical path switching module may be referred to as the second optical path switching module. Both the second optical path switching module and the first optical path switching module may be optical switching matrices, and in some cases, may be separate and different optical switching matrices.

[0120] The term "at least one" in this application means one or more, and the term "plurality" in this application means two or more.

[0121] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and such modifications or substitutions should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An optical cross-connect system, characterized in that, It includes a line-side component and a branch-side component. The line-side component includes a plurality of first wavelength conversion modules, a first optical path switching module, and a plurality of second wavelength conversion modules. The branch-side component includes a second optical path switching module; The first wavelength conversion module is connected to the first optical path switching module. The first optical path switching module is connected to each second wavelength conversion module. The second optical path switching module is connected to the first optical path switching module; Each first wavelength conversion module is configured to receive a line-side signal and output the line-side signal to the first optical path switching module; The first optical path switching module is configured to output a pass-through signal in the line-side signal to a first target second wavelength conversion module among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; The second optical path switching module is configured to receive an up-wave signal and output the up-wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching; The first optical path switching module is further configured to output the up-wave signal to a second target second wavelength conversion module among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; Each second wavelength conversion module is configured to output the received signal.

2. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1, wherein The branch-side component further includes a third optical path switching module; The first optical path switching module is further configured to output a down-wave signal in the line-side signal to the third optical path switching module; The third optical path switching module is configured to receive the down-wave signal and output the down-wave signal through optical path switching.

3. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected to the output port of at least one first optical path switching module in a one-to-one correspondence, and the output port is connected to the input port of at least one first optical path switching module in a one-to-one correspondence; The wavelength conversion component is configured to receive a first signal input by the at least one first optical path switching module, convert the first signal into a second signal. The wavelength of the first signal is different from that of the second signal. The wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules, and the wavelength of the second signal has no wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength conversion module; Input the second signal to the at least one first optical path switching module.

4. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 2, wherein The optical cross-connect system further includes a wavelength conversion component. The input port of the wavelength conversion component is connected to the down-wave output port of at least one third optical path switching module in a one-to-one correspondence, and the output port is connected to the up-wave input port of at least one second optical path switching module; The at least one third optical path switching module is further configured to receive a first signal input by the first optical path switching module and input the first signal to the wavelength conversion component. The wavelength of the first signal has a wavelength conflict among the plurality of second wavelength conversion modules; The wavelength conversion component is configured to convert the first signal into a second signal and input the second signal to the at least one second optical path switching module. The wavelength of the first signal is different from that of the second signal, and the wavelength of the second signal has no wavelength conflict in at least one second wavelength conversion module; The at least one second optical path switching module is further configured to input the second signal to the first optical path switching module.

5. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The wavelength conversion component includes a pump light providing module, a multiplexing module, a nonlinear medium module, and a filtering module; The pump light providing module is configured to input a pump light signal corresponding to the first signal to the multiplexing module; The multiplexing module is configured to receive the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal, combine the pump light signal corresponding to the first signal and the first signal to obtain a combined signal, and input the combined signal to the nonlinear medium module; The nonlinear medium module is configured to obtain a nonlinearly converted signal based on the first signal and the pump light signal in the combined signal, and input the nonlinearly converted signal to the filtering module; The filtering module is configured to filter the nonlinearly converted signal to obtain the second signal and output the second signal.

6. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each first optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each first optical path switching module; Each first optical path switching module is configured to control the optical path between the input port and the output port, and output the direct-through signal and the up-converted signal to the corresponding second wavelength switching module.

7. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that There are multiple first optical path switching modules, and the line-side component further includes a fourth optical path switching module; For each first wavelength switching module, the first wavelength switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each second wavelength switching module, the second wavelength switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module; For each second optical path switching module, the up-converted port of the second optical path switching module is connected to at least one input port of each fourth optical path switching module. For each third optical path switching module, the down-converted port of the third optical path switching module is connected to at least one output port of each fourth optical path switching module; The fourth optical path switching module is configured to, when at least one first optical path switching module fails, perform optical switching processing instead of the at least one first optical path switching module.

8. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, There are multiple second optical path switching modules, and the multiple second optical path switching modules include a first group of switching modules and a second group of switching modules; Each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module; for each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to at least two second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules; The second group of switching modules is configured to receive the up-converted signal, input the up-converted signal to the first group of switching modules through optical path switching, and in the second group of switching modules, wavelength-identical signals sent by the same second optical path switching module are sent to different second optical path switching modules in the first group of switching modules; The first group of switching modules is configured to input the upper-wave signal to the first optical path switching module through optical path switching.

9. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 8, wherein For each second optical path switching module in the second group of switching modules, the second optical path switching module is connected to each second optical path switching module in the first group of switching modules.

10. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 2, wherein There are multiple third optical path switching modules, and the multiple third optical path switching modules include a third group of switching modules and a fourth group of switching modules; Each third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules is connected to the first optical path switching module; for each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to at least two third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules; The third group of switching modules is configured to receive the lower-wave signal, input the lower-wave signal to the fourth group of switching modules, and in the fourth group of switching modules, the wavelength-identical signals received by the same second optical path switching module come from different third optical path switching modules in the third group of switching modules; The fourth group of switching modules is further configured to output the lower-wave signal through optical path switching.

11. The optical cross-connect system according to claim 10, wherein For each third optical path switching module in the fourth group of switching modules, the third optical path switching module is connected to each third optical path switching module in the third group of switching modules.

12. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The number of the first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module is greater than or equal to 64.

13. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that Both the first optical path switching module and the second optical path switching module are microelectromechanical system optical cross-connect devices or waveguide optical switch arrays.

14. The optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are wavelength selective switches (WSS); or, The first wavelength switching module is a demultiplexer (DMUX), and the second wavelength switching module is a multiplexer (MUX); or, The first wavelength switching module and the second wavelength switching module are arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG).

15. An optical cross-connect network, characterized in that, Comprising a plurality of optical cross-connect systems according to any one of claims 1 to 14; Each optical cross-connect system in the plurality of optical cross-connect systems is connected to at least one other optical cross-connect system.

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