Optical cross-connect system and node

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an optical cross-connect system and a node, which are applied to the technical field of optical communications. Signals of at least some wavelengths, which are added and dropped by means of an inbound wavelength selective switch, among optical signals of an input optical fiber can be directly scheduled into an output optical fiber by means of an optical switch, such that it is not necessary to perform wavelength combination by means of an outbound wavelength selective switch any more. The wavelength scheduling for the optical signals requires a smaller number of stages of wavelength selective switches, such that the wavelength scheduling rate can be increased. Moreover, this wavelength scheduling method can coexist with a conventional wavelength scheduling method, such that the wavelength scheduling is more flexible.

Description

Optical cross-connect systems and nodes

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on February 1, 2024, with application number 202410157387.5 and application name “Optical Cross-Connect System and Node,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] Reconfigurable optical add / drop multiplexers (ROADs) are a key technology in all-optical networks. They enable multi-dimensional, high-capacity wavelength scheduling. However, as the number of dimensions increases, the number of internal fiber connections in the DAODM increases dramatically, leading to lengthy commissioning and maintenance times and increased errors, as well as a significant increase in floor space and power consumption. Optical cross-connect technology optimizes and improves these issues. By utilizing an all-optical, unobstructed cross-connect backplane, combined with highly integrated optical circuit boards and optical add / drop boards, OCD technology enables fiber connections as soon as the board is plugged in, eliminating complex internal fiber connections and improving commissioning and maintenance efficiency.

[0004] However, current optical cross-connect systems, comprised of dynamic optical add / drop multiplexers and all-optical cross-connect devices, rely on multi-level, multi-dimensional wavelength selective switches (WSSs) to implement optical signal cross-connection and wavelength scheduling. In this implementation, wavelength blocking rates and cross-connect capacity interact, requiring a trade-off. Furthermore, the WSSs' addition, drop, and multiplexing of optical signals generate insertion loss and latency, hindering further improvement in wavelength scheduling rates.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides an optical cross-connect system and node, which are used to solve the problem that the wavelength scheduling rate is difficult to further increase due to the performance limitations of the existing dynamic optical add-drop multiplexers and all-optical cross-connect devices connected to each other through multi-stage wavelength selective switches.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides an optical cross-connect system, which may include: an inbound wavelength selective switch, an outbound wavelength selective switch, and a first optical switch. The common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to a first input optical fiber. The first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch. The common port of the outbound wavelength selective switch is connected to a first output optical fiber. The second branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first input port of the first optical switch. The first output port of the first optical switch is connected to a second output optical fiber in the output line direction corresponding to the first output optical fiber.

[0008] Based on this optical cross-connect system, optical signals from the first input optical fiber can be dispatched to the output optical fiber after add-drop multiplexing through two-stage wavelength selective switches. Alternatively, they can be dispatched directly to the output optical fiber through the first optical switch after add-drop multiplexing through a single wavelength selective switch. This optical cross-connect system allows for multiple wavelength scheduling methods from one input line to one output line. Furthermore, wavelength scheduling through the first optical switch reduces the number of wavelength selective switches that optical signals must pass through, resulting in faster wavelength scheduling rates.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, the optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2. The first optical switch includes A first input ports and C first output ports, where C is a positive integer and C≤B. The common ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input optical fibers. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The second branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input ports of the first optical switch. The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the B first output optical fibers, and the B first output optical fibers belong to C output line directions. The C first output ports of the first optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the C second output optical fibers, and the C second output optical fibers respectively belong to C output line directions.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, the first optical switch further includes a second input port and a second output port. The second input port of the first optical switch is connected to a second input optical fiber in an input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber. The second output port of the first optical switch is connected to a second branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch.

[0011] Based on this implementation, the optical signal of the second input optical fiber can be directly dispatched to the outbound wavelength selective switch through the first optical switch without passing through the inbound wavelength selective switch, resulting in a higher wavelength dispatching rate.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, an optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2. A first optical switch includes D second input ports and B second output ports, where D is a positive integer and D≤A. The common ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input optical fibers, and the A first input optical fibers belong to the D input line directions. The D second input ports of the first optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the D second input optical fibers, and the D second input optical fibers respectively belong to the D input line directions. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The B second output ports of the first optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the second branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the B first output optical fibers.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, the optical cross-connect system further includes a second optical switch. A first input port of the second optical switch is connected to a second input optical fiber in an input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber. A first output port of the second optical switch is connected to a second branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, an optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2. A second optical switch includes D first input ports and B first output ports, where D is a positive integer and D ≤ A. The common ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The D first input ports of the second optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the D second input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The B second output ports of the first optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the second branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the B first output optical fibers.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, each inbound wavelength selective switch includes B first branch ports, and each outbound wavelength selective switch includes A first branch ports. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. Specifically, this may include: the B first branch ports of each inbound wavelength selective switch in the A inbound wavelength selective switches are respectively connected to one first branch port of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The A first branch ports of each outbound wavelength selective switch in the B outbound wavelength selective switches are respectively connected to one first branch port of the A inbound wavelength selective switch.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect above, as a possible implementation, each inbound wavelength selective switch and each outbound wavelength selective switch includes S first branch ports, where S is a positive integer. The optical cross-connect system also includes S third optical switches, each of which includes A input ports and B output ports. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. Specifically, the S first branch ports of each of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to one input port of the S third optical switches. The A input ports of each of the S third optical switches are connected to one first branch port of the A inbound wavelength selective switch. The B output ports of each of the S third optical switches are connected to one first branch port of the B outbound wavelength selective switches. The S first branch ports of each of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected to one output port of the S third optical switches.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present application provides an optical cross-connect system, which may include: A inbound wavelength selective switches, B outbound wavelength selective switches, and a fourth optical switch, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2. The common ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input optical fibers, each of which belongs to D input line directions. D is a positive integer, D≤A. Multiple branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to multiple first input ports of the fourth optical switch. Multiple branch ports of the B inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to multiple first input ports of the fourth optical switch. The common ports of the B inbound wavelength selective switches are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the B first output optical fibers, each of which belongs to C output line directions. C is a positive integer, C≤B. The D second input ports of the fourth optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the D second input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The C second output ports of the fourth optical switch are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the C second output optical fibers, each of which belongs to the C output line directions.

[0018] This optical cross-connect system allows multiple input and output line directions to include high-speed channels. Multiple wavelength scheduling paths can be used from one input line direction to one output line direction, providing greater wavelength scheduling flexibility. Furthermore, this optical cross-connect system provides high-speed wavelength scheduling paths, requiring fewer wavelength selective switch stages for wavelength scheduling, resulting in higher wavelength scheduling rates.

[0019] In a third aspect, a node is provided. The node may be the optical cross-connect system described in the first or second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system in the art;

[0021] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system in the art;

[0022] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] To facilitate understanding, first, a brief introduction is given to the technical terms and related technologies involved in this application.

[0034] 1×N wavelength selective switch: 1 refers to one common port, and N refers to N branch ports. A 1×N wavelength selective switch can include one common port and N branch ports. When an optical signal enters the wavelength selective switch from the common port, the wavelengths contained in the optical signal are separated and then routed to at least one of the N branch ports as needed. Conversely, when an optical signal enters the wavelength selective switch from at least one of the N branch ports, at least one optical signal received by the at least one branch port is combined and output from the common port.

[0035] The optical cross-connect system connects multiple multi-dimensional wavelength selective switches to each other to achieve optical cross-connection and wavelength scheduling in multiple line directions.

[0036] For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical cross-connect system, which may include N inbound wavelength selective switches and N outbound wavelength selective switches. Each inbound wavelength selective switch and each outbound wavelength selective switch includes one common port and N branch ports. As shown in Figure 1, the N branch ports of each inbound wavelength selective switch are respectively connected to one branch port of the N outbound wavelength selective switches, and the N inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to different branch ports of the same outbound wavelength selective switch. Therefore, each inbound wavelength selective switch can be connected to the N outbound wavelength selective switches, and each outbound wavelength selective switch can also be connected to the N inbound wavelength selective switches.

[0037] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 1, the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch can be connected to one input optical fiber to receive one wavelength signal. The common ports of N inbound wavelength selective switches can be connected to N input optical fibers to receive N wavelength signals. Each inbound wavelength selective switch can perform wavelength separation on the received wavelength signal and output it from at least one branch port to at least one outbound wavelength selective switch. Each outbound wavelength selective switch can receive a wavelength signal from at least one inbound wavelength selective switch, combine the at least one wavelength signal, and then output it from the common port to the output optical fiber. Based on the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 1, the wavelength signal can be wavelength separated by the inbound wavelength selective switch and then wavelength recombined by the outbound wavelength selective switch to achieve flexible wavelength scheduling. The N wavelength signals output by the common ports of the N outbound wavelength selective switches are obtained after wavelength scheduling based on the N wavelength signals input to the N inbound wavelength selective switches.

[0038] The optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 1 can generally be applied to a dynamic optical add / drop multiplexer or an all-optical cross-connect module. For example, the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 1 can be integrated into an N×N all-optical cross-connect module.

[0039] As another example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another optical cross-connect system, which may include 16 32×32 all-optical cross-connect modules and 18 16×16 all-optical cross-connect modules. The internal structure of the 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module and the 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module can refer to Figure 1, where N can be 32 or 16, and will not be described in detail here. At least part of the wavelengths of the wavelength signal input into any input port of the 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module and the 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module can be output from any output port. As shown in Figure 2, 14 of the 32 input ports of each 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module are connected to the input optical fiber, and 14 of the 32 output ports of each 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module are connected to the output optical fiber. The remaining 18 of the 32 output ports on each 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module are connected to one input port on each of the 18 16×16 all-optical cross-connect modules. The 16 input ports on each 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module can each be connected to one output port on each of the 16 32×32 all-optical cross-connect modules. The remaining 18 of the 32 input ports on each 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module are connected to one output port on each of the 18 16×16 all-optical cross-connect modules. The 16 output ports on each 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module can each be connected to one input port on each of the 16 32×32 all-optical cross-connect modules. The 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module in Figure 2 acts as a bridge, connecting different 32×32 all-optical cross-connect modules.

[0040] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 2, the wavelength signal received by a 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module from the input optical fiber can be scheduled and output to the output optical fiber through the internal two-stage wavelength selective switch, thus realizing scheduling within the module. In addition, the wavelength signal received by a 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module can also be output to a 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module, and then transmitted to another 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module through the 16×16 all-optical cross-connect module, and then output from another 32×32 all-optical cross-connect module, thus realizing cross-module scheduling. Compared with the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 1, the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 2 can achieve higher-dimensional wavelength scheduling.

[0041] However, both the optical cross-connect systems shown in Figures 1 and 2 implement optical signal cross-connection and wavelength scheduling based on cross-connections between multiple internal wavelength selective switches. Wavelength blocking rate and cross-connect capacity interact, requiring a trade-off. Furthermore, optical signals must pass through at least two stages of wavelength selective switches, incurring additional loss and latency.

[0042] In view of this, the present application provides an optical cross-connect system, in which the wavelength signal of the input optical fiber can enter the output optical fiber in any output direction through the optical switch after wavelength decomposition through the wavelength selective switch, or the wavelength signal of any input optical fiber can enter the outbound wavelength selective switch through the optical switch for wavelength combination. The wavelength scheduling can be achieved by at least passing through one level of wavelength selective switch, which can improve the performance of wavelength scheduling.

[0043] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0044] In addition, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0045] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the optical cross-connect system may include an inbound wavelength selective switch 301, an outbound wavelength selective switch 302, and a first optical switch 303. The inbound wavelength selective switch 301 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 302 each include a common port and multiple branch ports. The first optical switch 303 includes at least one input port and at least one output port. Any input port of the first optical switch 303 can be connected to any output port.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3 , the common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 (denoted by P10 in Figure 3 ) is connected to the first input optical fiber. The first branch port (denoted by P11 in Figure 3 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 is connected to the first branch port (denoted by P21 in Figure 3 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 302. The common port (denoted by P20 in Figure 3 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switch 302 is connected to the first output optical fiber. The second branch port (denoted by P12 in Figure 3 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 is connected to the first input port (denoted by x1 in Figure 3 ) among the at least one input port of the first optical switch 303. The first output port (denoted by y1 in Figure 3 ) among the at least one output port of the first optical switch 303 is connected to the second output optical fiber in the output line direction corresponding to the first output optical fiber.

[0047] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 3, the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 can receive an optical signal from a first input optical fiber from a common port, and can perform wavelength division processing on the received optical signal before outputting it from at least one branch port. The optical signal output from the first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 can be transmitted to the outbound wavelength selective switch 302. The outbound wavelength selective switch 302 can combine the optical signal received from the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 with the optical signals received from other branch ports, and then output the combined signal from the common port to the first output optical fiber. The optical signal output from the second branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 can be transmitted to the first optical switch 303, which can then output the optical signal from the first output port to the second output optical fiber.

[0048] It should be understood that the first output fiber and the second output fiber belong to the same output line direction, so the optical signal from the same input fiber can be dispatched to different output fibers in the same output line direction through different dispatching methods (outbound wavelength selective switch 302 or first optical switch 303). Compared to the optical signal from the first input fiber being dispatched to the first output fiber through the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 302, the optical signal from the first input fiber being dispatched to the second output fiber through the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 and the first optical switch 303 can pass through one less wavelength selective switch, thereby reducing the insertion loss and delay caused by the first wavelength selective switch and achieving a faster dispatching rate. Based on this, the first output fiber can be considered a general-rate channel in the output line direction corresponding to the outbound wavelength selective switch 302, and the second output fiber can be considered a high-speed channel in the output line direction corresponding to the outbound wavelength selective switch 302.

[0049] In summary, the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 3 can provide two different wavelength scheduling channels from one input line direction to one output line direction, making wavelength scheduling more flexible. Furthermore, it provides a high-speed scheduling method, allowing optical signal scheduling to be achieved through at least one wavelength selective switch.

[0050] Optionally, in the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG3 , the number of second branch ports connected to the first optical switch 303 by the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 may include multiple ports, and the number of second output optical fibers belonging to the same output line direction as the first output optical fiber may also include multiple ports, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this. However, considering the cost of wavelength selective switch components and the deployment cost of optical fibers, typically, the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 includes one second branch port connected to the first optical switch 303, and the first optical switch 303 is connected to one second output optical fiber belonging to the same output line direction as the first output optical fiber connected to the outbound wavelength selective switch 302.

[0051] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG3 may specifically be structured as shown in FIG4 . As shown in FIG4 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 (such as 301_1 to 301_A in FIG4 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 (such as 302_1 to 302_B in FIG4 ), and a first optical switch 303. A and B are both positive integers greater than or equal to 2, and A and B may be equal or unequal, which is not limited in this application.

[0052] As shown in Figure 4 , the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 301 (denoted by P10 in Figure 4 ) is connected to a first input optical fiber, and the common ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 302 are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The first branch ports (denoted by P11 in Figure 4 ) of A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 are connected to the first branch ports (denoted by P21 in Figure 4 ) of B outbound wavelength selective switches 302. Any inbound wavelength selective switch 301 is connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 302. The specific connection between the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 is not described in detail here. The common port (denoted by P20 in Figure 4 ) of each outbound wavelength selective switch 302 is connected to a first output optical fiber, and the common ports of B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 are connected to B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The B first output optical fibers belong to C output line directions (output line direction 1 to output line direction C as shown in Figure 4 ), where C is a positive integer and C ≤ B. The A second branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switches 301 (denoted by P12 in Figure 4 ) are connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the A first input ports (denoted by x1 in Figure 4 ) of the first optical switch 303. The C first output ports (denoted by y1 in Figure 4 ) of the first optical switch 303 are connected to the C second output optical fibers, each of which belongs to the aforementioned C output line directions.

[0053] The behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 in Figure 4 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 301 in Figure 3 above. The behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 302 in Figure 4 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 302 in Figure 3 above. The behaviors performed by the first optical switch 303 in Figure 4 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the first optical switch 303 in Figure 3 above, and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that one inbound wavelength selective switch 301 in Figure 4 can output optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 302, and one outbound wavelength selective switch 302 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 301. The first optical switch 303 can receive optical signals from A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 and output these multiple optical signals to multiple second output optical fibers.

[0054] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 4 , the C second output optical fibers connected to the first optical switch 303 belong to the C output line directions corresponding to the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302. Therefore, optical signal scheduling to these C output lines can be achieved through different scheduling methods (either the outbound wavelength selective switch 302 or the first optical switch 303). The first output optical fibers connected to the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 can be considered as standard rate channels for these C output line directions, while the C second output optical fibers connected to the first optical switch 303 can be considered as high-speed channels within these C output line directions.

[0055] Alternatively, if the B first output optical fibers connected to the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 belong to different output line directions, then C = B. If there are multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 302 connected to the first output optical fibers belonging to the same output line direction, then C < B.

[0056] As a possible implementation, every K outbound wavelength selective switches 302 among the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 correspond to one output line direction, and then C=B÷K, where K is a positive integer.

[0057] Optionally, the A first input optical fibers connected to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 may belong to D different input line directions, where D is a positive integer and D ≤ A. Based on this, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG4 can implement wavelength scheduling from the D input line directions to the C output line directions.

[0058] Alternatively, if the A first output optical fibers connected to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 302 belong to different output line directions, then A = D. If there are multiple first output optical fibers connected to the inbound wavelength selective switches 302 belonging to the same output line direction, then C < B.

[0059] As a possible implementation, every K inbound wavelength selective switches 302 among the A inbound wavelength selective switches 302 correspond to one input line direction, and then C=A÷K, where K is a positive integer.

[0060] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG4 may further include other inbound wavelength selective switches (not shown in FIG4 ) in addition to the inbound wavelength selective switch 301. The common ports of the other inbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to one input optical fiber, and the other inbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 via branch ports. However, the branch ports of the other inbound wavelength selective switches are not connected to the first optical switch 303. Therefore, the optical signals output by the other inbound wavelength selective switches will not be transmitted to the first optical switch 303, and the optical signals received by the other inbound wavelength selective switches will not be dispatched to the high-speed channel in the outbound direction.

[0061] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG4 may further include other outbound wavelength selective switches (not shown in FIG4 ) in addition to the outbound wavelength selective switch 302. These other outbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 302 via branch ports, and the common ports of these other outbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to one output optical fiber. The multiple second output optical fibers connected to the first optical switch 303 may not include a second output optical fiber that shares the same output line mode as the output optical fibers connected to the other outbound wavelength selective switches. Consequently, the output line directions corresponding to the other outbound wavelength selective switches may not have high-speed channels.

[0062] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the optical cross-connect system may include an inbound wavelength selective switch 501, an outbound wavelength selective switch 502, and a second optical switch 503. The inbound wavelength selective switch 501 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 each include one common port and multiple branch ports. The second optical switch 503 includes at least one input port and at least one output port. Any input port of the second optical switch 503 can be connected to any output port.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5 , the common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 (denoted by P10 in Figure 5 ) is connected to the first input optical fiber. The first branch port (denoted by P11 in Figure 5 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 is connected to the first branch port (denoted by P21 in Figure 5 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 502. The common port (denoted by P20 in Figure 5 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 is connected to the first output optical fiber. The first input port (denoted by x1 in Figure 5 ) among the at least one input port of the second optical switch 503 is connected to the second input optical fiber in the input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber. The first output port (denoted by y1 in Figure 5 ) among the at least one output port of the second optical switch 503 is connected to the second branch port (denoted by P22 in Figure 5 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 502.

[0064] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 5, the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 can receive an optical signal from a first input optical fiber from a common port, perform wavelength division processing on the received optical signal, and then output it from at least one branch port. The optical signal output from the first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 can be transmitted to the outbound wavelength selective switch 502. The second optical switch 503 can receive an optical signal from a second input optical fiber from the first input port, and transmit the optical signal to the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 through the first output port. The outbound wavelength selective switch 502 can combine the optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 and the optical signal from the second optical switch 503, and output the combined signal to the first output optical fiber.

[0065] It should be understood that the first input optical fiber and the second input optical fiber belong to the same input line direction, so that the optical signals in the same input line direction can be dispatched to the same output optical fiber through different dispatching methods (inbound wavelength selective switch 501 or second optical switch 503). Compared with the optical signal of the first input optical fiber being dispatched to the first output optical fiber through the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 502, the optical signal of the second input optical fiber being dispatched to the first output optical fiber through the second optical switch 503 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 can pass through one less wavelength selective switch, thereby reducing the insertion loss and delay caused by the first wavelength selective switch and achieving a faster dispatching rate. Based on this, the first input optical fiber can be considered as a general rate channel in the input line direction corresponding to the inbound wavelength selective switch 501, and the second input optical fiber can be considered as a high-speed channel in the input line direction corresponding to the wavelength selective switch 501.

[0066] In summary, the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 5 can provide two different wavelength scheduling channels from one input line direction to one output line direction, making wavelength scheduling more flexible. Furthermore, it provides a high-speed scheduling method, allowing optical signal scheduling to be achieved through at least one wavelength selective switch.

[0067] Optionally, in the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG5 , the number of second input optical fibers belonging to the same input line direction as the first input optical fiber may include multiple ones, and the number of second branch ports connected to the second optical switch 503 by the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 may also include multiple ones. This application does not impose any restrictions on this. However, considering the cost of wavelength selective switch components and the deployment cost of optical fibers, typically, the second optical switch 503 is connected to one second input optical fiber belonging to the same input line direction as the first input optical fiber connected to the inbound wavelength selective switch 501, and the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 includes one second branch port connected to the second optical switch 503.

[0068] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG5 may specifically be structured as shown in FIG6 . As shown in FIG6 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 (such as 501_1 to 501_A in FIG6 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 (such as 502_1 to 502_B in FIG6 ), and a second optical switch 503. A and B are both positive integers greater than or equal to 2, and A and B may be equal or unequal, which is not limited in this application.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6 , the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 501 (denoted by P10 in Figure 6 ) is connected to one first input optical fiber, and the common ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 502 are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions (input line direction 1 to input line direction D as shown in Figure 6 ), where D is a positive integer and D ≤ A. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 (denoted by P11 in Figure 6 ) are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 (denoted by P21 in Figure 6 ). Any inbound wavelength selective switch 501 is connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 502. The specific connection method of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 will not be described in detail here. The common port of each outbound wavelength selective switch 502 (denoted by P20 in FIG6 ) is connected to one first output optical fiber. The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 are connected to the B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The D first input ports of the second optical switch 503 (denoted by x1 in FIG6 ) are connected to the D second input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The B first output ports of the second optical switch 503 (denoted by y1 in FIG6 ) are connected to the second branch ports (denoted by P22 in FIG6 ) of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0070] The behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 in Figure 6 can be referred to as described above for the behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 in Figure 5 . The behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 in Figure 6 can be referred to as described above for the behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 502 in Figure 5 . The behaviors performed by the second optical switch 503 in Figure 6 can be referred to as described above for the behaviors performed by the second optical switch 503 in Figure 5 , and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that one inbound wavelength selective switch 501 in Figure 6 can output optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 502 , and one outbound wavelength selective switch 502 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 501 . The second optical switch 503 can receive optical signals from multiple second input optical fibers and output these multiple optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 502 .

[0071] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 6 , the D second input optical fibers connected to the second optical switch 503 belong to the D input line directions corresponding to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501. Therefore, obtaining optical signals from these D input line directions can be achieved through different scheduling methods (either the inbound wavelength selective switch 501 or the second optical switch 503). The first input optical signals connected to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 can be considered as the normal rate channels in these D input line directions, and the D second input optical fibers connected to the first optical switch 303 can be considered as the high-speed channels in these D input line directions.

[0072] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG6 may further include other inbound wavelength selective switches (not shown in FIG6 ) in addition to the inbound wavelength selective switch 501. The common ports of the other inbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to one input optical fiber, and the other inbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 via branch ports. The multiple second input optical fibers connected to the second optical switch 503 may not include second input optical fibers that share the same input line mode as the input optical fibers connected to the other inbound wavelength selective switches. Consequently, the input line directions corresponding to the other inbound wavelength selective switches do not have high-speed channels.

[0073] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG6 may further include other outbound wavelength selective switches (not shown in FIG6 ) in addition to the outbound wavelength selective switch 502. These other outbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to the A inbound wavelength selective switches 502 via branch ports. The common ports of these other outbound wavelength selective switches may be connected to one output optical fiber, but these other outbound wavelength selective switches are not connected to the second optical switch 503. Therefore, these other outbound wavelength selective switches do not receive optical signals from the high-speed channel in the input line direction.

[0074] It should be understood that Figures 3 and 4 above provide optical cross-connect systems that include high-speed channels in the outbound direction, and Figures 5 and 6 above provide optical cross-connect systems that include high-speed channels in the inbound direction. As a possible scenario, the optical cross-connect systems shown in Figures 3 and 4 above can be combined with the optical cross-connect systems shown in Figures 5 and 6 , so that both the inbound and outbound directions of an optical cross-connect system can include high-speed channels.

[0075] For example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. The optical cross-connect system may include an inbound wavelength selective switch 701, an outbound wavelength selective switch 702, a first optical switch 703, and a second optical switch 704. The inbound wavelength selective switch 701 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 702 each include a common port and multiple branch ports. The first optical switch 703 and the second optical switch 704 may each include at least one input port and at least one output port. Any input port of the first optical switch 703 and the second optical switch 704 may be connected to any output port.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7 , the common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 (denoted by P10 in Figure 7 ) is connected to the first input optical fiber. The first branch port (denoted by P11 in Figure 7 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 is connected to the first branch port (denoted by P21 in Figure 7 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 702. The common port (denoted by P20 in Figure 7 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switch 702 is connected to the first output optical fiber. The second branch port (denoted by P12 in Figure 7 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 is connected to the first input port (denoted by x11 in Figure 7 ) among the at least one input port of the first optical switch 703. The first output port (denoted by y11 in Figure 7 ) among the at least one output port of the first optical switch 703 is connected to the second output optical fiber in the output line direction corresponding to the first output optical fiber. A first input port (indicated by x21 in FIG. 7 ) among the at least one input port of the second optical switch 704 is connected to a second input optical fiber in the input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber. A first output port (indicated by y21 in FIG. 7 ) among the at least one output port of the second optical switch 704 is connected to a second branch port (indicated by P22 in FIG. 7 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 702.

[0077] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 7, the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 can receive an optical signal from a first input optical fiber from a common port and perform wavelength division processing on the received optical signal before outputting it from at least one branch port. The optical signal output from the first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 can be transmitted to the outbound wavelength selective switch 702, and the optical signal output from the second branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 can be transmitted to the first optical switch 703. The first optical switch 703 can receive an optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 from its first input port and output the optical signal to the second output optical fiber through its second output port. The second optical switch 704 can receive an optical signal from the second input optical fiber from its first input port and output the optical signal to the outbound wavelength selective switch 702 through its first output port. The outbound wavelength selective switch 702 can combine the optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 and the optical signal from the second optical switch 704 and output the combined signal to the first output optical fiber.

[0078] In the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG7 , both the input line direction and the output line direction include high-speed channels, and both the input line direction and the output line direction can implement high-speed wavelength scheduling.

[0079] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG7 may specifically have a structure as shown in FIG8 . As shown in FIG8 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 (such as 701_1 to 701_A in FIG8 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 (such as 702_1 to 702_B in FIG8 ), a first optical switch 703, and a second optical switch 704. A and B are both positive integers greater than or equal to 2, and A and B may be equal or unequal, which is not limited in this application.

[0080] As shown in Figure 8 , the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 701 (denoted by P10 in Figure 8 ) is connected to one first input optical fiber, and the common ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 702 are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions (input line direction 1 to input line direction D as shown in Figure 8 ), where D is a positive integer and D ≤ A. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 (denoted by P11 in Figure 8 ) are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 (denoted by P21 in Figure 8 ). Any inbound wavelength selective switch 701 is connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 702. The specific connection method of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 will not be described in detail here. The common port of each outbound wavelength selective switch 702 (denoted by P20 in FIG8 ) is connected to one first output optical fiber. The common ports of B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 are connected to B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. These B first output optical fibers belong to C output line directions (output line direction 1 to output line direction C as shown in FIG8 ), where C is a positive integer and C ≤ B. The second branch ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 (denoted by P12 in FIG8 ) are connected to A first input ports of the first optical switch 703 (denoted by x11 in FIG8 ). The C first output ports of the first optical switch 703 (denoted by y11 in FIG8 ) are connected to C second output optical fibers, each of which belongs to the C output line directions. The D first input ports of the second optical switch 704 (denoted by x21 in FIG8 ) are connected to D second input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The B first output ports (denoted by y21 in FIG8 ) of the second optical switch 704 are connected to the B second branch ports (denoted by P22 in FIG8 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switches 702 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0081] The behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 in FIG8 can refer to the aforementioned description of the behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 701 in FIG8 . The behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 702 in FIG8 can refer to the aforementioned description of the behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 702 in FIG8 . The behaviors performed by the first optical switch 703 in FIG8 can refer to the aforementioned description of the behaviors performed by the first optical switch 703 in FIG8 . The behaviors performed by the second optical switch 704 in FIG8 can refer to the aforementioned description of the behaviors performed by the second optical switch 704 in FIG8 . These descriptions will not be repeated here. It should be noted that one inbound wavelength selective switch 701 in FIG8 can output optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 702 , and one outbound wavelength selective switch 702 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 701 . The first optical switch 703 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 701 and output these multiple optical signals to multiple second output optical fibers. The second optical switch 704 may receive optical signals from the plurality of second input optical fibers and may output the plurality of optical signals to the plurality of outbound wavelength selective switches 702 .

[0082] As a possible implementation, the functions of the first optical switch 703 and the second optical switch 704 in the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG7 and FIG8 can be implemented by one optical switch. In other words, the first optical switch 703 and the second optical switch 704 can be combined into one optical switch.

[0083] For example, FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. As shown in FIG9 , the optical cross-connect system may include an inbound wavelength selective switch 901, an outbound wavelength selective switch 902, and a first optical switch 903. The inbound wavelength selective switch 901 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 each include one common port and multiple branch ports. The first optical switch 903 may include at least one input port and at least one output port. Any input port of the first optical switch 903 may be connected to any output port.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9 , the common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 (denoted by P10 in Figure 9 ) is connected to the first input optical fiber. The first branch port (denoted by P11 in Figure 9 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 is connected to the first branch port (denoted by P21 in Figure 9 ) among the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 902. The common port (denoted by P20 in Figure 9 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 is connected to the first output optical fiber. The second branch port (denoted by P12 in Figure 9 ) among the multiple branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 is connected to the first input port (denoted by x1 in Figure 9 ) among the at least one input port of the first optical switch 903. The first output port (denoted by y1 in Figure 9 ) among the at least one output port of the first optical switch 903 is connected to the second output optical fiber in the output line direction corresponding to the first output optical fiber. The second input port (denoted by x2 in Figure 9 ) among the at least one input port of the first optical switch 903 is connected to the second input optical fiber in the first input line direction. The second output port (indicated by y2 in FIG9 ) of the at least one output port of the first optical switch 903 is connected to the second branch port (indicated by P22 in FIG9 ) of the multiple branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 .

[0085] In the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 9, the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 can receive an optical signal from its connected first input optical fiber through a common port. The inbound wavelength selective switch 901 can perform wavelength separation on the received optical signal and output it to the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 through its first branch port and / or to the first optical switch 903 through its second branch port. The outbound wavelength selective switch 902 can receive the optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 through its first branch port and / or receive the optical signal from the first optical switch 903 through its second branch port. The outbound wavelength selective switch 902 can combine the optical signals received from its branch ports and output them to its connected first output optical fiber. The first optical switch 903 can select its first input port and first output port to route the optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 to the second output optical fiber. The first optical switch 903 can also select its second input port and second output port to route the optical signal from the second input optical fiber to the outbound wavelength selective switch 902. The first optical switch 903 can select its first input port and second output port, thereby dispatching the optical signal from the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 to the outbound wavelength selective switch 902. The first optical switch 903 can also select its second input port and second output port, thereby dispatching the optical signal from the second input optical fiber to the second output optical fiber. This implementation method can achieve transparent transmission of optical signals.

[0086] In the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG9 , both the input and output lines include high-speed channels, and optical signal scheduling for the high-speed channels is performed by the first optical switch 903. The first optical switch 903 can schedule optical signals from the standard-rate channels in the input line direction to the high-speed channels in the output line direction. The first optical switch 903 can also schedule optical signals from the high-speed channels in the input line direction to the standard-rate channels in the output line direction. The first optical switch 903 can also schedule optical signals from the high-speed scheduling channels in the input line direction to the high-speed scheduling channels in the output line direction, achieving transparent transmission of optical signals.

[0087] Optionally, the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG9 may specifically be structured as shown in FIG10 . As shown in FIG10 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 (such as 901_1 to 901_A in FIG10 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 (such as 902_1 to 902_B in FIG10 ), and a first optical switch 903. A and B are both positive integers greater than or equal to 2, and A and B may be equal or unequal, which is not limited in this application.

[0088] As shown in Figure 10 , the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 901 (denoted by P10 in Figure 10 ) is connected to one first input optical fiber, and the common ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 902 are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions (input line direction 1 to input line direction D as shown in Figure 10 ), where D is a positive integer and D ≤ A. The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 (denoted by P11 in Figure 10 ) are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 (denoted by P21 in Figure 10 ). Any inbound wavelength selective switch 901 is connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 902. The specific connection method of the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 will not be described in detail here. The common port of each outbound wavelength selective switch 902 (denoted by P20 in FIG10 ) is connected to one first output optical fiber. The common ports of B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 are connected to B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. These B first output optical fibers belong to C output line directions (output line direction 1 to output line direction C as shown in FIG10 ), where C is a positive integer and C ≤ B. The second branch ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 (denoted by P12 in FIG10 ) are connected to A first input ports of the first optical switch 903 (denoted by x1 in FIG10 ). The C first output ports of the first optical switch 903 (denoted by y1 in FIG10 ) are connected to C second output optical fibers, each of which belongs to the C output line directions. The D second input ports of the first optical switch 903 (denoted by x2 in FIG10 ) are connected to D second input optical fibers, each of which belongs to the D input line directions. The B second output ports (denoted by y2 in FIG. 10 ) of the first optical switch 903 are connected to the B second branch ports (denoted by P22 in FIG. 10 ) of the outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0089] The behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 in FIG. 10 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the inbound wavelength selective switch 901 in FIG. The behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 in FIG. 10 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the outbound wavelength selective switch 902 in FIG. The behaviors performed by the first optical switch 903 in FIG. 10 can refer to the description of the behaviors performed by the first optical switch 903 in FIG. These descriptions will not be repeated here. It should be noted that one inbound wavelength selective switch 901 in FIG. 10 can output optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 902, and one outbound wavelength selective switch 902 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 901. The first optical switch 903 can receive optical signals from multiple inbound wavelength selective switches 901 and output these multiple optical signals to multiple second output optical fibers. The first optical switch 903 can also receive optical signals from multiple second input optical fibers and output these multiple optical signals to multiple outbound wavelength selective switches 902.

[0090] The above Figures 3 to 10 introduce schematic diagrams of several optical cross-connect systems provided by this application that can achieve high-speed wavelength scheduling. Next, the connection method of A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches in the above optical cross-connect system will be introduced.

[0091] As an implementation, each of the A inbound wavelength selective switches may include B first branch ports, and each of the B outbound wavelength selective switches may include A first branch ports. The B first branch ports of each inbound wavelength selective switch may be respectively connected to one first branch port of the B outbound wavelength selective switches, with different inbound wavelength selective switches connected to different first branch ports of the same outbound wavelength selective switch. Correspondingly, the A first branch ports of each outbound wavelength selective switch may be respectively connected to one first branch port of the A inbound wavelength selective switches, with different outbound wavelength selective switches connected to different first branch ports of the same inbound wavelength selective switch.

[0092] For example, FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. As shown in FIG11 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 1101 (such as 1101_1 to 1101_A in FIG11 ) and B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102 (such as 1102_1 to 1102_B in FIG11 ). Each inbound wavelength selective switch 1101 may include B first branch ports P11 (such as P11-1 to P11-B in FIG11 ), and each outbound wavelength selective switch 1102 may include A first branch ports P21 (such as P21-1 to P21-A in FIG11 ).

[0093] As shown in Figure 11 , the B first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1101_1 are respectively connected to the first branch ports P21-1 of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102. The B first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1101_2 are respectively connected to the first branch ports P21-2 of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102. Similarly, the B first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1101_A are respectively connected to the first branch ports P21-A of the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102. Based on this connection relationship, any inbound wavelength selective switch 1101 can be connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 1102.

[0094] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1101 in FIG11 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 in FIG4 , the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102 in FIG11 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 in FIG4 , and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 in FIG4 are connected in the manner shown in FIG11 .

[0095] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1101 in Figure 11 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 in Figure 6, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102 in Figure 11 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 in Figure 6, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 in Figure 6 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 11.

[0096] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1101 in Figure 11 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 in Figure 8, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102 in Figure 11 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 in Figure 8, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 in Figure 8 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 11.

[0097] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1101 in Figure 11 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 in Figure 10, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1102 in Figure 11 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in Figure 10, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in Figure 10 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 11.

[0098] It should be understood that according to the connection method shown in Figure 11, the number of first branch ports of each inbound wavelength selective switch needs to be greater than or equal to the number of outbound wavelength selective switches to be connected, and the number of first branch ports of each outbound wavelength selective switch needs to be greater than or equal to the number of inbound wavelength selective switches to be connected. The number of inbound wavelength selective switches and outbound wavelength selective switches in current optical cross-connect systems is increasing, so the number of branch ports of the wavelength selective switches is also increasing. However, the more branch ports a wavelength selective switch has, the higher its manufacturing cost and the greater the technical difficulty. When deploying and implementing an optical cross-connect system using the connection method shown in Figure 11, the number of wavelength selective switches needs to be subject to certain restrictions due to the technical difficulty and cost of manufacturing wavelength selective switches.

[0099] As another possible implementation, multiple inbound wavelength selective switches and multiple outbound wavelength selective switches can be optically cross-connected by means of optical switches, and the number of branch ports of the wavelength selective switch is only related to the number of wavelengths to be separated.

[0100] For example, FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided by the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201 (such as 1201_1 to 1201_A in FIG12 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202 (such as 1202_1 to 1202_B in FIG12 ), and S third optical switches 1203 (such as 1203_1 to 1203_S in FIG12 ). Each inbound wavelength selective switch 1201 includes S first branch ports P11 (such as P11-1 to P11-S in FIG12 ), each outbound wavelength selective switch 1202 may include S first branch ports P21 (such as P21-1 to P21-S in FIG12 ), and each third optical switch 1203 may include A input ports (such as m1 to mA in FIG12 ) and B output ports (such as n1 to nB in FIG12 ).

[0101] As shown in FIG12 , the S first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1201_1 can be respectively connected to the input ports m1 of the S third optical switches 1203. The S first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1201_2 can be respectively connected to the input ports m2 of the S third optical switches 1203. Similarly, the S first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1201_A can be respectively connected to the input ports mA of the S third optical switches 1203. Based on this connection relationship, each inbound wavelength selective switch 1201 can be connected to S third optical switches 1203, and each third optical switch 1203 can be connected to A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201. Continuing with Figure 12 , the S first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 1202_1 can be connected to the output ports n1 of the S third optical switches 1203, respectively. The S first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 1202_2 can be connected to the output ports n2 of the S third optical switches 1203, respectively. Similarly, the S first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch 1202_B can be connected to the output ports nB of the S third optical switches 1203. Based on this connection relationship, each outbound wavelength selective switch 1202 can be connected to S third optical switches 1203, and each third optical switch 1203 can be connected to B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202. Since any input port of the third optical switch 1203 can be connected to any output port, any inbound wavelength selective switch 1201 can be connected to any outbound wavelength selective switch 1202.

[0102] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201 in Figure 12 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 in Figure 4, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202 in Figure 12 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 in Figure 4, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 301 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 302 in Figure 4 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 12.

[0103] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201 in Figure 12 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 in Figure 6, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202 in Figure 12 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 in Figure 6, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 501 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 502 in Figure 6 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 12.

[0104] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201 in Figure 12 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 in Figure 8, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202 in Figure 12 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 in Figure 8, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 701 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 702 in Figure 8 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 12.

[0105] Optionally, the A inbound wavelength selective switches 1201 in Figure 12 are the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 in Figure 10, the B outbound wavelength selective switches 1202 in Figure 12 are the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in Figure 10, and the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in Figure 10 are connected in the manner shown in Figure 12.

[0106] As an implementation, in the scenario shown in Figure 12, each first branch port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 1201 can output a single-wavelength optical signal. These single-wavelength optical signals are dispatched by the third optical switch 1203 to each outbound wavelength selective switch 1202. Accordingly, each first branch port of each outbound wavelength selective switch 1202 receives a single-wavelength optical signal, and then multiplexes the single-wavelength optical signals received by at least one first branch port and outputs them. Based on this, the number of first branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switch 1201 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 1202 is related to the number of optical signal wavelengths, and is not related to the number of wavelength selective switches. The number of input ports of the third optical switch 1203 is related to the number of inbound wavelength selective switches 1201, and the number of input ports of the third optical switch 1203 is related to the number of outbound wavelength selective switches 1202.

[0107] It should be understood that the number of wavelengths of optical signals transmitted in a multi-fiber network is generally limited. Therefore, the implementation shown in Figure 12 requires a relatively low number of wavelength selective switch ports. This reduces the cost and technical difficulty of deploying wavelength selective switches, and the number of wavelength selective switches does not need to be limited. Furthermore, optical switch technology is relatively mature and cost-effective, so adding additional optical switches does not significantly increase costs. Compared to the high-dimensional wavelength selective switch interconnection implementation shown in Figure 11, the connection method shown in Figure 12 is both less costly and technically challenging.

[0108] Optionally, in the case where the A inbound wavelength selective switches 901 and the B outbound wavelength selective switches 902 in FIG10 are connected via the S third optical switches 1203 in FIG12 , the first optical switch 903 in FIG10 and the S third optical switches 1203 in FIG12 may be implemented by one optical switch.

[0109] For example, FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of another optical cross-connect system provided in the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the optical cross-connect system may include A inbound wavelength selective switches 1301 (such as 1301_1 to 1301_A in FIG13 ), B outbound wavelength selective switches 1302 (such as 1302_1 to 1302_B in FIG13 ), and a fourth optical switch 1303.

[0110] As shown in Figure 13 , the common port of each inbound wavelength selective switch 1301 is connected to one first input optical fiber, and the common ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 1302 are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions (input line direction 1 to input line direction D as shown in Figure 13 ). The multiple branch ports of A inbound wavelength selective switches 1301 are connected to the multiple first input ports of the fourth optical switch 1303 (indicated by x1 in Figure 13 ), and the multiple branch ports of B outbound wavelength selective switches 1302 are connected to the multiple first output ports of the fourth optical switch 1303 (indicated by y1 in Figure 13 ). The common port of each outbound wavelength selective switch 1302 is connected to one first output optical fiber, and the common ports of B outbound wavelength selective switches 1302 are connected to B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence. The B first output optical fibers belong to C output line directions (output line directions 1 to output line direction C as shown in Figure 13 ). In addition, the fourth optical switch 1303 further includes D second input ports (indicated by x2 in FIG. 13 ), each of which is connected in a one-to-one correspondence to the D second input optical fibers. The D second input optical fibers respectively belong to the D input line directions. The fourth optical switch 1303 further includes C second output ports (indicated by y2 in FIG. 13 ), each of which is connected in a one-to-one correspondence to the C second output optical fibers. The C second output optical fibers respectively belong to the C output line directions.

[0111] In the optical cross-connect system shown in FIG13 , any input port of the fourth optical switch 1303 can be switched to any output port. For example, the fourth optical switch 1303 can dispatch an optical signal outputted by any inbound wavelength selective switch 1301 to any outbound wavelength selective switch 1302, or the fourth optical switch 1303 can dispatch an optical signal outputted by any inbound wavelength selective switch 1301 to any second output optical fiber, or the fourth optical switch 1303 can dispatch an optical signal in any second input optical fiber to any outbound wavelength selective switch 1302, or the fourth optical switch 1303 can dispatch an optical signal in any second input optical fiber to any second output optical fiber. The second input optical fiber and the second output optical fiber are high-speed channels, and their effects can be referred to as described above and will not be elaborated on here.

[0112] Based on the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 13 , multiple wavelength scheduling modes between input and output lines can be implemented using only one optical switch 1303. Furthermore, compared to the optical cross-connect system shown in Figure 9 , the inbound wavelength selective switch 1301 and the outbound wavelength selective switch 1302 in Figure 13 can save one branch port (the second branch port described above).

[0113] Alternatively, if the number of branch ports connected to the fourth optical switch by each inbound wavelength selective switch 1031 is S, then the number of first input ports of the fourth optical switch is A×S. If the number of branch ports connected to the fourth optical switch by each outbound wavelength selective switch 1032 is S, then the number of first output ports of the fourth optical switch is B×S.

[0114] Optionally, the optical switch including multiple input ports and multiple output ports in the embodiment of the present application may be a matrix switch, which is described uniformly here.

[0115] It should be understood that at least some of the components of the optical cross-connect system provided in the above embodiments of the present application can be integrated into an optical cross-connect device. Any form of optical cross-connect device integrated with the components of the optical cross-connect system provided in the present application shall be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0116] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0117] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0118] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0119] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more servers that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital video disc), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state hard drive), etc.

[0120] As used in this application, the terms "component", "module", "system" and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, which can be hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in operation. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to: a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread in execution, a program and / or a computer. As an example, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can exist in an executing process and / or thread, and a component can be located in a computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media having various data structures thereon. These components can communicate in the form of local and / or remote processes, such as based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from a component that interacts with another component in a local system, a distributed system, and / or interacts with other systems in the form of signals over a network such as the Internet).

[0121] The present application presents various aspects, embodiments, or features in the context of systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0122] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the word "exemplary" is used to indicate an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete way.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "information," "signal," and "message" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to convey are the same. The terms "of," "corresponding," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to convey are the same. The terms "system" and "network" may sometimes be used interchangeably. When the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to convey are the same. For example, "communication network" also refers to "communication system."

[0124] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0125] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application 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: The optical cross-connect system includes: an inbound wavelength selective switch, an outbound wavelength selective switch and a first optical switch; wherein, The common port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first input optical fiber; The first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch; The common port of the outbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first output optical fiber; The second branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to the first input port of the first optical switch; The first output port of the first optical switch is connected to the second output optical fiber in the output line direction corresponding to the first output optical fiber.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2; the first optical switch includes A first input ports and C first output ports, where C is a positive integer and C≤B; The common ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence; A first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to B first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch; A second branch ports of the inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the A first input ports of the first optical switch in a one-to-one correspondence; The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the B first output optical fibers belong to the C output line directions; The C first output ports of the first optical switch are connected to the C second output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the C second output optical fibers respectively belong to the C output line directions.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first optical switch further includes a second input port and a second output port; The second input port of the first optical switch is connected to a second input optical fiber in the input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber; The second output port of the first optical switch is connected to the second branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2; the first optical switch includes D second input ports and B second output ports, where D is a positive integer and D≤A; A common ports of the inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions; The D second input ports of the first optical switch are connected to the D second input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the D second input optical fibers respectively belong to the D input line directions; A first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to B first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch; The B second output ports of the first optical switch are connected to the B second branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switches in a one-to-one correspondence; The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence.

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The optical cross-connect system further includes a second optical switch; The first input port of the second optical switch is connected to the second input optical fiber in the input line direction corresponding to the first input optical fiber; The first output port of the second optical switch is connected to the second branch port of the outbound wavelength selective switch.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that The optical cross-connect system includes A inbound wavelength selective switches and B outbound wavelength selective switches, where A and B are positive integers greater than 2; the second optical switch includes D first input ports and B first output ports, where D is a positive integer and D≤A; A common ports of the inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to A first input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the A first input optical fibers belong to D input line directions; The D first input ports of the second optical switch are connected to the D second input optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence, and the D second input optical fibers respectively belong to the D input line directions; A first branch port of the inbound wavelength selective switch is connected to B first branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switch; The B second output ports of the first optical switch are connected to the B second branch ports of the outbound wavelength selective switches in a one-to-one correspondence; The common ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the B first output optical fibers in a one-to-one correspondence.

7. The system according to claim 2, 4 or 6, characterized in that Each of the inbound wavelength selective switches includes B first branch ports, and each of the outbound wavelength selective switches includes A first branch ports; The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches, comprising: The B first branch ports of each of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are respectively connected to one first branch port of the B outbound wavelength selective switches; The A first branch ports of each of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are connected to one first branch port of the A inbound wavelength selective switches respectively.

8. The system according to claim 2, 4 or 6, characterized in that Each of the inbound wavelength selective switches and each of the outbound wavelength selective switches includes S first branch ports, where S is a positive integer; the optical cross-connect system further includes S third optical switches, each of the third optical switches including A input ports and B output ports; The first branch ports of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are connected to the first branch ports of the B outbound wavelength selective switches, comprising: The S first branch ports of each of the A inbound wavelength selective switches are respectively connected to one input port of the S third optical switches; A input ports of each of the S third optical switches are respectively connected to one first branch port of the A inbound wavelength selective switches; The B output ports of each of the S third optical switches are respectively connected to one first branch port of the B outbound wavelength selective switches; The S first branch ports in each of the B outbound wavelength selective switches are respectively connected to one output port of the S third optical switches.

9. A node, characterized in that: The node includes the optical cross-connect system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images