Multi-beam array optical switch and control method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of optical communications, and in particular to a multi-beam array optical switch and a control method therefor. The multi-beam array optical switch provided by the present invention comprises a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator; an optical fiber array is arranged in each of the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and a plurality of array unit holes are formed in each optical fiber array; at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole; a first optical signal and / or a second optical signal from a receiving and transmitting module of an input end data center are / is received by means of a double-optical-fiber structure; and by internally arranging an array lens assembly, which is equivalent to integrating the function of circulators in the array optical switch, the cost increase only involves adding an array lens assembly and changing the original single optical fiber into a double-core optical fiber, thereby reducing the complexity of the structure of the multi-beam array optical switch, and also saving the costs of thousands of circulators.

Description

A multi-beam array optical switch and a control method thereof

[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the following patent application:

[0003] (1) Chinese patent application No. 202410775883.7, filed on June 17, 2024, entitled “A multi-beam array optical switch and a control method thereof”. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present application relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to a multi-beam array optical switch and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0005] MxN array optical switch is the most important core of optical circuit switching (OCS), which is mainly based on array optical switching chip and device of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, and is a large-capacity centralized optical switching technology. The MxN array optical switch can realize arbitrary pairing connection between M input channels and N output channels. The MEMS micromirror array based on semiconductor processing technology is driven by external circuit to control the spatial path of optical signals, and is combined with multi-dimensional optical switching optical system and large-size optical device stability packaging to realize the exchange of optical signals between two-dimensional input and output routes. It has the advantages of low power consumption, low cost, small size, high speed, etc., and realizes the non-blocking routing and switching combination function of M optical inputs to N optical outputs. The switching is all based on the optical layer, without wavelength exchange or electrical exchange, and is mainly applied to the interconnection between large data centers and inside the data center, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) optical switching and cloud computing.

[0006] The array optical switch usually has M inputs and N outputs, as shown in FIG. 1, and any connection of the input and output channels can be realized by the internal MEMS mirror. The internal schematic diagram is shown in FIG. 2, which is composed of a two-dimensional fiber array, an array lens and a MEMS array mirror. As shown in FIG. 3, during the use of the OCS optical switch, each input / output port is matched with a circulator and a transceiver module of the data center for connection. With the development of data centers in recent years, the port number of the array optical switch has been gradually developed from the typical 96x96 to 576x576, and even the maximum support is 1024x1024, and each port needs a circulator, so the number of circulators required will increase sharply, resulting in a sharp increase in the complexity and use cost of the OCS optical switch.

[0007] Therefore, overcoming the defects of the prior art is a problem to be solved in the technical field.

[0008] Content of the application

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is how to reduce the demand for circulators during the use of the array optical switch.

[0010] The present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0011] In a first aspect, a multi-beam array optical switch is provided, comprising: a first array collimator, a mirror assembly and a second array collimator coupled in sequence along an optical path; the first array collimator comprises a fiber array and an array lens assembly coupled in sequence along an optical path; a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole;

[0012] The first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from a transceiver module of the input data center;

[0013] The array lens assembly is used to collimate and transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the mirror assembly;

[0014] The mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator;

[0015] The second array collimator is used to transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to a transceiver module of an output data center.

[0016] Preferably, the mirror rotating assembly comprises a first mirror and a second mirror; the first mirror and the second mirror are arranged in sequence between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surface of the first mirror and the mirror surface of the second mirror are oppositely arranged.

[0017] The first mirror and the second mirror are used to rotate the respective mirror surface respectively, so as to selectively transmit the first light signal and / or the second light signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0018] Preferably, the first light signal and / or the second light signal are incident to the mirror surface of the first mirror at a first incident angle, and the first light signal and / or the second light signal are incident to the second array collimator at a second incident angle after reaching the second mirror.

[0019] The first incident angle and the second incident angle are both in the range of 15°-30°.

[0020] Preferably, the geometric size of the light spot of the first light signal and / or the second light signal on the first mirror and the second mirror is less than or equal to the size of the mirror surface of the first mirror and the second mirror.

[0021] Preferably, the array lens assembly comprises a first array lens and a second array lens coupled in sequence along the optical path; the focal points of the first array lens and the second array lens are the same.

[0022] The first array lens is used to focus the first light signal and / or the second light signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator.

[0023] The second array lens is used to collimate the focused first light signal and / or the second light signal, and transmit the collimated first light signal and / or the second light signal to the mirror rotating assembly.

[0024] Preferably, the multi-beam array optical switch further comprises at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring assembly, a second monitoring assembly, and a laser assembly.

[0025] The first output end of the first beam splitter is connected with the input end of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output end of the first beam splitter is connected with the first monitoring assembly.

[0026] The first input end of the first beam splitter is used to receive the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second input end of the first beam splitter is connected with the laser assembly.

[0027] The input end of the second beam splitter is connected with the output end of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected with the transceiver module of the output end data center, for transmitting the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the second output end of the second beam splitter is connected with the second monitoring assembly.

[0028] Preferably, the first monitoring assembly comprises a first optical switch and a first detector coupled along an optical path;

[0029] The first beam splitter is used for splitting the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center to obtain the first optical signal and a third optical signal, and transmitting the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and transmitting the third optical signal to the first optical switch; the first optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

[0030] Preferably, the laser assembly comprises a laser and a second optical switch coupled along an optical path;

[0031] When there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used for emitting a test optical signal, the second optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the test optical signal to the first beam splitter, and the first beam splitter is used for splitting the test optical signal and transmitting the test optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring assembly respectively.

[0032] Preferably, the second monitoring assembly comprises a third optical switch and a second detector coupled along an optical path;

[0033] The second beam splitter is used for splitting the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmitting the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the third optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0034] In a second aspect, a control method of a multi-beam array optical switch is provided, the method is suitable for the multi-beam array optical switch as described in the first aspect, and the method comprises:

[0035] The first optical fiber receives a first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second optical fiber receives a second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center;

[0036] The array lens assembly collimates the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and transmits the collimated first optical signal and / or the collimated second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly;

[0037] The rotating mirror assembly selectively transmits the first light signal and / or the second light signal to any output channel in the second array collimator;

[0038] The second array collimator transmits the first light signal and / or the second light signal to a transceiver module of an output data center.

[0039] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0040] The multi-beam array optical switch comprises a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly and a second array collimator, wherein, on the basis of the prior scheme, a fiber array is arranged in the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and a plurality of array unit holes are arranged on the fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole, the first light signal and / or the second light signal from a transceiver module of an input data center are received through the double-fiber structure, and the function of integrating a circulator in the array optical switch is equivalent to arranging an array lens assembly inside, only a set of array lens assemblies and the change of the original single optical fiber to a double-core optical fiber are added in cost, the complexity of the multi-beam array optical switch structure is reduced, and the cost of thousands of circulators is saved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0042] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Fig. 3 is another structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Fig. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a first array collimator of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a fiber array of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig. 7 is another structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a first array collimator of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig. 9 is another structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of an input / output monitoring device of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig. 11 is a more specific structural schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Fig. 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a first beam splitter of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig. 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a second beam splitter of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig. 14 is a structural schematic diagram of a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component and a laser component of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig. 15 is an output waveform schematic diagram of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Fig. 16 is a flow schematic diagram of a control method of an array optical switch according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and should not be used to limit the present application.

[0059] Unless otherwise required by context, as used herein, the term "comprises" or "comprising" is understood to be an open reference that specifies the presence of stated features, elements, integers, steps, or the like, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, or the like. In describing some embodiments, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "approximately" and "substantially" used throughout this description mean "within acceptable manufacturing and measurement tolerances.

[0060] In the description of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc., are used only to describe the purpose of distinguishing between different features, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or a quantity of the features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second", etc., can include one or more of the features, either explicitly or implicitly, and the features are not limited to the number of the features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more unless otherwise specified. In addition, the description of some embodiments can use the way of adding "A", "B", etc. to the end of the same name to describe the independent two individuals, in which case the corresponding features defined with "A", "B", etc. are only used for the purpose of distinguishing between the same name and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or a quantity of the features.

[0061] In describing some embodiments, the expressions "coupled", "coupling", and "connected", and their derivatives, can be used. For example, the expression "connected" can be used in describing some embodiments to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. For another example, the expression "coupled" can be used in describing some embodiments to indicate that two or more components are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. However, the expressions "connected" or "coupled" can also mean that two or more components are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other, such as "optical coupling", "wireless connection", etc. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the content of the present application.

[0062] In addition, the technical features involved in each of the embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as there is no conflict.

[0063] Embodiment 1:

[0064] The existing multi-beam array optical switch needs to be connected with the transceiver module of the external data center in use, which needs to connect a circulator at each input end and output end of the array optical switch, so that the array optical switch can be used reversely, i.e. the original input end becomes the output end, and the original output end becomes the input end. However, with the increase of the input and output ends of the array optical switch, the number of circulators inevitably needs to be increased, which not only increases the cost of the array optical switch, but also increases the complexity of the structure of the array optical switch.

[0065] To solve the above problems, the embodiment provides a multi-beam array optical switch, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which comprises: a first array collimator, a mirror rotating assembly and a second array collimator which are coupled in sequence along the light path; the first array collimator comprises a fiber array and an array lens assembly which are coupled in sequence along the light path; a plurality of array unit holes are arranged on the fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole; the first optical fiber is used for receiving a first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second optical fiber is used for receiving a second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center; the array lens assembly is used for collimating and transmitting the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the mirror rotating assembly; the mirror rotating assembly is used for selectively transmitting the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator; and the second array collimator is used for transmitting the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center. Wherein, the prior art is to connect a circulator at the input end and the output end of the array optical switch respectively, the first port of the input end circulator receives an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal from the second port of the input end circulator to the input end of the array optical switch, the optical signal is transmitted to the second port of the output end circulator through the output end of the array optical switch, and then is output to the transceiver module of the output end data center through the first port of the output end circulator, then the third port of the output end circulator receives another optical signal emitted by the transceiver module of the output end data center, and transmits the optical signal to the transceiver module of the input end data center through the same principle as above, so as to realize the bidirectional transmission of the array optical switch.

[0066] It is to be noted that the structure of the second array collimator is similar to that of the first array collimator, and also comprises a fiber array and an array lens assembly which are coupled in sequence along the light path, and in the embodiment, the structure and function of the fiber array and the array lens assembly are introduced taking the first array collimator as an example. In addition, the devices experienced by the optical signal transmitted from the first array collimator to the second array collimator are introduced and described in the embodiment, and according to the principle of light path reversibility, the devices experienced by the optical signal transmitted from the second array collimator to the first array collimator are similar to the above, which will not be described herein.

[0067] In the actual application scenario, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber can each receive an optical signal from a transceiver module of the input end data center and transmit the received optical signal to the second array collimator; correspondingly, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber also receive an optical signal from a transceiver module of the output end data center. In this case, the transceiver module of the input end data center can only send a first optical signal to the first optical fiber; can only send a second optical signal to the second optical fiber; or can send the first optical signal to the first optical fiber and send the second optical signal to the second optical fiber. The specific implementation can be determined according to the actual situation

[0068] Alternatively, the first optical fiber receives an optical signal from a transceiver module of the input end data center and transmits the received optical signal to the second collimator, and the second optical fiber receives an optical signal from a transceiver module of the output end data center.

[0069] Alternatively, the second optical fiber receives an optical signal from a transceiver module of the input end data center and transmits the received optical signal to the second array collimator, and the first optical fiber receives an optical signal from a transceiver module of the output end data center.

[0070] Hereinafter, the first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from a transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from a transceiver module of the input end data center as an example for explanation and description.

[0071] In one embodiment, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the first array collimator correspond to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the second array collimator, respectively, that is, the first optical signal transmitted from the first optical fiber in the first array collimator is output from the first optical fiber in the second array collimator after transmission, and the second optical signal transmitted from the second optical fiber in the first array collimator is output from the second optical fiber in the second array collimator after transmission. Similarly, using the bidirectional transmission principle of the array optical switch, the optical signal transmitted from the first optical fiber in the second array collimator is output from the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and the optical signal transmitted from the second optical fiber in the second array collimator is output from the second optical fiber in the first array collimator. In order to facilitate description, the bidirectional transmission characteristics of the array optical switch can be described by the forward transmission of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal can be transmitted separately or simultaneously. This embodiment takes simultaneous transmission as an example. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are a group and come from a transceiver module of the input end data center.

[0072] The structure of the first array collimator and the structure of the second array collimator are the same, and each includes a fiber array, as shown in FIG. 6, which is provided with a plurality of array unit holes, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole. The number of optical fibers in each array unit hole needs to be determined according to the actual input and output channel number of the array optical switch, and is generally 2N (N≥1) optical fibers. The number of optical fibers in the array unit holes of the fiber array of the first array collimator and the second array collimator needs to be matched, so that the optical signal can be input from any channel and output from any channel.

[0073] The first array collimator is arranged at the input end of the array optical switch, and the second array collimator is arranged at the output end of the array optical switch. The first array collimator is responsible for collimating the optical signal received from the fiber array. The fiber array is a matrix containing a plurality of array unit holes, and each optical fiber in the array unit hole can independently transmit an optical signal.

[0074] The array lens assembly is used to collimate the optical signal received by the fiber array, i.e., to adjust the propagation direction of the light rays so that they become parallel light. The collimated light rays can be transmitted more effectively and reduce light loss. The mirror assembly is used to receive the collimated optical signal and selectively transmit them to the second array collimator. The mirror assembly can determine which light rays to direct to which port according to a control signal or a corresponding algorithm.

[0075] Overall, the multi-beam array optical switch receives optical signals through the fiber array in the first array collimator, collimates them using the lens assembly, selects the optical path using the mirror assembly, and finally outputs the optical signal to the target device through the second array collimator. The advantage of this optical switch is that it can provide high-density optical paths and quickly and dynamically adjust the optical path configuration to adapt to different optical signal transmission requirements.

[0076] The multi-beam array optical switch proposed in this embodiment includes a first array collimator, a mirror assembly, and a second array collimator. Based on the existing scheme, a fiber array is arranged in the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and a plurality of array unit holes are arranged on the fiber array. At least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center are received through the double-fiber structure. By arranging an array lens assembly inside, the function of integrating a circulator inside the array optical switch is equivalent. The cost is only increased by a set of array lens assemblies and the original single-fiber is replaced by a double-core fiber, which reduces the complexity of the structure of the multi-beam array optical switch and saves the cost of thousands of circulators.

[0077] Other structures in the multi-beam array optical switch will be introduced next.

[0078] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the mirror rotating assembly includes a first mirror and a second mirror; the first mirror and the second mirror are arranged in sequence between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surface of the first mirror and the mirror surface of the second mirror are oppositely arranged; the first mirror and the second mirror are used to rotate the respective mirror surface to selectively transmit the first light signal and / or the second light signal to any output channel in the second array collimator. In one embodiment, the first mirror and the second mirror can both be MEMS array mirrors. The first light signal and / or the second light signal is transmitted to the mirror surface of the first mirror after passing through the first array collimator, and the first light signal and / or the second light signal is incident to the mirror surface of the first mirror at a first incident angle, and the first light signal and / or the second light signal is incident to the second array collimator at a second incident angle after reaching the second mirror; the range of the first incident angle and the second incident angle is both 15°-30°. As shown in FIG. 7, by rotating the mirror surface of the first mirror, the first light signal and / or the second light signal can be transmitted to the second mirror. Then the mirror surface of the second mirror is rotated to selectively transmit the first light signal and / or the second light signal to the second array collimator of the array optical switch output end to be output to the transceiver module of the output data center. In one embodiment, the geometric size of the light spot of the first light signal and / or the second light signal on the first mirror and the second mirror is less than or equal to the size of the mirror surface of the first mirror and the second mirror.

[0079] Taking the first array collimator as an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the array lens assembly in the first array collimator includes a first array lens and a second array lens coupled in sequence along the optical path; the focal points of the first array lens and the second array lens are the same; the first array lens is used to focus the first light signal and / or the second light signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator; and the second array lens is used to collimate the focused first light signal and / or the second light signal, and transmit the collimated first light signal and / or the second light signal to the mirror rotating assembly.

[0080] Among them, the first array lens is located at the starting part of the optical path, and is used to receive the first light signal and / or the second light signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator, and its main function is to focus the first light signal and / or the second light signal to converge the light signal from the divergent state to a point. The function of the second array lens is to collimate the light signal focused by the first array lens. Collimation refers to adjusting the light signal from the convergent state to the parallel state, which can ensure that the light signal maintains a stable optical path during transmission.

[0081] In summary, the array lens assembly realizes focusing and collimation of the optical signal through the combination of the first array lens and the second array lens, provides high-quality optical signal input for the rotating mirror assembly, and thus ensures efficient and reliable optical path control function of the multi-beam array optical switch.

[0082] In the application of optical transmission and large data centers, the reliability of the array optical switch needs to be monitored, and once a failure occurs, the data can be protected by quickly switching to a backup channel. The existing monitoring method is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a Tap-PD integrated device is provided at the optical signal input end and the optical signal output end of the array optical switch, and a small part of the signal light is monitored by the internal photo diode (PD). Another way is to divide a small part of the optical signal light into an independent PD for detection. Both methods require multiple integrated devices, and as the number of channels of the array optical switch continues to grow, commercial array optical switches have developed from the typical 96x96 to 576x576, and the cost of monitoring the state of the array optical switch is also increasing rapidly. And the traditional power monitoring only monitors the optical power of the input port and the output port, and is very dependent on the external signal light. Without the premise of external signal light input, the switching state monitoring is not accurate.

[0083] To solve the above problems, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the multi-beam array optical switch further comprises at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring assembly, a second monitoring assembly, and a laser assembly; the first output end of the first beam splitter is connected with the input end of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output end of the first beam splitter is connected with the first monitoring assembly; the first input end of the first beam splitter is used for receiving the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center, and the second input end of the first beam splitter is connected with the laser assembly; the input end of the second beam splitter is connected with the output end of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected with the transceiver module of the output end data center, and is used for transmitting the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; and the second output end of the second beam splitter is connected with the second monitoring assembly.

[0084] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the first beam splitter includes a first input end (COM1), a second input end (COM2), a first output end (signal end), and a second output end (Tap end). When the array optical switch is an MxN array optical switch, COM1 of the M first beam splitters serves as an input port of the integrated monitoring function; COM2 of the M first beam splitters is connected to the laser assembly; the signal end of the M first beam splitters is connected to the input end of the MxN array optical switch; and the Tap of the M first beam splitters is connected to the first monitoring assembly.

[0085] COM1 of the first beam splitter serves as an input port for receiving an external optical signal when used by a customer; and COM2 of the first beam splitter is connected to a built-in backup laser assembly. When COM1 inputs an optical signal, most of the optical energy is output to the signal end, and a small portion of the optical energy is output to the Tap of the first beam splitter. When COM2 inputs a test optical signal from the laser assembly, according to the light splitting principle of the beam splitter, only a small portion of the signal is output to the signal end, and most of the optical signal is output to the Tap of the first beam splitter. Through switching of the input and output channels of the array optical switch, the test optical signal output by the laser assembly can enter from any one input port, so that the switching state of the array optical switch and the opening and closing of the laser assembly can be controlled through an electrical circuit, and each input end has a usable built-in light source (i.e., a test optical signal). Although the energy split to the signal end is small, it still meets the OCS monitoring use. Although the ratio of the beam splitter can be adjusted, a too high splitting ratio will result in a too large insertion loss when used by a customer, and the splitting ratio is usually controlled at 1% to 10%.

[0086] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the second beam splitter includes an input end (COM), a first output end (signal end), and a second output end (Tap). COM of the N second beam splitters is connected to the output end of the MxN array optical switch; the signal end on the output side of the N second beam splitters serves as an output port of the integrated monitoring function; and the Tap on the output side of the N second beam splitters is connected to the second monitoring assembly.

[0087] The first optical signal from the second array collimator enters the second beam splitter from COM of the second beam splitter, and then is split by the second beam splitter, in which most of the light is split to the signal end of the second beam splitter for transmission to a device on the opposite side; and a small portion of the light is split to the Tap of the second beam splitter for transmission to the second monitoring assembly for detection. Through selection of the input and output channels of the array optical switch, the second monitoring assembly can detect the optical signals of all output ends of the array optical switch.

[0088] The first beam splitter is usually composed of a polarization beam splitter used in communication, which splits the light by the light exchange generated by the fusion taper of two optical fibers. In addition, a prism light splitting device can also be used to achieve different splitting ratios by coating a light splitting film therein. The second beam splitter can also be made in the same way, and the more specific manufacturing process will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0089] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the first monitoring assembly includes a first optical switch and a first detector coupled along the optical path; the first beam splitter is used to split the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input end data center to obtain the first optical signal and the third optical signal, and transmit the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch; the first optical switch is used to selectively transmit the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

[0090] Among them, the third optical signal is transmitted from the first beam splitter to the first optical switch, and the first optical switch can selectively control the transmission path of the optical signal and selectively transmit the third optical signal. The first optical switch can control which channel the third optical signal from the first detector is transmitted to by switching different states.

[0091] The main function of the first detector is to detect and measure the characteristics of the optical signal. By receiving the third optical signal, the detector can measure and analyze the intensity, wavelength and other parameters of the signal. Through this design, the system can effectively split, transmit and detect external optical signals. The combination of the first optical switch and the first detector enables the system to selectively detect specific optical signals, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the test.

[0092] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the laser assembly includes a laser and a second optical switch coupled along the optical path; when there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used to emit a test optical signal, and the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the test optical signal to the first beam splitter, and the first beam splitter is used to split the test optical signal and transmit it to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring assembly, respectively.

[0093] In order to not affect the monitoring of the state of the array optical switch when there is no external optical signal input, a test optical signal is emitted by the laser, the second optical switch is used to receive the test optical signal and selectively transmit the test optical signal to the second input end (i.e. COM2) of the first beam splitter, and then the test optical signal is transmitted to the input end of the array optical switch and the first monitoring assembly by the first beam splitter. The working principles, functions and effects of the subsequent second beam splitter and second monitoring assembly are the same as above, only the sources of the optical signals are different, one is the external optical signal and the other is the test optical signal emitted by the laser, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0094] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the second monitoring assembly includes a third optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path; the second beam splitter is used to divide the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output end data center; the third optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0095] The first detector, the second detector and the laser are conventional optical communication devices, and the corresponding wavelength can be selected as 1310nm or 1550nm. The second monitoring assembly and the first monitoring assembly have the same structure, and the optical signals of multiple input ends and output ends of the array optical switch can be monitored by one first detector and second detector, or optical signals of different wavelengths can be monitored by multiple first detectors and second detectors. Since the number of ports of the array optical switch has developed very quickly, monitoring of the ports by one detector cannot meet the requirements of multiple ports, and therefore multiple detectors are taken as an example in FIG. 14.

[0096] In one embodiment, the present scheme can also determine from which input port of the array optical switch the optical signal is input according to the wavelength of the external optical signal or the test optical signal, specifically: adding a modulation format to the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and selecting a suitable modulation technology according to the information to be transmitted and the requirements of the system. According to the selected modulation technology, a corresponding modulator is designed. For example, for intensity modulation, an optical intensity modulator may be needed; for frequency modulation, a radio frequency oscillator may be needed to change the frequency of the light. Finally, the modulator is integrated into the system to ensure that the modulator is compatible with the optical transmitter and receiver. When there is no external optical signal, taking adding a modulation format to the test optical signal as an example, as shown in FIG. 15, the upper signal 1 is the original test optical signal, and the lower signal 2 is the test optical signal after adding a modulation format. By the second optical switch, adding a modulation format when switching on each input channel can distinguish the test optical signal output from which port by the m lasers. The second detector at the output end of the array optical switch analyzes the received optical signal to distinguish which input end is currently connected to the output end of the array optical switch at this time.

[0097] The first optical switch, the second optical switch and the third optical switch are devices for optical switching, and each can be a 1xM optical switch having one COM port as an input port and M output ports. It can meet the requirement of inputting light from the COM port and outputting light from any one of the M output ports. It can also be used in reverse, with the M output ports as the light inlet and the COM port as the light outlet. The 1xM optical switch in the present embodiment can use a MEMS optical switch, which has obvious advantages in large ports. Increasing the number of ports of the MEMS optical switch basically only increases the cost of optical fibers, and the cost of optical chips is basically the same. The 1xM optical switch can also use other mechanical optical switches, planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical switches or other types, which are not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0098] The present embodiment saves the cost of thousands of PDs, and can adaptively complete the monitoring of the state of the array optical switch without relying on external optical signals. In addition, by using the first beam splitter at the input end and cooperating with the built-in laser and optical switch, light can be input from any input end of the array optical switch, and more complex array optical switch state monitoring can be realized, such as port optical power monitoring, internal actual switching state, self-calibration, etc.

[0099] Embodiment 2:

[0100] In embodiment 1, a multi-beam array optical switch is proposed, and in the present embodiment, a control method for the multi-beam array optical switch will be proposed, as shown in FIG. 16, the method comprises:

[0101] Step 101: the first optical fiber receives the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and the second optical fiber receives the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center; the array lens assembly collimates and transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0102] According to the multi-beam array optical switch proposed in Embodiment 1, the single-core optical fiber in the existing scheme is replaced by a double-core optical fiber, the first optical signal from the outside is received by the receiving end of the first optical fiber, and the second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center is received by the receiving end of the second optical fiber. And the array lens assembly collimates and transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly, respectively.

[0103] Step 102: the rotating mirror assembly selectively transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0104] The rotating mirror assembly receives the collimated optical signal (first optical signal and / or second optical signal) and selectively transmits them to the second array collimator, that is, the rotating mirror assembly can determine which light to guide to which port output according to the control signal or the corresponding algorithm. The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are selectively guided to the second array collimator corresponding to the output end of the array optical switch.

[0105] Step 103: the second array collimator transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0106] Among them, the array collimator also includes at least two optical fibers, which respectively receive the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal transmitted from the rotating mirror assembly, and transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the opposite device and the transceiver module of the output data center through the two optical fibers.

[0107] For the specific structure of the array optical switch, see Embodiment 1, which will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0108] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A multi-beam array optical switch, characterized in that, include: A first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator are sequentially coupled along the optical path; The first array collimator includes an optical fiber array and an array lens assembly coupled sequentially along the optical path; The optical fiber array is provided with a plurality of array unit holes, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole; The first optical fiber is used to receive a first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center. The array lens assembly is used to collimate the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmit it to the rotating mirror assembly; The rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator; The second array collimator is used to transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center.

2. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mirror assembly includes a first rotating mirror and a second rotating mirror; the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are sequentially disposed between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surfaces of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are disposed opposite to each other; The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to rotate their respective mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

3. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are both incident on the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle, and after reaching the second rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are both incident on the second array collimator at a second incident angle. The range of both the first incident angle and the second incident angle is 15°-30°.

4. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, By rotating the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are transmitted to the second rotating mirror; by rotating the mirror surface of the second rotating mirror, the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal are selectively transmitted to the second array collimator at the output end of the array optical switch for output to the transceiver module of the output data center.

5. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 2, characterized in that, The geometric size of the light spot of the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal on the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror is less than or equal to the mirror size of the first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror.

6. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The array lens assembly includes a first array lens and a second array lens coupled sequentially along the optical path; the first array lens and the second array lens have the same focal point; The first array lens is used to focus the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal; The second array lens is used to collimate the focused first optical signal and / or the second optical signal, and to transmit the collimated first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

7. The multi-beam array optical switch according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The multi-beam array optical switch further includes at least one first beam splitter, at least one second beam splitter, a first monitoring component, a second monitoring component, and a laser component; The first output terminals of the first beam splitter are all connected to the input terminals of each first optical fiber in the first array collimator; the second output terminals of the first beam splitter are all connected to the first monitoring component. The first input terminal of the first beam splitter is used to receive optical signals from the transceiver module of the input terminal data center, and the second input terminals of the first beam splitter are all connected to the laser assembly; The input ends of the second beam splitter are all connected to the output ends of each first optical fiber in the second array collimator; the first output end of the second beam splitter is connected to the transceiver module of the output data center, and is used to transmit the first optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; the second output ends of the second beam splitter are all connected to the second monitoring component.

8. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first beam splitter is composed of a tapered beam splitter, which achieves energy splitting by generating light exchange through the fused tapering of two optical fibers; or it uses a prism beam splitter device to achieve different beam splitting ratios by coating a beam splitting film therein.

9. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first monitoring component includes a first optical switch and a first detector coupled along the optical path; The first beam splitter is used to split the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center to obtain the first optical signal and the third optical signal, and transmit the first optical signal to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch; The first optical switch is used to selectively transmit the third optical signal to the first detector for detection.

10. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 9, characterized in that, The laser assembly includes a laser coupled along the optical path and a second optical switch. When there is no external optical signal input, the laser is used to emit a test optical signal, and the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the test optical signal to the first beam splitter. The first beam splitter is used to split the test optical signal and transmit it to the input end of the first optical fiber in the first array collimator and the first monitoring component respectively.

11. The multi-beam array optical switch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second monitoring component includes a third optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path; The second beam splitter is used to split the first optical signal from the second array collimator into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, and transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; The third optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

12. A control method for a multi-beam array optical switch, characterized in that, The method is applicable to the multi-beam array optical switch as described in any one of claims 1-11, and the method includes: The first optical fiber receives a first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, and the second optical fiber receives a second optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center. The array lens assembly collimates the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal and then transmits it to the rotating mirror assembly; The rotating mirror assembly selectively transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal together to any output channel in the second array collimator; The second array collimator transmits the first optical signal and / or the second optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center.

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