Monitoring device and monitoring method for array optical switch, and array optical switch

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of optical communications, in particular to a monitoring device and a monitoring method for an array optical switch, and an array optical switch. In the present invention, a fist beam splitter receives a first optical signal from the outside, receives a test optical signal from a laser assembly when there is no external first optical signal input, divides the first optical signal or the test optical signal into a second optical signal and a third optical signal, inputs the second optical signal into an input end of the array optical switch, and transmits the third optical signal to a first monitoring assembly for monitoring the state of the input end of the array optical switch; and the second splitter divides the second optical signal into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal, transmits the fourth optical signal to a transceiver module of a data center at an output end, and transmits the fifth optical signal to the second monitoring assembly for monitoring the state of the output end of the array optical switch. The present invention saves the cost of thousands of PDs, and can adaptively complete monitoring of the state of the array optical switch without completely depending on external optical signals.

Description

A monitoring device, monitoring method, and array optical switch.

[0001] Cross-reference of related applications

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

[0003] (1) A Chinese patent application filed on June 17, 2024, with application number 202410775884.1 and titled “A monitoring device, monitoring method and array optical switch for an array optical switch”. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to a monitoring device, monitoring method, and array optical switch. Background Technology

[0005] MxN array optical switches are the most important core components of optical circuit switching (OCS). They are primarily array optical switching chips and devices based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, representing a high-capacity centralized optical switching technology. MxN array optical switches can achieve arbitrary pairing and connection between M input channels and N output channels. Based on semiconductor fabrication processes, MEMS micromirror arrays are driven by external circuitry to control the spatial path of optical signals. Combined with a multi-dimensional optical switching optical system and large-size optical device stability packaging, they enable the switching of optical signals between two-dimensional input and output routes. They offer advantages such as low power consumption, low cost, small size, and high speed, achieving non-blocking routing and switching combinations from M optical inputs to N optical outputs. Switching is entirely based on the optical layer, eliminating the need for wavelength or electrical switching. They are mainly used in interconnections between and within large data centers, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) optical switching, and cloud computing.

[0006] In applications such as optical transmission and large data centers, MxN array optical switches require monitoring of their array status due to reliability concerns related to MEMS and piezoelectric ceramic devices. A common solution is to add optical power monitoring to all input and output channels of the MxN optical switch, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Monitoring the power of the input and output channels allows for real-time monitoring of the switching status of the MxN optical switch. One method for power monitoring involves using an integrated Tap-PD device, which splits a small portion of the signal light into an internal photodiode (PD). Another method uses two separate devices, first splitting a small portion of the signal light into an independent PD via a beam splitter. Both solutions require M+N power monitoring modules. With the increasing demand for array optical switches, commercial applications have evolved from the typical 96x96 to 576x576, leading to a rapid increase in power monitoring costs. Furthermore, traditional power monitoring relies heavily on the customer's signal light, monitoring the switching status is inaccurate if no customer signal light is input.

[0007] Therefore, overcoming the shortcomings of the existing technology is an urgent problem to be solved in this technical field.

[0008] Application content

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is how to reduce the structural complexity of array optical switch monitoring and how to monitor the state of array optical switches without customer signal light input.

[0010] The present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] In a first aspect, a monitoring device for an array optical switch is provided. The monitoring device is used to monitor the status of the input and output terminals of the array optical switch. The monitoring device 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 array optical switch includes multiple input terminals and output terminals.

[0012] The first input terminal of the first beam splitter is used to receive a first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center; the second input terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the laser assembly; the first output terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the input terminal of the array optical switch; and the second output terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the first monitoring assembly.

[0013] The input terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to the output terminal of the array optical switch; the first output terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to the transceiver module of the output data center; the second output terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to the second monitoring component.

[0014] The first monitoring component is used to selectively monitor the optical signal in the input channel of the array optical switch; the second monitoring component is used to selectively monitor the optical signal from the output channel of the array optical switch.

[0015] When the first monitoring component detects a fault in the input channel of the array optical switch and / or the second monitoring component detects a fault in the output channel of the array optical switch, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to a fault-free channel for input or output of optical signals.

[0016] When the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser component is used to output a test optical signal so that the first monitoring component and the second monitoring component can monitor the input and output channels of the array optical switch.

[0017] Preferably, the first monitoring component includes a first optical switch and a first detector coupled along the optical path;

[0018] The first beam splitter is used to split the first optical signal or the test optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center to obtain the second optical signal and the third optical signal, and transmit the second optical signal to the input of the array optical switch, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch;

[0019] The first optical switch is used to selectively transmit all third optical signals to the first detector for detection.

[0020] Preferably, the optical power of the third optical signal is 1%-10% of the optical power of the first optical signal.

[0021] Preferably, the second monitoring component includes a second optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path;

[0022] The second beam splitter is used to split the second optical signal from the output of the array optical switch into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal;

[0023] The second beam splitter is used to transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0024] Preferably, the laser assembly includes a laser coupled along the optical path and a third optical switch;

[0025] When there is no first optical signal input, the laser is used to emit the test optical signal, and the third 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 array optical switch and the first monitoring component respectively.

[0026] Preferably, when the first beam splitter receives the first optical signal, 90%-99% of the optical energy in the first optical signal is output to the input terminal of the array optical switch, and 1%-10% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component;

[0027] When there is no external first optical signal input, and the first beam splitter receives the test optical signal, 1%-10% of the optical energy of the test optical signal is output to the input terminal of the array optical switch, and 90%-99% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component.

[0028] In a second aspect, a monitoring method for an array optical switch is provided, the monitoring method being applicable to a monitoring device for an array optical switch as described in the first aspect, the monitoring method comprising:

[0029] The first monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal in the input channel of the array optical switch; the second monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal from the output channel of the array optical switch.

[0030] When the first monitoring component detects a fault in the input channel of the array optical switch and / or the second monitoring component detects a fault in the output channel of the array optical switch, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to a fault-free channel for input or output of optical signals.

[0031] When the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser component outputs a test optical signal to enable the first monitoring component and the second monitoring component to monitor the input and output channels of the array optical switch.

[0032] Thirdly, an array optical switch is provided, wherein a monitoring device for the array optical switch as described in the first aspect is used to monitor the state of the array optical switch, the array optical switch comprising: a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator sequentially coupled along an optical path; the first array collimator comprising an optical fiber array and an array lens assembly sequentially coupled along an optical path; a plurality of array unit holes are provided on the optical fiber array, and a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are provided in each array unit hole;

[0033] The first optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from the first beam splitter, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a sixth optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center.

[0034] The array lens assembly is used to collimate the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal and then transmit it to the rotating mirror assembly;

[0035] The rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator;

[0036] The second array collimator is used to output the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0037] Preferably, 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;

[0038] The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to rotate their respective mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0039] Preferably, 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;

[0040] The first array lens is used to focus the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator;

[0041] The second array lens is used to collimate the focused second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal, and to transmit the collimated second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0042] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0043] This invention utilizes a first beamsplitter and a second beamsplitter at the input and output ends of an array optical switch. The first beamsplitter receives a first optical signal from an external source and, when no external first optical signal is input, receives a test optical signal from a laser component. It then splits the first or test optical signal into a second and a third optical signal. The second optical signal is input to the input end of the array optical switch, while the third optical signal is transmitted to a first monitoring component for monitoring the input state of the array optical switch. The second beamsplitter splits the second optical signal from the array optical switch into a fourth and a fifth optical signal. The fourth optical signal is transmitted as a signal light to the transceiver module of the output data center, and the fifth optical signal is transmitted to the second monitoring component for monitoring the output state of the array optical switch. This invention saves the cost of thousands of digital output devices (PDs) and adaptively monitors the array optical switch state without relying entirely on external optical signals. Furthermore, by using a first beamsplitter at the input end, and through the cooperation of the built-in laser and optical switch, light can enter from any input end of the array optical switch, enabling more complex array optical switch state monitoring, such as port optical power monitoring, internal actual switching status, and self-calibration. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a conventional monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of a conventional monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first beam splitter of a monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second beam splitter of a monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first monitoring component, the second monitoring component, and the laser component of a monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the optical signal waveform of a monitoring device for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a monitoring method for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first array collimator of an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical fiber array for an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the first array collimator of an array optical switch provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0058] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention 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 merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0059] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and claims, the term "comprising" is interpreted as openly inclusive, meaning "including, but not limited to." In the description of the specification, terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "exemplary embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this disclosure. The illustrative representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics mentioned may be included in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples; that is, although they may be incorporated into embodiments or examples using the above terms for reasons such as order and position, it does not limit them to be incorporated in combination by a single embodiment or example.

[0060] In the description of this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. Furthermore, for example, the description may use the prefix "A" or "B" to describe the same type of nouns as two independent entities. In this case, the corresponding features defined with "A" and "B" are used only to distinguish between similar entities and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features.

[0061] In describing some embodiments, the terms "coupled," "coupled," and "connected," and their derivative expressions, may be used. For example, the term "connected" may be used in describing some embodiments to indicate that two or more components have direct physical or electrical contact with each other. Similarly, the term "coupled" may be used in describing some embodiments to indicate that two or more components have direct physical or electrical contact. However, the terms "connected" or "coupled" may also refer to two or more components that do not have 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 scope of this invention.

[0062] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0063] Example 1:

[0064] In optical transmission and large data center applications, the reliability of optical array switches necessitates monitoring their status. In case of failure, rapid switching to backup channels is crucial for data protection. Existing monitoring methods include integrating Tap-PD devices at both the optical signal input and output ends of the optical array switch, monitoring a small portion of the signal light within the internal PD. Another approach uses two separate devices, first splitting a small portion of the signal light through a beam splitter to an independent PD. Both solutions require multiple integrated devices. As the channel count requirement for optical array switches continues to grow, commercially available optical array switches have evolved from the typical 96x96 to 576x576, leading to a rapid increase in the cost of status monitoring. Furthermore, traditional power monitoring relies heavily on external signal light, monitoring only the optical power at the input and output ports. Without external signal light input, the monitoring of switching status is inaccurate.

[0065] To address the aforementioned issues, this embodiment proposes a monitoring device for an array optical switch. This monitoring device monitors the status of the input and output terminals of the array optical switch, as shown in Figure 3. The monitoring device 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 array optical switch includes multiple input and output terminals. The first input terminal of the first beam splitter receives a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center. The second input terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the laser component. The first output terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the input terminal of the array optical switch. The second output terminal of the first beam splitter is connected to the first monitoring component. The input terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to the output terminal of the array optical switch. The first output terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to a transceiver module of an output data center. The second output terminal of the second beam splitter is connected to the second monitoring component.

[0066] The first monitoring component is used to selectively monitor the optical signal in the input channel of the array optical switch; the second monitoring component is used to selectively monitor the optical signal from the output channel of the array optical switch; when the first monitoring component detects a fault in the input channel of the array optical switch and / or the second monitoring component detects a fault in the output channel of the array optical switch, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to a fault-free channel for optical signal input or output; when the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser component is used to output a test optical signal so that the first monitoring component and the second monitoring component monitor the input and output channels of the array optical switch.

[0067] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the first beam splitter includes a first input terminal (COM1), a second input terminal (COM2), a first output terminal (signal terminal), and a second output terminal (Tap terminal). When the array optical switch is an MxN array optical switch, the COM1 of the M first beam splitters serves as the input port for the optical signal of the integrated monitoring function; the COM2 of the M first beam splitters is connected to the laser assembly; the signal terminals of the M first beam splitters are connected to the input terminals of the MxN array optical switch; and the Tap terminals of the M first beam splitters are connected to the first monitoring assembly.

[0068] The first beam splitter's COM1 serves as the input port for customer use, receiving an external first optical signal; the first beam splitter's COM2 connects to a spare built-in laser component. When an optical signal is input to COM1, most of the optical energy is output to the signal terminal, and a small portion is output to the first beam splitter's tap. When a test optical signal from the laser component is input to COM2, according to the beam splitter's splitting principle, only a small portion of the signal is output to the signal terminal, while most of the optical signal is output to the first beam splitter's tap. By switching the input and output channels of the array optical switch, the test optical signal output from the laser component can enter from any input port. This allows for circuit control of the array optical switch's switching state and the laser component's on / off state, ensuring that each input terminal has a usable built-in light source (i.e., a test optical signal). Although only a small portion of the energy is split to the signal terminal, it is sufficient for OCS monitoring. While the beam splitter's ratio can be adjusted, an excessively high splitting ratio will result in excessive insertion loss during customer use; the typical splitting ratio is controlled between 1% and 10%.

[0069] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG5, the second beam splitter includes an input terminal (COM), a first output terminal (signal terminal), and a second output terminal (Tap). The COM terminals of the N second beam splitters are connected to the output terminals of the MxN array optical switch. The signal terminals on the output side of the N second beam splitters serve as the output ports for the overall integrated monitoring function. The Tap terminals on the output side of the N second beam splitters are connected to the second monitoring component.

[0070] The second optical signal from the output of the array optical switch enters the second beamsplitter via the COM port and is then split by the second beamsplitter. Most of the light is split to the signal input of the second beamsplitter for transmission to the receiving device; a smaller portion is split to the tap input of the second beamsplitter for transmission to the second monitoring component for detection. By selecting the input / output channels of the array optical switch, the second monitoring component can detect the optical signals at all outputs of the array optical switch.

[0071] The first beam splitter is typically constructed from a tapered beam splitter used in communications, which splits energy by generating light exchange through the fused taper of two optical fibers. Alternatively, a prism beam splitter can be used, with a beam-splitting film deposited within it to achieve different splitting ratios. The second beam splitter can also be fabricated using the same method; more specific fabrication processes will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0072] The remaining structure of the monitoring device for the array optical switch will be described next.

[0073] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG6, 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 first optical signal or the test optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center to obtain the second optical signal and the third optical signal, and transmit the second optical signal to the input end of the array optical switch, and transmit the third optical signal to the first optical switch; the first optical switch is used to selectively transmit all the third optical signals to the first detector for detection.

[0074] The first optical switch can selectively control the transmission path of the optical signal, selectively transmitting the third optical signal. The first optical switch can control which channel the third optical signal from by switching different states is transmitted to the first detector.

[0075] In one embodiment, the optical power of the third optical signal is 1%-10% of the optical power of the first optical signal. 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 parameters such as signal intensity and wavelength. 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 allows the system to flexibly and selectively detect specific optical signals, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the test.

[0076] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG6, the second monitoring component includes a second optical switch and a second detector coupled along the optical path; the second beam splitter is used to split the second optical signal from the output end of the array optical switch into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal; the second beam splitter is used to transmit the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; and the second optical switch is used to selectively transmit the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

[0077] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG6, the laser assembly includes a laser coupled along the optical path and a third optical switch; when there is no first optical signal input, the laser is used to emit the test optical signal, and the third 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 array optical switch and the first monitoring component respectively.

[0078] In order to ensure that the monitoring of the array optical switch status is not affected when there is no external optical signal input, a test optical signal is emitted by a laser. The third optical switch is used to receive the test optical signal and selectively transmit the test optical signal to the second input terminal (i.e., COM2) of the first beam splitter. Then, the first beam splitter transmits the test optical signal to the input terminal of the array optical switch and the first monitoring component respectively. The working principle and function of the second beam splitter and the second monitoring component are the same as described above, except that the source of the optical signal is different. One is an external optical signal, and the other is a test optical signal emitted by the laser. This embodiment will not be explained in detail.

[0079] The first detector, the second detector, and the laser are conventional optical communication devices, and the corresponding wavelengths can be selected as 1310nm or 1550nm. The second monitoring component has the same structure as the first monitoring component. It can monitor the optical signals of multiple input and output terminals of the array optical switch using one first detector and one second detector, or it can monitor optical signals of different wavelengths using multiple first detectors and second detectors. Since the number of ports of the array optical switch has developed rapidly, monitoring multiple ports with a single detector is no longer sufficient. Therefore, Figure 6 shows an example using multiple detectors.

[0080] In one embodiment, this solution can also determine which input port of the array optical switch the optical signal is input from based on the wavelength of the external optical signal or the test optical signal. Specifically, a modulation format is added to the optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center. A suitable modulation technique can be selected based on the information to be transmitted and the system requirements. A corresponding modulator is designed based on the selected modulation technique. For example, for intensity modulation, an intensity modulator may be needed; for frequency modulation, an RF oscillator may be needed to change the frequency of the light. Finally, the modulator is integrated into the system, ensuring compatibility with the optical transmitter and receiver. When there is no external optical signal, taking the addition of a modulation format to the test optical signal as an example, as shown in Figure 7, signal 1 at the top is the original test optical signal, and signal 2 at the bottom is the test optical signal after adding the modulation format. By adding the modulation format when switching on each input channel through the third optical switch, it is possible to distinguish which port the test optical signal output from each of the m lasers is from. The second detector at the output of the array optical switch analyzes the received optical signal to determine which input port the output of the array optical switch is currently connected to.

[0081] The first, second, and third optical switches, as optical switching devices, can all be 1xM optical switches, with one COM terminal as the input and M output terminals. This allows light to enter from the COM terminal and exit from any of the M output terminals. They can also be used in reverse, with the M output terminals as light inlets and the COM terminal as the light outlet. In this embodiment, the 1xM optical switch can be a MEMS optical switch, which has significant advantages in terms of large ports. Increasing the number of ports in a MEMS optical switch primarily increases the cost of the optical fiber, while the cost of the optical chip remains essentially the same. The 1xM optical switch can also be other mechanical optical switches, planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical switches, or other types; no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.

[0082] This embodiment saves the cost of thousands of PDs, and can adaptively monitor the status of the array optical switch without relying entirely on external optical signals. In addition, a first beam splitter is used at the input end. With the cooperation of the built-in laser and optical switch, light can enter from any input end of the array optical switch, enabling more complex array optical switch status monitoring, such as port optical power monitoring, internal actual switching status, self-calibration, etc.

[0083] In one embodiment, when the first beam splitter receives the first optical signal, 90%-99% of the optical energy in the first optical signal is output to the input terminal of the array optical switch, and 1%-10% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component; when there is no first optical signal input from the outside, and the first beam splitter receives the test optical signal, 1%-10% of the optical energy in the test optical signal is output to the input terminal of the array optical switch, and 90%-99% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component.

[0084] This invention utilizes a first beamsplitter and a second beamsplitter at the input and output ends of an array optical switch. The first beamsplitter receives a first optical signal from an external source and, when no external first optical signal is input, receives a test optical signal from a laser component. It then splits the first or test optical signal into a second and a third optical signal. The second optical signal is input to the input end of the array optical switch, while the third optical signal is transmitted to a first monitoring component for monitoring the input state of the array optical switch. The second beamsplitter splits the second optical signal from the array optical switch into a fourth and a fifth optical signal. The fourth optical signal is transmitted as a signal light to the transceiver module of the output data center, and the fifth optical signal is transmitted to the second monitoring component for monitoring the output state of the array optical switch. This invention saves the cost of thousands of digital output devices (PDs) and adaptively monitors the array optical switch state without relying entirely on external optical signals. Furthermore, by using a first beamsplitter at the input end, and through the cooperation of the built-in laser and optical switch, light can enter from any input end of the array optical switch, enabling more complex array optical switch state monitoring, such as port optical power monitoring, internal actual switching status, and self-calibration.

[0085] Example 2:

[0086] In Example 1, a monitoring device for an array optical switch was proposed. In this example, a monitoring method for an array optical switch will be proposed, as shown in Figure 8. The method includes:

[0087] Step 101: The first monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal in the input channel of the array optical switch; the second monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal from the output channel of the array optical switch.

[0088] In the first monitoring component, the first optical switch receives third optical signals emitted from all input first beamsplitters and selectively transmits these third optical signals to the first detector for detection. In the second monitoring component, the second optical switch receives fifth optical signals emitted from the second beamsplitter and selectively transmits these fifth optical signals to the second detector for detection.

[0089] Step 102: When the first monitoring component detects a fault in the input channel of the array optical switch and / or the second monitoring component detects a fault in the output channel of the array optical switch, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to a fault-free channel for input or output of optical signals.

[0090] When the optical signal detected by the first detector in the first monitoring component or the second detector in the second monitoring component is abnormal, it means that the input and output channels of the monitored array optical switch are abnormal. In order not to affect the use of the array optical switch, it is necessary to control the array optical switch to switch to the fault-free input and output channels in time.

[0091] Step 103: When the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser component outputs a test optical signal to enable the first monitoring component and the second monitoring component to monitor the input and output channels of the array optical switch.

[0092] In order not to rely entirely on the external first optical signal, when there is no external first optical signal input, the laser in the laser assembly is controlled to emit a test optical signal, and the test optical signal is selectively transmitted to the input channel in the array optical switch that needs to be monitored in order to complete the subsequent status monitoring.

[0093] For the specific structure of the monitoring device for the array optical switch, please refer to Embodiment 1, which will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0094] Example 3:

[0095] Existing multi-beam array optical switches need to be connected to the transceiver module of an external data center during use. This requires a circulator to be connected to each input and output end of the array optical switch. As the number of input and output ends of the array optical switch increases, the number of circulators inevitably needs to be increased accordingly. This not only increases the cost of the array optical switch, but also increases the structural complexity of the array optical switch.

[0096] In Embodiment 1, a monitoring device for an array optical switch was proposed. In this embodiment, an array optical switch is proposed, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The array optical switch includes: a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator sequentially coupled along the optical path; the first array collimator includes an optical fiber array and an array lens assembly sequentially coupled along the optical path; multiple array unit holes are provided on the optical fiber array, and 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 second optical signal from the first beam splitter, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a sixth optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center; the array lens assembly is used to collimate the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal and then transmit it to the rotating mirror assembly; the rotating mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator; the second array collimator is used to output the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center. The existing technology involves connecting a circulator to both the input and output ends of an array optical switch. The first port of the input circulator receives an optical signal and transmits it from the second port of the input circulator to the input end of the array optical switch. This optical signal is then transmitted from the output end of the array optical switch to the second port of the output circulator, and then output to the transceiver module of the output data center through the first port of the output circulator. The third port of the output circulator receives another optical signal emitted by the transceiver module of the output data center and transmits this optical signal to the transceiver module of the input data center using the same principle, thereby achieving bidirectional transmission of the array optical switch.

[0097] It should be noted that the structure of the second array collimator is similar to that of the first array collimator, also including an optical fiber array and an array lens assembly coupled sequentially along the optical path. In this embodiment, the structure and function of the optical fiber array and array lens assembly are described using the first array collimator as an example. Furthermore, this embodiment uses the devices traversed by the optical signal transmitted from the first array collimator to the second array collimator as an example for description. According to the principle of optical path reversibility, the devices traversed by the optical signal transmitted from the second array collimator to the first array collimator are similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In practical applications, for the first array collimator, both the first and second optical fibers can receive optical signals from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmit the received optical signals to the second array collimator. Correspondingly, the first and second optical fibers also receive optical signals from the transceiver module of the output data center. In this case, the transceiver module of the input data center can send only the first optical signal to the first optical fiber; it can send only the second optical signal to the second optical fiber; or it can send the first optical signal to the first optical fiber and the second optical signal to the second optical fiber. The specific choice depends on the actual situation.

[0099] Alternatively, the first optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmits the received optical signals to the second array collimator, while the second optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0100] Alternatively, the second optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the input data center and transmits the received optical signals to the second array collimator, while the first optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the output data center.

[0101] The following explanation uses the example of the first optical fiber being used to receive the second optical signal from the first beam splitter and the second optical fiber being used to receive the sixth optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center.

[0102] In one embodiment, the first and second optical fibers in the first array collimator correspond to the first and second optical fibers in the second array collimator, respectively. That is, the second 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 sixth 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, utilizing 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. For ease of description, this embodiment illustrates the bidirectional transmission characteristic of the array optical switch through the forward transmission of the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal. The second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal can be transmitted separately or simultaneously; this embodiment uses simultaneous transmission as an example. The second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal form a group and both originate from the transceiver module of the input data center.

[0103] The first array collimator and the second array collimator have the same structure, both including an optical fiber array, as shown in Figure 11. The optical fiber array has multiple array unit holes, each containing at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. The number of fibers in each array unit hole needs to be determined based on the actual number of input and output channels of the array optical switch, typically 2N (N≥1). The structure of the first array collimator and the number of fibers in the array unit holes of the second array collimator need to match to ensure that optical signals can be input from any channel and output from any channel.

[0104] The first array collimator is located at the input end of the array optical switch, and the second array collimator is located 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 multiple array unit holes, and each fiber in the array unit hole can independently transmit optical signals.

[0105] The array lens assembly functions to collimate the optical signals received by the fiber optic array, that is, to adjust the propagation direction of the light rays to make them parallel. The collimated light rays can be transmitted more efficiently and with reduced optical loss. The rotating mirror assembly is used to receive the collimated optical signals and selectively transmit them to the second array collimator. The rotating mirror assembly can determine which light rays are directed to which port based on control signals or corresponding algorithms.

[0106] Overall, the multi-beam array optical switch receives optical signals through the fiber optic array in the first array collimator, uses a lens assembly for collimation, a rotating mirror assembly for optical path selection, and finally outputs the optical signals to the target device through the second array collimator. The advantages of this optical switch are that it can provide high-density optical paths and can quickly and dynamically adjust the optical path configuration to adapt to different optical signal transmission requirements.

[0107] The multi-beam array optical switch proposed in this embodiment includes a first array collimator, a rotating mirror assembly, and a second array collimator. Based on existing solutions, fiber arrays are provided in both the first and second array collimators, and multiple array unit holes are provided on the fiber arrays. At least a first fiber and a second fiber are provided in each array unit hole. The dual-fiber structure receives the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center, respectively. By providing an array lens assembly internally, the function of a circulator is essentially integrated within the array optical switch. Cost-wise, it only requires adding one set of array lens assemblies and replacing the original single fiber with a dual-core fiber, reducing the complexity of the multi-beam array optical switch structure and saving the cost of thousands of circulators.

[0108] The other structures in the multi-beam array optical switch will be introduced next.

[0109] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG12, 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;

[0110] The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to rotate their respective mirror surfaces to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

[0111] In one embodiment, both the first and second rotating mirrors can be MEMS array rotating mirrors. The second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal are transmitted to the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror after passing through the first array collimator. Both the second and / or the sixth optical signals are incident on the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle. After reaching the second rotating mirror, both the second and / or the sixth optical signals are incident on the second array collimator at a second incident angle. The range of both the first and second incident angles is 15°-30°. As shown in Figure 12, by controlling the rotation of the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror, the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal can be transmitted to the second rotating mirror. Then, by controlling the rotation of the mirror surface of the second rotating mirror, the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal can be 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. In one embodiment, the geometric size of the light spot of the second optical signal and / or the sixth 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.

[0112] Taking the first array collimator as an example, as shown in Figure 13, 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 second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator; the second array lens is used to collimate the focused second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal, and transmit the collimated second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

[0113] The first array lens is located at the beginning of the optical path and is used to receive the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal from the fiber array in the first array collimator. Its main function is to focus the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal, converging the optical signals from a divergent state to a single point. The second array lens collimates the optical signal focused by the first array lens. Collimation refers to adjusting the optical signal from a convergent state to a parallel state, which ensures that the optical signal maintains a stable optical path during transmission.

[0114] In summary, the array lens assembly, through the combination of the first and second array lenses, achieves focusing and collimation of the optical signal, providing high-quality optical signal input for the rotating mirror assembly, thereby ensuring the efficient and reliable optical path control function of the multi-beam array optical switch.

[0115] For the specific structure of the monitoring device for the array optical switch, please refer to Embodiment 1, which will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0116] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for an arrayed optical switch, characterized by, The monitoring device is used for monitoring the states of the input and output of the array optical switch, and 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 array optical switch comprises a plurality of inputs and outputs; The first input of the first beam splitter is used for receiving a first optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center, the second input of the first beam splitter is connected with the laser assembly; the first output of the first beam splitter is connected with the input of the array optical switch; and the second output of the first beam splitter is connected with the first monitoring assembly; The input of the second beam splitter is connected with the output of the array optical switch; the first output of the second beam splitter is connected with a transceiver module of an output data center; and the second output of the second beam splitter is connected with the second monitoring assembly; The first monitoring assembly is used for selectively monitoring the optical signals in the input channels of the array optical switch; and the second monitoring assembly is used for selectively monitoring the optical signals from the output channels of the array optical switch; When the first monitoring assembly monitors that the input channels of the array optical switch are faulty and / or the second monitoring assembly monitors that the output channels of the array optical switch are faulty, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to the non-faulty channels for inputting or outputting optical signals; When the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser assembly is used for outputting a test optical signal to enable the first monitoring assembly and the second monitoring assembly to monitor the input channels and the output channels of the array optical switch.

2. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 1, wherein, The first monitoring assembly comprises a first optical switch and a first detector which are coupled along an optical path; The first beam splitter is used for splitting the first optical signal from the transceiver module of the input data center or the test optical signal to obtain a second optical signal and a third optical signal, and transmitting the second optical signal to the input of the array optical switch and transmitting the third optical signal to the first optical switch; The first optical switch is used for selectively transmitting all the third optical signals to the first detector for detection.

3. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 2, wherein, The optical power of the third optical signal is 1%-10% of the optical power of the first optical signal.

4. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 2, wherein, The second monitoring assembly comprises a second optical switch and a second detector which are coupled along an optical path; The second beam splitter is used for splitting the second optical signal from the output of the array optical switch into a fourth optical signal and a fifth optical signal; The second beam splitter is used for transmitting the fourth optical signal to the transceiver module of the output data center; and the second optical switch is used for selectively transmitting the fifth optical signal to the second detector for detection.

5. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 4, wherein, The laser assembly comprises a laser and a third optical switch which are coupled along an optical path; When there is no first optical signal input, the laser is used to emit the test optical signal, the third 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 array optical switch and the first monitoring component.

6. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 5, wherein, The wavelength corresponding to the laser is 1310nm or 1550nm.

7. The monitoring device of an arrayed optical switch according to claim 5, wherein, When the first beam splitter receives the first optical signal, 90%-99% of the optical energy in the first optical signal is output to the input end of the array optical switch, and 1%-10% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component. When there is no first optical signal input from the outside, and the first beam splitter receives the test optical signal, 1%-10% of the optical energy in the test optical signal is output to the input end of the array optical switch, and 90%-99% of the optical energy is output to the first monitoring component.

8. A monitoring method for an arrayed optical switch, characterized by, The monitoring method is suitable for the monitoring device of the array optical switch as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, and the monitoring method comprises: The first monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal in the input channel of the array optical switch, and the second monitoring component selectively monitors the optical signal from the output channel of the array optical switch. When the first monitoring component detects a fault in the input channel of the array optical switch and / or the second monitoring component detects a fault in the output channel of the array optical switch, the array optical switch is adjusted to switch to a fault-free channel for input or output of the optical signal. When the first beam splitter does not receive the first optical signal, the laser component outputs the test optical signal to enable the first monitoring component and the second monitoring component to monitor the input channel and the output channel of the array optical switch.

9. An arrayed optical switch, characterized by, The monitoring device of the array optical switch as claimed in any one of claims 1-7 is used to monitor the state of the array optical switch, and the array optical switch comprises 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 arranged on the fiber array, and a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole; The first optical fiber is used to receive a second optical signal from the first beam splitter, and the second optical fiber is used to receive a sixth optical signal from a transceiver module of an input data center; The array lens assembly is used to collimate the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal and transmit them to the mirror assembly; The mirror assembly is used to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator; The second array collimator is used to output the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to a transceiver module of an output data center.

10. The arrayed optical switch of claim 9, wherein, The first optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the input end data center and transmits the received optical signals to the second array collimator, and the second optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the output end data center; Or, the second optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the input end data center and transmits the received optical signals to the second array collimator, and the first optical fiber receives optical signals from the transceiver module of the output end data center.

11. The arrayed optical switch of claim 9, wherein, 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 second 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 sixth 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; 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.

12. An arrayed optical switch as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that A plurality of array unit holes are arranged on the optical fiber array, and at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are arranged in each array unit hole, and the number of optical fibers in each array unit hole is 2N, where N≥1; The structure of the first array collimator and the number of optical fibers in the array unit holes of the optical fiber array of the second array collimator are matched, so that the optical signal can be input from any channel and output from any channel.

13. The arrayed optical switch of claim 9, wherein, 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 arranged between the first array collimator and the second array collimator, and the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror and the mirror surface of the second rotating mirror are oppositely arranged; The first rotating mirror and the second rotating mirror are used to rotate the respective mirror surfaces respectively, so as to selectively transmit the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to any output channel in the second array collimator.

14. The arrayed optical switch of claim 13, wherein, The second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal are transmitted to the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror after passing through the first array collimator, and the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal are incident to the mirror surface of the first rotating mirror at a first incident angle; the second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal are incident to the second array collimator at a second incident angle after reaching the second rotating mirror; the range of the first incident angle and the second incident angle is 15°-30°.

15. The arrayed optical switch of claim 9, wherein, The array lens assembly includes a first array lens and a second array lens coupled in sequence along an 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 second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal from the optical fiber array in the first array collimator; The second array lens is used to collimate the focused second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal, and transmit the collimated second optical signal and / or the sixth optical signal to the rotating mirror assembly.

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