Add/Drop Multiplexer Line Board Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The link bandwidth processing capability of add/drop multiplexers (ADMs) is limited by the bandwidth of the inter-board interface between the line board and the cross-connect board, restricting their ability to handle higher bandwidths effectively.
Innovation Solution
Configuring the line board to receive and output link signals with inter-board interfaces only between the line board and the tributary board or between different line boards, eliminating the need for inter-board interfaces between the line board and the cross-connect board, thereby reducing complexity, power consumption, and costs while enhancing link bandwidth processing capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inter-board interfaces are configured between line board and cross-connect board, then signal routing flexibility is improved, but link bandwidth processing capability is limited by interface bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cross-connect board functionality directly into the line board, eliminating the separate cross-connect board and its inter-board interfaces. This integration allows the line board to perform both line processing and cross-connect functions, thereby removing the interface bandwidth limitation while maintaining signal routing flexibility through the integrated cross-connect module within the line board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cross-connect board as a separate component from the traditional ADM architecture. By removing this intermediate board and its associated inter-board interfaces, the system eliminates the bandwidth bottleneck while preserving routing capabilities through the integrated solution in the line board.
2Ease of repair
If multiple independent boards are used in ADM, then maintenance convenience is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cross-connect board functionality with the line board into a single integrated unit. This reduces the total number of independent boards and inter-board interfaces, thereby simplifying device complexity and reducing power consumption while maintaining maintenance convenience through modular line board design that can still be replaced as a unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inter-board interfaces are used for signal transmission, then board independence is improved, but power consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cross-connect functionality into the line board, the patent eliminates inter-board interfaces and the associated power consumption. The modular line board design maintains independence and replaceability while avoiding the energy overhead of additional interface circuits and signal transmission between separate boards.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 3b
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an add/drop multiplexer, including a first line board and a tributary board, where the first line board includes at least a first interface and a second interface, the first interface is disposed between the tributary board and the first line board, and the second interface is disposed on a network side of the first line board; the first line board is configured to receive a first signal from a first link, and output the first signal through the second interface; the first line board is further configured to receive a second signal from the first link, and output the second signal to the tributary board through the first interface; and the first line board is further configured to receive a third signal from the tributary board through the first interface, and input the third signal into the first link. By using the foregoing technical solutions, an inter-board interface on a link is effectively eliminated, thereby reducing complexity, power consumption, and costs of the ADM, and improving a link bandwidth processing capability of a device.