AWG-Based Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The CDC-ROADM optical add/drop multiplexers use numerous active devices and amplifiers, leading to high device costs and increased electric power consumption, especially in areas with low traffic, compromising network flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An optical add/drop multiplexer configuration utilizing an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and optical couplers, which allows for wavelength changes without active devices like multicast switches or amplifiers, enabling cost reduction and power efficiency by allowing optical signals of different wavelengths to pass through the same channels without physical wiring changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CDC-ROADM is used to provide network flexibility and functionality, then adaptability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the expensive active devices (multicast switches and amplifiers) from the ROADM system while retaining the essential wavelength routing functionality through passive AWG-based architecture, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses optical copying/multiplexing techniques where a single optical signal can be copied to multiple wavelengths through the AWG structure, enabling the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple logical functions without requiring additional active switching devices for each wavelength
2Adaptability or versatility
If CDC-ROADM is used to enable wavelength routing, then adaptability is improved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes power-consuming amplifiers from the system by designing a passive AWG-based architecture that routes optical signals without requiring active signal boosting, thereby eliminating a major source of electric power consumption while preserving wavelength routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The AWG structure performs wavelength routing passively without requiring external power supply or active control, allowing the system to serve itself by naturally separating wavelengths through the grating structure based on their optical properties alone
3Adaptability or versatility
If active devices are used in optical add/drop multiplexer, then functionality is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes mechanical/electronic active devices (switches and amplifiers) with a passive optical structure (AWG) that performs the same signal processing function through optical interference and diffraction phenomena, eliminating the need for powered components while maintaining processing capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces device costs and power consumption while maintaining network flexibility by enabling wavelength changes and path switching without the need for active devices, thus optimizing the optical add/drop multiplexer's performance.
Implementation Method 1
an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) connected between the light transmission path and the transponder and configured to output, from a port to the transponder, an optical signal transmitted through the light transmission path
Implementation Method 2
an optical coupler configured to connect a plurality of ports of the AWG to the transponder through coupling or bifurcation
Data Source
AI summary
Device cost and electric power consumption are reduced. Nodes 11a to 11d as optical add/drop multiplexers each include AWGs 24a and 24b connected between light transmission paths as optical fibers 12 and 13 and transponders 25a to 25n and configured to output optical signals from the light transmission paths to the transponders 25a to 25n through ports and transmit optical signals from the transponders 25a to 25n to the light transmission paths through ports, and an optical coupler 24c configured to connect ports of the AWGs 24a and 24b to the transponders 25a to 25n through coupling or bifurcation. The channel interval of ports of the AWGs 24a and 24b is multiple times larger than the channel interval of ports of the transponders 25a to 25n, and transponder signals of a plurality of different wavelengths to and from one or a plurality of the transponders 25a to 25n can pass through ports of the AWGs 24a and 24b.