Expandable Multicast Optical Switch Upgrade Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multicast optical switches (MCS) are fixed in total port count, leading to high initial deployment costs and potential service interruptions due to blocking issues when network topology changes, requiring costly re-installation for scaling.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of upgrade ports in an expandable M×N multicast optical switch architecture, allowing for cost-effective and non-interruptive scaling by adding L*N upgrade ports, enabling the connection of additional selector optical switches and optical couplers to increase port count without service disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed port count MCS is deployed, then the initial deployment cost is high, but the device cannot scale to accommodate growing network topology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scalability by introducing upgrade ports that allow the MCS to transition from a fixed port configuration to an expandable one. The device can dynamically add ports through modular components (selector optical switches and optical couplers) connected to the upgrade ports, enabling adaptation to growing network topology without replacing the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The MCS is segmented into a base unit with fixed ports and an expandable portion with upgrade ports. This segmentation allows the device to be deployed with minimal ports initially and then expanded by adding modular components only when needed, reducing both initial cost and future scalability costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the port count is increased to accommodate more directions, then the network can handle more topologies, but service interruptions occur during re-installation
Solution Approach 1:
The upgrade ports are pre-configured with connection interfaces that can be activated without disrupting existing services. The modular architecture allows new directional capabilities to be added in advance through configuration rather than physical re-installation, maintaining service continuity while expanding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic expansion of port count through software-controlled optical switches rather than physical re-installation. Existing connections continue uninterrupted while new directions are added by activating additional selector optical switches connected to upgrade ports, providing both scalability and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If upgrade ports are added to enable scaling, then the device becomes more versatile, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable functionality is segmented into separate modular components (selector optical switches and optical couplers) that can be independently added to the upgrade ports. This segmentation isolates the complexity of expansion mechanisms from the base device, allowing the core MCS functionality to remain simple while adding capability only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The upgrade ports serve multiple functions: they provide interfaces for connecting additional selector optical switches, enable dynamic port expansion, and maintain compatibility with existing MCS configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each expansion scenario, actually reducing overall system complexity despite increased versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A scalable multicast M×N optical switch (MCS) includes a non-scalable MCS having a plurality of (L+1)×1 selector switches east coupled at one of its L entrance ports to egress ports of the non-scalable MCS, the remaining L−1 entrance ports being coupled to an L*N upgrade ports, where M and N are integers ≧2, and L is an integer ≧1. This allows the scalable MCS to be cascaded in a daisy-chain fashion, providing scalability from the M common ports to L*M common ports. In another embodiment, the selector switches are integrated into the MCS, providing scalability of common MCS ports.