Hybrid Circuit-Packet Switch for Network Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication networks require separate components and increased complexity due to the distinct nature of packet switches and circuit switches, leading to higher costs and inefficiencies in handling different types of traffic flows, such as high-persistence and bursty traffic.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid circuit-packet switch device integrates both packet switching and circuit switching functions within a single package, utilizing shared communication paths and software-defined networking (SDN) to dynamically route data based on control information, allowing for efficient switching between packet-switched and circuit-switched communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate packet switches and circuit switches are deployed, then each switch type can handle its specific traffic flow efficiently, but the network requires more components and infrastructure, increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines packet switching and circuit switching functionalities into a single hybrid switch device. The device includes a packet switching module and a circuit switching module integrated within one system, allowing it to handle both types of traffic flows simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate packet switches and circuit switches, reducing network complexity and infrastructure requirements while maintaining the ability to efficiently handle different traffic types.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid switch is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple switching functions. It can dynamically adapt to handle packet-switched traffic, circuit-switched traffic, or a combination of both, depending on the traffic flow requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized switches, thereby reducing overall network complexity.
2Productivity
If separate packet switches and circuit switches are deployed, then specialized handling for different traffic types is achieved, but the overall system cost increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
By merging packet switching and circuit switching capabilities into a single hybrid device, the patent reduces the total number of network components required. This consolidation lowers hardware costs, deployment expenses, and maintenance requirements while preserving the specialized handling capabilities for different traffic types that would otherwise require separate dedicated switches.
3Reliability
If traditional separate switch architecture is used, then clear functional separation is maintained, but data throughput is limited and latency is higher due to separate processing paths
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid switch employs dynamic resource allocation and adaptive switching mechanisms. The device can dynamically adjust its internal routing and resource allocation based on real-time traffic conditions, allowing optimized data flow paths for different traffic types. This dynamic approach enables higher throughput compared to static separate switch architectures, while maintaining clear functional separation through software-defined networking and configurable switching fabrics.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid circuit-packet switch device includes a packet switch and a circuit switch. The circuit switch selectively passes, under control of a control logic, incoming data received at an optical input of the hybrid circuit-packet switch device to the packet switch or an optical output of the hybrid circuit-packet switch device.