Hybrid Optical-Electrical Data Switching Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data switching technologies face challenges in achieving efficient and rapid data switching due to limitations in electrical switching technology's capacity and delay, while optical packet switching is limited by switch scale and time, failing to handle all data packets effectively.
Innovation Solution
A data switching apparatus and system that combines optical and electrical packet switching by using an optical-to-electrical conversion unit to determine the switching method for each packet, employing an identification unit to differentiate between optical labels and data packets, and utilizing electrical and optical switching units to switch packets efficiently, thereby leveraging the advantages of both technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical switching technology is used to perform optical-to-electrical conversion and parse the entire data packet, then switching information can be extracted, but processing delay increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary optical label from the optical data packet using an optical label extraction unit, rather than converting and parsing the entire data packet. This extraction approach obtains switching information while avoiding the time-consuming optical-to-electrical conversion of the complete packet, thus reducing processing delay while maintaining switching information extraction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial action by converting only the optical label (a small portion of the data packet) to electrical signal for switching information extraction, rather than converting the entire data packet. This partial conversion approach provides sufficient switching information while significantly reducing the processing time and energy consumption associated with full packet conversion.
2Productivity
If optical packet switching is used to reduce processing delay and energy consumption, then switching capacity increases, but not all data packets can be switched due to switch scale limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data packets into two categories: those that can be handled by optical packet switching and those that require electrical packet switching. The switching control unit determines the appropriate switching method for each packet based on its characteristics, allowing the system to leverage optical switching for eligible packets while falling back to electrical switching for others, thereby increasing overall switching capacity and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical label as an intermediary element that carries switching information. This label enables the optical switching system to function as an intermediary that can direct traffic efficiently, while also allowing the system to accommodate packets that need electrical switching by extracting and processing their labels, thus expanding the overall switching coverage.
3Measurement precision
If optical-to-electrical conversion is performed on every data packet, then switching information can be obtained, but energy consumption increases and processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the optical label from the optical data packet using an optical label extraction unit, rather than converting and parsing the entire data packet. This extraction approach obtains switching information while avoiding the time-consuming optical-to-electrical conversion of the complete packet, thus reducing processing delay while maintaining switching information extraction accuracy.
4Productivity
If the scale of optical switch is increased to handle more data packets, then switching capacity increases, but switching time increases and processing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data packets into two categories: those that can be handled by optical packet switching and those that require electrical packet switching. The switching control unit determines the appropriate switching method for each packet based on its characteristics, allowing the system to leverage optical switching for eligible packets while falling back to electrical switching for others, thereby increasing overall switching capacity and coverage.
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 approach enables efficient and rapid data switching by determining the appropriate switching method for each packet, utilizing a single optical-to-electrical conversion device to save resources and enhance processing speed, while optimizing the use of both optical and electrical switching technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an optical-to-electrical conversion unit, configured to perform optical-to-electrical conversion on a first optical data packet and an optical label
Implementation Method 2
an electrical-to-optical conversion unit, connected to the electrical switching unit, configured to perform electrical-to-optical conversion on an electrical signal output by the electrical switching unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a data switching apparatus and system, where the data switching apparatus includes: an optical-to-electrical conversion unit, an identification unit, an electrical switching unit, an electrical-to-optical conversion unit, an optical switching control unit, and an optical switching unit. The optical-to-electrical conversion unit is configured to perform optical-to-electrical conversion on a first optical data packet and an optical label, where the optical label carries switching information of a second optical data packet, and the first optical data packet and the second optical data packet are respectively to-be-switched data packets that need to use electrical packet switching and optical packet switching. The identification unit is configured to identify whether an electrical signal output by the optical-to-electrical conversion unit is from the optical label or the first optical data packet.