Integrated Photonic Optical Switch for WDM Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-capacity network switches require cost-effective and compact optical switching solutions that minimize the use of expensive and bulky discrete optical components.
Innovation Solution
The optical switch employs wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmitters, optical splitters, and arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) with controlled optical gates to selectively pass and demultiplex WDM signal portions, enabling efficient optical signal switching without the need for optical-to-electrical conversion and integrating optical components like semiconductor amplifiers and modulators on a common substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete optical components are used for optical switching, then optical signal routing capability is improved, but device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete optical components (optical modulators, semiconductor optical amplifiers, and waveguide components) into a single integrated photonic circuit. This integration maintains the optical signal routing capability while significantly reducing the number of separate components, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated photonic circuit performs multiple functions within a single device: it modulates optical signals, amplifies them, and routes them through waveguides. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain complex optical routing capabilities without requiring multiple discrete components, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete optical components are used for optical switching, then optical signal routing capability is improved, but physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete optical components into a single integrated photonic circuit, which dramatically reduces the physical footprint of the optical switch while maintaining the required signal routing capabilities. This merging approach directly addresses the contradiction between adaptability and physical size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional arrangement of discrete optical components to a planar two-dimensional photonic circuit layout. This dimensional change enables compact integration of multiple optical functions within a small footprint, resolving the contradiction between optical routing capability and physical size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical-to-electrical conversion is used for switching, then signal switching capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical conversion mechanism with a purely optical switching mechanism using photonic integrated circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for optical-to-electrical converters while maintaining signal switching capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical modulators and semiconductor optical amplifiers as intermediary components that enable direct optical signal manipulation without electrical conversion. These intermediaries facilitate optical switching while avoiding the complexity of optical-to-electrical conversion processes.
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 results in a high-capacity, low-cost optical switch with a compact design, capable of high-speed switching and efficient signal routing, reducing component costs and physical size while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first WDM transmitter which generates a first WDM signal including a first plurality of optical signals corresponding to the first plurality of output signals of the first input scheduler. Each of the first plurality of optical signals has a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The first WDM transmitter is coupled to an input of a first optical splitter having a plurality of outputs. One of the plurality of outputs of the first optical splitter supplies a first WDM signal portion, which includes a portion of each of the first plurality of optical signals
Implementation Method 3
The switching block includes, in one example, an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). Each of the plurality of outputs of the switching block supplies a corresponding one of the plurality of first optical signal portions when the first optical gate passes the first WDM signal portion
Implementation Method 4
The first optical gate is configured to selectively pass the first WDM signal portion to the first input of the AWG, and the second optical gate is configured to selectively pass the second WDM signal portion to the second input of the switching block
Data Source
AI summary
Consistent with the present disclosure, an optical switch is provided that switches multiple wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signals. Each of the WDM signals includes optical signals having the same wavelengths. The WDM signals are supplied to optical splitters, which supply power split portions of the WDM signals to corresponding optical gates. Groups of the optical gates are associated with a corresponding switching block, which may include a cyclical arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), and the optical gates within each group are controlled so that one gate passes a received WDM signal portion while the remaining optical gates in the group are in a blocking configuration. As a result, the WDM portion received by the non-blocking gate is demultiplexed in the switching block and each of the wavelength components that constitute the selected WDM portion are supplied to corresponding outputs within the switching block. In a later time interval, a different optical gate may be rendered non-blocking so that a different WDM signal portion, supplied from a different optical splitter and carrying different information over the same wavelengths, may be input to the switching block. Thus, by controlling the optical gates, different WDM signal portions may be switched to, and thus demultiplexed by, a particular switching block. In addition, portions of the same WDM signal may be selectively supplied to different AWGs by appropriately control of the optical gates.