Leaf Switch Module Integrating Optical-Electrical Conversion and Packet Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network chassis with internal Ethernet networks relying on optical transceiver modules for signal conversion lack switching capability, resulting in lower bandwidth and increased device requirements, and previous solutions with all-optical IOs offered limited port count and required multiple transceiver modules.
Innovation Solution
A leaf switch module that integrates optical and electrical interfaces with packet processing capabilities, enabling both electrical-optical conversion and packet switching, reducing the number of necessary switch tiers and enhancing scalability by combining electro-optical conversion, switching, and packet processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If optical transceiver modules are used for signal conversion in internal Ethernet networks, then electrical-optical conversion is enabled, but switching capability is lost and bandwidth is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines switching functionality and optical transceiver functionality into a single integrated module. The switching module includes both switching logic and optical conversion capabilities, eliminating the need for separate transceiver modules and enabling packet switching at the optical interface, thereby restoring full bandwidth capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch electrical signals, convert electrical signals to optical signals, and convert optical signals to electrical signals. This multi-functional design allows a single module to replace what previously required multiple separate components, maintaining both conversion capability and switching capability.
2Productivity
If all-optical IO modules are used to maintain bandwidth, then port count is limited, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transceiver modules into a single switching module. By integrating switching logic with optical conversion capabilities, the system achieves the same bandwidth capacity with fewer physical modules, reducing device complexity while maintaining all-optical interface performance.
3Productivity
If multiple transceiver modules are deployed to achieve required port count, then bandwidth capacity is maintained, but the number of devices and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple transceiver modules into a single integrated switching module that provides both switching and optical conversion functions. This reduction in component count directly addresses the issue of having too many devices while maintaining the required bandwidth capacity through efficient resource utilization.
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
The solution provides higher bandwidth and advanced routing and load balancing capabilities without the need for an additional tier of switches, achieving linear scalability and reducing the number of switch modules, thus improving network performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical-to-electrical (O/E) converters, each arranged to convert a respective optical signal of the plurality of optical signals into a corresponding electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Various leaf switch modules including optical network interfaces, electrical network interfaces and packet processors are provided. Some of the leaf switch modules as described herein are adapted for upward transmission of signals from external client devices to an electrical fabric, and include O/E converters; other leaf switch modules are adapted for downward transmission of signals from an electrical fabric to external client devices, and include E/O converters. A third type of leaf switch as described herein is adapted for both upward and downward transmission of signals, and includes both types of converter. In addition to the leaf switch modules themselves, an optoelectronic switch containing a plurality of those leaf switches is also described.