Modular Photonic Switch Architecture Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photonic switch designs face challenges in scalability and adaptability to various applications, requiring a modular architecture that can be easily adjusted for different switch sizes and characteristics such as crosstalk, blocking probability, and optical loss.
Innovation Solution
A modular scalable photonic switch architecture using 16×16 switch components as building blocks, allowing for reconfigurable optical paths and reduced insertion loss by minimizing the number of switching cells and waveguide crossings, with the option to increase switch size by adding components vertically rather than horizontally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If photonic switches are designed for larger switch sizes, then capacity increases, but device complexity and optical loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The photonic switch is divided into multiple 16x16 switching planes that can be independently configured. Each plane contains 16 input ports and 16 output ports, and multiple planes are stacked vertically to achieve larger overall switch capacity. This segmentation allows the system to scale capacity by adding planes rather than increasing the complexity of a single large switching matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical stacking by arranging multiple 16x16 switching planes in a vertical dimension. Instead of creating one large NxN switch, the system stacks multiple smaller planes vertically, where each plane handles a subset of input-output connections. This dimensional change reduces the complexity of individual switching planes while achieving large overall capacity through vertical integration.
2Quantity of substance
If photonic switches are designed for larger switch sizes, then capacity increases, but optical loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the large switch into multiple 16x16 planes, each plane maintains a manageable size with limited waveguide crossings. The segmentation ensures that optical signals traverse fewer switching cells within each plane, reducing cumulative optical loss while the vertical stacking of planes provides the necessary large-scale capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Vertical stacking of switching planes reduces the horizontal distance and number of waveguide crossings required within each plane. By organizing switches in the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally, the patent minimizes the number of optical components each signal must pass through, thereby reducing optical loss while maintaining large switch capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If photonic switches are designed for larger switch sizes, then capacity increases, but crosstalk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the switch into multiple isolated 16x16 planes reduces crosstalk by confining optical signals within each plane's waveguide structure. Each plane operates semi-independently, limiting the propagation of interfering signals across the entire switch fabric. This segmentation approach maintains large overall capacity while minimizing harmful crosstalk effects.
4Reliability
If traditional photonic switch designs are used, then switching function is achieved, but adaptability to different applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The modular architecture of multiple configurable 16x16 switching planes provides universality across different applications. Each plane can be independently configured for different switching patterns, and the vertical stacking allows flexible combination of planes to match various capacity requirements. This multi-functional design enables the same physical structure to serve different network topologies and application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability where each switching plane can be independently programmed and reconfigured in real-time. The control system allows dynamic adjustment of connection patterns within each plane, enabling the switch to adapt to changing network conditions, traffic patterns, and application requirements without physical reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Completed modular optical switch architecture comprises a number of modular components. The components can be combined in various manners in order to provide different sized switches with different characteristics to meet particular requirements. The photonic switch comprising: a switching core consisting of first and second switching planes (1402) each comprising at least one 16x16 blocking switch (100) component comprising 4 input blocks (102a-102d) optically coupled to 4 output blocks (116a-116d), each of the 4 input blocks (102a-102d) and the 4 output blocks (116a-116d) comprising 2 input 2x2 switching cells (106a-106b) optically coupled to 2 output 2x2 switching cells (108a-108b); a plurality of input modules (1404), each input module (1404) comprising one or more switch inputs optically coupled to each one of the first and second switching planes (1402) of the switching core; and a plurality of output modules (1406), each output module (1406) comprising one or more switch outputs optically coupled to each one of the first and second switching planes (1402) of the switching core.