Modular Switching Matrix Rotator Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular switching systems face challenges in efficiently distributing control data across a large number of edge nodes interconnected through switches or rotators, leading to data transfer contention and limitations in scalability.
Innovation Solution
A switching system is designed with a matrix arrangement of rotators, where each rotator has an equal number of input and output ports, and diagonal rotator pairs are coupled with dual timing circuits to facilitate direct data transfer and temporal alignment, using spectral demultiplexers and multiplexers for wavelength-division-multiplexed links, and controllers for scheduling and timing data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If control data is distributed across a large number of edge nodes interconnected through switches or rotators, then the system capacity and coverage are enhanced, but data transfer contention increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control data into different categories (timing data, control messages, data plane traffic) and routes them through different paths. Timing data is exchanged directly between diagonal rotator pairs, while data plane traffic uses the full mesh network, eliminating contention between control and data traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
Diagonal rotator pairs act as intermediaries for timing data exchange, providing a dedicated pathway that bypasses the main switching fabric. This intermediary mechanism ensures timing synchronization without competing with data plane traffic for bandwidth.
2Quantity of substance
If control data is distributed across a large number of edge nodes interconnected through switches or rotators, then the system coverage is enhanced, but scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the rotator network into diagonal pairs that can independently exchange timing data. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding more diagonal pairs without requiring reconfiguration of the entire control data distribution architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a preliminary timing synchronization mechanism between diagonal rotator pairs that can be pre-configured and maintained independently of network expansion. This allows new nodes to be added to the network without disrupting existing timing relationships.
3Measurement precision
If diagonal rotator pairs are coupled with dual timing circuits for direct data transfer, then temporal alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing circuit functionality into the existing rotator structure, with each rotator containing both data plane and control plane functionality. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate timing synchronization devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rotator is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data plane switch and as a timing synchronization node. The dual timing circuits in diagonal pairs perform multiple functions including timing extraction, synchronization, and distribution, eliminating the need for dedicated timing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A large-scale switching system deployed as a global network or a large-scale data center includes a large number of access nodes (edge nodes) interconnected through optical or electronic rotators. The rotators are logically arranged in a matrix and each access node has a channel to each rotator in a respective row and a channel from each rotator of a respective column of the matrix. A dual timing circuit coupled to a diagonal rotator pair exchanges timing data with edge nodes connecting to the diagonal rotator pair to facilitate temporal alignment of data received at input ports of each rotator. Each access node has a path to each other access node traversing only one of the rotators. The rotators may be arranged into constellations of collocated rotators to facilitate connectivity of access nodes to rotators using wavelength-division-multiplexed links.