Multi-lane Optical Switching Eliminates Wavelength Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical burst switching networks face high costs due to the need for wavelength converters, which are expensive and limit the deployment of these networks, as well as inefficiencies in switching and contention resolution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-lane optical switching system that eliminates the need for wavelength converters by using a small space switching matrix and efficient scheduling methods, allowing for incremental deployment of wavelengths and control over latency and throughput without wavelength conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wavelength converters are used in optical burst switching networks, then contention resolution and statistical multiplexing performance are improved, but deployment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the wavelength conversion function from the optical burst switching system. By eliminating wavelength converters entirely, the system achieves contention resolution through alternative mechanisms (optical buffering, time-domain multiplexing, or spatial switching) rather than wavelength conversion, thereby dramatically reducing deployment cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive wavelength converters with cheaper optical components such as optical buffers, simple switches, or delay elements. These alternative components are significantly less costly and can be deployed more easily, achieving the same contention resolution function without the high cost of wavelength conversion technology.
2Ease of operation
If electronic switching is used to process individual DWDM channels, then channel-level control is achieved, but the number of required switch interfaces increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual channel control functions into a single optical burst switching operation. By switching entire bursts containing multiple wavelengths simultaneously rather than controlling each channel separately, the system reduces the number of required switch interfaces from tens or hundreds to just a few, while maintaining channel-level control capability through burst header processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal optical burst switching mechanism that can handle multiple DWDM channels through a single switch interface. The optical burst switch is designed to process bursts containing any combination of wavelengths, making it a multi-functional device that replaces numerous dedicated channel switches, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving control flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical buffers and fiber delay lines are used in TSOBS routers, then wavelength conversion constraints are removed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex optical buffering and fiber delay line mechanisms from the TSOBS router design. By eliminating these components, the system achieves wavelength flexibility through simpler means such as optical cross-connects or reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs), thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing multi-wavelength switching. The method comprising receiving a plurality of signals through at least one input port, and separating the plurality of said signals into at least one wavelength signal set based on wavelengths, wherein a first wavelength signal set of said at least one wavelength signal sets corresponds to a first wavelength. The method further comprises providing a plurality of output lanes to at least one output port, and determining if two signals from said first wavelength signal set traveling on said first wavelength are scheduled output from an output port during an overlapping time period through said plurality of output lanes. The method further comprises determining if one of said plurality of output lanes is available during said overlapping time period when said two signals are schedule for said output port during the overlapping time period, wherein a first signal of said two signals is routed for output on an available lane if one of said plurality of output lanes of said output port is available.