Multi-ring Optical Cross-Connect for Wavelength Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical-electrical-optical (O/E/O) information processing methods cause bottlenecks and increased costs due to electrical information processing as data throughput increases, and are unable to efficiently implement multi-casting functions or handle network failures in ring network structures, particularly when dealing with different protection ring configurations and wavelength collisions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional optical cross-connect (OXC) apparatus that cross-connects data in both optical and electrical domains, using an optical coupler to split and route multi-wavelength signals through wavelength selective switches, allowing for efficient multi-ring network connections and rapid failure recovery without the need for extensive electrical conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical information processing is used to process all data after optical to electrical conversion, then signal reproduction and wavelength conversion can be achieved, but data throughput becomes bottlenecked and cost increases in proportion to data throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data processing into two domains: optical domain for data that does not require signal reproduction or wavelength conversion, and electrical domain for data that does require these functions. This segmentation allows most data to bypass electrical conversion bottlenecks while still providing electrical processing capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different data streams: optical switching for high-speed data forwarding and electrical switching for data requiring regeneration or wavelength conversion. This local quality approach optimizes throughput for the majority of traffic while maintaining necessary signal processing capabilities.
2Speed
If only optical multi-casting process is used, then data transmission speed is high, but wavelength collision occurs due to use of the same wavelength for data transmission between different ring networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wavelength selective switches as intermediary devices between optical inputs and outputs. These switches selectively pass specific wavelengths through while blocking others, preventing wavelength collisions between different ring networks while maintaining high-speed optical transmission.
3Ease of operation
If conventional ring network structure is used, then network operation is simple, but multi-casting function and failure recovery in multi-ring configurations cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cross-connect apparatus universal by enabling it to handle multiple ring network configurations (1:1 protection, 1+1 protection), perform both uni-casting and multi-casting functions, and provide failure recovery across interconnected rings. This multi-functionality allows simple ring operations to be combined with complex multi-ring adaptability.
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 reduces costs and signal deterioration by minimizing electrical processing, enables efficient multi-casting and uni-casting functions, and effectively handles network failures by selectively routing signals across different ring networks, thereby enhancing data throughput and network reliability.
Implementation Method 1
splitting an input multi-wavelength optical signal of the first ring network into at least one direction each having a specific wavelength, by using an optical coupler
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the input multi-wavelength optical signal to at least one wavelength selective switch, wherein the wavelength selective switch selectively passes at least one input multi-wavelength optical signal within the input ports through at least one output of the second ring network
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-ring network operating method of cross-connecting at least two ring networks, the method including connecting an input working ring and an input protection ring of a ring network to an output working ring and an output protection ring of another ring network and then performing cross-connection between the same or different ring networks by using a multi-dimensional cross-connect apparatus. In the multi-ring operating method, a plurality of ring networks can be connected regardless of the protection method used by the ring networks, and the original protection method of each ring network can remain after they are connected.