N-Dimensional Optoelectronic Switch Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical switching technologies face challenges in scalability and energy efficiency, particularly in datacenter applications, where the need for faster switching and reduced energy consumption is driven by increasing data traffic volumes, and existing topologies do not effectively leverage the benefits of both optical and electronic components for flexible and cost-effective solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of a highly scalable optoelectronic switch with an array of interconnected modules arranged in an N-dimensional array, utilizing a full-mesh or star-like topology, where each switch module has client and fabric portions for processing signals, and includes modulators, passive and active switches, and photodetectors to convert electronic signals to optical signals and vice versa, allowing for efficient data transfer and wavelength-division multiplexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional electronic switching is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but switching speed is limited and energy consumption increases with data traffic volume
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch is divided into multiple identical switch modules arranged in an N-dimensional array. Each module handles a subset of data traffic, allowing the system to scale by adding modules rather than increasing the complexity of individual components. This segmentation enables high switching speed through parallel optical processing while maintaining manageable device complexity at the module level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional electronic switching to an N-dimensional optical switching architecture. By organizing switch modules in multiple dimensions and using wavelength-division multiplexing to exploit the optical domain's additional degrees of freedom, the system achieves higher switching speeds and capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If optical switching is used, then switching speed is improved and energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases and scalability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switching system is segmented into identical, modular units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module consumes energy efficiently through optical processing while maintaining standardized complexity levels. This modular approach allows the system to scale energy efficiency by adding modules rather than designing increasingly complex monolithic structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Each switch module is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit capable of handling various data streams through wavelength-division multiplexing. The same module architecture serves multiple functions across different dimensions of the N-array, reducing overall device complexity through standardization while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of optical switching.
3Productivity
If the number of switch modules is increased to handle higher data traffic volumes, then data transfer capacity is improved, but the physical size and complexity of the switch network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes switch modules in an N-dimensional array rather than a simple linear or planar expansion. This multidimensional arrangement allows data transfer capacity to scale by utilizing additional spatial and wavelength dimensions, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing the physical footprint of the switch network.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple wavelength channels are merged onto single physical links between switch modules through wavelength-division multiplexing. This combining of multiple data streams into unified physical pathways increases data transfer capacity while minimizing the physical space required for inter-module connections.
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 solution enables cost-effective scalability, higher data transfer rates with lower power loss, and bit-rate independence, allowing for efficient data transmission over long distances by primarily operating in the optical domain, thereby addressing the limitations of existing technologies in scalability and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator for converting said first electronic signal into a first plurality of optical signals containing the same information
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector for converting a second plurality of optical signals from the receiving side passive router into a corresponding second electronic signal
Implementation Method 3
the path of an optical signal through the receiving side passive router depends on the wavelength of that optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an optoelectronic switch for transferring an optical signal from an input device to an output device, the optoelectronic switch including an array of interconnected switch modules, which are interconnected by an interconnecting fabric. The switch modules are arranged in an N-dimensional array, the ith dimension having a size Ri (i=1, 2, . . . , N), each switch module having an associated set of coordinates giving its location with respect to each of the N dimensions. Each switch module is a member of N such sub-arrays Si, each sub-array Si comprising Ri switch modules whose coordinates differ only in respect of their location in the ith dimension, and each of the N sub-arrays being associated with a different dimension.