Optical Add-Drop Multiplexing Device Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical add/drop multiplexing devices face increased costs and signal power loss due to the need for more transponders and WSSs, which are expensive, and the use of optical couplers leads to signal attenuation as the number of branches increases.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical couplers between WSSs and branch function units, reducing the number of branch function units and input ports, allowing for the use of inexpensive couplers and selectors to connect multiple transponders while minimizing signal attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of transponders and WSSs is increased to support more branches, then the device functionality is improved, but the device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple WSSs (specifically 2 WSSs) into a single functional unit that serves multiple transponders. By merging the functionality of multiple expensive WSS components into a coordinated system, the patent reduces the total number of WSS units needed while maintaining the ability to support multiple transponders and wavelength routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional WSS configuration where each WSS unit performs multiple functions: wavelength selection, signal routing to different transponders, and support for multiple optical routes. This universal design allows a single WSS unit to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
2Device complexity
If optical couplers are used to connect WSSs to branch function units, then the device cost is reduced, but signal power is attenuated as the number of branches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical amplifiers as intermediary components between the WSS units and the branch function units. These amplifiers compensate for the signal power loss introduced by the optical couplers, maintaining signal integrity while allowing the use of cost-effective coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal power parameter by introducing amplification stages that boost signal strength after it passes through the couplers. This parameter change compensates for the attenuation effect, allowing the system to maintain acceptable signal levels despite using multiple coupling points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of branch function units is increased to support more transponders, then the adaptability is improved, but the number of required input ports and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the system architecture by introducing a hierarchical structure with WSS units at one level and branch function units at another. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple transponders to be supported through coordinated wavelength routing rather than requiring a direct one-to-one mapping between transponders and branch units, reducing the total number of input ports needed.
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 configuration significantly reduces the device cost and maintains signal power, enabling a low-cost setup that supports a large number of transponders by optimizing the number of branch and input ports.
Implementation Method 1
the optical coupler couples optical signals of different wavelengths dropped by a set of WSSs connected to the optical coupler into one optical signal and outputs the coupled optical signal to the branch function unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide an optical add/drop multiplexing device capable of realizing a configuration in which many transponders can be connected at low cost.An optical add/drop multiplexing device 30A includes branch function units 34a to 34d connected to each of WSSs 22a to 22d connected to respective routes 1 to D having a plurality of optical fibers and dropping optical signals having a plurality of wavelengths among the optical signals having the respective wavelengths transmitted by wavelength division multiplexing. The optical add/drop multiplexing device includes C-function units 35a to 35d configured to transmit the optical signals branched by the branch function units 34a to 34d to a plurality of transponders. The optical add/drop multiplexing device includes optical couplers 36a to 36d each connected between a set of K WSSs 22c and 22d each having 1 input and M outputs and one of the branch function units 34a, K being a number of 2 or more, the number of optical couplers being equal to or greater than a positive integer obtained by dividing a numerical value D(M−D) by K, the numerical value being obtained by multiplying the number (M−D) of optical signals dropped by each of the WSSs 22c and 22d by the number D of all of the WSSs 22a to 22d. The optical coupler 36a couples optical signals of different wavelengths dropped by a set of WSSs into one optical signal and outputs the coupled optical signal to the branch function unit 34a.