Optical Burst Synchronization in Multi-Chassis Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical packet switching and optical burst switching technologies face challenges in achieving practical commercial applications due to data loss and reliability issues, and existing router and core transport node capacities are insufficient to meet growing internet traffic demands, particularly in terms of power consumption and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
An optical network switching node in a multi-chassis cluster with an optical burst synchronization method using wavelength-tunable optical transmission lasers and optical receivers to synchronize clock phases across line card chassis, enabling simultaneous arrival of optical burst signals and implementing all-optical space division switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical switching nodes are used to increase system capacity, then the capacity requirement can be met, but power consumption and heat dissipation increase beyond equipment room capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical switching mechanisms with all-optical switching mechanisms. The electrical switching node is substituted by an all-optical switching node that uses optical signals for switching operations, eliminating the need for electrical-to-optical conversion and reducing power consumption and heat dissipation while maintaining or increasing system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the switching node from electrical domain to optical domain. By using optical carriers and optical switching elements, the system achieves higher capacity with lower power consumption, as optical signals can carry more data and require less energy for switching operations compared to electrical signals.
2Productivity
If electrical switching nodes are used to increase system capacity, then the capacity requirement can be met, but heat dissipation exceeds equipment room limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical switching mechanisms with all-optical switching mechanisms. The electrical switching node is substituted by an all-optical switching node that uses optical signals for switching operations, eliminating the need for electrical-to-optical conversion and reducing power consumption and heat dissipation while maintaining or increasing system capacity.
3Speed
If optical burst switching is implemented without synchronization, then switching speed increases, but data loss occurs due to burst collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a synchronization mechanism where the all-optical switching node receives synchronization signals from external synchronization sources or through mutual synchronization with other nodes. This feedback loop ensures that optical bursts from different input ports are time-aligned before switching, preventing collisions and data loss while maintaining high switching speed through the all-optical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs synchronization of optical bursts before they enter the switching fabric. By pre-synchronizing the timing of optical bursts from different sources using synchronization signals, the system ensures that bursts are properly aligned in time, preventing collisions at the switching node and eliminating data loss while maintaining high-speed operation.
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 increases system capacity, improves bandwidth utilization, and reduces power consumption, allowing for the expansion of optical transport networks beyond the limitations of traditional electrical switching nodes.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, by an output port corresponding to a wavelength-tunable optical transmission laser FTL in the reference chassis, an optical burst test signal by using the FTL
Implementation Method 2
receive ports corresponding to optical receivers ORs in the multiple line card chassis connected to the same all-optical switching element
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an optical network switching node in a multi-chassis cluster, an optical burst synchronization method, and a line card chassis. A synchronization method includes: selecting a reference chassis, and transmitting, by an output port corresponding to an FTL in the reference chassis, an optical burst test signal respectively to receive ports corresponding to ORs in other line card chassis, where the optical burst test signal carries a transmission timeslot number; and acquiring, by a receive port corresponding to an OR in each line card chassis, according to an optical path difference between the receive port corresponding to the OR in each line card chassis and the output port corresponding to the FTL in the reference chassis, time of receiving the optical burst test signal, and the transmission timeslot number, a time-phase difference between each line card chassis and the reference chassis, and calibrating a local clock phase according to the time-phase difference. The technical solution of the present invention resolves the optical burst synchronization problem, implements an OTN-based multi-chassis cluster, increases the system capacity, and reduces power consumption.