Optical Component Merging Device for Wavelength Collision Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical switching methods in networks, such as optical burst switching and optical packet switching, face inefficiencies in resource utilization and energy consumption due to the need for electronic processing and signaling packets, as well as limitations in managing collisions and optimizing packet switching performance.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for merging multiple optical components associated with the same wavelength into a single optical component, using optical means to switch and amplify signals, duplicating components, and combining them to manage collisions without electronic processing, allowing for dynamic wavelength allocation and improved resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If optical burst switching is used to aggregate packets into bursts for optical switching, then switching speed is increased and electronic processing is reduced, but resource utilization is not optimal due to signaling packets and unused time periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching speedVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the collision management function from electronic processing and implements it purely in the optical domain. By using optical combining means to detect collisions and optical switching means to block collided wavelengths, the system removes the need for electronic intervention in collision detection and response, thereby maintaining high switching speeds while improving resource utilization through more efficient collision handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces electronic processing mechanisms with optical mechanisms for collision detection and management. Instead of using electronic detectors and processors to identify and handle wavelength collisions, the system uses optical combining means and optical switching means to perform these functions directly in the optical domain, eliminating the bottleneck of electronic processing and improving overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If optical packet switching with electronic label processing is used, then packet aggregation by destination and quality of service is achieved, but the method is not mature due to limited optical memory performance and required electronic processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket aggregation capabilityVSAvoidoptical memory and electronic processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the collision detection and management functions from the electronic processing domain and implements them purely in the optical domain. By using optical combining means to detect wavelength collisions and optical switching means to block collided wavelengths, the system eliminates the need for electronic label processing and complex optical memory systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining packet aggregation capabilities through wavelength-based routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces electronic processing mechanisms with optical mechanisms for collision detection and wavelength management. Instead of relying on electronic processors to read labels and configure switching tables, the system uses optical interference phenomena in combining means to detect collisions and optical switching means to respond, thereby eliminating electronic processing requirements and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If electronic routers or switches are used to process packets at the packet level, then packets can be held during congestion, but energy consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecongestion management capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces electronic packet processing and buffering mechanisms with optical wavelength-based routing and collision management. By using optical combining means to detect collisions and optical switching means to block collided wavelengths in real-time, the system eliminates the need for electronic packet holding and retransmission, thereby maintaining congestion management reliability while dramatically reducing energy consumption by operating entirely in the optical domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2549773B1Device and method for combining optical components associated with a wavelength in a combined optical component

Publication Date: 2017.10.25 ORANGE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (20) and a method for merging a plurality of optical components associated with a wavelength into a single optical component associated with said wavelength. The merging device comprises: for each optical component of said plurality to be merged, - optical means (31-33), arranged to switch to a blocking position of said optical component to be merged according to a blocking signal; - duplication means (41-43), arranged to duplicate said optical component to be merged to combining means (61-63); - combining means, arranged to obtain said blocking signal by combining the duplicated optical components of the plurality, excluding said optical component to be merged; and merging means (70), arranged to merge the optical components at the output of the optical means. The merging device is intended to be integrated into an optical signal combiner.