Optical Control Switching for Fewer Transceivers in Multi-Terminal Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, the addition of a transceiver for each terminal device leads to an increase in system size as the number of terminal devices increases.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a control unit, multiplexing/demultiplexing devices, control transceivers, control optical switches, and a distribution circuit, where the number of control optical switches is less than the number of terminal devices, allowing for efficient signal distribution and switching based on measured signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transceivers are provided as many as the number of terminal devices, then optical communication with each terminal device can be performed, but the control system increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transceiver functions are merged into a single control transceiver by combining multiplexing/demultiplexing devices for different terminal devices into one unit. The control transceiver handles communication with multiple terminal devices sequentially through optical switching, eliminating the need for separate transceivers for each terminal device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control transceiver is designed as a universal device that can communicate with any terminal device in the system. By integrating multiplexing/demultiplexing capabilities and using optical switches to route signals dynamically, a single control transceiver performs the functions that would otherwise require multiple dedicated transceivers.
2Productivity
If the number of terminal devices increases, then more users can use the network, but more transceivers must be added
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple transceiver functions into a single control transceiver that serves all terminal devices. The multiplexing/demultiplexing devices combine signal handling for multiple terminals, and optical switches enable dynamic routing, allowing one transceiver to replace many while maintaining network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic optical switching to allocate the control transceiver's resources to different terminal devices as needed. The connection destination is switched based on which terminal device needs communication, allowing the system to adapt to increasing numbers of terminal devices without adding more transceivers.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present invention is a control system required for optical communication, the control system including: a control unit that performs communication with a plurality of terminal devices using an optical signal, a control transceiver that performs conversion between an optical signal and an electrical signal, and a control optical switch that switches a connection destination of the control transceiver, in which the control unit switches the connection destination of the control transceiver by controlling an operation of the control optical switch, and the number of control optical switches is smaller than the number of terminal devices.