Optical Cross-Connect Link Discovery With Shared Sensor Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical cross-connects (OXCs) are unable to detect channel information for optical connections, requiring costly photodetectors for each input channel or sequential channel replacements, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for OXC link discovery using a sensor unit to image spatiotemporal power distributions encoded in optical signals, allowing for low-cost, simultaneous detection of connection information without complex optical alignment or high-speed photodetection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each input channel is equipped with a photodetector to detect connection information, then the detection capability and reliability are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single shared photodetector. Instead of having separate photodetectors for each input channel, the system uses one photodetector to detect connection information from all channels by sequentially directing light from different channels to the same detector through optical switching elements (mirrors or waveguides). This consolidation maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing cost and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single photodetector is designed to perform multiple detection functions across different input channels. By making the photodetector universal and capable of detecting signals from any channel through the optical switching network, the system eliminates the need for dedicated photodetectors per channel, thereby reducing overall system cost while preserving detection capability.
2Device complexity
If multiple channels share one photodetector to reduce cost, then the cost is reduced, but channel replacements must be done in groups or sequentially which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic optical switching elements (mirrors or waveguides) that can rapidly redirect light from any input channel to the shared photodetector. This dynamic capability allows the system to quickly switch between channels during replacement operations, enabling individual channel testing and replacement without requiring sequential group replacements, thereby maintaining high productivity while using a single photodetector.
3Device complexity
If a single photodetector is used to detect multiple channels, then cost is reduced, but the system becomes incapable of simultaneous detection which increases time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning of different input channels using the optical switching elements. The system rapidly cycles through channels in a periodic manner, directing each channel's light to the shared photodetector in turn. This periodic action enables the detection of connection information from multiple channels in succession with minimal delay, effectively achieving near-simultaneous detection capability while using a single photodetector.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective link discovery in OXCs by decoding spatiotemporal power distributions to configure optical connections, reducing costs and delays associated with existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the power with a photodetector
Implementation Method 2
two arrays of microelectromechanical systems (i.e., MEMS) mirrors that direct the light from one port of the OXC to any other
Implementation Method 3
Power dithers, or amplitude modulation pilot tones (AM-PTs or simply PTs), have been added to the signals to indicate channel information
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for link discovery at optical cross-connects are disclosed. To determine which connections should be made between communication channels at a node of an optical network, embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed towards detecting connection information encoded in optical signals received from the communication channels. Embodiments detect the connection information by tapping each communication channel, directing samples of the optical signals from the channels to a same sensor unit, and decoding a spatiotemporal power distribution detected by the sensor unit. In some embodiments, each communication channel substantially corresponds to a respective spatial portion of the spatiotemporal power distribution, and the communication information of each communication channel is encoded temporally, such as by a power dither. In some embodiments, the sensor unit is a photodetector array comprising a plurality of pixels.