Optical Cross-Connect Apparatus Segmentation Reduces Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical cross-connect apparatuses face limitations in scalability due to the high cost and complexity of wavelength-selecting switches, which restrict the number of output ports and increase optical loss, making it difficult to implement larger-scale optical cross-connect systems.
Innovation Solution
The optical cross-connect apparatus is configured with multiple interconnected optical cross-connect portions, reducing the hardware scale by allowing detours in routing and utilizing wavelength-selecting switches with spectral elements and MEMS or LCOS technology, along with photocouplers, to decrease the number of required switches and optical loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of output ports of wavelength-selecting switches is increased to support larger-scale optical cross-connect, then the path accommodation capacity is improved, but the cost and optical loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical cross-connect apparatus is divided into multiple optical cross-connect portions (first, second, third, and fourth portions), each handling a subset of input and output fibers. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large-scale connectivity through coordinated operation of smaller, more efficient switching units, avoiding the need for single large-scale wavelength-selecting switches that incur high optical loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where optical cross-connect portions are nested within the overall optical cross-connect apparatus. Each portion contains wavelength-selecting switches and optical fibers that are nested within the larger system architecture, enabling scalable expansion while maintaining efficient optical paths at each level
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of output ports of wavelength-selecting switches is increased to support larger-scale optical cross-connect, then the path accommodation capacity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the optical cross-connect function into multiple portions, each with a manageable number of input and output ports. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual wavelength-selecting switches while achieving large-scale connectivity through the coordinated operation of multiple simpler units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane wavelength-selecting switch architecture to a multi-dimensional architecture involving multiple optical cross-connect portions arranged in series and parallel configurations. This dimensional expansion allows the system to achieve N-by-N connectivity through combinations of smaller switching matrices, reducing individual device complexity
3Device complexity
If conventional wavelength-selecting switches are used with limited output ports, then the device complexity is reduced, but the scalability of optical cross-connect apparatus is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical cross-connect portion is designed as a universal module that can handle multiple input and output fibers with standardized wavelength-selecting switch configurations. This universality allows the same basic module to be replicated and combined in various configurations to achieve different scales of optical cross-connect, from small to large systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic routing capabilities where wavelength-selecting switches can be configured in real-time to establish different optical paths through the multiple optical cross-connect portions. This dynamic reconfigurability enables the system to adapt to varying traffic demands and scale flexibly without requiring physical reconfiguration of the hardware architecture
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 hardware scale while maintaining path accommodation capacity, lowering costs and optical loss, and enabling larger-scale optical cross-connect systems with reduced blocking probabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating dispersing the light output from one end surface of a plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
a condensing lens condensing the light dispersed by the diffraction grating onto MEMS mirrors
Implementation Method 3
the light selectively reflected by the MEMS mirrors
Data Source
AI summary
An optical cross-connect apparatus includes: a plurality of optical cross-connect portions each having an inter-node connection input port and an inter-node connection output port respectively connected to each of the plurality of the inter-node connection optical fibers, an internal connection input port, and an internal connection output port, wherein for each of the plurality of the optical cross-connect portions, the internal connection output port of a predetermined optical cross-connect portion is directly connected to the internal connection input port of another optical cross-connect portion, or the internal connection output port of a predetermined optical cross-connect portion is directly connected to the internal connection input port of another optical cross-connect portion and is indirectly connected via the another optical cross-connect portion to the internal connection input port of yet another optical cross-connect portion.