Optical Cross-Connect Device Using THz Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical cross-connect apparatuses face limitations in switching speed, cost, integration degree, and expansion scale, with 3D-MEMS systems having low switching speed and silicon-based systems experiencing high insertion loss and polarization-dependent issues.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical signal processing method and apparatus utilize terahertz (THz) signal processing with phase modulation and frequency mixing, integrated using CMOS technology, to enhance switching speed and reduce costs, while increasing integration and expansion capabilities through directional beamforming and phase adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all-to-optical switching elements are used to improve switching speed, then switching speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple optical switches per fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch is divided into multiple switching elements arranged in a matrix, where each switching element corresponds to a specific input-output fiber pair. This segmentation allows the system to achieve all-to-optical switching capability while managing complexity through modular organization of switching elements rather than requiring a monolithic complex switch.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical add-drop multiplexers (OADM s) are introduced as intermediary devices between the optical switch and the optical fibers. These OADM s enable wavelength-selective signal routing and facilitate the connection between multiple optical switches and fibers without requiring each fiber to be directly connected to every switching element, thereby reducing the overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical switches are connected to each fiber to improve switching capability, then switching capability is improved, but the number of optical switches increases leading to higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical add-drop multiplexer is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a wavelength selector, a signal router, and a interface between different optical switches. This multi-functionality allows a single OADM to replace what would otherwise require multiple dedicated components, reducing the total number of optical switches needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the wavelength dimension as an additional degree of freedom for signal routing. By utilizing wavelength-selective switching in conjunction with spatial switching, the system achieves enhanced switching capability without proportionally increasing the number of optical switches, effectively adding a new dimension to the switching architecture.
3Device complexity
If conventional electrical switching is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but switching speed decreases due to electro-optical conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical switching mechanisms with all-optical switching elements. The switching elements directly manipulate optical signals without converting them to electrical signals, eliminating the electro-optical conversion process. This substitution maintains relatively simple device structure while achieving significantly faster switching speeds compared to conventional electrical switching systems.
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 approach significantly increases the switching speed of optical cross-connect apparatuses, reduces costs, and enhances integration and expansion scales by leveraging THz-related components and CMOS integration, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
each of the optical switching elements having an input optically connected to a corresponding one of the input fibers and an output optically connected to a corresponding one of the output fibers, each of the optical switching elements being modulated by a corresponding one of the modulation signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an optical signal processing method and an optical cross-connect apparatus. The method includes: first receiving, by an input port i of the optical cross-connect apparatus, a first optical signal; performing, based on the first optical signal by a transmit-end signal processing module i, first phase modulation processing and first frequency mixing processing to obtain a THz signal that carries signal information of the first optical signal; transmitting, by a transmit-end antenna i, the THz signal; receiving, by a receive-end antenna j, the THz signal; performing, based on the THz signal by a receive-end signal processing module j, second phase modulation processing and second frequency mixing processing to obtain a second optical signal that carries the signal information; and outputting, by an output port j, the second optical signal. Implementing the embodiments of the present invention helps increase a switching speed of the optical cross-connect apparatus, reduce apparatus costs, and increase an integration degree and an expansion scale of the apparatus.