Optical Electronic Integrated Switch Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network switches face challenges in integrating packet switches and optical switches effectively, leading to increased costs and communication processing times due to the separate nature of these devices, which hinders the concentration of similar functions and efficient optical cut-through operations.
Innovation Solution
An optical and electronic integrated switch is proposed, where a packet switch with optical transceivers and various types of optical switches are integrated on the same substrate, using metal wiring for electrical signal paths and optical waveguides for optical signal paths, allowing optical switches to perform path selection without electronic circuit intervention, thereby enabling efficient optical cut-through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If packet switch and optical switch are kept as separate devices, then each device can be optimized independently, but communication processing time increases and similar functions cannot be concentrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges packet switch and optical switch into a single integrated device, allowing electronic circuits and optical components to coexist on the same substrate. This integration enables direct optical signal transmission between optical transceivers without electronic circuit intervention, reducing communication processing time while consolidating similar functions in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated switch is segmented into distinct functional regions: electronic circuit areas for packet switching and optical switching areas for optical path selection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function efficiently while being physically integrated, resolving the contradiction between integration benefits and design complexity.
2Length of moving object
If optical transceivers are placed far from electronic circuit, then optical signal transmission distance increases, but wiring complexity and signal loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical waveguides as intermediary transmission paths between optical transceivers and optical switches. These waveguides provide dedicated optical transmission channels that can extend transmission distance while maintaining signal integrity and avoiding the complexity of electrical wiring extensions.
3Productivity
If electronic circuit processes all optical signals, then packet switching functionality is maintained, but power consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical signal switching function from the electronic circuit and assigns it to dedicated optical switches. This extraction allows optical signals to be routed directly through optical components without electronic conversion, maintaining high throughput while significantly reducing power consumption for signal transmission and switching operations.
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 integration reduces communication processing time and power consumption by allowing optical switches to perform path selection independently, concentrating similar functions and reducing the burden on electronic circuits, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of optical networks.
Implementation Method 1
optical transceivers provided near the electronic circuit and having a photoelectric conversion function
Implementation Method 2
paths connecting between the optical transceivers and the plurality of optical switches... are formed of optical waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
An optical and electronic integrated switch includes a network processor that controls the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transceivers having photoelectric conversion functions, and a plurality of optical switches. The optical switches include different types of optical core switch and a plurality of optical-path selection switches. The optical transceivers provided near the processor have a regenerative relay function that regenerates optical signals and turns back the optical signals, and perform optical communication with a communication counterpart via the optical switches. In the optical communication, optical switches of the different types can cooperate to set paths for optical cut-through in which path selection is performed such that inputted optical signals are outputted without the intervention of the processor. This optical cut-through can be effectively performed without imposing a signal processing burden that consumes electric power on the processor.