Optical Interconnecting Network Architecture for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical switching architectures in communication systems lack versatility and efficiency, leading to increased complexity, cost, and latency due to the need for optical to electrical and back to optical conversions, especially as the scale of signal routing increases.
Innovation Solution
An optical central node architecture that combines and broadcasts optical data signals from multiple access nodes using a coupler and splitter, with a controller that provides control information for coherent detection, synchronization, and scheduling, reducing the need for frequent conversions and enhancing scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If optical switching is used to reduce conversion latency, then signal processing speed is improved, but versatility in controlling information flows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical switching with electrical processing capabilities in a hybrid architecture. The optical domain handles high-speed signal transmission and routing, while electrical domains provide control plane functionality including connection establishment, wavelength assignment, and flow control. This merging allows the system to achieve low latency in the data plane while maintaining versatility through electrical control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical to electrical conversion is performed to increase control versatility, then adaptability is improved, but signal processing latency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into control plane and data plane functions. Control plane operations requiring versatility are handled in the electrical domain where complex processing can occur. The data plane operations requiring low latency are handled in the optical domain where signals can be switched and routed without conversion. This segmentation allows each plane to operate in its optimal domain, reducing overall latency while maintaining control versatility.
3Quantity of substance
If the scale of signal routing is increased to support more access nodes, then network capacity is improved, but system complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical network architecture where a single type of optical switch can support multiple access nodes through wavelength division multiplexing and time division multiplexing. Instead of requiring dedicated switching fabric for each node pair, the system uses pooled optical resources that can be dynamically allocated to serve any node. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to scale to support increasing numbers of nodes without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If more optical components are added to support larger signal routing scales, then network capacity is improved, but power consumption and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous wave optical sources and maintains optical signals in the optical domain throughout the switching fabric, avoiding repeated optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical conversions. This continuity allows signals to be routed through multiple stages of switching without being converted to electrical domain, thereby reducing the power consumption associated with repeated conversions while maintaining the ability to support large numbers of access nodes.
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 architecture reduces power consumption, latency, and costs while maintaining high switching capacity and spectral efficiency, enabling efficient broadcast to multiple destinations with low latency and supporting a larger number of access nodes.
Implementation Method 1
a coupler configured to combine optical data signals from the plurality of access nodes each transmitting on a different wavelength, to obtain a combined optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a splitter configured to couple the combined optical signal to each one of a plurality of optical outputs for broadcasting to the plurality of access nodes
Implementation Method 3
provide second control information based on the first control information for coherent detection of an optical data signal from the source node at a destination node
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present application provide an optical interconnecting network architecture. The architecture involves a central node coupled to multiple access nodes (ANs), in which the central node includes a pair of optical couplers used to combine optical signals received from the ANs and broadcast the combined optical signals to all destination ANs. A coherent detection receiver in each of the ANs receives the combined optical signals and selectively detects a wavelength carrying the optical signal assigned to that AN by tuning a local oscillator (LO) wavelength of the coherent detection receiver.