Optical-Layer Module for Colorless Wavelength Add-Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixed optical add/drop multiplexers (FOADMs) in access sites lack colorless capability and port extension, leading to fixed wavelength-add/drop operations and potential crosstalk issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical-layer module with a fiber interface unit, splitter, wavelength blocker, and multiplexer that allows for flexible wavelength-drop and add operations, using optical switches and label detection to prevent conflicts and crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed optical add/drop multiplexer (FOADM) is used for wavelength add/drop operations, then the device structure is simple and easy to implement, but the wavelength-add/drop wavelength is fixed and the access site lacks colorless capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed FOADM with a dynamic configuration system using optical switches and a wavelength blocker. The optical switches can dynamically connect different wavelength-add ports to the multiplexer based on real-time network needs, enabling flexible wavelength selection and colorless capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through controlled dynamic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal wavelength management system where the same optical-layer module can handle multiple wavelengths and serve multiple functions: wavelength add, wavelength drop, pass-through, and conflict prevention. The wavelength blocker acts as a universal guard for all wavelength-add ports, and the optical switches provide universal routing capability across N wavelength-add ports and N wavelength-drop ports.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength-add ports are used to increase flexibility, then colorless capability is achieved, but the risk of wavelength conflict and crosstalk with existing signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary conflict prevention by placing the wavelength blocker before the multiplexer to proactively block any wavelength-add signal that matches an existing pass-through signal. This preliminary action prevents crosstalk before it can occur, allowing multiple wavelength-add ports to operate safely with high flexibility while maintaining reliability through advance wavelength verification and blocking.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an optical-layer module, an access site, and an optical signal processing method in the field of optical communication technologies. An example access site includes a first fiber interface, a first splitter, a first wavelength blocker, a first multiplexer, and a second fiber interface. The first fiber interface is configured to receive a first optical signal, where the first optical signal includes an optical signal of at least one wavelength. The first splitter is configured to: split the first optical signal into N+1 second optical signals, send one of the N+1 second optical signals to the first multiplexer through a pass-through output port of the first splitter, and send remaining N second optical signals through N wavelength-drop ports. The first wavelength blocker is configured to receive N third optical signals, where wavelengths of the N third optical signals are different.