Optical Network Routing Adjacent Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical networks, the increased scale leads to higher optical loss and reduced frequency utilization efficiency due to the increased number of branches in optical couplers and the broad frequency filtering characteristics of wavelength selective switches, causing signal deterioration and loss during routing and filtering processes.
Innovation Solution
The optical network reduces the number of filtering processes by routing adjacent optical channels together and controlling the frequency arrangements to minimize drop processes, allowing only necessary filtering at reception nodes, thereby enhancing frequency utilization efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of branches of optical couplers is increased to handle larger network scale, then the routing capability is improved, but optical loss is increased making transmitted signals weak
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the network into multiple domains, each with its own control unit. This allows routing decisions to be made locally within domains rather than requiring all signals to pass through a single centralized coupler system, thereby reducing the effective number of branches any single coupler must handle and reducing optical loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a domain-based hierarchical dimension to the network architecture. Instead of a flat structure requiring many coupler branches, it creates multiple layers of control (domain level and network level), allowing signals to be routed more efficiently through the domain level first, reducing the branching complexity at any single point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the frequency width of wavelength filtering characteristics is broadened to cover wavelength channels, then the wavelength coverage is improved, but the interval of wavelength channels must be widened reducing frequency utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different filtering characteristics to different domains based on local requirements. Each domain's control unit can configure wavelength filtering characteristics locally to match the specific traffic patterns and channel requirements of that domain, rather than using a uniform broad filtering characteristic across the entire network. This allows tight filtering where needed to maintain frequency utilization efficiency while still providing adequate coverage for each local domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables dynamic configuration of wavelength filtering characteristics in each domain based on real-time traffic demands. The control units can adjust the filtering parameters dynamically, allowing the system to optimize between wavelength coverage and frequency utilization efficiency depending on current network conditions, rather than being fixed to a broad static filtering characteristic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of times of wavelength selection for routing is increased, then the routing flexibility is improved, but optical signal deterioration is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the routing process into domain-level routing and network-level routing. Signals undergo wavelength selection primarily at the domain level for local traffic, reducing the number of times they need to be selected at the network level. This segmentation of the routing function reduces the total number of filtering operations any single signal undergoes, thereby reducing optical signal deterioration while maintaining routing flexibility through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary routing decisions at the domain level before signals enter the broader network. By making initial routing selections locally within domains, signals are directed toward their final destinations with fewer subsequent routing changes needed, reducing the total number of wavelength selection operations and minimizing signal deterioration while preserving overall routing flexibility.
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 reduces signal loss and enhances frequency utilization efficiency by minimizing the number of filtering processes and maintaining signal integrity across the network, even as the network scale increases.
Implementation Method 1
an optical path cross-connect apparatus is proposed that is made up of a plurality of input-side wavelength selective switches selecting and outputting optical signals of desired wavelengths from waveband multiplexed signals
Implementation Method 2
an optical path cross-connect apparatus is proposed that is made up of a plurality of optical couplers each branching waveband multiplexing signal lights input from a plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 3
the wavelength selective elements used therein made up of 3D MEMS optical switches or LCOS optical switches each including a filter (diffraction grating) for selecting a single wavelength from a wavelength division multiplexed light
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an optical network which makes it possible to increase frequency use efficiency of an optical signal when transmitting wavelength division multiplexed light. One or more optical path cross connection devices (OXC) through which a wavelength division multiplexed light signal travels when being transmitted from a prescribed transmission node to a prescribed receiving node, wherein when an optical channel inputted from an input optical fiber (Fi1-Fin) is routed or switched to one or more output optical fibers (Fo1-FoN), a plurality of optical channels adjacent on a frequency axis which are outputted to the same output optical fiber (FoN) in the input optical fibers (Fi1-Fin) are routed or switched to an output optical fiber by demultiplexing the plurality of optical channels as one bundle without demultiplexing each of the optical channels individually. Thus, it is possible to increase frequency use efficiency of an optical signal when transmitting wavelength division multiplexed light, because the instances of optical channel filtering are reduced and the loss caused by filtering is decreased.