Optical Network Time Wavelength Interleaving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communications networks face challenges in managing growth and optimizing bandwidth as the number of nodes increases, particularly due to the complexity and scalability issues associated with tier 1 cross-connects in two-tier configurations using wavelength-division-multiplexing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of time and wavelength interleaving between tier 2 nodes and tier 1 nodes, eliminating the need for tier 1 cross-connects, and using tunable lasers and burst-mode receivers to manage data transmission with wavelength-division-multiplexed circuits, allowing for flexible and efficient data routing without electronic sub-wavelength switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tier 1 cross-connects are used in two-tier WDM configurations, then network functionality and data routing are achieved, but device complexity and scalability issues increase as the number of nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the tier 1 cross-connect component from the traditional two-tier WDM network architecture. By removing this complex electronic switching element, the network achieves simplified topology where tier 2 nodes communicate directly through optical wavelengths without requiring electronic sub-wavelength switching, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining scalability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electronic switching mechanisms with optical switching mechanisms. Instead of using electronic cross-connects to route sub-wavelength signals, the system employs direct optical wavelength routing where tier 2 nodes transmit data optically across the network, replacing complex electronic processing with simpler optical transmission and filtering
2Productivity
If the number of nodes increases in optical communications networks, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but bandwidth management and optimization become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where tier 2 nodes transmit data in scheduled time slots across shared optical wavelengths. This periodic transmission structure simplifies bandwidth management by creating predictable, repeating patterns that are easier to manage and optimize as the network grows, replacing complex continuous electronic switching with simpler periodic optical transmission
3Ease of operation
If electronic sub-wavelength switching is used for data routing, then precise control and routing flexibility are achieved, but the need for additional transceivers and increased hardware requirements occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transceivers into fewer units by enabling direct optical wavelength routing. Instead of requiring separate electronic switching hardware at each node, tier 2 nodes share common optical infrastructure and wavelengths, combining routing functions that previously required dedicated electronic transceivers at intermediate nodes, thereby reducing the total quantity of transceivers needed
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communications network architecture and associated method which employs time and wavelength-interleaving for homing between nodes/satellites and hubs and for grooming, while employing wavelength-division-multiplexed wavelength circuits between hubs without requiring cross-connects or routers therebetween.