Optical Network Waveguide Topology for Signal Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical networks for data communication between processing units face issues such as significant signal losses due to numerous optical waveguide crossings, high power consumption, and configuration latencies caused by electrical control logic and static wavelength routers.
Innovation Solution
An optical network design featuring a closed loop of optical waveguides with interfaces arranged in a specific rotational direction, allowing waveguides to start and end at different interfaces, and with communication units capable of being readers or writers, reducing unnecessary crossings and enabling flexible rank arrangement for homogeneous interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-dimensional mesh topology with optical waveguides is used to link interfaces, then data communication between processing units is enabled, but the large number of optical waveguide crossings generates significant signal losses and increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mesh topology to a three-dimensional stacked topology with vertical waveguides. This dimensional change allows waveguides to pass through intermediate interfaces vertically rather than crossing horizontally, dramatically reducing the number of crossings and associated signal losses while maintaining full connectivity between processing units across multiple stacked interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the optical network into multiple independent stacked interfaces, each handling a subset of communication channels. This segmentation allows each interface to have fewer waveguide crossings, reducing signal losses and power consumption per interface while collectively providing complete system connectivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical waveguides are arranged in a mesh topology with horizontal and vertical paths, then complete connectivity is achieved, but the number of optical waveguide crossings increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the waveguide arrangement, allowing waveguides to extend through multiple stacked interfaces perpendicular to the interface planes. This eliminates the need for numerous horizontal and vertical crossings in a mesh topology, as waveguides can directly connect processing units across interfaces through the vertical dimension while maintaining complete system connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple optical waveguides are bundled together within a single vertical waveguide path. This nesting allows multiple communication channels to share the same physical pathway through intermediate interfaces, reducing the total number of crossings while preserving full connectivity between all processing units
3Device complexity
If static wavelength routers are used to divert specific wavelengths, then routing control is simplified, but the routers must be maintained in resonance on their specific wavelength requiring control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wavelength router components entirely from the system, replacing them with direct waveguide connections between processing units. This extraction eliminates the need for resonance maintenance and associated control logic, while the vertical waveguide architecture provides inherent routing capability through its topology
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical waveguide architecture provides self-routed connectivity where the physical topology itself determines the communication paths between processing units. This eliminates the need for external control logic to manage wavelength routing, as the system's structure inherently guides signals along the correct paths without active intervention
4Adaptability or versatility
If each interface has communication units arranged in ranks from periphery to interior, then flexible configuration is enabled, but homogeneous interfaces require specific arrangement patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different arrangement patterns to different regions of each interface based on local requirements. Communication units are arranged in ranks from periphery to interior, with specific units positioned according to their functional needs and connection requirements. This localized optimization allows each interface to achieve homogeneous configuration while maintaining flexibility for diverse communication patterns
Data Source
AI summary
An optical network including: a medium; at least one beam of optical waveguides extending over the medium; for each beam, interfaces between the beam and the processing units, respectively. The beam successively links the interfaces in a closed loop oriented in a certain direction of rotation of information. The communication units of each interface are transversely arranged in ranks increasing from the periphery to the interior of the beam. First and second optical waveguides start from different interfaces or end at different interfaces. The first optical waveguide links two communication units both of them readers and/or writers of different ranks in first and second respective interfaces. The second optical waveguide passes through a communication unit from the second interface of lower rank to that of the communication unit of said second interface through which the first optical waveguide passes.