Optical Pass-Through Link Training for DWDM Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical interconnect architectures, optical ring filters are wavelength-sensitive but agnostic to actual wavelength values, making it challenging to generate wavelength routing maps that accurately route transmit wavelengths to their intended receive nodes without physical modifications to optical fiber connections.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical pass-through (OPT) link training systems and algorithms that synchronize transmit ring modulators with intermediate ring filters, creating wavelength routing maps to dynamically redefine network topology and establish virtual connections between nodes without modifying physical fiber connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical ring filters are used for wavelength routing, then wavelength filtering capability is improved, but the ability to dynamically route wavelengths without physical modifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical ring filters tunable to different resonance wavelengths through thermal control. The resonance wavelength of each ring filter can be dynamically adjusted by applying heat via integrated heaters, allowing the system to adapt routing paths without physical modifications. This enables the same hardware to serve multiple routing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resonance wavelength parameter of optical ring filters by controlling their temperature. By adjusting the temperature of each ring filter, its resonance wavelength shifts, allowing it to selectively filter different wavelengths. This parameter change enables dynamic wavelength routing without altering the physical fiber connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wavelength routing maps are generated without physical modifications, then system reconfigurability is improved, but routing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through a training algorithm that monitors the actual wavelength routing performance and adjusts the resonance wavelengths of ring filters accordingly. The system measures which wavelengths are successfully routed to which destinations and uses this information to optimize the routing maps, ensuring both reconfigurability and routing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary wavelength calibration and routing training before actual operation. The training algorithm pre-determines the optimal resonance wavelengths for each ring filter based on the desired routing configuration, storing this information in lookup tables. This preliminary action ensures accurate routing when the system is reconfigured.
3Area of stationary object
If on-chip wavelength routing is implemented, then integration density is improved, but wavelength detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photodetectors as intermediary devices that convert optical wavelengths into electrical signals. These photodetectors enable the system to detect and measure wavelengths on-chip by transforming the optical information into an electrical form that can be processed by the control system, thus solving the detection capability issue while maintaining integration density.
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
Enables transparent on-chip wavelength routing and dynamic redefinition of network topology, ensuring accurate routing of wavelengths to intended receive nodes, thereby improving the functionality of DWDM optical interconnect architectures and establishing virtual connections between nodes.
Implementation Method 1
When light having the resonance wavelength is introduced to the closed loop from an input bus waveguide coupled to the closed loop, the light builds in intensity over the course of multiple round trips due to constructive interference
Implementation Method 2
An optical ring resonator may be tuned to a resonance wavelength. When light having the resonance wavelength is introduced to the closed loop
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing link training to enable optical pass-through (OPT) capabilities of a network node. OPT capabilities may refer to on-chip wavelength routing for a multi-wavelength data input, whereby an intermediate node detects wavelengths that are intended for OPT and transparently passes the wavelengths through to downstream nodes. When executed at an intermediate network node, an OPT link training algorithm can result in the creation of one or more wavelength routing maps that associate wavelengths received on particular inputs to the node with particular outputs of the node. An intermediate node may generate a respective wavelength routing map for each transmit node from which it receives input data. The wavelength routing maps may together implement OPT capabilities at the intermediate node as each wavelength routing map may indicate the manner in which wavelengths are passed through the intermediate node for a given transmit node.