Optical Signal Relay Apparatus for Wavelength Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog wavelength conversion in optical communication systems suffers from spectral distortion and communication quality deterioration due to the inability to regenerate and retime signals, leading to poor performance when converting optical signals between different wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
An optical signal relay apparatus with a wavelength selective switch, wavelength conversion unit, and optical compensation unit that separates same-wavelength signals, converts them to different wavelengths, and compensates for generated spectral distortion using a database to improve communication quality by reducing distortion and extending transmission distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If analog wavelength conversion is used to avoid digital signal processing, then power consumption is reduced and cost decreases, but spectral distortion is generated and communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical compensation unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the wavelength conversion unit and the output. This unit applies optical filtering and shaping to compensate for spectral distortion without requiring digital signal processing, thereby maintaining low power consumption while improving communication quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes optical parameters (wavelength, spectral shape) through analog wavelength conversion and compensates for distortion by adjusting optical filter characteristics. This allows maintaining analog processing benefits while correcting spectral degradation through optical parameter optimization
2Productivity
If same-wavelength optical signals are transmitted in the same node, then wavelength resources are efficiently utilized, but signal collision occurs and communication fails
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength selective switch unit directs same-wavelength signals to different output ports based on their source and destination, allowing wavelength reuse in different spatial locations within the same node. This enables efficient wavelength resource utilization while preventing signal collision through spatial separation
3Reliability
If digital signal processing is used for regeneration and retiming, then signal quality is maintained, but power consumption increases and device cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces electronic/digital signal processing mechanisms with optical processing mechanisms. The optical compensation unit performs signal regeneration and retiming through optical filtering and wavelength conversion, eliminating the need for photodetection, digital signal processing, and re-modulation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining signal quality
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
The solution effectively compensates for spectral distortion and chromatic dispersion, enhancing communication quality and extending the transmission distance of wavelength-multiplexed optical signals by using a database to manage wavelength conversion and distortion compensation.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength selective switch unit configured to, when a same-wavelength optical signal having the same wavelength as a wavelength included in the second optical signal is present in a wavelength included in the first optical signal, separate the same-wavelength optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a wavelength conversion unit configured to convert the wavelength of the same-wavelength optical signal into a different wavelength
Implementation Method 3
an optical compensation unit configured to compensate for a predetermined distortion being generated when converting the wavelength of the same-wavelength optical signal into the different wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
The optical signal relay apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a wavelength selective switch unit configured to, when a same-wavelength optical signal having the same wavelength as a wavelength included in a second optical signal is present in a wavelength included in a first optical signal, separate the same-wavelength optical signal; a wavelength conversion unit configured to convert the wavelength of the same-wavelength optical signal into a different wavelength; an optical compensation unit configured to compensate for a predetermined distortion being generated when the wavelength of the same-wavelength optical signal is converted into the different wavelength; and a control unit configured to acquire the predetermined distortion, based on a database that stores in advance a relationship among the wavelength conversion, a distortion being generated at a time of the wavelength conversion, and a transmission rate of an optical signal.