Optical Router Dynamic Wavelength Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in meeting the growing bandwidth demands due to the limitations of coaxial infrastructure, and traditional wavelength-division multiplexing systems are costly due to the need for expensive tunable lasers and temperature/wavelength control modules.
Innovation Solution
An optical router and terminal devices employing dynamic wavelength assignment (DWA) with a modulation module and wavelength selection module, utilizing a multi-wavelength light source and carrier processing unit to aggregate and guide optical signals across multiple servers, reducing the need for expensive tunable lasers by dynamically assigning wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional wavelength-division multiplexing systems use tunable lasers and temperature/wavelength control modules, then wavelength control precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a multi-wavelength light source that emits multiple fixed wavelengths simultaneously, replacing the need for expensive tunable lasers. The wavelength selection module selectively copies specific wavelengths from the multi-wavelength source based on control signals, achieving precise wavelength control without requiring costly tunable laser components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength selection parameter dynamically by controlling which wavelengths are directed to which modulating units based on aggregate control signals. This allows flexible wavelength assignment without physically changing the light source, using instead control-based wavelength routing from the fixed multi-wavelength source.
2Device complexity
If dynamic wavelength assignment is implemented with a multi-wavelength light source, then device cost is reduced, but wavelength assignment flexibility must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength assignment by using control signals to dynamically route different wavelengths from the multi-wavelength light source to different modulating units. The carrier processing unit and wavelength selection module dynamically adjust wavelength routing based on aggregate control signals, maintaining flexibility while using a fixed, cost-effective light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength selection module acts as an intermediary between the multi-wavelength light source and the modulating units. It selectively passes specific wavelengths to the appropriate modulating units based on control signals, enabling flexible wavelength assignment without requiring each modulating unit to have its own tunable laser.
3Productivity
If optical signals are aggregated from multiple servers, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but signal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical signals from different servers onto a single optical fiber by aggregating them at the optical router. The modulation module combines multiple modulated signals into an aggregate optical signal that can be transmitted over a single fiber, increasing bandwidth capacity while using centralized control to manage the complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical router serves multiple functions: it receives optical signals from multiple servers, processes wavelength assignments, modulates signals, and aggregates them for transmission. This multi-functional design consolidates signal management complexity into a single device rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each server connection.
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 solution enhances data transmission efficiency and reduces costs by dynamically managing wavelengths, supporting high-capacity, low-attenuation optical signal transmission in data centers and beyond, while maintaining signal integrity over long distances.
Implementation Method 1
The wavelength selection module comprises a multi-wavelength light source for generating an input carrier
Implementation Method 2
Each of the modulating units is adapted for receiving the data signal from the corresponding server and for modulating the carrier guided hither into an optical signal based on the received data signal
Implementation Method 3
The optical coupler is adapted for aggregating the optical signals into an aggregate optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an optical router based on dynamic wavelength assignment, for receiving data signals and an aggregate control signal from servers, and comprising a modulation module and a wavelength selection module, which comprises a multi-wavelength light source for generating an input carrier having wavelengths, and a carrier processing unit for separating the input carrier into carriers and for guiding the carriers to the modulating units based on the aggregate control signal. The modulation module comprises an optical coupler and modulating units in one-to-one correspondence with the servers. Each modulating unit is adapted for receiving the data signal from the corresponding server and for modulating the received carrier into an optical signal based on the data signal. The optical coupler is adapted for aggregating the optical signals into an aggregate optical signal.