Optical Routing via Label Resolution Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical routing technologies require conversion of optical data packets to electronic form, parsing of headers, and complex electrical or software processing, leading to increased complexity, cost, and protocol dependencies, which hinder high-speed and stable data transmission across multiple nodes.
Innovation Solution
An optical routing apparatus comprising an optical switch, processor, and memory that detects optical data packets on multiple subcarriers, generates labels for routing based on subcarrier values, and routes data packets directly within the optical domain without electronic conversion, using label resolution tables and forward equivalence class tables to manage routing actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical data packets are converted to electronic form for routing, then routing functionality can be achieved, but transmission speed decreases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic/optical conversion mechanisms with pure optical routing mechanisms. Optical switches and optical label readers directly manipulate optical packets without converting them to electronic form, eliminating the need for photo-detectors and electronic processing while maintaining routing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electronic conversion step from the routing process. By using optical switches that directly route optical packets based on optical labels, the system removes the intermediate electronic conversion layer that causes speed reduction and complexity increase.
2Reliability
If header parsing and electrical processing are used, then routing decisions can be made, but transmission stability decreases and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electronic header parsing with optical label recognition. Optical switches read optical labels directly using optical mechanisms, eliminating electronic conversion and processing delays while improving transmission stability by staying entirely in the optical domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-assigned optical labels on packets that encode routing information in advance. Optical switches simply read these pre-encoded labels and execute routing based on label resolution tables, eliminating the need for real-time header parsing and electronic processing during transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol-dependent processing is implemented, then routing functionality is achieved, but adaptability to different protocols decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical labeling system where all packets regardless of protocol are tagged with optical labels containing routing information. Optical switches handle all packets uniformly by reading these labels, making the system protocol-agnostic while reducing complexity by eliminating protocol-specific processing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
For optical routing, a processor detects an optical data packet communicated over at least one optical subcarrier of a plurality of optical subcarriers. The processor further detects each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. The processor generates a label including one or more asserted optical subcarrier values corresponding to each of the plurality of optical subcarriers over which the optical data packet is carried. In addition, the processor routes the optical data packet from the optical switch based on a routing action associated with the label.