Optical Sub-band Insertion and Extraction Switching Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a device capable of extracting or inserting optical sub-bands from optical channels composed of multiple multiplexed sub-bands, limiting flexibility and efficiency in ultra-high-speed optical transport networks.
Innovation Solution
An all-optical switch architecture that includes extraction, suppression, and coupling means to insert or extract optical sub-bands within an optical channel, using band-pass and notch filtering to filter and replace sub-bands, allowing for flexible processing of WDM channels without converting to the electronic domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical sub-bands are extracted or inserted using electronic switching, then flexibility in processing is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic switching mechanisms with all-optical filtering mechanisms. Band-pass filters and band-stop filters are used to extract and suppress optical sub-bands directly in the optical domain, eliminating the need for光电 conversion and electronic processing, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining processing flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical filters as intermediary components between the optical channel and the output. These filters act as mediators that selectively pass or block specific sub-bands without requiring electronic intervention, enabling low-energy flexible processing of optical signals
2Use of energy by moving object
If optical sub-bands are processed using all-optical filtering, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to dynamically reconfigure and adapt to different bit rates is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tunable optical filters whose passbands and stopbands can be dynamically adjusted. This allows the system to adapt to different sub-band configurations and bit rates while maintaining all-optical operation, thus achieving both low energy consumption and high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the optical filters (passband frequency, stopband frequency, bandwidth) to adapt to different processing requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system can handle various bit rates and frequency allocations without converting to electronic domain
3Productivity
If band-pass and band-stop filters are used simultaneously for extraction and suppression, then simultaneous extraction and replacement of sub-bands is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines extraction and suppression functions into a single integrated filter module. By using both band-pass and band-stop filters in conjunction within the same optical path, the system achieves simultaneous extraction and replacement of sub-bands without requiring separate processing stages, thus managing complexity while enhancing productivity
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 efficient and flexible disaggregation and aggregation of optical sub-bands, reducing energy consumption and enhancing network flexibility by allowing simultaneous extraction and replacement of sub-bands, adaptable to various bit rates and frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
the extraction means consisting of band-pass filtering means connected to the first duplication port in order to receive a first duplicated optical channel and arranged to allow the first optical sub-band to pass to an extraction port
Implementation Method 2
the suppression means consisting of notch filter means connected to the second duplication port to receive a second duplicate optical channel and arranged to filter the second sub-band in said second duplicate optical signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for inserting/extracting at least one optical subband into an optical channel (Ci) consisting of a plurality of optical subbands. The device includes an extraction means (13) that is capable of extracting a first optical subband (SB) belonging to the optical channel (Ci), a suppression means (15) that is arranged so as to obtain a filtered optical channel (Ci*) from the optical channel (Ci) wherein at least one second subband (SB") is suppressed, and a coupling means (17) that is capable of inserting a replacement optical subband (SB) in place of the second subband (SB") in the filtered optical channel (Ci*) so as to obtain a modified optical channel (Ci'). The invention moreover relates to an optical insertion/extraction switcher (20, 30), using one or more insertion/extraction devices (10), and to the corresponding insertion/extraction methods.