Optical Switch Circuits for Dynamic Bandwidth Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computing systems and data centers face limitations in efficiently directing data transmission traffic through network topologies without overburdening network layers while maintaining energy and performance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bandwidth steering system using photonic devices, specifically optical switch circuits, which are configurable to establish designated paths based on network traffic congestion and buffer utilization, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of network topology within data centers to reduce reliance on higher-level resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional network routing is used to direct data transmission traffic, then network connectivity is maintained, but network layers become overburdened and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network traffic handling by introducing optical circuit switches that operate independently at specific network layers, separating traffic steering functions from conventional electronic switches. This segmentation allows traffic to be directed through optimized paths without overburdening higher-level network resources, improving efficiency while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical circuit switches as intermediary devices between traditional network layers. These optical switches act as mediators that steer traffic at the optical layer before it reaches electronic switches, reducing the processing burden and energy consumption of conventional network infrastructure while maintaining full connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If dynamic reconfiguration of network topology is implemented, then traffic optimization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of optical circuit switches based on real-time network conditions and traffic patterns. The system can adaptively change connection paths without manual intervention, optimizing traffic flow while the underlying optical switching technology maintains relatively simple hardware architecture, thus achieving traffic optimization without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12075201B2Methods, systems, and devices for bandwidth steering using photonic devices

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIV IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for bandwidth steering. Systems may include a plurality of compute nodes configured to execute one or more applications, a plurality of first level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of compute nodes, a plurality of second level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of first level resources, and a plurality of third level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of second level resources. Systems may also include a plurality of optical switch circuits communicatively coupled to the plurality of first level resources and the plurality of second level resources, wherein each of the plurality of optical switch circuits is coupled to more than one of the plurality of the first level resources and is also coupled to more than one of the plurality of the second level resources.