Multi-Stage Optical Switch Crosstalk Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical switches suffer from crosstalk issues during channel switching, leading to leakage of communication signals into irrelevant channels and compromising confidentiality, as well as the lack of state confirmation before switching, which results in communication troubles.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage optical switch configuration with a switching control circuit that manages the order and timing of optical switching elements using connection specifying signals to prevent crosstalk, ensuring that optical communication signals are not leaked into irrelevant channels and maintaining communication confidentiality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional optical switching is performed without state confirmation, then switching speed is improved, but crosstalk occurs and communication confidentiality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by confirming the switching element state before performing the switching operation. The control circuit checks whether the switching element is in the desired state prior to switching, and only proceeds with switching when appropriate. This preliminary state confirmation prevents crosstalk and signal leakage while maintaining efficient switching operations.
2Device complexity
If optical switching elements are switched without state control, then device complexity is reduced, but crosstalk light destroys optical signals in transmission channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control circuit monitor and confirm the state of switching elements before and during switching operations. This feedback mechanism ensures that switching elements are properly controlled, preventing crosstalk light from entering transmission channels while avoiding excessive complexity through efficient state management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple-stage optical switching is performed without coordinated control, then switching flexibility is improved, but signal leakage into irrelevant channels occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by controlling each switching element in the multiple-stage configuration independently and sequentially. The control circuit manages each stage separately with proper state confirmation, ensuring that signal routing is precisely controlled at each stage. This segmented control maintains switching flexibility while preventing signal leakage into irrelevant channels through coordinated stage management.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical switch according to the present invention includes a multiple-stage optical-switch unit that includes one input port (11) and a plurality of output ports (13) that are configured by connecting multiple stages of optical switching elements (10) each of which includes three or more optical input-output ports; and a switching control circuit (20) that, when receiving a switching instruction to switch an output destination of light input from the input port (11), executes at first a first control that changes setting of an optical switching element (10) that is included in part not overlapping with an optical transmission channel reaching an optical output port before switching in an optical transmission channel reaching an optical output port after switching and is positioned at a point other than a branch point from an overlapping part, and then executes a second control that changes setting of an optical switching element (10) that is positioned at the branch point.