Optical Switch Drive Voltage Control for Power Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical switch systems face challenges in maintaining constant output power for frame signal lights during rapid switching processes in optical burst signal processing, leading to differences in output power among ports, which can cause errors in optical receivers.
Innovation Solution
An optical switch apparatus with a drive voltage supply control unit that monitors and adjusts the optical route and output power of frame signal lights using branching units, delaying units, and power monitors to ensure consistent output power across all ports, and includes a wavelength converter for further control and feedback mechanisms to stabilize the optical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical route switching is conducted rapidly in units of frames smaller than milli-second dimensions, then switching speed and network efficiency are improved, but differences in output power value among output ports occur due to input power variations and optical switch port loss differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the optical power of input signals before switching occurs. The control unit obtains optical power values of signals from multiple input ports prior to the switching operation, calculates the appropriate drive voltages based on these pre-measured values, and prepares the switching configuration in advance. This allows the optical switch to rapidly switch frames while maintaining consistent output power across all ports, resolving the contradiction between fast switching speed and output power consistency.
2Reliability
If feedback control using variable optical attenuator is implemented, then output power control is attempted, but difficulty is encountered in executing control to make output power value constant on frame signal light for switching processing in time dimension smaller than milli-second dimensions because signal light passes through during feedback control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for feedback control during signal passage by performing all necessary measurements and calculations in advance. The control unit measures optical power values of all input signals before the switching operation, calculates the required drive voltages to compensate for power differences, and configures the switching matrix in advance. This preliminary action approach allows the system to achieve both reliable output power control and ultra-fast switching response times smaller than milli-second dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit monitors the actual optical power values of input signals and adjusts the drive voltages applied to the switching matrix accordingly. By using the measured optical power values as feedback to calculate appropriate compensation voltages, the system ensures that output power remains constant across all ports even when input power varies, while maintaining the ability to switch rapidly.
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
The solution enables continuous route switching with consistent output power across multiple ports, eliminating power differences in a time dimension shorter than milliseconds, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of optical burst signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a switch module for deflecting frame signal light from each of input terminals associated with the input ports through the use of supply of a drive voltage to output the frame signal light to one of output terminals associated with the plurality of output ports in a switching fashion
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical switch apparatus which continuously carries out the route switching on frame signal light inputted from various routes while eliminating differences in output power value, a first delaying unit, which is interposed between a first branching unit and an input terminal, delays the input of the frame signal light to a switch module until the drive voltage supply control on the frame signal light in a drive voltage supply control unit reaches a stable condition.