Optical Switch Layout Using Dual Deflection Planes for Flexible Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical switches, particularly wavelength selective switches (WSSs), are limited by the use of expensive spatial light modulators (SLMs) and require large deflection angles, which restrict the number of accessible output ports and increase power consumption, hindering efficient data routing in optical telecommunication systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical switch design utilizing two programmable deflection planes and a beam steering optical element group, which includes a combination of lenses and mirrors, allows for efficient optical routing without SLMs, enabling reconfigurable deflection and multiplexing of optical signals across a larger number of output ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spatial light modulators (SLM) devices are used to implement wavelength selective switches, then optical routing functionality is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SLM component from the optical switch system and replaces it with a lens assembly. Specifically, the patent removes the need for expensive spatial light modulators by using a combination of lenses (including a Fourier lens and imaging lens) to achieve the same optical routing functionality through Fourier transform optics, thereby reducing device cost and complexity while maintaining the wavelength selective switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying through Fourier transform to replace electronic modulation. By capturing the spatial distribution of optical frequencies at the Fourier plane and using lens-based imaging to redirect beams, the system replicates the functionality of SLM devices using purely optical elements, eliminating the need for complex electro-optic modulators
2Adaptability or versatility
If large deflection angles are used to route optical signals, then routing flexibility is improved, but the number of accessible output ports is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second spatial dimension for beam routing by implementing both horizontal and vertical deflection planes. The lens assembly creates a two-dimensional Fourier transform plane where beams can be routed in both x and y directions, allowing multiple output ports to be accessed simultaneously without requiring large single-plane deflection angles, thus increasing the number of accessible output ports while maintaining routing flexibility
3Ease of operation
If separate SLM devices are used for each deflection plane, then independent beam control is achieved, but compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate SLM devices into a single integrated lens assembly. The Fourier lens and imaging lens work together as a unified optical system to provide independent beam control in both horizontal and vertical directions, eliminating the need for separate SLM devices and significantly improving system compactness while maintaining independent control capability
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
This design reduces the need for expensive SLMs, minimizes power consumption, and enhances the capacity and efficiency of optical switches by allowing flexible routing of optical signals, thereby supporting higher data throughput in optical telecommunication networks.
Implementation Method 1
forming a non-inverted or inverted Fourier conjugate image between the deflection planes
Implementation Method 2
a first demultiplexer configured to separate light from the set of first input ports into its component frequency channels
Implementation Method 3
a first multiplexer configured to combine the second deflected array of beams from the second programmable deflection plane into combined signals
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An optical switch comprising: a set of first input ports, each first input port configured to transport an optical signal having at least one component frequency channel; a set of first output ports, each first output port configured to transport an optical signal having at least one component frequency channel; a first programmable deflection plane configured to deflect beams incident on it to form a first deflected array of beams; a second programmable deflection plane configured to deflect beams incident on it to form a second deflected array of beams; a first demultiplexer configured to separate light from the set of first input ports into its component frequency channels to form the beams incident on the first programmable deflection plane; a first multiplexer configured to combine the second deflected array of beams from the second programmable deflection plane into combined signals incident on the set of first output ports; and a beam steering optical element group configured to transfer the first deflected array of beams from the first programmable deflection plane to the beams incident on the second programmable deflection plane. The incidence normal of the first programmable deflection plane is within the same hemispherical angular area as the incidence normal of the second programmable deflection plane. The dispersion direction in the dispersion plane of spectra of the beams formed on the second programmable deflection plane with respect to the diffraction order of the first multiplexer is such that the combined signals from the first multiplexer match the set of first output ports.