Optical Selective Switch with Intermediate-Port Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in the number of WSS ports in optical networks leads to a larger maximum deflection angle of light beams, resulting in reduced diffraction efficiency and increased insertion loss and port crosstalk.
Innovation Solution
The optical selective switch incorporates input and output passive deflection elements, such as prism structures, to deflect light to intermediate ports, reducing the angles at which active deflection elements operate, thereby enhancing diffraction efficiency and isolation between ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the quantity of WSS ports is increased to support larger optical networks, then the network capacity and versatility are improved, but the maximum deflection angle of light beams increases, resulting in reduced diffraction efficiency and increased insertion loss and port crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The optical selective switch is divided into multiple functional modules: input passive deflection element, input active deflection element, output active deflection element, and output passive deflection element. Each module handles a specific portion of the beam steering task, allowing the system to support more ports while maintaining controlled deflection angles in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive deflection elements act as intermediaries that pre-deflect beams to intermediate ports before the active deflection elements perform the final steering to target ports. This two-stage approach reduces the deflection angle requirement for each individual element, maintaining diffraction efficiency while supporting increased port count.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the maximum deflection angle is increased to accommodate more ports, then the versatility of the optical switch is improved, but the isolation between light beams is reduced, increasing port crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The beam steering function is segmented into two stages: first to intermediate ports, then to final target ports. This segmentation allows each stage to operate with smaller deflection angles, improving beam isolation and reducing crosstalk between adjacent ports while still supporting a large total number of ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate port dimension in the optical path, creating a two-hop routing architecture. This dimensional expansion allows beams to reach their destinations through intermediate stops, effectively reducing the angular separation requirements and improving isolation between simultaneous beams.
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 configuration improves diffraction efficiency and increases isolation between optical signals by reducing the angles of active deflection, leading to better signal handling in optical networks.
Implementation Method 1
The input passive deflection element is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port
Implementation Method 2
The WSS is provided with a diffraction grating capable of deflecting incident light to a corresponding emergent direction
Data Source
AI summary
An optical selective switch includes N input ports, M output ports, an input passive deflection element, an input active deflection element, an output passive deflection element, and an output active deflection element. Each input port is configured to receive input light. Each output port is configured to output to-be-output light from the output port. The input passive deflection element is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to an intermediate output port. The input active deflection element is configured to deflect the input light to a direction corresponding to a target output port based on the deflection of the input passive deflection element. The output passive deflection element is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the direction corresponding to the intermediate output port. The output active deflection element is configured to deflect the to-be-output light to the target output port.