Synchronous Optical Switch Wavelength Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication networks face limitations in data throughput and switching capacity due to the limitations of electronic interconnection networks and the challenges of optical buffering and synchronization, particularly in high-speed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring a synchronous optical packet switch using tunable optical transmitters and receivers, where wavelengths are assigned and optical connections are allocated to ensure efficient data routing, allowing for scalability and reduced computational complexity, enabling the use of complex algorithms within tight time constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic interconnection networks are used within routers, then data routing functionality is provided, but power density limitations are reached and data throughput cannot be increased further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic interconnection networks with optical interconnection networks. Optical signals transmit data through light waves in optical fibers rather than electrical signals through copper conductors, eliminating the power density limitations of electronic systems and enabling higher data throughput without proportional increases in power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission medium from electrical to optical domain. By using light instead of electricity for data transmission within the router, the system achieves higher bandwidth capacity and lower power consumption, fundamentally altering the operational parameters of the interconnection network.
2Productivity
If optical packet switching is implemented for geographic area networks, then high transmission capacity is achieved, but limited optical buffering and synchronization capabilities hamper the solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical packet switching function into two distinct components: optical packet switching for high-capacity transmission and electronic buffering/synchronization for packet management. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal domain, with electronic systems handling the complex buffering and synchronization tasks while optical systems provide high-speed transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion mechanism between optical and electronic domains. Packets are converted from optical to electronic form for buffering and synchronization processing, then converted back to optical form for transmission. This intermediary approach leverages the strengths of both optical and electronic systems while mitigating their respective weaknesses.
3Productivity
If single-step scheduling algorithms are used for wavelength assignment and connection allocation, then routing efficiency is maintained, but computational complexity increases and cannot be used with large switches within tight time constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling process into two independent steps: wavelength assignment and connection allocation. Wavelength assignment determines which wavelength each connection will use, while connection allocation determines the physical path through the switch fabric. This segmentation reduces the computational complexity from O(N^2) to O(N) where N is the number of connections, enabling the algorithm to scale to large switches while maintaining routing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs wavelength assignment as a preliminary action before connection allocation. By pre-assigning wavelengths to connections based on simple criteria (such as least loaded wavelength), the system reduces the complexity of the subsequent connection allocation step, as wavelength conflicts are already resolved. This preliminary action enables the use of efficient algorithms within tight time constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (10) of configuring a synchronous optical switch to route received data cells. The synchronous optical switch comprises optical switch transmitter modules, each comprising tunable optical transmitters, optical switch receiver modules, each comprising optical receivers, and optical connections between the transmitter modules and receiver modules. For each optical switch transmitter module, the method: assigns (12) wavelengths associated with the received data cells to the transmitters such that each wavelength is assigned to a different transmitter; and generates (14) a control signal for controlling the operating wavelength of each transmitter. For each wavelength, the method: allocates (16) to each transmitter an optical connection such that each optical switch transmitter module has no more than one connection exiting it at said wavelength and each optical receiver module has no more than one connection entering it at said wavelength; and generates (18) a control signal for connecting each transmitter to the respective optical connection.