Optical Switch Wavelength Path Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength division multiplexing systems face issues with non-selectable combinations of wavelengths and paths, leading to communication disruptions and inefficiencies in optical signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical signal transmission device with M input and output ports, an optical switch that connects these ports, and wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing means that allow for flexible switching and combining/splitting of optical signals across multiple wavelengths, preventing non-selectable path combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wavelength division multiplexing systems are used with fixed switching configurations, then the system structure is simple, but non-selectable path combinations occur leading to communication disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching configurations where the optical switch can be reconfigured based on fault conditions and communication requirements. The system transitions from fixed switching paths to dynamic reconfigurable paths, allowing the selection of alternative routes when primary paths are blocked, thereby preventing non-selectable path combinations and maintaining communication continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different configuration modes (normal operation mode and fault recovery mode). In normal mode, standard wavelength-path mappings are used. Upon detecting a fault, the system changes parameters to activate alternative switching configurations, enabling communication restoration without requiring physical reconfiguration of the entire system.
2Reliability
If multiple primary transmission lines are used to improve fault tolerance, then communication reliability improves, but the number of switching operations required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple primary transmission lines and their corresponding switching paths before faults occur. The control unit maintains information about these pre-configured paths and automatically selects appropriate alternative paths when faults are detected, reducing the need for complex real-time switching calculations and improving overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the status of transmission lines and switches, providing feedback about fault conditions and communication state. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust switching operations, select optimal alternative paths, and restore communication efficiently without requiring manual intervention or exhaustive search of all possible paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical switch connects all M input ports to all M output ports, then all wavelength-path combinations are available, but the switching control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching control into distinct functional modules: a control unit that manages high-level switching decisions based on fault conditions, and optical switch elements that execute specific wavelength-to-path mappings. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full adaptability across all wavelength-path combinations while distributing control complexity across multiple manageable components rather than requiring a single complex control mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Restrictions, due to wavelength paths which are non-alternative combinations of wavelengths and paths, are solved. An optical-signal-transmission device comprises M optical-output means outputting optical signals having different wavelengths; optical-switch means having M input ports respectively connected to the optical-output means and output ports, and switching connections between the input ports and the output ports; and wavelength-multiplexing means having M acceptance ports respectively connected to the output ports, N forward ports switchably connected to the acceptance ports corresponding to wavelengths of optical signals inputted to the acceptance ports and transmitting multiplexed-optical signals corresponding to the optical signals accepted by the acceptance ports, wherein when Y particular input ports of the input ports are connected to one particular output port of the output ports, the switch means combines Y optical signals inputted to the particular input ports to generate a combined signal, and outputs the combined signal to the particular output port.