Optical Switch Routing With Wavelength Control for Low-Latency Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical access systems face delays due to the conversion of optical signals to electrical signals for processing, which increases latency and reduces service quality, particularly when handling multiple services, and there is a need to reduce the number of ports used in routing to connect multiple devices efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication device with an optical switch, a communication unit, a wavelength controller, and an optical switch controller that relays optical signals directly to destinations without converting them to electrical signals, reducing the number of ports required by setting appropriate wavelengths and controlling the optical switch to route signals efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical signals are converted to electrical signals for processing in existing optical access systems, then routing and control functions can be performed, but communication delay increases and service quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal processing with optical signal processing throughout the system. Optical switches and optical control units perform routing and control functions using optical signals without conversion to electrical signals, thereby eliminating O-E-O conversion delays while maintaining full routing control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical control unit as an intermediary that receives optical control signals, converts them to electrical signals for processing, and then converts them back to optical signals for transmission. This intermediary approach allows electrical processing capabilities to be utilized while minimizing delay by keeping the conversion process brief and controlled
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple services are accommodated in the optical access system, then service versatility increases, but the number of ports required for routing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal optical switches that can handle multiple services (data, voice, video) through a single port infrastructure. The optical switches are designed to route different types of traffic and support various service types without requiring separate dedicated ports for each service, thereby achieving multi-functionality with reduced port requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength division multiplexing as an additional dimension for service differentiation. By utilizing different wavelengths on the same physical ports, the system can accommodate multiple services simultaneously through a single port, effectively adding a spectral dimension to the routing capability and reducing the need for additional physical ports
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication device includes an optical switch that outputs an optical signal input from one of a plurality of transmission lines to another transmission line among the plurality of transmission lines, a communication unit that communicates with a subscriber device without using the optical switch, a wavelength controller that sets a wavelength to be used for communication of an optical signal by communicating with the subscriber device via the communication unit, and an optical switch controller that controls the optical switch such that an optical signal transmitted from the subscriber device is input from a port to which the subscriber device is connected and output to another port connected to a transmission line corresponding to a transfer destination on a path to a communication destination.