Optical Switching Apparatus Dispersion Assembly Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength selective switches (WSS) in reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADM) face increased insertion loss due to the use of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), which also complicates the structure and reduces filtering bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
An optical switching apparatus is designed with a dispersion assembly that disperses input beams at different angles, allowing them to be focused onto specific regions of a redirection assembly, where the beams are redirected and output, ensuring that the beams exit at equal angles, thereby reducing insertion loss and enhancing filtering bandwidth without the need for additional optical components like AWGs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) are used in the wavelength selective switch, then the filtering bandwidth is improved, but the insertion loss increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the AWG component from the optical switching system entirely. Instead of using AWGs for wavelength separation, the invention employs a grating-based dispersion assembly that directly disperses input beams into spectral components, eliminating the need for AWGs and their associated insertion losses while maintaining filtering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the waveguide-based AWG structure with a grating-based dispersion system. This substitution uses diffraction grating physics rather than waveguide mode coupling, fundamentally changing the mechanism of wavelength separation to reduce insertion loss and simplify the overall device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) are used in the wavelength selective switch, then the filtering bandwidth is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the AWG component from the optical switching system entirely. Instead of using AWGs for wavelength separation, the invention employs a grating-based dispersion assembly that directly disperses input beams into spectral components, eliminating the need for AWGs and their associated insertion losses while maintaining filtering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of wavelength separation and beam redirection into a single integrated optical path. The dispersion assembly and redirection assembly work together in sequence within one compact structure, eliminating the need for separate AWG modules and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining filtering performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If the C-band beam and L-band beam are incident at different angles on the grating, then the filtering bandwidth is improved, but the component width in the dispersion direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the increased component width by utilizing the second direction (vertical to the dispersion direction) for beam separation. The redirection assembly redirects dispersed beams to different output ports based on their dispersion angle, effectively using a second spatial dimension to manage the optical paths and reduce the required width in the dispersion direction.
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 reduces insertion loss and improves filtering bandwidth, leading to a more compact and efficient optical switching apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The dispersion assembly is configured to disperse the first beam to form a plurality of first sub-beams, and the dispersion assembly is further configured to disperse the second beam to form a plurality of second sub-beams
Implementation Method 2
The first lens assembly is configured to focus the plurality of first sub-beams and the plurality of second sub-beams to the redirection assembly
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of first sub-beams are incident on a first region of the redirection assembly, the plurality of second sub-beams are incident on a second region of the redirection assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An optical switching apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes one or more input ports, a dispersion assembly, a first lens assembly, a redirection assembly, and one or more output ports. The input ports are configured to input a first beam into a dispersion assembly at a first angle of incidence in a first direction, and to input a second beam into the dispersion assembly at a second angle of incidence in the first direction. A difference between absolute values of the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence is not zero, and enables a first region in which spots of the first beam are arranged and a second region in which spots of the second beam are arranged to be separated from each other in the first direction, and enables the first region and the second region to at least partially overlap in a second direction.