Optical Transceiver with Built-in Switch for Dynamic Link Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional datacenter networks with fixed optical links require substantial switch port redundancy to maintain high availability, which increases hardware costs and can impact network performance due to traffic fluctuations and potential link, switch, and optical module failures.
Innovation Solution
A redundant optical network with dynamic optical link switching and built-in optical switches within transceivers, allowing for efficient switching between diverse fiber paths without power penalties, reducing the need for redundant switch ports and enabling alternative link paths between switch ports or network devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If substantial switch port redundancy is implemented in conventional networks with fixed/static optical links, then network availability is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic optical link switching capability within the transceiver, allowing the system to dynamically select between primary and redundant optical links based on real-time link quality and availability. This dynamic switching eliminates the need for static, substantial switch port redundancy while maintaining high network availability through automated failover mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds a built-in optical switch within the transceiver module itself, creating a nested architecture where the optical switching function is integrated directly into the transceiver. This nested design allows link-level redundancy and switching without requiring additional external switch ports or complex external switching infrastructure, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If substantial switch port redundancy is implemented, then network availability is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic optical link switching capability allows the network to achieve high availability through software-controlled link selection rather than through substantial hardware redundancy. The system can dynamically activate standby links when primary links fail, eliminating the need for expensive redundant switch ports and associated hardware while maintaining the same level of network availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the optical switching function within the transceiver through the built-in optical switch, allowing redundant link paths to be managed at the optical level without requiring physical duplicate switch ports. This virtualization approach reduces hardware costs by eliminating the need for substantial physical redundancy while maintaining failover capability.
3Device complexity
If fixed/static optical links are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to link failures and traffic load fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic optical link switching that automatically adapts to link failures and traffic load fluctuations without requiring complex manual configuration. The system continuously monitors link status and dynamically reroutes traffic through alternative paths when failures occur, providing high adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through automated control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in optical switch and dynamic switching capability implement feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor link quality and availability, automatically adjusting traffic routing in response to detected failures or congestion. This feedback-driven adaptation allows the system to respond dynamically to link failures and traffic load changes without requiring complex pre-configured static routing tables or manual intervention.
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 solution enhances network availability and reduces hardware costs by minimizing the impact of redundancy on network performance, allowing for efficient traffic rerouting and increased capacity without the need for splitter circuits, thus maintaining high link availability and network efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An optical transceiver may include a laser as the light source
Implementation Method 2
a photo detector as a receiver to transform optical signals back to the electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver includes a built-in optical switch to switch between diverse fiber paths in switches in a datacenter or in switches between two datacenters. The built-in optical switch can be used to switch between racks in a datacenter to increase capacity for any rack that requests it. A controller, which receives a signal from a server computer in one of the racks, can be external to the optical transceiver or within the optical transceiver. In either case, the server computer can be provided with additional bandwidth when needed. For connections between datacenters, the built-in optical switch allows for optical line protection, but without the need for a splitter circuit, which incurs a significant power loss and requires a more expensive transceiver. Consequently, the built-in optical switch within an optical transceiver can be used in a variety of contexts to increase efficiency and reduce overall costs for network devices.