Optical Transponder Electrical Switch Matrix Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
High power consumption in high-speed optical transmission networks limits their efficiency as they require continuous electronic signal processing and E/O conversion, which is not always necessary.
Innovation Solution
A transponder and network node design that allows flexible enabling or disabling of E/O conversion and signal processing for individual optical signals, using an electrical switch matrix to bypass unnecessary components like FEC processing and client-side TX/RX modules, reducing power consumption by dynamically configuring signal paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous electronic signal processing and E/O conversion are performed in high-speed optical transmission networks, then signal quality and transmission reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability of the transponder, allowing the system to adapt its signal processing behavior based on actual transmission conditions. The electrical section can be dynamically configured to perform full E/O conversion and signal processing when signal quality degrades, or bypassed when signals are within acceptable parameters, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different transponder configurations - from full E/O conversion mode to bypass mode. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between signal quality and power consumption based on real-time transmission conditions, avoiding continuous high-power operation
2Reliability
If E/O conversion and signal processing are performed for all optical signals, then transmission reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the E/O conversion and signal processing functions from the mandatory transmission path, making them optional rather than compulsory. By providing intermediate electrical outputs and bypass paths, the system can selectively remove unnecessary processing stages from the signal flow, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability only where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The transponder is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in multiple modes: full E/O conversion mode, partial bypass mode, and complete bypass mode. This universal design allows a single device to serve different transmission reliability requirements while optimizing power consumption for each scenario
3Manufacturing precision
If transponders perform full E/O conversion and FEC processing for all signals, then signal regeneration quality is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transponder into distinct functional sections: optical receiver, electrical section with FEC processing, and optical transmitter. By providing intermediate electrical outputs between these segments and bypass paths, the system can selectively activate only the necessary segments for each signal, reducing the effective complexity and power consumption while maintaining regeneration quality when required
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 approach reduces power consumption while maintaining signal quality by selectively activating only necessary components, enabling efficient regeneration and transmission with lower energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
an optical receiver for receiving an optical line signal and converting it to an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
an optical transmitter for converting the electrical signal back to an optical output signal
Data Source
AI summary
In order to reduce power consumption in network equipment for optical transmission networks, it is proposed by reducing E/O conversion and signal processing in optical networks when not needed. A network node has two or more line cards. Each line card contains a receive side transponder section with a network side optical receiver, a first electrical section, and a client side optical transmitter and a transmit side transponder section with a network side optical transmitter, a second electrical section, and a client side optical receiver. The first electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical output the second electrical section has at least one intermediate electrical input. The intermediate electrical outputs and inputs lead to an electrical switch matrix, which controllably interconnects the intermediate electrical outputs and inputs. Preferably, the transponders can additionally contain second intermediate electrical outputs and inputs additionally bypassing a Forward-Error-Correction processing function in the line cards.