Intelligence-Defined Optical Tunnel Network for Data Center Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Data Center Networks using electrical switches face limitations in transmission rate, high power consumption due to frequent Optical-Electrical and Electrical-Optical conversions, and require frequent upgrades to support increasing racks and servers, leading to increased costs and latency.
Innovation Solution
An intelligence-defined optical tunnel network system comprising optical switch interconnect sub-systems and add-drop sub-systems with a failover module and micro-control unit, which selectively routes optical signals based on signal intensity to optimize data transmission and reduce power consumption, allowing for flexible deployment and scalability without hardware upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional electronic switches are used for data exchanging, then the network structure is simple and easy to implement, but the transmission rate is limited and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electronic switches with optical switches that operate entirely in the optical domain. This substitution eliminates the need for Optical-Electrical-Optical conversions, thereby reducing power consumption while significantly increasing transmission rates. The optical switch uses optical signals directly without converting to electrical signals, addressing both the speed and energy consumption issues simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating domain from electrical to optical by introducing optical switches. This parameter change fundamentally alters how data is transmitted and switched, enabling higher transmission rates and lower power consumption. The system transitions from electrical signal processing to optical signal processing, which inherently supports higher speeds and lower energy requirements.
2Loss of time
If conventional electronic switches perform computation to determine routing, then routing decisions can be made, but latency increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces computational routing decisions with optical signal-based routing. Instead of electronically computing and processing routing information, the system uses optical switches that can dynamically route optical signals based on pre-configured paths or simple optical control signals. This eliminates the computational overhead and associated latency and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the computational function from the switching process. Rather than having switches perform complex computation to determine routing, the routing logic is separated out, and switches simply execute predefined routing instructions or respond to simple control signals. This extraction of computation reduces latency and power consumption at the switch level.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system structure of electronic switches is formed and fixed, then the system is stable, but it is difficult to upgrade to support more racks or servers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a modular optical switching system where the network is divided into multiple optical switch units that can be independently configured and scaled. Each optical switch can handle specific racks or servers, and additional switches can be added to the network as needed. This segmentation allows flexible expansion without redesigning the entire system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the optical switching system. Optical switches can dynamically adjust their routing paths and connections based on current network requirements, allowing the system to adapt to changing demands for supporting more racks or servers. This dynamic capability enables scalability without fixed structural constraints.
4Speed
If electronic switches are replaced or upgraded to increase transmission rate, then the transmission rate improves, but the cost to establish or maintain the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic switching infrastructure with optical switching infrastructure. This substitution achieves higher transmission rates inherently through optical signal processing without requiring frequent upgrades or replacements of electronic components. The optical system provides sustained high-speed performance, reducing long-term costs associated with upgrading electronic switches.
Data Source
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AI summary
An intelligence-defined optical tunnel network system includes multiple Optical Switch Interconnect Sub-systems (OSIS), in which a first OSIS is configured to transmit a first lateral transmission optical signal via a first line to a second OSIS, and transmit a second lateral transmission optical signal via a second line to the second OSIS. The second OSIS includes a failover sub-module and a micro-control unit. The failover sub-module is configured to output one of the first and the second lateral transmission optical signal based on a selective signal. The micro-control unit is configured to output the selective signal to the failover sub-module to control the failover sub-module output the second lateral transmission optical signal if a signal intensity of the first lateral transmission optical signal is lower than a threshold value.