Photonics-Electronics Switch for Low-Power Optical Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical network systems built by connecting multiple packet switches, the processing capacity of packet switches increases, leading to high power consumption and reduced transmissible distances, making wide-range optical communication challenging.
Innovation Solution
A photonics-electronics convergence switch is designed with a packet switch and multiple optical switches, where optical switches of different types cooperate to select paths for optical signal transmission without passing through the electronic circuit, using metal wiring for electrical signal paths and optical waveguides for optical signal paths, enabling optical cut-through and reducing processing burden on packet switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the capacity of the network processor is increased to handle more signals, then the processing capability is improved, but the number of wiring lines and signal speed requirements increase, making signal propagation within the board difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical wiring with optical waveguides for signal transmission. Optical waveguides enable long-distance signal propagation without the density limitations of electrical wiring, allowing increased processing capacity without proportionally increasing wiring complexity. The optical transmission medium substitutes the mechanical/electrical wiring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal transmission parameter from electrical signals to optical signals. This parameter change enables signals to propagate over longer distances within the board, accommodating increased processing capacity without requiring proportional increases in wiring density or signal speed.
2Length of stationary object
If electrical signals are converted to optical signals for long-distance transmission, then the transmissible distance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional photoelectric conversion components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical transmission function with the existing packet switch architecture by integrating optical waveguides and optical switches alongside the electronic network processor. This consolidation allows long-distance transmission capabilities to be added without requiring completely separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packet switches process all optical signals, then the routing flexibility is improved, but the power consumption increases and processing capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function by separating optical signal switching from electronic packet processing. Optical switches handle the bulk of signal routing at the optical layer without requiring full packet processing, while the network processor handles only higher-level routing decisions. This segmentation reduces the processing burden and power consumption of the packet switch while maintaining routing flexibility.
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 maintains low power consumption and allows for wide-range optical communication between nodes without increasing processing capacity in packet switches, enabling efficient operation in optical network systems.
Implementation Method 1
optical transmitter-receivers provided near the electronic circuit and having a photoelectric conversion function
Implementation Method 2
paths connecting between the plurality of optical transmitter-receivers and the plurality of optical switches, paths connecting between two optical switches of the different types out of the plurality of optical switches, and paths connecting between the plurality of optical switches and an input-output port of the photonics-electronics convergence switch are formed of optical waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
A photonics-electronics convergence switch with which, even if an optical network system is built by combining a plurality of packet switches, the amount of processing in the packet switches does not increase, the optical network system operates with low electric power consumption, and this enables wide-range optical communication between the nodes of a communication origin and of a communication partner, includes a network processor that is an electronic circuit configured to control the functions of the packet switch, a plurality of optical transmitter-receivers having photoelectric conversion functions, and a plurality of optical switches. Different types of optical switches cooperate to select a path through which inputted optical signals or optical signals inputted from a different packet switch connected to the packet switch are outputted to a different packet switch without passing through the processor and a path through which inputted optical signals or optical signals inputted from a different packet switch pass through the processor and are subjected to photoelectric conversion.