Pluggable Aggregation Module for Optical Network Signal Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The limited available space on host boards of network devices restricts the number of sockets, making it difficult to connect network devices with different signal formats, limiting the flexibility of optical network setups.
Innovation Solution
A pluggable aggregation module with optical frontends and a reconfigurable electrical conversion circuit that converts legacy signal formats to internal formats, including a negotiation unit for signal parameter and format negotiation, allowing for flexible connection and multiplexing of signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of sockets on host board is increased to connect more network devices, then the connectivity and flexibility of optical network is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical frontends (first optical frontend, second optical frontend) into a single pluggable aggregation module that interfaces with the host board through one socket. This merging approach allows the module to provide connectivity for multiple network devices while occupying only one physical socket location on the host board, thereby improving connectivity flexibility without increasing host board complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pluggable aggregation module segments the functionality by separating the optical interface components (optical frontends) from the host board, placing them in a separate pluggable unit. This segmentation allows the host board to maintain a simplified design with fewer sockets, while the aggregation module handles the complexity of multiple optical connections independently
2Adaptability or versatility
If pluggable modules are used to connect network devices with different signal formats, then the adaptability of the network setup is improved, but the device complexity increases due to signal format conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conversion circuit acts as an intermediary between the optical frontends and the host board. It receives optical signals in legacy signal formats from the optical frontends, converts them to internal signal formats compatible with the host board, and forwards them accordingly. This intermediary approach enables signal format compatibility without requiring the host board itself to handle multiple signal formats, thus improving adaptability while containing complexity within the pluggable module
Solution Approach 2:
The pluggable aggregation module is designed with multi-functionality to handle different legacy signal formats (first legacy signal format, second legacy signal format) through its optical frontends and electrical conversion circuit. This universal design allows a single module type to support multiple signal format requirements, improving network adaptability without requiring separate specialized modules for each signal format
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A pluggable aggregation module (1) adapted to be plugged into a network device (2) of an optical network, said pluggable aggregation module comprising optical frontends (3) configured to connect said pluggable aggregation module (1) with a corresponding number of modules to exchange optical signals via optical fibres in legacy signal formats; and an electrical conversion circuit (4) configured to convert the legacy signal formats to an internal signal format used by said network device (2).