Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer Without Splitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CDC-ROADM systems require complex structures with optical splitters and additional amplifier arrays to compensate for differential path loss, leading to increased complexity and failure rates, as well as reduced expandability due to occupied ports in wavelength-selective switches.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer is introduced, featuring optical cross-connect devices and wavelength-selective switches with filters, which separate and multiplex dense wavelength division multiplexing signals into single-channel signals, eliminating the need for optical splitters and additional amplifiers, and allowing for colorless, directionless, and non-blocking optical signal dropping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical splitters are disposed at the M-side ports of the M:N device to implement optical signal routing, then optical signal distribution is achieved, but differential path loss increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the optical splitters from the M:N device structure. Instead of using optical splitters at M-side ports, the invention uses a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer that directly routes optical signals between M-side ports and N-side ports without requiring splitting components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer serves multiple functions: it performs optical signal routing, adds new optical signals, and drops selected optical signals all within a single device structure. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate optical splitters and reduces overall device complexity
2Loss of energy
If additional optical amplifier arrays are introduced to compensate for differential path loss caused by optical splitters, then path loss compensation is achieved, but device complexity and failure rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the additional optical amplifier arrays from the system by eliminating the root cause - the optical splitters. Without optical splitters, there is no differential path loss to compensate, thereby reducing device complexity and potential failure points while maintaining signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prevents differential path loss from occurring in the first place by using a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer that provides equal-length optical paths. This proactive approach eliminates the need for subsequent compensation measures such as additional optical amplifiers
3Ease of operation
If M:N device structure with optical splitters is used, then optical signal dropping function is achieved, but expandability is reduced due to occupied ports in wavelength-selective switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer that dynamically routes optical signals based on configuration settings rather than fixed physical connections. This dynamic routing capability allows the system to be reconfigured for different dropping patterns and expands functionality without requiring additional occupied ports in wavelength-selective switches
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 reduces structural complexity, minimizes differential path loss, and enhances system expandability by using a single optical cross-connect device for wavelength routing and signal dropping, while maintaining colorless, directionless, and non-blocking functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength-selective switch (WSS) and a filter, the wavelength-selective switch being configured to perform wavelength-based allocation on inputted dense wavelength division multiplexing optical signals
Implementation Method 2
the filter being configured to separate the optical signals outputted by the wavelength-selective switch into single-channel optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer, and an optical signal processing method. The reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer includes: at least one optical cross-connect device and at least two optical signal processing devices. Each optical signal processing device includes a wavelength-selective switch and a filter. The wavelength-selective switch is configured to perform wavelength-based allocation on inputted dense wavelength division multiplexing optical signals and input the dense wavelength division multiplexing optical signals into the filter. The filter is configured to separate optical signals outputted by the wavelength-selective switch into single-channel optical signals, and multiplex a plurality of single-channel optical signals outputted by the optical cross-connect device and input the multiplexed single-channel optical signals into the wavelength-selective switch. The wavelength-selective switch is configured to perform wavelength combination on the optical signals outputted by the filter and output the optical signals. The optical cross-connect device includes N upper ports and N lower ports.