Satellite Switch Network with Inter-Line Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of switch networks for telecommunications satellites faces challenges in balancing flexibility and reduced size, with existing solutions leading to an increase in the number of switches and signal attenuation, particularly in asymmetric networks with different input and output ports.
Innovation Solution
A network configuration with stages of switches, including interconnection switches and transverse arms, allows for direct paths between lines without crossing switches, enhancing flexibility and reducing the number of switches crossed, using inter-line links and modular construction for scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of transponders and flexibility requirements increase, then the network's ability to establish numerous path combinations improves, but the number of switches increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple stages, with each stage containing a pair of lines of interconnection switches. This segmentation allows the network to handle increased flexibility requirements by distributing switching functions across stages rather than requiring a single large switch matrix, thereby reducing the total number of switches needed while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a multi-stage dimensional structure where signals can progress through multiple stages of interconnection switches. This dimensional approach allows paths to be established across stages rather than requiring all switches to be present in a single layer, reducing the overall switch count while preserving network flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the network size increases to provide more paths, then the flexibility improves, but the average number of switches crossed increases causing signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into stages with direct inter-line links between corresponding interconnection switches, the patent creates multiple potential paths of varying lengths. This allows selection of shorter paths when possible, reducing the average number of switches crossed and minimizing signal attenuation while maintaining overall network flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Inter-line links act as intermediaries that provide direct connections between interconnection switches of different lines. These intermediary connections create more direct paths through the network, reducing the number of switches signals must cross compared to traditional fully-meshed approaches, thereby reducing signal attenuation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more switches are used to increase flexibility, then the number of path combinations increases, but the size and complexity of the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into stages where each stage contributes to the overall path combinations. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a high number of possible paths through the coordinated arrangement of switches across stages rather than requiring a proportionally large number of switches in a single configuration, thereby reducing overall network size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Interconnection switches within stages serve multiple functions: they can connect to switches within the same stage, connect to switches in other stages via inter-line links, and participate in multiple different path configurations. This multi-functionality allows a smaller number of switches to generate a larger number of possible path combinations, reducing network size while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a network (1) of switches comprising N input accesses and M output accesses, each of said switches comprising four ports and the input and output accesses of the network being ports of connection switches. The network (1) comprises at least one stage (E1,E2) of switches, each stage comprising: - a pair of lines (L1,L2) of switches whose ports are not used as input access or output access of the network, termed "interconnection switches", a line being a series of interconnection switches connected together, - at least two transverse arms linking interconnection switches of different lines, a transverse arm being made up of elements different from those of the other transverse arms, a transverse arm comprising at least two links and a switch, termed the "transverse switch" (ct1,ct2), the connection switches being transverse switches. Furthermore, at least two transverse switches (ct1,ct2) of different transverse arms of each stage (E1,E2) are connection switches of the network (1), and at least one interconnection switch of a line (L1,L2) of a stage (E1,E2) of the network is connected to an interconnection switch of the other line of the same stage or of a line of another stage of the network (1), by a link not comprising any switch, termed an "inter-line link" (IL1, ILx).