Single-Rotator Circulating Switch for Optical Core Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wide-coverage data networks face performance degradation due to their multi-hop nature, requiring a simplification of network structure and reduction in diameter to facilitate high-quality broadband services without the need for electronic domain signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A single-rotator circulating switch with N switch elements and a single rotator, where each inlet connects to a respective outlet modulo N during a time slot, and each switch element has internal and external input/output ports for data transmission, along with an edge controller and element controllers for temporal multiplexing and demultiplexing control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multi-hop packet-switching networks are used to provide wide coverage, then network coverage area is increased, but cumulative performance degradation occurs as paths traverse numerous routing nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into core nodes and edge nodes with distinct functions. Core nodes handle high-capacity optical switching while edge nodes perform electronic processing, dividing the network into functional segments that reduce the diameter of the core network path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by implementing optical switching in the core network layer, allowing signals to be switched in the optical domain without conversion to electronic domain, thereby reducing the number of intermediate nodes and improving performance while maintaining wide coverage.
2Device complexity
If network structure is simplified to improve performance, then network diameter is reduced, but device complexity at core nodes must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic switching mechanisms with optical switching mechanisms in core nodes. Optical switches use light-based control rather than electronic conversion, enabling faster switching speeds while simplifying the overall network structure by reducing the need for multiple intermediate electronic processing nodes.
3Speed
If optical carrier signals are switched without electronic domain conversion, then switching speed is improved, but control complexity at core nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core nodes are designed with universal optical switching capabilities that can handle multiple wavelengths and data streams simultaneously. The optical cross-connect fabric provides multi-functional switching without requiring electronic conversion, and the control system uses standardized protocols to manage complexity while enabling fast optical switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Switch elements, each receiving data from external sources and transmitting data to external sinks, are interconnected through a single rotator to form a switching node. The single rotator has a number of inlets equal to the number of switch elements and a number of outlets equal to the number of switch elements. A first set of channels connects the switch elements to inlets of the rotator and a second set of channels connects the outlets of the rotator to the switch elements. The connectivity pattern of the second set of channels is a transposition of the connectivity pattern of the first set of channels in order to preserve sequential data order of switched data. A controller communicatively coupled to the switch elements exchanges timing data with external nodes of a time-coherent network and schedules data transfer among the switch elements.