Single-Rotator Latent Space Switch for Network Diameter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wide-coverage data networks face performance degradation due to their multi-hop nature, where paths from source to destination traverse numerous routing nodes, leading to structural complexity and increased costs. Simplifying the network structure and reducing network diameter is necessary to facilitate high-quality broadband services.
Innovation Solution
A latent space switch with a single rotator that cyclically connects inlets to outlets, using a master controller to manage ingress and egress ports, and memory devices to store and transfer data, ensuring efficient data routing with minimal intermediate nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-hop packet-switching networks are used to provide wide coverage, then network coverage is improved, but network performance degrades due to cumulative performance degradation across numerous routing nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into core switching nodes that handle high-capacity traffic and edge nodes that provide access. This segmentation allows core nodes to use simple switching mechanisms while edge nodes handle complex routing, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and performance by distributing functions appropriately across network segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to networking by implementing switching nodes with large dimensions (high port counts) that can directly connect numerous edge nodes. This dimensional change allows the network to provide wide coverage through physical connectivity rather than multi-hop logical routing, eliminating cumulative performance degradation.
2Device complexity
If switching nodes of large dimensions are employed to simplify network structure, then network diameter is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching nodes employ periodic time-division switching where a single mechanical or electronic rotator cycles through connections to multiple ports in regular time intervals. This periodic action allows large-dimensional switching capability to be achieved with simple, low-cost components rather than complex simultaneous multi-path switching hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses time-division multiplexing as an intermediary mechanism that allows a single physical connection path to serve multiple logical connections sequentially. This intermediary approach enables large switching dimensions without requiring proportionally large physical hardware, resolving the contradiction between network diameter reduction and device complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single rotator is used to cyclically connect inlets to outlets, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission speed may be limited by the rotation cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The rotator operates continuously in a cyclic manner, constantly making new connections as it rotates. This continuous operation ensures that data transmission opportunities are always available, and the effective throughput is maintained at high levels despite the sequential nature of individual connections. The continuous rotation eliminates idle time and maximizes utilization of the single switching path.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection setup and routing decisions are made in advance based on predetermined patterns or buffered data requirements. Data is prepared and staged in buffers before the rotator connects the appropriate paths, ensuring that when connections are made, data is ready for immediate transmission. This preliminary action eliminates waiting time and maximizes the speed of actual data transfer during active connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A single rotator successively connects a set of access ports to a set of memory devices and a multi-port controller and connects the set of memory devices and the multi-port controller to the set of access ports. The rotator has a set of inlets and a set of outlets and cyclically connects each inlet to each outlet during a rotation cycle. A set of inlet selectors connecting to the inlets of the rotator and a set of outlet selectors connecting to the outlets of the rotator are coordinated to concurrently connect the access ports to the memory devices and to the master controller through the rotator, and concurrently connect the memory devices and the master controller to the access ports. Each memory device connects to an inlet selector and a corresponding transposed outlet selector.