Spaceless Wavelength Selective Switch for Multi-Core Fiber Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
As optical network capacity demands increase, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently utilizing multiple fiber cores, modes, and fibers for parallel optical transmission, requiring advanced optical components that support space-division multiplexing to enhance network capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a spaceless wavelength selective switch (SWSS) with a flexible grid and a colorless, directionless, contentionless, and spaceless (CDCS) optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) that can switch optical signals between multiple space-division multiplexing elements, such as fiber cores, modes, and fibers, enabling flexible routing and increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ROADMs with wavelength selective switches are used, then optical network reconfigurability is improved, but device complexity and inability to support space-division multiplexing worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the SWSS to handle multiple functions: traditional wavelength-based switching and space-division multiplexing switching. The switch fabric can route optical signals based on either wavelength or spatial mode, making a single device capable of supporting both conventional and advanced optical networking paradigms without requiring separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the reconfigurable nature of the SWSS, where the switching fabric can be dynamically programmed to support different routing configurations. The system can adapt between wavelength-selective routing and space-division multiplexing routing based on network requirements, providing flexible and dynamic resource allocation.
2Productivity
If multiple fiber cores and modes are used for parallel transmission, then network capacity is improved, but requirement for advanced optical components worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple fiber cores and spatial modes into a unified switching fabric. Instead of requiring separate switching mechanisms for each core or mode, the SWSS combines them into a single coherent system where all spatial channels are switched together, simplifying the overall architecture while supporting high-capacity parallel transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the optical signal into multiple spatial channels (different fiber cores and modes) that can be independently routed through the switching fabric. Each spatial channel can be switched independently to different destinations, enabling parallel transmission while maintaining individual channel control through the unified switch.
3Ease of operation
If wavelength selective switching is implemented, then signal routing capability is improved, but flexibility in handling different wavelengths and directions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the SWSS to handle multiple functions: traditional wavelength-based switching and space-division multiplexing switching. The switch fabric can route optical signals based on either wavelength or spatial mode, making a single device capable of supporting both conventional and advanced optical networking paradigms without requiring separate specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical node may include an optical switch and an optical add drop multiplexer (OADM). The optical switch may receive, via a space-division multiplexing (SDM) link that carries optical signals via multiple SDM elements, an optical signal to be switched from a first SDM element to a second SDM element. The multiple SDM elements may include multiple cores of a multi-core fiber, multiple modes of a multi-mode fiber, or multiple fibers of a fiber bundle. The optical switch may switch the optical signal from the first SDM element to the second SDM element. The OADM may add optical signals to an optical network or drop optical signals from the optical network via one or more SDM links that include the SDM link.