Optical Submarine Branching Apparatus Switching Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical submarine cable systems, existing technologies fail to efficiently connect a specified optical fiber transmission line to a branch station without increasing the number of constituent elements between the optical submarine branching apparatus and the branch station, limiting the system's ability to manage multiple optical fiber transmission lines effectively.
Innovation Solution
An optical submarine branching apparatus with a switching unit that connects multiple optical fiber transmission lines to a third optical fiber transmission line, allowing for the switching of wavelength-multiplexed optical signals and controlled routing to enable connection of specified lines to the branch station without increasing the number of elements, using a control unit to manage the switching process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a specified optical fiber transmission line is connected to a branch station in an optical submarine cable system, then the system's ability to manage multiple transmission lines is improved, but the number of constituent elements between the branching apparatus and branch station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical submarine branching apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle both main transmission line signals and branch transmission line signals through a unified structure. The apparatus can selectively switch between different transmission lines (first optical fiber transmission lines from first terminal station, second optical fiber transmission lines from second terminal station) and connect them to the third optical fiber transmission line for the branch station, eliminating the need for separate dedicated switching devices for each transmission line type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transmission line management into a single optical submarine branching apparatus. By integrating the switching and routing capabilities for both main and branch transmission lines within one apparatus, the system reduces the total number of constituent elements while maintaining full adaptability for managing multiple optical fiber transmission lines.
2Productivity
If multiple optical fiber transmission lines are connected to a branch station, then the system capacity is enhanced, but the number of submarine apparatuses required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical submarine branching apparatus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a switching center for main transmission lines, a routing device for branch transmission lines, and a connection point for the branch station. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle multiple optical fiber transmission lines and enhance overall capacity without requiring additional specialized submarine apparatuses for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple submarine apparatuses into a single integrated optical submarine branching apparatus. By merging the switching, routing, and connection functions that would traditionally require separate devices into one unified apparatus, the system achieves enhanced capacity for managing multiple transmission lines while minimizing the quantity of submarine apparatuses deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical submarine branching apparatus 1 includes a control unit and a switching unit. The switching unit connects to a plurality of first optical fiber transmission lines connecting to a first terminal station, a plurality of second optical fiber transmission lines connecting to a second terminal station, and a third optical fiber transmission line connecting to a third terminal station, and switches a transmission route of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal. The control unit controls the switching of the transmission route by the switching unit. The switching unit is configured to be capable of connecting each of the plurality of first optical fiber transmission lines to one of the plurality of second optical fiber transmission lines. The switching unit further is configured to be capable of switching any one of the plurality of first optical fiber transmission lines to connect to the third optical fiber transmission line.