Wavelength Cross-Connect Device Reducing Conversion Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength cross-connect devices require a large number of wavelength band conversion units, leading to increased production costs due to the need for M×(M×2) conversion units on both the input and output sides.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength cross-connect device that employs a WXC unit with a reduced number of conversion units, utilizing a first conversion unit to convert a shorter wavelength band into a specific wavelength band and a second conversion unit to convert a longer wavelength band back into the specific wavelength band, thereby reducing the overall number of wavelength band conversion units needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wavelength cross-connect devices use M×2 wavelength band conversion units connected to each M wavelength band demultiplexing unit and M×2 wavelength band conversion units connected to each M wavelength band multiplexing unit, then effective signal processing across different wavelength bands is achieved, but the number of wavelength band conversion units increases to M×(M×2), leading to increased production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple wavelength band conversion units into a reduced configuration. Instead of using M×2 conversion units for each demultiplexing unit and M×2 for each multiplexing unit, the invention combines these functions into a more efficient arrangement that achieves the same signal processing effectiveness with fewer components, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functional wavelength band conversion units that can handle multiple wavelength bands (S-band, C-band, L-band) and perform both conversion and routing functions. This universal approach allows a single conversion unit to serve multiple purposes and multiple wavelength bands, reducing the total number of required units from M×(M×2) to a much smaller number while maintaining full signal processing capability across all bands
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of wavelength band conversion units (M×(M×2)) are deployed to ensure comprehensive wavelength band conversion and routing capability, then adaptability across multiple wavelength bands is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple specialized conversion units into a unified, reduced configuration that maintains adaptability across S-band, C-band, and L-band while significantly reducing the total number of units required, thereby lowering production costs without sacrificing wavelength band conversion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the wavelength band conversion units to enable them to handle multiple wavelength bands and functions. By adjusting the conversion units to operate across different wavelength ranges and perform multiple functions, the system achieves high adaptability with fewer components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength cross-connect device includes a first conversion module that converts a first wavelength band (S-band) shorter than a specific wavelength band (C-band) into an optical signal of the specific wavelength band and converts the specific wavelength band from a WXC unit into an optical signal of a second wavelength band (L-band) longer than the specific wavelength band, among the respective wavelength bands demultiplexed by a demultiplexing unit and a second conversion module that converts the second wavelength band into an optical signal of the specific wavelength band and converts the specific wavelength band from the WXC unit into an optical signal of the first wavelength band. The optical signal of the specific wavelength band converted by the first/second conversion unit is output to the WXC unit, and the optical signal of the first/second wavelength band is output to a multiplexing unit.