Wavelength Selective Switch Aperture-Shared Optics Port Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems face challenges in increasing fiber port counts without substantial device size growth and reducing performance requirements for components, particularly in wavelength selective switches (WSS), which are costly and complex due to the need for dedicated elements and high performance characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wavelength selective switch utilizing aperture-shared optics, with optical elements optimized in distinct orthogonal planes to enhance fiber port capacity and performance while reducing component performance requirements, allowing for increased fiber port counts and flexible design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated optical elements are used for each wavelength component, then wavelength switching capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical element (such as a diffraction grating or arrayed waveguide grating) is designed to handle multiple wavelength components simultaneously, replacing the need for dedicated elements for each wavelength. This universal element can spatially separate and switch all wavelength components through its inherent dispersive properties, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full wavelength switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (wavelength separation, spatial routing, and switching) that would traditionally require separate dedicated elements are merged into a single integrated optical component. The diffraction grating or arrayed waveguide grating combines wavelength dispersion with spatial position encoding, allowing one element to perform the work of multiple dedicated elements.
2Reliability
If high performance characteristics are required for optical components, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the optical system by using the natural dispersive properties of diffraction gratings or arrayed waveguide gratings to achieve wavelength separation. This approach allows the use of commercially available, lower-cost optical components with relaxed performance specifications compared to systems requiring high-precision dedicated elements for each wavelength, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate optical performance.
3Productivity
If fiber port count is increased, then network capacity is improved, but device size growth becomes substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the spatial dimension created by angular dispersion of the diffraction grating or arrayed waveguide grating to multiplex multiple wavelength components onto a single fiber port. By encoding wavelengths in the angular/spatial domain, the system can handle increased network capacity through more fiber ports without proportionally increasing device size, as the wavelength separation function is performed in the angular domain rather than requiring separate physical paths for each wavelength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables higher fiber port counts with lower costs and improved optical performance, maintaining low insertion loss and meeting telecom industry standards, while allowing for 'hitless' switching and equalization of optical power levels.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating, or its equivalent
Implementation Method 2
a first cylindrical lens, and a second cylindrical lens
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength selective switch utilizing aperture-shared optics and functionally distinct planes of operation that enables high fiber port counts, such as 1×41, and multiplicative expansion, such as to 1×83 or 1×145, by utilizing elements optimized for performance in one of the functionally distinct planes of operation without affecting the other plane.