Wavelength Selective Switch Two-Dimensional Mirror Panning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength selective switches face challenges in achieving broadening of band without increasing the panning angle of the mirror, which is limited by the mirror's structure, and maintaining hitless operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical input/output unit with a light dispersing unit, a light condensing element, and a light deflecting element array, where the light condensing element and light deflecting element array are arranged such that the light launched from the input unit is incident on a surface orthogonal to the passing direction within the deflection range of the light deflecting element array, allowing for efficient switching of signal wavelengths without increasing the panning angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the spot diameter is decreased to broaden the band, then the band width is improved, but the transmittance decrease during hitless operation increases, making hitless operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a second panning direction (Y-axis) in addition to the conventional first direction (X-axis). The mirror can now pan in both directions, creating a two-dimensional switching space. This allows the system to achieve broadband operation with smaller spot diameter while maintaining hitless operation by utilizing the additional dimensional space for the hitless sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing a second panning angle (θy) in addition to the first panning angle (θx). This parameter expansion allows the system to decouple the constraints between spot diameter and hitless operation capability, enabling small spot diameter operation while preserving sufficient transmittance through coordinated two-dimensional mirror positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the panning amplitude is increased to broaden the band, then the band width is improved, but the mirror structure limits the maximum panning amplitude
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the second panning direction, the system achieves broadband operation without requiring large amplitude in a single direction. The two-dimensional panning space distributes the switching requirements across both directions, allowing smaller individual panning amplitudes while maintaining overall switching capability and broadband performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a small spot diameter is used for broadband operation, then the band width is improved, but the light intensity dissipation loss increases during hitless operation
Solution Approach 1:
The two-dimensional panning capability allows the system to execute hitless operation sequences that minimize light dissipation loss. By utilizing both panning directions, the mirror can more efficiently transition between ports while maintaining coupling, reducing the overall light intensity dissipation loss even with small spot diameter operation.
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 configuration enables broadening of the band and maintains hitless operation without increasing the panning range of the mirror, improving coupling efficiency and reducing light intensity dissipation loss.
Implementation Method 1
a light dispersing unit that receives the wavelength multiplexed light from the input unit and disperses the wavelength multiplexed light into signal wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a light condensing element that condenses the light dispersed into the signal wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
a light deflecting element array that deflects a signal light in the first direction and a second direction, that is orthogonal to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength selective switch includes a light input/output unit that includes an input unit and an output unit of a wavelength multiplexed light arranged in a form of an array in a first direction, a light dispersing unit that receives the wavelength multiplexed light from the input unit and disperses the wavelength multiplexed light into signal wavelengths, a light condensing element that condenses the light dispersed into the signal wavelengths, and a light deflecting element array that deflects a signal light in the first direction and a second direction, that is orthogonal to the first direction, so as to switch the light of the signal wavelengths condensed by the light condensing element to a desired output unit. In the wavelength selective switch, the light condensing element and the light deflecting element array are arranged such that a light launched from the input unit is incident on a surface orthogonal to a passing direction at an angle that is not orthogonal within a deflection range of the light deflecting element array.