Two-Dimensional Wavelength Selective Switch Port Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength selective switches (WSS) are limited in arranging output ports in two dimensions, restricting the quantity and flexibility of port arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A WSS design incorporating an input optical fiber collimation array, first and third optical switching engines, a dispersion unit, and an optical path converter, which performs angle deflection and demultiplexing/multiplexing operations on orthogonal planes to enable optical switching in two dimensions, allowing for a larger scale and flexible port arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional WSS uses a single-stage optical switching array, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the output ports are restricted to one dimension and the quantity of output ports is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second-dimensional optical switching array arranged orthogonally to the first-stage array. The first-stage array switches wavelengths in one dimension, while the second-stage array switches wavelengths in a perpendicular dimension. This two-dimensional arrangement enables output ports to be distributed in both horizontal and vertical directions, breaking the single-dimensional limitation and significantly increasing port quantity and arrangement flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical switching function is segmented into two independent stages: a first-stage optical switching array and a second-stage optical switching array. Each stage performs wavelength switching independently in its own dimension. This segmentation allows each array to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving two-dimensional port distribution, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and port flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If a WSS uses multiple optical switching arrays in different dimensions, then the quantity and arrangement flexibility of ports increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the second-dimensional optical switching array orthogonal to the first stage, the system achieves two-dimensional port distribution without requiring a proportional increase in total component count. The orthogonal arrangement allows efficient space utilization, enabling more ports to be packed into a compact structure while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Both the first-stage and second-stage optical switching arrays use identical structural designs and switching mechanisms. This universality allows the system to scale port quantity by simply adding more arrays in the orthogonal dimension rather than designing completely new structures, thereby increasing port count while keeping the complexity increase linear and manageable.
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 design enables optical switching in two dimensions, allowing for a larger quantity and flexible arrangement of input and output ports, enhancing the flexibility of WSS applications and supporting single-fiber bidirectional scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the dispersion unit is configured to demultiplex, on a second plane, the first beam that is incident from the first optical switching engine, into multiple sub-wavelength beams
Implementation Method 2
the optical path converter is configured to refract the multiple sub-wavelength beams that are obtained after the dispersion unit performs demultiplexing onto the second optical switching engine
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a wavelength selective switch WSS, including an input optical fiber collimation array, a first optical switching engine, a dispersion unit, an optical path converter, a second optical switching engine, a third optical switching engine, and an output optical fiber collimation array. A first beam is input from a first port of the input optical fiber collimation array. The first optical switching engine performs angle deflection on the first beam on a first plane. The dispersion unit demultiplexes, on a second plane, the angle-deflected first beam into multiple sub-wavelength beams. The second optical switching engine performs angle deflection on the multiple sub-wavelength beams that are obtained by means of demultiplexing. The dispersion unit multiplexes, on the second plane, the angle-deflected multiple sub-wavelength beams. The third optical switching engine performs angle deflection on the multiplexed multiple sub-wavelength beams on the first plane, so that the multiplexed multiple sub-wavelength beams are output from a second port of the output optical fiber collimation array. According to the foregoing technical solutions, optical switching in two dimensions is implemented, and input and output ports are arranged in two dimensions.