Wavelength Selective Switch Port Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wavelength selective switches (WSS) in intelligent optical networks have a limited number of ports, leading to increased complexity in network management and power consumption as the number of ROADMs grows, and are unable to output optical signals of different wavelengths from different input ports to the same output port.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength selective switch comprising multiple input and output ports, utilizing a wavelength separation device and a micro-mirror group to separate and redirect optical signals, allowing any wavelength input via any port to be output via any port, and enabling different wavelengths from various input ports to be output via the same port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional 1×M WSS is used in ROADM, then the device structure is simple, but the number of ROADMs increases sharply and network management becomes complicated when expanding to higher dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the WSS functionality by separating the wavelength separation function (handled by the diffraction grating) from the port selection function (handled by the micro-mirror group). This segmentation allows the system to achieve N×M port capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as each component performs a specialized function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a 1×M single-plane configuration to an N×M two-plane configuration with input and output ports arranged in different dimensions. The micro-mirror group enables switching between N input ports and M output ports by reflecting light along different angular directions, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the port configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of ROADMs increases to expand network dimension, then the network adaptability improves, but the power consumption cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ROADM functionalities into a single N×M WSS device. By combining the wavelength separation and port switching functions in one integrated system, the patent reduces the total number of separate ROADM units needed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining network dimensionality and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional N×M WSS is used, then the number of input and output ports increases, but it cannot implement that optical signals of different wavelengths input from different input ports are output from a same output port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic micro-mirror group that can be independently controlled to redirect different wavelengths to different output ports. The micro-mirrors can be adjusted in real-time to change the reflection angles, enabling flexible wavelength routing where signals of different wavelengths from different input ports can be converged to the same output port based on dynamic control signals.
4Ease of operation
If software configuration and automatic power balancing are used in conventional ROADM, then the switching is flexible, but the network management becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex software-based control with a more direct optical-mechanical control approach using the micro-mirror group. The micro-mirrors are directly controlled to physically redirect light paths, simplifying the control architecture by reducing reliance on complex software configuration and automatic power balancing algorithms, thereby easing network management while maintaining switching flexibility.
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 solution simplifies switching and reduces power consumption by allowing flexible wavelength routing, applicable to various optical networks such as communication and sensing networks, with a concise optical path and straightforward switching method.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength separation device and a micro-mirror group, the wavelength separation device being configured to separate at least one optical signal from a light beam input via a predetermined one of the plurality of input ports
Implementation Method 2
the micro-mirror group being configured to adjust a propagation direction of the at least one optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength selective switch and a wavelength selection method are provided. The wavelength selective switch comprises a plurality of input ports, via which a plurality of light beams are input respectively, each light beam including at least one optical signal of a predetermined wavelength; at least one output port; and a wavelength separation apparatus including a wavelength separation device and a micro-mirror group, the wavelength separation device being configured to separate at least one optical signal from a light beam input via a predetermined one of the plurality of input ports, and the micro-mirror group being configured to adjust a propagation direction of the at least one optical signal, so that the at least one optical signal is output via a predetermined one of the at least one output port.