Wavelength Selective Switch Spatial Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wavelength selective switches (WSS) and reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADM) face challenges in achieving robust, hitless, and high-capacity switching due to limited port availability and spectral overlap issues, particularly in dense wavelength division multiplexing scenarios, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength selective switching device with a reflective area that concurrently directs optical signals from multiple input paths to spatially separated output paths, allowing for independent routing of channel sets with spectral overlap, while reducing the number of optical components and cabling, and incorporating a switching unit that spatially separates unwanted signals for suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional WSS structures are used to route optical channels, then the basic switching function is achieved, but the add/drop capacity decreases as nodal degree increases due to limited WSS ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by arranging input and output paths in a specific geometric configuration where input paths are positioned between output paths. This spatial arrangement enables concurrent illumination of the reflective area by multiple input signals at different angles, allowing the system to route multiple channel sets with spectral overlap through the same WSS without port contention, thereby resolving the contradiction between nodal degree and add/drop capacity.
2Productivity
If multiple channel sets with spectral overlap are routed through a WSS, then spectral efficiency is improved, but wavelength contention occurs limiting port utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different angular directions of illumination to different input paths. Each input path illuminates the reflective area (such as an LCoS device) at a unique angle, creating locally distinct optical paths even though the same physical reflective area is used. This angular differentiation allows multiple channel sets with spectral overlap to be routed concurrently without wavelength contention, as each channel set is directed to its designated output path through its specific illumination angle.
3Productivity
If a large number of ports are required for high-capacity switching, then the switching capacity is improved, but the device complexity and cabling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single WSS device by enabling it to handle multiple channel sets with spectral overlap simultaneously. The spatial arrangement of input and output paths combined with angularly selective reflection allows one WSS to perform the work of multiple WSS devices, consolidating the switching function and reducing the overall number of components and cabling required while maintaining high switching capacity.
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 enables robust, hitless routing with efficient port utilization, allowing for high add/drop capacity and compact ROADM structures, reducing cabling and complexity, and supporting colorless, directionless, and hitless switching in dense wavelength division multiplexing environments.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective area adapted to be concurrently illuminated in a slice of the optical spectrum by a first optical signal from a first input path among said plurality of input paths, and by a second optical signal from a second input path among said plurality of input paths
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength selective switching device comprises a plurality of input paths for receiving optical signals, a plurality of output paths for emitting the optical signals, and a switching unit for selectively directing the optical signals from the input paths to the output paths. The switching unit comprises a reflective area adapted to be concurrently illuminated by a first optical signal from a first input path among the plurality of input paths, and by a second optical signal from a second input path among the plurality of input paths, the second input path being different from the first input path, and to concurrently direct the first optical signal to a first output path among the plurality of output paths and the second optical signal to a second output path among the plurality of output paths, the second output path being different from the first output path. Said first output path and said second output path are spatially separated by said first input path and said second input path, or vice-versa.