CN101668239B

CN101668239B - Device for switching optical signals

Info

Publication number: CN101668239B
Application number: CN200910205742.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·扎米; N·布罗加尔
Original assignee: Alcatel Optical Networks Israel Ltd
Current assignee: Alcatel Lucent SAS; Alcatel Optical Networks Israel Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-30
Filing date: 2009-06-30
Publication date: 2013-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-30
Also published as: FR2933256B1; CN101668239A; FR2933256A1

Abstract

An optical signal switching device comprises a plurality of broadcast couplers (125), a plurality of wavelength selective modules (126), and optical connection means linking outputs of broadcast couplers to inputs of wavelength selective modules in order to route incoming optical signals received by said broadcast couplers to said wavelength selective modules. The wavelength selective modules are arranged in a plurality of groups (117, 118, 119), the wavelength selective modules of one group being connected at the output to a common neighboring node. The optical connection means (127, 41, 40, 42) are configured in such a way as to enable, for each of said broadcast couplers, the broadcasting of the incoming optical signal received by said coupler to at least one wavelength selective module of each group simultaneously.

Description

Device for switching optical signals

Technical field

What the present invention relates to transparent WDM optic network field, particularly transparent optical network need not to be transformed into the switch that electronic signal is commutative wavelength channel.

Background technology

The optical fiber transmission technique of optical fibre wavelength-division multiplex (perhaps WDM) is taked in grasp, and the growing demand of data transfer rate is a key factor in the message transmission for satisfying.Term " transparent " is applied to wherein that signal is maintained in the optical field, and is not transformed into the transmission system of electronic signal.The transparency in the optical communication networks passes through to eliminate the conversion of light-electrical-optical, thereby eliminates corresponding transducer, can reduce the equipment cost of network.The subsystem that utilizes in transparent WDM network specifically includes configurable optics top and bottom path multiplexer (add/drop multiplexer) or ROADM, and optical crossover connector, perhaps OXC.In order to construct such subsystem, be called the equipment particular importance of wavelength-selective switches or WSS (wavelength-selective switches).This be because, these equipment can be realized the switching node of any interconnected degree, have very flexibly configuration, Billy with discrete parts simple many structures, and size that reduces and high reliability.Except other, at IEEECommunication Magazine, in March, 2003, wavelength-selective switches and application thereof have been described in the article of delivering on the pp88-94 people such as S.Mechels.

Summary of the invention

In one embodiment, the invention discloses a kind of device for switching optical signals, comprising:

A plurality of broadcasting couplers, each coupler comprises the input of the optical signalling that can receive the wavelength division multiplexing that enters; And in order to broadcast first group of output of described optical input signals;

A plurality of wavelength are selected module, and each described module comprises first group of input, in order to receive wavelength channel; And an output, in order to the optical output signal of transmission from importing the wavelength division multiplexing that optionally obtains the wavelength channel of reception at described first group;

Optical connection apparatus is received second group of input that wavelength is selected module with second group of discharging chain of broadcasting coupler, so that the optical input signals that described broadcasting coupler is received is routed to described wavelength selection module;

Described wavelength selects module to be arranged to a plurality of groups, at least one group in described group comprises a plurality of described wavelength selection modules, each of wavelength selection module in one group all is used for for example being connected to a public adjacent node by same optical cable in its output place, described optical connection apparatus is arranged so to make that for each described broadcasting coupler at least one wavelength that the optical input signals that is received by described coupler can be broadcast to simultaneously every group is selected module.

In other favourable execution modes, this method can have following one or more characteristics:

● the broadcasting coupler is configured to a plurality of groups, and at least one group in described group comprises a plurality of described broadcasting couplers, and each of the broadcasting coupler in a group all is used for for example being connected to public adjacent node by same optical cable.

● at least one wavelength select module or each wavelength select input that module comprises basically with the group number of broadcasting coupler as many.Such configuration makes the wavelength that can use its port number to be less than the fiber count that is connected to this device relatively select module.

● described broadcasting coupler group and described wavelength select module group number to equate.In a kind of implementation of variation, equipment can present asymmetry in this respect.

● this optical connection apparatus is configured to make for each described wavelength is selected module, the optical signalling from least one broadcasting coupler of each coupler group can be routed to described wavelength simultaneously and select module.

● the group number that the number of the output that at least one described broadcasting coupler or each described broadcasting coupler comprise is selected module with wavelength basically is as many.Such configuration makes can use its port number to be less than the broadcasting coupler of the fiber count that is connected to this device relatively, inserts loss thereby limit.

● described optical connection apparatus comprises waveguide, and each waveguide is connected to second group of input in the input with an output in second group of output.

● these waveguides are connected to each broadcasting coupler at least one wavelength selection module of every group.

● the broadcasting coupler that receives described optical input signals from adjacent node selects module without any direct optical link with the one group of wavelength that is connected to described adjacent node.Such configuration allows to reduce the port number that uses in the wavelength selection module.

● described optical connection apparatus comprises at least one optical space switching matrix, and the input of described matrix is connected to output in described second group of output and the output of described matrix and is connected to input in described second group of input.

● the output of optical space switching matrix is connected at least one wavelength of each group and selects module or select module to each wavelength.

● the input of this optical space switching matrix is connected to every group at least one broadcasting coupler or each broadcasting coupler.

● described optical connection apparatus comprises a plurality of optical space switching matrixs, and the input of described matrix is connected to output in described second group of output and the output of described matrix and is connected to input in described second group of input.

● the number of described optical space switching matrix is less than or equals the number of the described input of wavelength selection module, each described wavelength selects module all to have the input that is connected to all described optical space switching matrixs, and each described broadcasting coupler all has the output that is connected to all described optical space switching matrixs.

● the output of at least one or all described broadcasting couplers is connected to down road (drop) module, so that the numerical data that at least one wavelength channel of the optical input signals that described broadcasting coupler is received carries is carried out demodulation.In a deformation program, following road module can be connected to other points of this device.

● at least one or all described wavelength select the input of module to be connected to (add) module of setting out on a journey, so that at least one wavelength channel is inserted the optical output signal that described wavelength selects module to send.In a deformation program, the module of setting out on a journey can be connected to other points of this device.

● this broadcasting coupler and this wavelength select number of modules to equate.In a kind of deformation program, this device can present asymmetry in this respect.

In a specific execution mode, described switch also comprises:

At least one recirculation assembly, described recirculation assembly or each recirculation assembly comprise: wavelength circulation module, it comprises a plurality of inputs and an output, and this input should be exported the optical signalling in order to the circulation that sends the wavelength division multiplexing that optionally obtains from the wavelength channel that receives in described a plurality of inputs in order to receive wavelength channel; The circulation coupler, it comprises an input and a plurality of output, this input is connected to the output of described wavelength circulation module, so that receive described optical signalling through circulation, these a plurality of outputs are in order to broadcast the optical signalling of described circulation;

Second optical connection apparatus, its 3rd group of output will broadcasting coupler is connected to the 3rd group of input of one or more wavelength circulation modules, so that the optical input signals that described broadcasting coupler is received is routed to this one or more wavelength circulation modules;

The 3rd optical connection apparatus, it is connected to the 4th group of input that wavelength is selected module with the 4th group of one or more circulation couplers output, so that the circulation optical signalling that will these one or more circulation couplers be received is routed to described wavelength selection module.

According to this specific execution mode, this switch can also present following one or more characteristics:

● this second optical connection apparatus is configured to such mode, is routed to described simultaneously at least one broadcasting optical input signals that coupler received of every group or each wavelength circulation module.

● the 3rd optical connection apparatus is configured to such mode, makes it possible at least one wavelength that optical signalling with described or each circulation is broadcast to every group simultaneously and selects module.

● the input number in the 3rd group more than or equal to broadcast the number of coupler.In other words, the number of the input of the number of recirculation assembly and each circulation module is such, makes each broadcasting coupler all be connected at least one recirculation assembly.

● the number of the output in the 4th group more than or equal the number that wavelength is selected module.In other words, the number of the output of the number of recirculation assembly and each circulation coupler is such, makes each wavelength select module all to be connected at least one recirculation assembly.

● this second and the 3rd optical connection apparatus comprises waveguide, and each waveguide is connected to a input in described the 3rd group or corresponding the 4th group of input with an output in described the 3rd group or corresponding the 4th group.

● the output of circulation coupler is connected to the input of wavelength circulation module without any direct optical link.

A basic design of the present invention is to design at the broadcasting of the node with a large amount of input and output optical fiber and the optics framework of selection (broadcast-and-select) type, simultaneously the needed port number of wavelength-limited selection module.

Of the present invention another conceived substantially, from link direction, that is, from the adjacent node of the reciprocal exchange of business with it, considers the interconnectivity of node.A link direction can comprise a plurality of optical fiber that are connected to same adjacent node, thereby it can be used for optical signal transmission comparably to described adjacent node.The optical fiber of a link direction can be arranged to the form of an optical cable in case of necessity.

Description of drawings

The reference accompanying drawing read given below only as an illustration property and the description of a plurality of embodiments of nonrestrictive example will be understood the present invention more fully, other purposes of the present invention, details, characteristics and advantage will seem more clear.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are the functional block diagrams according to the optics node of first execution mode;

Fig. 3 is the functional block diagram according to the optics node of second execution mode;

Fig. 4 is the functional block diagram according to the optics node of the 3rd execution mode;

Fig. 5 is the functional block diagram according to the optics node of the 4th execution mode;

Fig. 6 is the functional block diagram according to the optics node of the 5th execution mode;

Fig. 7 is the functional block diagram that wherein can utilize the optic network of these execution modes;

Fig. 8 is the functional block diagram according to the optics node of the 6th execution mode; And

Fig. 9 is the fragmentary detail view of the node of Fig. 8.

Embodiment

With reference to figure 7, WDM netted (mesh) network 1 comprises a plurality of optics nodes 2 to 8, and these nodes are coupled together by the directional link that arrow 9 indicates.Every link can comprise one or more optical fiber.Especially, for jumbo network, for example, the core network of telecom operators, link generally must comprise multifiber.Install for the ease of it, these optical fiber can be combined by the form of optical cable.Thereby in such network, each node in the node 2 to 8 all must exchange optical signalling between a large amount of input and output optical fiber, and these optical fiber all are connected to a limited number of adjacent node with described node.The number of the adjacent node of a node is called as its interconnected degree.For example, on Fig. 7, the interconnected degree that node 6 has equals 4, and the interconnected degree that node 3 has equals 3.

With reference to Fig. 1 to 6 a plurality of optics frameworks that are suitable for constructing such optics node are described.For brevity, only illustrate be used for routing optical signals between the input and output of node and under applicable situation local setting out on a journey or the opticator of the switching node of road optical signalling down.Many miscellaneous parts that do not illustrate can be comprised the into structure of optics node, particularly one or morely are used for controlling exchange and the setting out on a journey and the command module on following road of control signal under applicable situation.Especially, this control must be avoided the collision between the wavelength channel.

Command module can be configured to different forms, in mode independent or that distribute, realizes by means of hardware and/or software part.Available hardware component has application-specific integrated circuit ASIC, field programmable logic array FPGA or microprocessor.Software part can be with different programming languages, for example, C, C++, Java or VHDL write.This is enumerated not is to be exhaustive.

Referring to Fig. 1, be suitable for constructing interconnected degree shown in it and be the switch 10 of 4

optics node.Piece

21,22 and 23 is referring to Fig. 2.This device 10 comprises input and output, is 12 inputs and 12 outputs herein, and this input is in order to the input optical fibre 11 of the channel of the wavelength division multiplexing of connection carrying input, and this exports the output optical fibre 12 in order to the channel that connects the wavelength division multiplexing that carries output.Numeral 13 to 16 indicates four groups of input optical fibres 11, every group of 3 optical fiber herein, and every group optical fiber all is connected to same adjacent node.Numeral 17 to 20 indicates four groups of output optical fibres 12, every group of 3 optical fiber herein, and every group optical fiber all is connected to same adjacent node.Optical fiber in group can all be arranged in the optical cable or be arranged in several optical cables.

The framework of Fig. 1 comprises broadcasting and selects Architecture characteristic.Each input of device 10 all is connected to broadcasting coupler 25, and broadcasting coupler 25 receives the WDM signals, and with it to a plurality of wavelength-selective switches (WSS) 26 broadcasting.Each output of device 10 all is connected to WSS 26, the WDM signal that WSS 26 receives from a plurality of broadcasting couplers 25.By expansion, all broadcasting couplers 25 that are connected to one group of input

optical fibre

13,14,15 or 16 are called a broadcasting coupler group.Similarly, all WSS 26 that are connected to one group of output

optical fibre

17,18,19 or 20 are called a WSS group.

Traditional broadcasting and selection framework (broadcast-and-select architecture) can be connected to each WSS26 each broadcasting coupler 25.For the node among Fig. 1, this traditional framework will present to be supported to have 12 input WSS and 12 output couplers is arranged.Some shortcoming of this scheme is the many WSS price height of port number, and the loss of setting out on a journey of coupler increases along with the increase of delivery outlet number.

As a comparison, in the execution mode of Fig. 1, each coupler only is connected to the single WSS26 in every group, in other words, only is connected to 4 WSS.In addition, 26 of each WSS are connected to 4 couplers 25.Optical link 27 between the input of the output of coupler 25 and WSS 26 can be the waveguide of optical fiber or other types.The miscellaneous part that does not illustrate can be installed on these links, for example, and dispersion compensation module or amplifier or other physics attenuation compensation parts.

Therefore,, then install 10 and can construct with the WSS that has N input port, and allow pellucidly one or more channels of any input optical fibre 11 are routed to N adjacent node simultaneously with the coupler that has N output branch if the interconnected degree of node is N.

Should be noted that wavelength-selective switches (WSS) is a kind of a plurality of equipment of selecting port and at least one common port that comprise, it can finish programmable multiplexed function or programmable demultiplexing function.When it serves as multiplexer, can select port to be used for input, and common port is used for shared output.This wavelength-selective switches can be according to the wavelength of the channel that is received and corresponding input, and according to command signal, and optionally the wavelength channel that will receive in the input (that is, the optical signalling that carried of wavelength) accordingly is routed to the shared output of this equipment.The channel that is routed to shared output should have different wavelength.In the case, this equipment is carried out programmable multiplexed function, provides the channel of selecting in output place from the channel that receives, the multiplexing of channel of one group of channel formation perhaps selecting from the channel that receives.At each input port place, can send a channel, a plurality of channel, perhaps do not send any channel.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, device 10 can comprise the following road module 28 that is connected to coupler 25.In this case, coupler 25 comprises one or more additional outputs 29 of road module 28 down of leading to.This time road module 28 comprises one or more optical receivers, will descend the optical signalling data on road in order to demodulation.It can also comprise the various opticses that are used for selecting to descend the channel on road,, such as demodulation multiplexer, coupler, fixing or tunable filter, optical gate, WSS or the like.In this case, the number of the output that coupler 25 has for example, equals N+1 greater than the interconnected degree of node.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, device 10 can comprise the module 30 of setting out on a journey that is connected to WSS 26.In this case, WSS 26 comprises one or more additional inputs 31 that are connected to the module 30 of setting out on a journey.This module 30 of setting out on a journey comprises the optical launcher of one or more band fixed wave length or tunable wavelength, so that generate the optical signalling that will set out on a journey.It can also comprise variously be used for merging, route or regulate the optics of the optical signalling that will set out on a journey, such as multiplexer, combiner, optical gate, amplifier, WSS or the like.In this case, the number of the output that WSS 26 has for example, equals N+1 greater than the interconnected degree of node.

In the execution mode of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, each WSS 26 comprises the input of the coupler 25 that is connected to every group specially, enables to receive at least one WDM signal from each adjacent node.But other arrangements also are possible, and this relates to the source of selecting the signal of module by single wavelength.For example, Fig. 3 illustrates another kind of the arrangement, and wherein identical with element among Fig. 1 or similar elements is used identical reference number.

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, for describe clear for the purpose of, separately represent piece 21 to 23, its inevitable concrete structure corresponding to node.Refer now to Fig. 4 and describe another execution mode, wherein the mode of not taking block-by-block to be described.Add 100 with the element reference number identical or that the similar elements use is identical among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 schematically represents to be suitable for to construct the switch 110 that interconnected degree is 3 optics node.Direct link 127 between broadcasting coupler 125 and the WSS 126 disposes in the mode that is similar among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and is different although it describes possibility.In other words, the input of each WSS 126 is connected to the coupler 125 of each group 113,114 and 115, and the output of each coupler 125 is connected to the WSS 126 of each group 117,118 and 119.Link 129 is represented the output branch that is used for down the road optical signalling specially of each coupler 125.Link 131 represents that each WSS's 126 be used for setting out on a journey the input branch of optical signalling specially.

The limited interconnectivity that direct link 27/127 between broadcasting coupler 25/125 and the WSS 26/126 is provided may be proved to be not enough in some cases.This is because when the given input signal that coupler received only during the single WSS broadcasting in every group, its may only transmission on the single output optical fibre 12/112 of each destination node.Warfare may appear in the wavelength channel on this output optical fibre.In addition, if one of WSS 26/126 breaks down, then corresponding service possibly can't be protected by switch 10/110, because can't this business be transferred to same destination node by another WSS.

In order to strengthen the flexibility of node, particularly under described situation, this switch can comprise one or more optical space switching matrixs that are arranged between coupler 25/125 and the WSS 26/126, replenishing or substituting as direct link 27/127.

In Fig. 4, single optical space switching matrix 40 only is set, this matrix has the corresponding input that is connected to each coupler 125 respectively by link 41; Be connected to the corresponding output of each WSS126 respectively by link 42.

The number of input optical fibre 111 is made as M, equals the number of output optical fibre 112 herein.Herein, this optical space switching matrix 40 is the matrixes that M input and M output are arranged.This is one and carries out the parts of choke free pure space Route Selection really.Thereby this matrix can carry out being input to from any one the transparent connection of any one output.This connection all is transparent for all spectrum components that input comprised of the being considered spectrum component of the presetted wavelength grating inside that this matrix is designed to (for example).In other words, if only import a wavelength channel, then this individual channel is directed to selected output.If 100 channels of input, then they all are directed to the output of this matrix.Such matrix is suitable for simultaneously and optionally will be routed to M output from M the WDM signal (that is the set of spectra channels) of M input.Such space exchange matrix can use the minitype reflector by microelectromechanical-systems (MEMS) control to realize.This matroid especially can be buied from (the Hayward city of the U.S.) GlimmerGlass company and (U.S. Billerica city) Polatis company.This loss of setting out on a journey may be less relatively, for example, and about 4 or 5dB.The number of port can be relatively large, for example, and 100 to 200.

In Fig. 4, use matrix 40, the one or more channels that arrive given input optical fibre 111 and arrive coupler 125 thus can be routed to any one WSS 126, and thereby can be routed to all output optical fibres 112.Thereby other WSS (that is another WSS in the group corresponding with the destination) that this matrix can be used for beyond the WSS by being directly connected to this coupler send to the destination node with these channels.In Fig. 4, therefore can arrange this space exchange matrix 40 to replenish direct link 127.If coupler 125 comprises the output of corresponding number and the input that WSS 126 comprises corresponding number, then can dispose one or more space exchange matrixes in this wise.Therefore, on Fig. 4, the input number of WSS is N+2.

The another kind of possibility of improving the flexibility of the transparent exchange of signal is that one or more space exchange matrixes are set, in order to replace some direct link 127.Now describe corresponding execution mode with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, wherein identical with element among Fig. 4 or similar elements is used identical reference number.

Under frequent situation about using, the communication between the node of transparent optical network is two-way, thereby the two is connected to an adjacent node by one group of input optical fibre and one group of output optical fibre for optics node.For example, as if the node 3 of realizing Fig. 7 with the execution mode of Fig. 4, then optical fibre set 113 and 117 is connected to same adjacent node 2, and optical fibre set 114 and 118 is connected to same adjacent node 4, and optical fibre set 115 and 119 is connected to same adjacent node 6.In this case, for routing service, its effect is limited or valueless at all usually for the direct link 127 that coupler 125 that will interrelate with same adjacent node and WSS 126 couple together (these links are represented with circle 50 in Fig. 4).In Fig. 5, these direct link are replaced by space exchange matrix 43, and this matrix 43 is similar to previously described matrix 40, and connects and parallel connection with it in the same way.

In Fig. 5, two matrixes 40 and 43 are set, this can strengthen the flexibility of signal Route Selection, particularly for the situation of competing and protecting.In the distortion of the execution mode of Fig. 5, for example,, can cancel the matrix 40 that has

link

41 and 42 in order to reduce WSS 126 needed port numbers.

The flexibility of signal Route Selection is along with the number of space exchange matrix increases and increases.Fig. 6 represents to be suitable for the execution mode that interconnected degree is 4 node, wherein between coupler 125 and WSS 126 without any direct link, and have only space exchange matrix 45.Herein, the number of these matrixes is identical with the interconnected degree of node, and one of them matrix does not illustrate.Each matrix 45 has corresponding input and corresponding output, and its input is connected respectively to each coupler 125 by link 41, and its output is connected respectively to each WSS 126 by link 42 respectively.

To shown in Figure 6, between broadcasting coupler 125 and WSS 126, direct link can be according to desirable route flexibility in different ratio combinations with the space exchange matrix as Fig. 4.This flexibility can be weighed with the different space path number that switch can be set up between given input optical fibre and given destination node.

Although the number of the input port that WSS 126 has is less relatively (for example, this number can equal the number of input direction, for example, be 4 in Fig. 6, if be necessary, then add one and be used for the part professional input port of setting out on a journey), thereby the bigger space exchange matrix of these WSS and port number combines, and allows to set up the gratifying node architecture of flexibility level.In a deformation program, the number of space exchange matrix can be greater than the interconnected degree of node, but is limited in the number range of the input port that WSS 126 has.

Now describe the another kind of execution mode of switching node, recirculation assembly wherein is set, so that strengthen the flexibility, the particularly flexibility under afore-mentioned of node with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.Add 200 with the element reference number identical or that the similar elements use is identical among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

In Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, each piece in the piece 221 to 223 represent one be similar among Fig. 2 but done the broadcasting of revising/selections arrangement in order to allow wavelength channel between these pieces, to circulate.As mentioned above, these shown pieces must be corresponding to the hardware configuration of node.In piece 221 to 223, the number of input and output is greater than the number among Fig. 2.These additional inputs are corresponding to circulation coupler 253, and additional output corresponding to circulation WSS 252, it illustrates on Fig. 9 top.

Circulation WSS 252 is wavelength-selective switches, and it operates in above and describes.In the example shown, each circulation WSS 252 is from a plurality of broadcasting couplers 225, and for example, all the broadcasting couplers 225 from same receive the WDM signal.Therefore, circulation WSS 252 is from a broadcasting coupler receiving optical signal of every group.For this reason, with respect to Fig. 2, this broadcasting coupler 225 has more output, for example, two additional outputs, these outputs are connected to the input of circulation WSS 252 by optical link 259.Fig. 9 only illustrates the part of piece 222, particularly, among two circulation WSS 252 of this piece only is shown.

Signal in that output place of circulation WSS 252 obtains is called cycle signal, is transferred to the input of the circulation coupler 253 that is arranged in another piece by circulation optical link 255 at every turn.In the example shown, the coupler 253 that at every turn circulates is all to a plurality of WSS 226, and for example, all WSS 226 in same send cycle signal.So the optical signalling of circulation is transferred to the WSS in each group simultaneously., compare with Fig. 2, WSS 226 has more input for this reason, for example, two additional inputs, it is linked to the output of same circulation coupler 253 by optical link 258.Alternatively, can between circulation coupler 253 and circulation WSS 252, optical link 257 be set, but generally be unnecessary.

The number that is configured in the recirculation assembly (that is, WSS 252, link 255 and coupler 253) in this node can be selected according to the exchange flexibility level that expectation obtains.In the example shown, 6 recirculation assemblies are set, thereby each piece uses all circulation optical link 255 to be connected to other two pieces.

Other configurations also are possible.The input sum of circulation WSS 252 more preferably greater than or equal the number of input optical fibre 211 so that all input signals can both be circulated.The output sum of these circulation couplers 253 more preferably greater than or equal the number of output optical fibre 212 so that any output optical fibre can both send cycle signal.

In a unshowned execution mode,, optical amplifier is set in recirculation assembly for the decay of compensation cycle signal.

In the described in the above switching node, wavelength-selective switches is selected module as wavelength.But the programmable demultiplexer of other types equally also can use.

Shown is the framework that 3 or 4 node is described at interconnected degree basically, can realize at any interconnectivity, comprises the asymmetric interconnectivity that the input and output number is different.The number of optical fiber not necessarily will equate on each direction of link.For a given link direction, the fiber count of input preferably equals the fiber count exported.

An extensibility that certain benefits is these frameworks of the framework shown in the earlier figures.For example, by the element that add to need, all interconnected degree as shown in Figure 4 are 3 node, can expand to all interconnected degree as shown in Figure 1 easily and are 4 node, and needn't make material alteration to the element of having installed.Equally, can on initial framework, add space exchange matrix and/or recirculation assembly gradually, so that consider the growth of traffic carrying capacity and increasing of warfare therefore.On WSS, prepare enough port numbers from the beginning, and on coupler, prepare abundant number of branches, may be more favourable to this extensibility.

In Fig. 1 to Fig. 9, provide and in coupler 25/125/225, to have descended the professional and professional ability of in WSS 26/126/226, setting out on a journey in road at every turn.But, also exist set out on a journey module or professional road module down of business is connected to other arrangements of optics node.For example, in order to limit in the coupler 25/125/225 needed input number in the needed output number and WSS 26/126/226, recommend to adopt these substituting arrangements.Especially, based on less relatively broadcasting coupler of port number and the framework of WSS, has the advantage of the insertion loss of restriction node.On some point of network, some are set do not descend the road module or the node of the module of not setting out on a journey, equally also may be useful.

Although described the present invention in conjunction with a plurality of specific execution modes, the present invention is not limited to this obviously, as long as and comprise that within the scope of the invention the present invention intends comprising with all technology of described device equivalence and combines.

Verb " comprises " that " comprising " or " having " and version thereof also are not precluded within element or other elements outside the step or the existence of other steps that illustrates in claims.For element or step, the indefinite article of modified elements and step " " or " one 's " use is not got rid of and a plurality of these class components or step are occurred, expresses unless have in addition.Multiple arrangement or module can be represented with single hardware element.

Claims

1. device for switching optical signals comprises:

A plurality of broadcasting couplers (25,125,225), each broadcasting coupler comprises an input and a plurality of output, and described input can receive the optical input signals of wavelength division multiplexing, and described output is in order to distribute described optical input signals;

A plurality of wavelength are selected module (26,126,226), each wavelength selects module to comprise a plurality of inputs and an output, described input is in order to receive wavelength channel, and described output is in order to send the optical output signal of the wavelength division multiplexing that optionally obtains from the wavelength channel that described a plurality of inputs receive;

Optical connection apparatus (27,127,40,41,42,43,45,227), a plurality of discharging chains of wanting route that it will be selected in the output of described a plurality of broadcasting couplers are received a plurality of inputs of wanting route of selecting in described a plurality of inputs of described wavelength selection module, so that the optical input signals that described broadcasting coupler is received is routed to described wavelength selection module, it is characterized in that

Described wavelength selects module to be arranged to a plurality of groups (17,18,19,20,117,118,119,120,217,218,219,220), at least one group in described group comprises a plurality of described wavelength selection modules, be intended to select the output of module to be connected to public adjacent node each wavelength of a group, described optical connection apparatus is formulated into and makes for each described broadcasting coupler, at least one wavelength that is broadcast to every group by the optical input signals that described coupler received simultaneously can be selected module.

2. according to the device of claim 1, wherein said broadcasting coupler is arranged to a plurality of groups (13,14,15,16,113,114,115,116,213,214,215,216), at least one group in described group comprises a plurality of described broadcasting couplers, is intended to each broadcasting coupler of a group all is connected to public adjacent node.

3. according to the device of claim 2, wherein each described wavelength selects the number of the described output that module comprises to equal to broadcast the group number of coupler.

4. according to the device of claim 2, wherein said broadcasting coupler group and described wavelength select the number of module group to equate.

5. according to the device of claim 2, wherein said optical connection apparatus is arranged to make that selecting module the optical signalling from least one broadcasting coupler of each coupler group can both be routed to described wavelength simultaneously for each described wavelength selects module.

6. according to the device of claim 1, wherein each described broadcasting coupler comprises that described first group of output quantitatively equals the group number that wavelength is selected module in order to broadcast first group of output of described optical input signals.

7. according to the device of claim 1, wherein said optical connection apparatus comprises waveguide (27,127,227), and each waveguide is connected to a input in described a plurality of input of wanting route with an output in described a plurality of outputs of wanting route.

8. according to the device of claim 7, wherein said waveguide is connected to each broadcasting coupler at least one wavelength selection module of every group.

9. according to the device of claim 7, wherein select module without any direct optical link (50) from adjacent node broadcasting coupler that receives described optical input signals and the one group of wavelength that is connected to described adjacent node.

10. according to the device of claim 1, wherein said optical connection apparatus comprises at least one optical space switching matrix (40,43,45), described matrix comprises input (41) and output (42), the input of described matrix (41) is connected to the output of wanting route of described broadcasting coupler, and the output of described matrix (42) is connected to the input of wanting route that wavelength is selected module, and the output of wherein said optical space switching matrix is connected at least one wavelength selection module of every group.

11. according to the device of claim 10, wherein said optical space switching matrix comprises the corresponding input that is connected respectively to each described broadcasting coupler.

12. according to the device of claim 10, wherein said optical space switching matrix comprises the corresponding output that is connected respectively to each described wavelength selection module.

13. device according to claim 1, wherein said optical connection apparatus comprises a plurality of optical space switching matrixs, described matrix comprises input and output, the number of described optical space switching matrix is less than or equal to the number that wavelength is selected the described input of module, each described wavelength selects module to have the second group of input that is connected to all described optical space switching matrixs, each described broadcasting coupler has the second group of output that is connected to all described optical space switching matrixs, the input of described a plurality of optical space switching matrixs is connected to the output of wanting route in described second group of output of described a plurality of broadcasting couplers, and the output of described a plurality of optical space switching matrixs is connected to described second group of input of wanting route in importing that described a plurality of wavelength is selected modules.

14. the device according to claim 1 also comprises:

At least one recirculation assembly (252,253,255), wherein each recirculation assembly comprises: wavelength circulation module (252), described wavelength circulation module comprises a plurality of inputs and an output, described input is in order to receiving wavelength channel, and described output is in order to the optical signalling of the circulation that sends the wavelength division multiplexing that optionally obtains from the wavelength channel that receives in described a plurality of inputs; Circulation coupler (253) comprises an input and a plurality of output, and described input is connected to the output of described wavelength circulation module so that receive the optical signalling of described circulation, and described output is in order to distributing described circulation optical signalling,

Wherein said broadcasting coupler also comprises a plurality of circulation outputs (259) of a plurality of inputs that are connected at least one wavelength circulation module, and described wavelength selection module also comprises a plurality of circulations inputs (258) of a plurality of outputs that are connected at least one circulation coupler;

Second optical connection apparatus (259), the a plurality of circulation outputs that to broadcast coupler (225) are connected to a plurality of inputs of described at least one wavelength circulation module (252), so that the optical input signals that described broadcasting coupler is received is routed to described at least one wavelength circulation module;

The 3rd optical connection apparatus (258), a plurality of outputs of described at least one circulation coupler (253) are connected to a plurality of circulations inputs that wavelength is selected module (226), select module so that the optical signalling of at least one circulation that will be received by described at least one circulation coupler is routed to described wavelength.

15. device according to claim 14, wherein said broadcasting coupler is formulated into a plurality of groups (213,214,215,216), at least one group in described group comprises several described broadcasting couplers, be intended to the broadcasting coupler of a group all is connected to the input of public adjacent node, described second optical connection apparatus (259) is configured to such mode, makes the optical input signals that will be received by at least one broadcasting coupler of every group be routed to each described wavelength circulation module (252) simultaneously.

16. according to the device of claim 14, wherein said the 3rd optical connection apparatus (258) is configured to make it possible to the optical signalling of selecting module to broadcast each described circulation at least one wavelength of every group simultaneously.

17. according to the device of claim 14, the input sum of the module that wherein circulates is more than or equal to the number of broadcasting coupler (225).

18. according to the device of claim 14, the output sum of the module that wherein circulates is greater than or equal to the number that wavelength is selected module (226).

19. device according to claim 14, the wherein said second (259) and the 3rd (258) optical connection apparatus comprises waveguide, each waveguide will be broadcasted the circulation output of coupler, or the output of the coupler that circulates accordingly, be connected to the input of circulation module, or corresponding wavelength is selected the circulation input of module.

20., wherein the output of circulation coupler (253) is connected to the input of wavelength circulation module (252) without any direct optical link (257) according to the device of claim 14.