Abstract:
A module for routing packets of first and second optical signals comprising first and second inputs (A,B) for receiving the first and second optical signals and first and second outputs (C,D) for the optical signals. The module comprises optical switching means ( 8 ) for switching the first optical signal and the second optical signal to either one of the two outputs (C,D), and a correlator module ( 7 ). The correlator module comprises at least two optical correlators ( 9,10,11,12 ). The correlator module ( 7 ) is arranged to generate control signals for controlling the switching means ( 8 ) based on destination data in packets of the first and second signals such that if packets of the first and second optical signals overlap, the switching means directs the packet that was received first to the output (C,D) indicated by the destination data of that packet and the overlapping subsequent packet is directed to the other output (C,D) or blocked. A module is advantageous because there is no need to convert the optical signal to the electronic domain and packet contention is avoided without synchronisation or scheduling of the packets of the optical signals because, for overlapping packets, the packet that is received first is given priority with the later packet either sent to the other output, whether or not this is the correct output for the packet, or blocked.

Description:
This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/056610 filed 29 Jun. 2007, which designated the U.S. and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional No. 60/917,145 filed 10 May 2007, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention concerns a module for routing optical signals and a system and node comprising these modules. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to a module, system and node for routing optical signals that avoids the need for synchronisation and scheduling of optical packets of the optical signals. 
     Metro Ethernet and optical access networks are packet switched networks, allowing the multiplexing of traffic of several users, without preliminary resource allocation in the system. In these networks, although the transmission is optical, routing of the packets is carried out by electronic switches which require optical-to-electrical conversion of the optical signal. These switches form a bottleneck in the network. 
     It is desirable to provide optical routing of packets to remove the bottleneck. However, in order to avoid packet contention and packet loss, classical electrical switching solutions use input and output buffers and schedulers. Optical buffers and schedulers are difficult to realise because of the limited processing capability of optical components and lack of optical random access memory. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a module for routing packets of first and second optical signals comprising:—
         first and second inputs for receiving the first and second optical signals and first and second outputs for the optical signals,   optical switching means for switching the first optical signal and the second optical signal to either one of the two outputs,   a correlator module comprising at least two optical correlators, the correlator module arranged to generate control signals for controlling the switching means based on destination data in packets of the first and second signals such that if packets of the first and second optical signals overlap, the switching means directs the packet that was received first to the output indicated by the destination data of that packet and the overlapping subsequent packet is directed to the other output or blocked.       

     It will be understood that the meaning of the term “module” as used herein is not intended to be limited to a self-contained unit, but the module could also be part of a larger more complex structure. 
     A module according to the invention is advantageous because there is no need to convert the optical signal to the electronic domain. In this way, delays resulting from the routing may be reduced. Furthermore, packet contention can be avoided without synchronisation or scheduling of the packets of the optical signals because, for overlapping packets, the packet that is received first is given priority with the later packet either sent to the other output, whether or not this is the correct output for the packet, or blocked. 
     It will be understood that “optical switching means” means a device that can route optical signals to one of at least two outputs without converting the optical signals to an electronic signal, i.e. switching is carried out in the photonic domain. 
     In one arrangement, the optical switching means comprises a first optical switch and a second optical switch, the first optical switch arranged to direct packets of the first optical signal to one of the first and second outputs and the second optical switch arranged to direct packets of the second optical signal to one of the first and second outputs. 
     It will be understood that “optical switch” as used herein means a device that can direct one optical signal from an input to one of at least two outputs without converting the optical signal to an electronic signal. 
     Optical switches are known. These are based on the principal that, in a non-linear material such as chalcogenide glasses, a light beam with sufficient intensity changes the optical properties of the material, which, in turn, affects another light beam propagating through the material causing this other light beam to change direction. 
     A similar effect can be achieved by active optical elements, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), where the self-induced gain modulation leads to strong non-linear transmittance. An example of such a device based on a SOA is described in “A novel and fast optical switch based on two cascaded Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexers” Bing C. Wang, Varghese Baby, Wilson Tong, Lei Xu, Michelle Friedman, Robert J. Runser, Ivan Glesk, Paul R. Prucnal, OPTOCS EXPRESS, Vol. 10. No. 1/page 15, 14 Jan. 2002. 
     Each optical switch may be a mono-stable switch that reverts back to an original condition after a preset period of time. A mono-stable switch is advantageous as it avoids the need for additional circuitry to make the switch revert to its original condition. However, in an alternative arrangement, the optical switches are bi-stable and the module further comprises electronic circuitry that causes the bi-stable optical switch to revert back to an original condition after a preset period of time. The preset period of time may be the maximum allowed length for a packet in a network in which the module is to be incorporated. In this way, the switch remains in the required condition until the packet has been transmitted no matter how long the packet is. 
     The correlator module may be arranged to generate control signals to cause the optical switches to direct one of the first and second signals to one of the outputs and the other of the first and second switches to the other output when overlapping packets are received. The correlator module is arranged to output such control signals regardless of whether or not the later received packet of the overlapping packets is meant to be routed to the other output. 
     Each correlator of the correlator module may compare destination data in packets received at one of the inputs to an expected bit pattern associated with one of the output and generates a control signal if the destination data matches the expected bit pattern. 
     The correlator module may comprise, for each input, a set of correlators, one for each output, wherein the set of correlators comprises a correlator for comparing destination data of packets received at that input to an expected bit pattern associated with the first output and a further correlator for comparing destination data of packets received at that input to an expected bit pattern associated with the second output. 
     The control signals may be optical signals. 
     The correlator module may comprise a blocking switch that blocks a control signal generated by the correlators from reaching the optical switches if the control signal opposes a control signal generated as a result of an earlier (first) packet that is considered as being currently transmitted by the module. 
     A packet may be considered as currently being transmitted by the module if the time since receiving the packet is less than the maximum possible packet length of the network in which the module is to be incorporated. Alternatively, the module may be arranged to determine the actual transmission time for a packet, for example by determining the length of the packet, and the packet is considered as being currently transmitted for the actual time it takes the packet to be transmitted through the module. 
     The blocking switch may be switchable between two conditions, in one condition, the blocking switch blocks control signals that would cause the switching means to direct first optical signals to the second output and second optical signals to the first output and, in the other condition, the blocking switch allows control signals that cause the switching means to direct first optical signals to the second output and second optical signals to the second output to pass to the switching means. 
     The blocking switch may be held in each condition for the maximum possible packet length of the network in which the module is to be incorporated before the blocking switch can be switched to the other condition. 
     The switching means may be connected to the first and second outputs by optical links and the optical links for directing the first optical signal to the second outlet and the second optical signal to the first outlet delay the signals transmitted therein relative to the optical links directing the first optical signal to the first outlet and the second optical signal to the second outlet. 
     The delay may be equal to the maximum possible packet length of the network in which the module is incorporated. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a module for routing packets of first and second optical signals comprising:—
         first and second inputs for receiving the first and second optical signals and first and second outputs for the optical signals,   a first optical switch for switching the first optical signal to either one of the two outputs and a second optical switch for switching the second optical signal to either one of the two outputs, the optical switches connected to the outputs by optical links,   wherein the optical link that connects the first optical switch to the second output delays packets transmitted therein relative to the transmission of packets along the optical link that connects the second optical switch to the second output and the optical link that connects the second optical switch to the first output delays packets transmitted therein relative to the transmission of packets along the optical link that connects the first optical switch to the first output.       

     By having optical links that delay packets of the optical signals, it may be possible to switch overlapping packets to the same output without creating a contention. 
     Preferably, the relative delay in the optical links is equal to the maximum length of a packet. In this way, if overlapping packets are received at the inputs, these overlapping packets can be sent to the same output without causing a contention between the packets. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a switching system for routing optical signals in an optical network comprising a first for routing packets of first and second optical signals comprising first and second inputs for receiving first and second optical signals and optical switching means for switching the first optical signal and the second optical signal to either one of a first and a second input of a second module according to the second aspect of the invention, the second module arranged to route the first and second optical signals to one of first and second outputs. 
     A switching system according to the third aspect of the invention routes packets of the first and second optical signals to the desired output using the first module if there is no overlap between the packets. However, if there is an overlap between the packets, the first module directs the packet that is received first (the first packet) to the required output and any subsequently received, overlapping packet (the second packet) to the other output regardless whether or not this is the correct output. The second module, then directs the second packet to the desired output, contention with the first packet being avoided as the second packet is delayed in the second module. 
     In one embodiment, the first module is a module according to the first aspect of the invention. 
     It will be understood, that even though the second module prevents packet contention between the first and second packets, delay of the second packet could cause contention with a third packet received after the second packet. Therefore, in one arrangement, the node comprises one of more further modules according to the second aspect of the invention, these further modules concatenated with the each other and the first and second modules such that the outputs of all but the last module of the concatenation feeds into the input of the next module. Providing further modules further reduces the likelihood of a contention between packets. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a node comprising a modules according to the first or second aspect of the invention or a switching system of the third aspect of the invention in a Banyan or crossbar arrangement. 
     An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a module according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a module a according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a graph of link utilization vs. packet loss probability for different buffering solutions; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a module according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a switching system according to the invention comprising concatenated modules; 
         FIG. 6  is a graph of link utilisation vs. packet loss probability for systems according to the invention having different numbers of modules; 
         FIG. 7  is a series of switching systems according to the invention in a Banyan type arrangement; and 
         FIG. 8  is a series of switching systems according to the invention in a crossbar type arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a switching module according to an embodiment of the invention switches packets of first and second optical signals received at first and second inputs A and B respectively to first a second outputs C and D. Each packet comprises a header including destination data (a bit pattern) that indicates the destination for the packet. 
     The switching module comprises an optical coupler  5 , 6  for each input A,B. Each optical coupler  5 , 6  divides the incoming optical signal into three parts, directing two of the parts to a correlator module  7  and the other resultant optical signal to switching means  8 . 
     Switching means  8  comprises optical switches  16 , 17  controlled by control signals from correlator module  7 . Optical switch  16  can be switched between two conditions one directing the first optical signal to output C and the other directing the first optical signal to output D. Optical switch  17  can be switched between two conditions one directing the second optical signal to output D and the other directing the second optical signal to output C. In this embodiment, the optical switches are mono-stable, switching back to the original switching condition (i.e. wherein optical switch  16  directs the first optical signal to the first output C and optical switch  17  directs the second optical signal to the second output D) after a set period of time, typically a period long enough to allow a packet having the maximum allowed packet length to be switched therethrough. 
     However, in another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the optical switches are bi-stable switches that need an external trigger to revert back to its original state, wherein an electrical circuits  100 ,  101  are provided which restore the optical switches  16 , 17  back to the original switching condition. The electrical circuit  100 , 101  comprises a timer that after a time period restores the bistabile switch into the original state. The advantage of the bi-stabile switch is that the switching time can be adjusted more easily by adjusting the timer of the electrical circuits  100 , 101  whereas for monostable the switching time is usually not adjustable. 
     The correlator module  7  comprises four optical correlators  9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12 , optical correlators  9  and  10  receiving the first optical signal and optical correlators  11  and  12  receiving the second optical signal. 
     Optical correlators are well known and are used to compare two optical signals using an optical device with Fourier transforming properties (interferometers) or simply combining light intensities, such as a lens, mirror or waveguide. In this embodiment, optical correlators  9  and  12  compare the bit pattern of the destination data of the incoming packet to an expected bit pattern indicating that the packet should be routed to output C. Optical correlators  10  and  11  compare the bit pattern of the destination data of the incoming packet to an expected bit pattern indicating that the packet should be routed to output D. The optical correlators  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  generate control signals if the comparison reveals that the bit pattern of the destination data and the expected bit pattern is the same. 
     Each correlator is programmed by forwarding table signals  13 ,  13 ′,  14 ,  14 ′. The exact way the correlator is programmed will depend on the type of correlator. For example, if the correlator comprises mirrors, the forwarding table signals  13 ,  13 ′,  14 ,  14 ′ will cause the distance between the lens, mirrors or the length of the waveguide to change so as to change the light path in one arm of the correlator. In this way, the correlators can be reprogrammed if the expected bit pattern associated with an output C, D changes. 
     The correlator module  7  further comprises a blocking switch  15 . Control signals generated by correlators  9  and  11  are coupled together by optical coupler  18  which then directs the control signal to blocking switch  15 . Control signals generated by correlators  10  and  12  are coupled together by optical coupler  19  which then directs the control signal to blocking switch  15 . 
     Blocking switch  15  is an optical switch that allows or blocks the control signals from correlators  10  and  12  to pass therethrough to optical switches  16 ,  17  of switching means  18 . Switching of the blocking switch  15  is controlled by the control signals generated by correlators  9  and  11 . 
     The blocking switch  15  is a mono-stable optical switch that in its normal condition allows control signals from correlators  10  and  12  to pass therethrough to switches  16 , 17  but can be switched to another condition in which it blocks control signals from correlators  10  and  12  in response to the received control signals from correlators  9  and  11 . On being switched from its normal condition, the switch  15  is held in that condition for the maximum possible length of a packet after which it reverts back to its normal position. It will be understood that in an alternative embodiment, the optical blocking switch  15  is a bi-stable switch that is caused to revert back to the normal position by electronic circuitry (like the optical switches  16 , 17  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     When a control signal from correlators  10  or  12  reaches optical switches  16 , 17 , it causes optical switch  16  to direct the first optical signal to output D and optical switch  17  to direct the second optical signal to output C. 
     In this embodiment, blocking switch  15  is the same type of switch as optical switches  16  and  17  but with one output port blocked. If there is no control signal from correlator  9  or  11 , any control signal from correlator  10  or  12  passes to the unblocked output, whereas when the blocking switch  15  is switched from its normal condition, any control signal from correlator  10  or  12  passes to the blocked output. 
     In operation, a first packet is received at input A or B. This packet is divided into three identical parts by optical coupler  5  or  6 . One part is directed to optical switch  16 , 17 , another part is directed to correlator  9 ,  11  and the final part is directed to correlator  10 , 12 . 
     Correlator  9 , 12  compares destination data in the header of the first packet to a bit pattern (address) corresponding to output C and correlator  10 , 11  compares the header of the first packet to a bit pattern (address) corresponding to output D. If the destination data matches the bit pattern associated with output C, the correlator  9 , 12  generates a control signal, whereas if the destination data matches the bit pattern associated with output D, correlator  10 , 11  generates a control signal. 
     If the first packet causes a control signal to be generated by correlator  9  or  11 , this control signal causes blocking switch  15  to switch to a condition blocking control signals from the correlators  10  and  12 . The optical switches  16 , 17  remain in the original condition and direct the first packet to output C if it is received at input A and to output D if it is received at input B. If the first packet causes a control signal to be generated by correlators  10  and  12  then these are allowed to pass through the blocking switch to optical switches  16 , 17  and cause the optical switches  16 , 17  to direct the first packet to output D if it is received at input A and to output C if it is received at input B. 
     If a second packet is received at the other input A,B after the first packet but during transmission of the first packet (an overlapping packet), this packet is divided into three identical parts by optical coupler  5  or  6  and sent to the other optical correlators  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12  and the other optical switch  16 , 17 . In a similar manner as for the first packet, the optical correlators  9 ,  11  and  10 , 12  compare the destination data of the second packet to the bit patterns for the outputs C,D and generate a control signal dependent on which bit pattern the destination data matches. This control signal is sent to blocking switch  15 . 
     If the destination data of the second packet indicates that the second packet should be routed to the opposite output to the first packet, then the control signal generated by the correlator either maintains the blocking switch  15  or optical switches  16 , 17  in the same condition. However, if the destination data of the second packet indicates that the second packet should be routed to the same output to the first output, then the generated control signal does not cause the optical switches to change condition because the blocking switch is held in its current condition for the maximum possible length of a packet or the control signal is blocked from reaching the optical switches  16 , 17  by blocking switch  15 . 
     The operation of the module ensures that for overlapping packets, the packet that arrives first at the input of the switching module is always switched to the desired output C,D and a later packet is switched to the desired output if it does not collide with the first packet, otherwise the later packet is switched to the other output C,D. The advantage of the module, is that the module can handle packets that arrive in any order whilst avoiding collisions between packets. There is no need for the synchronisation and scheduling of packets, which would introduce additional complexity into an optical network. 
     If the second packet has a length that extends beyond an end of the first packet, cutting of the tail of the second packet can occur. This could be avoided with the introduction of further elements to the module but in the preferred embodiment such additional logic is avoided to reduce complexity. The module saves those packets that fit in the time frame of the switching time of the module, the packets that are cut being lost. There will be an optimum switching time that reduces the packet loss due to cutting of packets. It is believed that for most systems this is the maximum possible packet length or may be a bit longer. 
     In an alternative embodiment, rather than directing the overlapping, colliding packet to the opposite output C,D to the desired destination, the packet may be blocked by the module and have to be sent at a later time. 
     The probability of packets overlapping depends on the utilisation of an optical link. This is shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the calculated probability of a lost packet is shown for different buffering solutions in a 2×2 switching element (packets are assumed lost if they arrive overlapped at the inputs of the switching element). In these simple calculations asynchronous packet arrival with uniform distribution and fixed packet size were assumed. The packet arrival rates were the same for both inputs.  FIG. 3  shows graphs for a bufferless switch, and for switches having different input buffer arrangements, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Input buffer  1  represents a switched delay line with fixed length. Input buffer  2  represents a buffer that is read out if an output is free, otherwise the packet is stored for an additional time period. The other buffering arrangements consist of combinations of these two basic buffering arrangements at the inputs and/or outputs of the 2×2 switch. 
     As can be seen from the Figure, without a buffer, or using a one a packet long buffer, accepatable packet loss probability can be achieved only at very low link utilisation. Using 3-4 packet long buffers with multiple readout possibility, the packet collision probability can be decreased below 10 −6 . These results are expected to be worse when traffic arrives in bursts. 
     The switching module described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , correspond to the scenario wherein there is no buffer. Accordingly, using a single module on its own can only achieve acceptable packet loss ratio when there is very low link utilisation. 
     To decrease the packet loss ratio, the module described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  can be concatenated with a module that will now be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The module of  FIG. 4  is similar to the module of  FIG. 1  with the same parts being given the same reference numerals. However, this module differs in that optical lines  25 , 26  linking optical switch  16  to output D and optical switch  17  to output C are provided with a delay line  27 , 28 . In this embodiment, the length of the delay line  27 , 28  is the maximum possible packet length. As a consequence of the delay lines  27 , 28 , the switching times of the optical switches  16 , 17  has to be longer, typically the propagation time for a packet along the optical lines  25 , 26 . The timing and switching times should be aligned correctly. 
       FIG. 5  shows a switching system wherein one or more of the modules  201  shown in  FIG. 4  are concatenated with the module  200  shown in Figures  1  or  2 , such that the second or higher stage modules  201  switch those packets to the desired output that it was not possible to switch with the first module. Collisions of these packets are avoided because the delay lines  27 , 28  in modules  201  delay the packets. The probability of a contention and therefore packet loss decreases rapidly with the number of stages. This is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     To achieve an acceptable packet loss ratio (e.g. 10 −6  for a typical network) 3-4 stages can be used. 
     An advantage of the system of  FIG. 6  is that that system consists of a chain of similar modules that can be fabricated in large quantities. 
     Note that contention does not need to be treated separately for each module/system but it is possible to apply the principle of deflection routing, which means that if contention occurs in a module/system resulting in a packet not being switched to the desired output but to the other output, it may be possible to route this packet to the desired destination in using another module/system in a optical network. 
     It is common for nodes in an optical network to comprise a Banyan or crossbar type switch as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , respectively. Such nodes can be built using modules and/or systems of the invention. 
     It will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the above-described embodiment but modifications and alterations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims.