Modular kit of devices for variable distribution, mixing and monitoring of optical signals in the internet and other networks
Modular kit of devices for variable distribution, mixing and monitoring of optical signals in the Internet and other networks is formed by an optical module interconnected with a control electronic module of the electronic system with two redundant power supply sources, which is subsequently interconnected with the communication computer module equipped with the user communication interface and the machine communication interface. Optical module has N optical inputs and M optical outputs where N and M are non-zero natural numbers, and in total the optical module contains N×M of 2×2 type Mach-Zender interferometer optical switching elements. Each of them has two optical inputs, two optical outputs and one electric input. Optical switching elements are mutually interconnected in a grid. Control electronic module is formed by N×M pulse-width modulators connected via an interface module to the communication computer module and to the power supply distribution block.
1. A modular set of devices for variable distribution, mixing and monitoring of optical signals of a network, comprising:
an optical module, comprising:
N optical inputs, where N is a non-zero natural number,
M optical outputs, where M is a non-zero natural number,
N×M optical switching elements,
wherein the optical switching elements are 2×2 Mach-Zehnder interferometric switching elements and each optical switching element includes two switching element optical inputs, two switching element optical outputs and one switching element electric input, and
wherein the N×M optical switching elements are arranged in a grid and each optical switching element is in communication with at least two other optical switching elements of the optical switching elements, and
a temperature sensor, arranged centrally in the grid of the N×M optical switching elements;
a control electronic module in communication with the optical module, comprising:
N×M pulse-width modulators, each having a pulse-width modulator output,
N×M voltage drivers, each having a voltage driver input and a voltage driver output, wherein
the voltage driver input is connected to one of the pulse-width modulator outputs, and
the voltage driver output is connected to one of the switching element electrical inputs,
an interface module,
a power supply distribution block connected to the N×M pulse-width modulators and the N×M voltage drivers, and
a temperature measuring circuit connected to the temperature sensor of the optical module;
a communication computer module in communication with the control electronic module, wherein the communication computer module is in communication with the N×M pulse width modulators via the interface module of the control electronic module;
a user communication interface module in communication with the communication computer module;
a machine communication interface module in communication with the communication computer module; and,
at least one power supply source configured to supply power to the control electronic module.
2. The modular set of claim 1 , wherein the optical module further comprises a thermoelectric regulator and the control electronic module further comprises a temperature stabilization circuit, and where the thermoelectric regulator and the temperature stabilization circuit are in communication.
3. The modular set of claim 1 , wherein the optical module is integrated into a photonic integrated circuit.
4. The modular set of claim 1 , wherein the pulse-width modulators are implemented in a single circuit in a gate array and where the gate array has a number of gate array outputs.
5. The modular set of claim 4 , wherein N×M is a number higher than the number of gate array outputs.
6. The modular set of claim 5 , wherein the gate array outputs have expanders and where the voltage driver inputs are connected to the pulse-width modulator outputs via the expanders.
7. The modular set of claim 1 , wherein the network is part of the Internet.