JPH09152571A - Optical connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical crossbar. SOLUTION: Plural optical transmission lines 11-1 having wedgelike grooves 110 formed at intervals d2 are arranged on a 1st plane at intervals d1 and plural optical paths 11-2 having wedgelike grooves 110 formed at intervals d1 are arranged on a 2nd plane parallel to the 1st plane at intervals d2 crossing the array direction of the optical transmission lines 11-1 so that the slanting surfaces 112 of the wedgelike grooves 110 face each other between the optical transmission lines 11-1 and 11-2. Each time a light signal 13a transmitted by an optical transmission line 11-1 passes through a groove 110, part of it is reflected downward by the slanting surface 112 of the groove 110 as a light signal 13a. The light signal 13a passes through an LCD provided on the side of the groove 110 of the opposite optical transmission line 11-1 or 11-2 when the LCD is in a light passing state and is transmitted to the groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-2, and the light has its course changed by the slanting surface 112 of the groove 110 and is transmitted through the optical transmission line 11-2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connecting device for optically making a one-to-one or one-to-many connection per input point for a plurality of devices and a plurality of other devices. In particular, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)
The present invention relates to an optical connection device suitable for statically or dynamically changing the connection of a parallel computer, a switch, or the like, and optically making a one-to-one or one-to-many connection per input point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many-to-many connection of a plurality of signal lines is
For example, in the case of a parallel computer or an exchange, it was realized by an electric method such as a crossbar switch using a transistor or a Banyan net. Also, FPG
When connecting multiple A, FPIC (Field Programmable
interconnection circuit) was used a type of crossbar switch called.

In addition, in an example in which an optical method is applied, a fixed mirror for fixedly distributing one optical signal to a plurality of other light receiving elements by using a spherical mirror or a mirror curved on an aspherical surface. A (static) connection method was known. This connection method is
It was often used in connections between neurons in neural networks.

[0004]

However, for example, the above-mentioned F
In the PIC, since a plurality of pass transistors are connected to one line, the transistor becomes a large parasitic capacitance and causes a large delay. In particular, when the fanout of the circuit is large, there is a problem that the delay becomes large depending on the route and the performance of the entire circuit is significantly deteriorated.

Further, a crossbar switch used in, for example, a parallel computer, (1) generates a large amount of heat when a dynamic connection changes, and (2) limits the size of a silicon wafer and the yield, thereby making it a single chip. There was also a problem that the number of connections that can be realized with is small.

Further, the connection by the conventional optical method is
Since it is a fixed (static) connection, there is a problem that dynamic connection cannot be performed. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize an optical crossbar, which results in a small delay, a small heat generation amount, and a relatively low price. One-to-one or one
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connecting device capable of connecting to many terminals. Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical connecting device which can dynamically make an optical connection.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a first optical transmission line for transmitting an optical signal incident on an optical signal input end, the wedge being provided along the traveling direction of the optical signal to be transmitted. -Shaped grooves are formed at a first interval, and the wedge-shaped grooves are constant with respect to the first surface perpendicular to the light traveling direction for passing the optical signal as it is and the first surface. A plurality of first optical transmission lines each having an angle and a second surface for transmitting the optical signal and reflecting a part of the optical signal are arranged on the first plane in the first direction at a second interval. On the other hand, a second optical transmission line for transmitting an optical signal to the optical signal output end, which is similar to the wedge-shaped groove in the first optical transmission line along the traveling direction of the optical signal to be transmitted. The second optical transmission line in which the wedge-shaped groove of the structure is formed at the second interval is parallel to the first plane. A plurality of planes are arranged on the second plane at the first distance in the second direction different from the first direction and between the first and second optical transmission lines so that the second surfaces face each other. An optical switch means for passing / blocking an optical signal between each wedge-shaped groove of the first optical transmission line and the wedge-shaped groove of the second optical transmission line corresponding to each wedge-shaped groove. By respectively providing the first and second wedge-shaped groove second grooves corresponding to the optical switch means set to the light passing state.
The optical connection device is characterized in that the first and the second optical transmission lines are optically connected via the surface.

Further, according to the present invention, the optical connection device having the above-mentioned configuration controls the switching of the states of the respective optical switch means, whereby the optical signal input ends of the respective first optical transmission lines and the respective second optical transmission lines. It is also characterized in that it further comprises an optical switch state setting means for changing the connection state between the optical transmission line and the optical signal output end.

According to the present invention, each of the above optical switch means is provided on the side of the first or second optical transmission line, and between the optical switch means and the corresponding wedge-shaped groove of the second or first optical transmission line. It is also characterized in that a condenser lens is provided.

In the optical connecting device having the above-mentioned configuration, the optical signal entering from the outside to the optical signal input end of the one first optical transmission line on the first plane is transmitted through the first optical transmission line. Each time it passes through the wedge-shaped groove, a part thereof is reflected by the second surface of the wedge-shaped groove in another direction (for example, a direction perpendicular to the first plane). Of the reflected light from each of the wedge-shaped grooves on the first optical transmission line, only the reflected light that enters the optical switch means set to the light passing state passes through the optical switch means and is wedge-shaped. Reflective surface of groove (second surface)
Light into the wedge-shaped groove of the second optical transmission line on the second plane opposite to and is reflected (in the second direction) by the second surface of the wedge-shaped groove, and the first light The signal is transmitted through the second optical transmission line through the route opposite to that in the wedge-shaped groove of the transmission line, and is transmitted from the optical signal output end to the outside.

As described above, according to the optical connecting device having the above structure, the second surfaces of the wedge-shaped grooves of the first and second optical transmission lines corresponding to the optical switch means set to the light passing state are interposed. By coupling (connecting) the first and second optical transmission lines, the optical signal entering from the outside to the optical signal input end of the first optical transmission line is transmitted through the coupling portion to the second optical transmission line. To the optical signal output end by the second optical transmission line, and therefore, one to one or one per input point.
Multipoint optical connection can be realized. In this optical connection, the delay of signal transmission is extremely small, and the delay does not increase even if the number of fanouts increases, so that a large-scale connection device can be easily realized. Further, since the first and second optical transmission lines can be formed by using the same material as the optical fiber, it can be realized at a relatively low cost.

Further, in the optical connecting device having the above-mentioned structure, by providing the optical switch state setting means, the switching setting of the state (light passing / blocking state) of each optical switch means can be arbitrarily performed, so that the optical connection is switched. While
It is possible to dynamically change the connection state between the optical signal input end of each first optical transmission line and the optical signal output end of each second optical transmission line. Moreover, since the connection is optically switched, the amount of heat generated can be small even when the connection dynamically changes.

Further, in the optical connecting device having the above-mentioned structure, the light (reflected light) whose path is bent by the wedge-shaped groove of the first optical transmission line to the side of the wedge-shaped groove of the second optical transmission line is collected. By providing the lens that emits light, it becomes possible to efficiently transmit the light whose path is bent to the second optical transmission line side.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A case in which an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an exchange will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an exchange equipped with an optical connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of (four in the figure) optical transmission lines 11-1 are arranged at regular intervals in the first direction so as to form a plane 12-1. A plurality of (four in the figure) optical transmission lines 11-2 are arranged on the lower side of the row of the optical transmission lines 11-1 so as to form a plane 12-2 parallel to the plane 12-1. 1
Are arranged at regular intervals in a second direction different from the direction (for example, a second direction orthogonal to the first direction). The optical transmission line 11-1 and the optical transmission line 11-2 have a plane 12-
Assuming that 1 and 12-2 are on the same plane, they are arranged in a grid,
One or a plurality of optical transmission lines 11-1
-2 selectively optically couples (connects) the optical signal 13 incident on the optical transmission line 11-1 to the optical transmission line 11-1.
An optical connection device (hereinafter, referred to as an optical crossbar switch) 1 for transmitting to one or a plurality of optical transmission lines 11-2 coupled to the optical transmission line 11-2 and propagating to the outside as an optical signal 14.
5 is constituted.

The structure of the optical transmission line 11-i (i = 1, 2) is shown in FIG. The optical transmission line 11-i shown in FIG. 2 is made of the same material as an optical fiber or the like, for example, a transparent material such as quartz glass that propagates light.
Wedge-shaped grooves 110 are formed in the optical transmission line 11-i along the transmission line 11-i (in the traveling direction of light) at regular intervals. The wedge-shaped groove 110 is a surface 111 perpendicular to the light traveling direction for allowing light to pass as it is.
And an inclined surface 112 for making a certain angle (45 degrees in the illustrated example) with respect to the vertical surface 111 and transmitting an optical signal and reflecting a part (a certain proportion) thereof. When an optical signal enters the inclined surface 112 from the outside, the inclined surface 112 keeps the optical signal in a direction opposite to that shown in the figure, that is, on the side of the vertical surface 111 that forms a pair with the inclined surface 112. Is reflected at a rate of.

FIG. 3 shows an optical transmission line 1 (forming a plane 12-1).
The positional relationship between the row 1-1 and the row of the optical transmission line 11-2 (forming the plane 12-2), and the propagation of light (optical signal) from the optical transmission line 11-1 to the optical transmission line 11-2 It is a figure for explaining a course.

First, as in the example of FIG. 3, the optical transmission line 11-1
When the rows of the optical transmission lines 11-2 are arranged so that the openings of the wedge-shaped grooves 110 are located on the lower surface side, the rows of the optical transmission lines 11-2 are arranged in the respective wedge-shaped grooves of the optical transmission line 11-2. The opening of 110 (the inclined surface 112) is the wedge-shaped groove 1 of each optical transmission line 11-1.
The optical transmission lines 11-1 are arranged on the lower side of the row so as to respectively face (the inclined surfaces 112 of) the openings 10. Therefore, the interval between the rows of the optical transmission lines 11-1 (the interval along the arrangement direction of the optical transmission lines 11-2) is set to the wedge-shaped groove 1 of the optical transmission line 11-2.
The optical transmission line 1 is matched with the interval of 10 (interval d1).
The intervals between the rows 1-2 (the intervals along the arrangement direction of the optical transmission lines 11-1) are matched with the intervals between the wedge-shaped grooves 110 of the optical transmission lines 11-1 (referred to as intervals d2). Here, for simplification, the spacing between the rows of the optical transmission line 11-1, the spacing between the rows of the optical transmission line 11-2, the spacing between the wedge-shaped grooves 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1, and the optical transmission line 11-2. It is assumed that the wedge-shaped grooves 110 have the same interval (d1 = d2).

In the above example of the positional relationship, each optical transmission line 11
-1 of both ends of the wedge-shaped groove 110 formed on the optical transmission line 11-1 on the side of the vertical surface 111 is used as an optical signal input end 113, and each end of the optical transmission line 11-2. Of the both ends, the wedge-shaped groove 11 formed in the optical transmission line 11-2.
The end of the vertical surface 111 side of 0 is used as the optical signal output end 114.

When the optical signal 13 enters the optical signal input terminal 113 of the optical transmission line 11-1, the optical signal 13 propagates through the optical transmission line 11-1. Wedge-shaped grooves 110 are formed at regular intervals on the optical transmission line 11-1.
A part of the optical signal 13 propagating through 1-1 is wedge-shaped groove 110.
Although the light passes through (the vertical surface 111 and the inclined surface 112 that form) as it is, the remaining part is reflected by the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 as the optical signal 13a. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 112 is 45 degrees. In this case, the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1
The direction of the optical signal 13a reflected by the optical transmission line 11-1 is perpendicular and downward to the traveling direction (the plane 12-1) of the optical signal 13 by the optical transmission line 11-1. It is guided to the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the opposing optical transmission line 11-2. The optical signal 13a guided to the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-2 is reflected by the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 toward the vertical surface 111 side of the wedge-shaped groove 110, and passes through the vertical surface 111. After that, the optical signal 14 is sent to the optical signal output end 114 of the optical transmission line 11-2 by the optical transmission line 11-2.
Is propagated as.

Now, with only the structure shown in FIG. 3, the optical signal 1 incident on the optical signal input end 113 of a certain optical transmission line 11-1 is received.
3 is insufficient to realize the function as the optical crossbar switch 15 that propagates the optical signal 3 to the optical signal output end 114 of the target optical transmission line 11-2 as the optical signal 14.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, at the openings of the respective wedge-shaped grooves 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1,
Optical switch means, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal element) 21 for passing / blocking the optical signal 13a reflected by the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 is provided so as to close the opening. It is assumed that the LCD 21 is substantially transparent in a normal state (inactive state) to which no voltage is applied, and becomes substantially opaque when activated by being applied with a voltage. Of course, the LCD 21 in which the activated / inactivated state and the transparent / opaque state have the opposite relationship may be used.

As described above, when the LCD 21 is provided at the opening of each wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1, each L
By switching the state (deactivated / activated state) of the CD 21, it is possible to control the passage / cutoff of the optical signal 13a reflected by the inclined surface 112 of each wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1. The crossbar switch 15 can be realized.

Such an optical crossbar switch 15
Can be realized in the same size as an LSI or the like by using the fine processing technology currently applied in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits.

In this embodiment, the optical transmission lines 11-1, 1
It is assumed that the structure has an air layer between the wedge-shaped grooves 110 of 1-2, but the structure is not limited to this, and the material of the optical transmission lines 11-1 and 11-2 (here, quartz glass). May have a structure in which a medium having a different refractive index and being transparent to light is filled.

In the example of FIG. 4, the LCD 21 for passing / blocking the optical signal 13a reflected by (the inclined surface 112 of) the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1, and the optical transmission line 11 are used.
-2 corresponding to the wedge-shaped groove 110, the LCD 2 concerned.
A lens (condensing lens) 22 that condenses the optical signal 13a that has passed through 1 is provided. By providing this condenser lens 22, it becomes possible to efficiently propagate the optical signal 13a that has passed through the LCD 21 to the corresponding wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-2. For this purpose, it is preferable to arrange the lens 22 at a position where its optical axis coincides with the center of the optical signal 13a reflected by (the inclined surface 112 of) the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the optical transmission line 11-2
An LCD 21 is provided on each wedge-shaped groove 110 side of the optical transmission line 11-2 and the corresponding wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1 on the wedge-shaped groove 110 side (not shown in FIG. 5).
A condenser lens 22 may be provided between and.

By the way, the optical signal 13 to be connected in a one-to-one or one-to-many connection is externally transmitted to the exchange shown in FIG. 1 having the optical crossbar switch 15 having the structure described above. This optical signal 13 includes route information necessary for (information transmission by) one-to-one or one-to-many connection.

The optical signal 13 transmitted from the outside to the exchange shown in FIG. 1 is guided to the optical signal input end 113 of one optical transmission line 11-1 in the optical crossbar switch 15, and the electrical / optical converter 16 is also provided. Be led to. The electric / optical converter 16 converts the optical signal 13 into an electric signal.

The electrical signal converted by the electrical / optical converter 16 is guided to the route information detection circuit 17. The route information detection circuit 17 detects route information (header information) necessary for information transmission from this electric signal and passes it to the route setting circuit 18.
Based on this route information, the route setting circuit 18 makes a state (inactivation / deactivation) of each LCD 21 (in the optical crossbar switch 15) for one-to-one or one-to-many connection indicated by the route information. Generate a control signal to switch the activation state,
Controls each LCD 21 (actually, another optical transmission line 11
The control for one-to-one or one-to-many connection for another optical signal that simultaneously enters -1 is also performed).

Then, the optical transmission line 11-1 into which the optical signal 13 is input is optically coupled to one or a plurality of optical transmission lines 11-2 indicated by the route information. As a result, the optical transmission line 1
The optical signal 13 on 1-1 is propagated to the outside as an optical signal 14 by one or a plurality of optical transmission lines coupled to the optical transmission line 11-1.

In the above embodiment, the optical transmission line 11-1 is used.
The case where the angle of the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 is 45 degrees and a part of the optical signal propagated through the optical transmission line 11-1 is reflected in the direction perpendicular to the plane 12-1 has been described. As the inclined surface 112 other than 45 degrees, the flat surface 12
The reflection may be performed in an oblique direction with respect to -1. However, it is necessary to set the angle of the inclined surface 112 of the wedge-shaped groove 110 on the optical transmission line 11-2 side so that the reflected light is propagated through the optical transmission line 11-2. Further, instead of the optical transmission paths 11-1 and 110-2 formed of rows of the wedge-shaped grooves 110, for example, a prism or the like that allows light to pass therethrough as it is along the traveling direction and reflects or refracts a part of the light to change its direction. It is also possible to use an optical transmission line consisting of a row of protrusions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where (the optical connection device of) the present invention is applied to the exchange has been described. However, in the one-to-one connection and the one-to-many connection per one input point in the FPGA or the parallel computer. Is also applicable.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, 1
Since one-to-one or one-to-many optical connection can be realized for each input point, the delay of signal transmission is extremely small, and the delay does not increase even if the number of fanouts increases, facilitating large-scale connection device. realizable. Further, since the same material as that of the optical fiber can be used for the optical transmission line, it can be realized at a relatively low cost.

Further, according to the present invention, the optical connection can be dynamically switched through the wedge-shaped groove between the first optical transmission line and the second optical transmission line, and the optical connection can be made. Since the switching is performed, the amount of heat generated can be small even when the connection dynamically changes.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a lens for condensing light (reflected light) whose course is bent in the wedge-shaped groove of the first optical transmission line to the side of the wedge-shaped groove of the second optical transmission line. By providing the light, the light whose path is bent can be efficiently transmitted to the second optical transmission path side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an exchange equipped with an optical connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an optical transmission line 11-i (i = 1, 1 in the same embodiment;
The figure which shows the structure of 2).

FIG. 3 is a positional relationship between a row of optical transmission lines 11-1 and a row of optical transmission lines 11-2 in the same embodiment, and a light (optical signal from the optical transmission line 11-1 to the optical transmission line 11-2). 2) is a diagram for explaining a propagation path.

FIG. 4 shows an LCD 21 provided on the opening side of each wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-1, and a condenser lens 22 provided between the LCD 21 and the wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-2. FIG.

FIG. 5 is opposite to FIG. 4, and an LCD 21 is provided on the opening side of each wedge-shaped groove 110 of the optical transmission line 11-2, and the LCD 21 is provided.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a condenser lens 22 is provided between the optical fiber 21 and the wedge-shaped groove 110 (not shown in FIG. 5) of the optical transmission line 11-1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11-1 ... Optical transmission line (first optical transmission line), 11-2 ... Optical transmission line (second optical transmission line), 12-1 ... Plane (first plane), 12-2 ... Plane ( Second plane), 13, 13a, 14 ... Optical signal, 15 ... Optical crossbar switch (optical connection device), 16 ... Electric / optical converter, 17 ... Path information detection circuit, 18 ... Path setting circuit ( Optical switch state setting means), 21 ... LCD (liquid crystal element, optical switch means), 22 ... Condensing lens, 110 ... Wedge-shaped groove, 111 ... Vertical surface (first surface), 112 ... Inclined surface (second surface) Surface), 113 ... Optical signal input end, 114 ... Optical signal output end.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first optical transmission line for transmitting an optical signal incident on an optical signal input end, wherein a wedge-shaped groove has a first interval along a traveling direction of the optical signal to be transmitted. And the wedge-shaped groove is formed with
A first optical transmission line formed of a second surface for transmitting a part of the optical signal and reflecting a part thereof with respect to the surface of A second optical transmission line for transmitting an optical signal to an optical signal output end while providing a plurality of optical fibers at a second interval, wherein the wedge-shaped groove is provided along the traveling direction of the optical signal to be transmitted. 2 are formed at intervals and the wedge-shaped grooves are
A first surface perpendicular to the light traveling direction for passing the optical signal as it is, and a part of the optical signal entering at a certain angle with respect to the first surface, which is part of the first surface side. A second optical transmission line formed of a second surface for reflecting the first surface on a second plane parallel to the first plane in a second direction different from the first direction. And a plurality of the wedge-shaped grooves and the wedge-shaped grooves of the first optical transmission path are arranged at the first interval so that the second surfaces face each other between the second optical transmission paths. Between the wedge-shaped groove of the second optical transmission line corresponding to
By providing the optical switch means for passing / blocking the optical signal, respectively, the wedge-shaped grooves of the first and second optical transmission lines corresponding to the optical switch means set to the light passing state are provided. The first and second optical transmission lines are optically connected via the second surface, and the optical signal incident on the optical signal input end of the first optical transmission line is the optical signal of the second optical transmission line. An optical connection device characterized in that it is propagated to an output end of an optical signal. 2. By controlling the switching of the states of the respective optical switch means, between the optical signal input end of each of the first optical transmission lines and the optical signal output end of each of the second optical transmission lines. The optical connection device according to claim 1, further comprising optical switch state setting means for changing the connection state. 3. The optical switch means is provided on the first optical transmission line side, and the optical switch means and the second optical switch means are provided.
The optical signal reflected by the second surface of the corresponding wedge-shaped groove of the first optical transmission path and passing through the optical switch means between the optical signal and the corresponding wedge-shaped groove of the optical transmission path. The optical connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens for 4. The optical switch means is provided on the second optical transmission line side, and the optical switch means and the first optical switch means are provided.
Optical signal reflected by the second surface of the corresponding wedge-shaped groove of the first optical transmission path is condensed between the corresponding optical switch means and the corresponding wedge-shaped groove of the optical transmission path of the first optical transmission means. The optical connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens for