Optical cross-connect (OXC)
Optical cross-connect (OXC) is a multi-functional OTN transmission device that combines multiplexing, wiring, protection/recovery, monitoring, and network management. OADM can be seen as a simplified function of the OXC structure.
Concept
For a general transmission network, OXC is not a necessary network element (for example, when the network topology is mainly a ring or a chain, and its protection and recovery scheme is also based on the ring network), its necessity and importance depend on the network. Factors such as size, planner's protection/recovery strategy, and requirements for network reliability. However, from the perspective of the entire transmission network, in order to provide the necessary flexible configuration capabilities of the network and the necessary protection/recovery functions with less redundancy (including lines and equipment), the OXC equipment must be configured in the network, and once in the network The OXC equipment is adopted, which is in the center of the network and becomes the core network element. The basic use of OXC in the network is to conduct automated business grooming with a focus on the network.
Characteristics
OXC is a device for fiber network nodes. It can flexibly and efficiently manage optical transmission networks by cross-connecting optical signals. It is an important means to achieve reliable network protection/recovery and automatic wiring and monitoring. OXC and DXC have the same role in the network, but the function and implementation are different. The main differences are: [1]
1. OXC is a cross-connection of optical signals, and DXC is a cross-connection of electrical signals.
2. OXC has a transparent transmission code format and bit rate, which can cross signals of different transmission code formats and different bit rate levels, with few device models. In theory, a device can cross-connect signals of various rates and formats of PDH (140 Mbit/s, 565 Mbit/s), SDH (155 Mbit/s, 622 Mbit/s, 2.5 Gbit/s) and ATM; DXC devices have different processing for different transmission code formats and different bit rate levels, so there are many different models, such as: DXC4/4, DXC4/1, DXC1/0, ATM-DXC, etc.
3. OXC cross capacity, cross-connect rate and access rate are high, cross-connect rate and access rate range are wide, from 140Mbit/s to 10Gbit/s, and the total cross-over capacity can reach (1~10) Tbit/s; DXC Limited by electronic components, the cross-connect rate and access rate currently do not exceed 622 Mbit/s, and the total cross-over capacity only reaches 40 Gbit/s.
4. OXC does not need clock synchronization and overhead processing; DXC must perform clock synchronization and overhead processing.
5, OXC is easy to upgrade the network, generally do not need to be replaced when the network is upgraded; DXC needs to be replaced when the network is upgraded.
6. OXC equipment has few models, few monitoring and maintenance parameters, and easy to standardize; DXC equipment has many models, many monitoring and maintenance parameters, and it is difficult to standardize.
7. OXC is suitable for cross-connection of high bit rate signals; DXC can handle signals in more detail and is suitable for cross-connection of low bit rate signals.
8, OXC is generally used to replace the existing optical main distribution frame; DXC is generally used to replace the existing digital distribution frame.
The Main Function
1. Provide a wavelength-based semi-permanent cross-connect function; [1]
2. Configure the wavelength channel to optimize the network fiber resources; [1]
3. When the network fails, quickly provide network reconfiguration; [1]
4. Optimize the network based on changes in business volume; [1]
5. Try to allow operators to freely use various signal formats (ie, keep the network as transparent as possible).
Application in the network
OXC and fiber form an all-optical network with all-optical signals in the network. The DXC is connected to the local switch. Most of the traffic through the network nodes does not have to pass DXC, cross-connecting only through OXC, reducing the need for DXC capacity and complexity. When the cable is interrupted or the node fails, the OXC automatically completes the operations such as fault isolation, re-routing, and reconfiguration of the network, so that the transmission service is not interrupted. When business development requires adjustments to the network structure, OXC can complete network scheduling and upgrades simply and quickly. [1]
Because OXC has a lot of flexibility. Therefore, it can be used not only for the local network but also for long-distance transmission networks. The topology of the network can also be varied. Commonly used network topologies are star, tree, ring, bus, and so on.
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