System and method for safely operating optical components and optical switches

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for safely operating an optical component and an optical switch for safely using an optical component with an external light source and an optical module optically coupled. The system includes an external light source module that emits a continuous wave laser through an output port. An optical module with an input port and a memory. The optical module generates a modulated optical signal. The memory stores the power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module. An optical jumper is used to couple the output port and the input port. A communication bus couples a controller and the external light source module. The controller sets the external light source at a low power level, and when the stored power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module exceeds a predetermined level, the external light source is transitioned to a high power level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical signal generation systems and, more particularly, to a routine for controlling an external light source during power-up to limit laser emission power, thereby preventing an operator from being exposed to full laser emission. Background Art

[0002] Optical systems are used for high-speed data transmission, such as switches for data or telephone communications. For example, an optical switch can route optical signals from optical fiber cables that are sent and received by networked devices. Optical signals are faster and have a larger bandwidth than known cables. Optical switches are based on co-packaged optical components, which include a high-density organic substrate, a switch integrated circuit, and an optical module. Each optical module has three fiber arrays, one of which transmits optical signals, a second receives optical signals, and a third is optically connected to an external light source module. The external light source module emits a continuous wave laser output signal and serves as an optical driver for the optical module. The continuous wave laser output signal is provided to the optical module via an optical fiber, one end of which is connected to the external light source module and the other end is connected to the optical module. The continuous wave laser signal is modulated by the optical module to carry the optical signal.

[0003] External light modules are usually based on standardized QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable-Double Density) and OSFP (Octal Small Form factor Pluggable) packages, which are pluggable and can be installed in the front panel of the optical switch. With this pluggable module design, the external light module can be powered and managed through an electrical port that can be connected to the corresponding connector on the QSFP-DD or OSFP in the panel. However, this method has potential laser safety concerns when the emitted continuous wave laser is visible from the panel. The optical power of the full-power laser signal is extremely large (e.g., +20 to +25 decibel milliwatts (dBm)). Therefore, when the external light module is enabled, the high optical power during system interaction may cause eye safety issues. If the fiber optic cable is not securely connected to the optical module and the external light module is triggered, the resulting output laser may cause potential damage to the operator's eyes.

[0004] One solution to this problem is a hardware optical assembly that integrates the optical module and the external light source module, with both the optical port and the electrical port oriented inward from the panel. This common packaging system avoids the use of optical jumpers and prevents the human eye from being directly exposed to high light. However, this packaging design is costly and difficult for manufacturers because it requires the design of a new package and it is impossible to make this assembly fit into the standard package socket on the existing optical switch.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a routine to reduce the laser power from an external light source module when operating with a respective optical module. There is also a need for firmware executed by a controller that allows the external light source module to use an existing standard package without risking accidental exposure to laser emission. There is also a need for a routine to limit the power of the external light source until a continuous wave laser is positively coupled to the optical module for operation. Summary of the invention

[0006] The disclosed example is a system for safely operating an optical component, the system comprising: an external light source module that emits a continuous wave laser signal through an output port; an optical module having an input port and a memory, the optical module generating a modulated light signal, the memory storing the power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module; an optical jumper for coupling the output port and the input port; a controller that sets the external light source module to a low power level and transitions the external light source module to a high power level when the stored power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module exceeds a predetermined level; and a communication bus that couples the controller and the external light source module so that the controller can set the power level of the external light source module.

[0007] In another embodiment of the disclosed exemplary system, the external light source module includes a standard packaging housing that can be plugged into a front panel socket in the optical switch. In another embodiment, if the optical jumper actually connects the output port to the input port, the predetermined level is the expected input power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module. In another embodiment, the memory is an electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In another embodiment, the low power level is the power level at which the continuous wave laser signal is not harmful to the human eye. In another embodiment, the communication bus is an inter-integrated circuit bus (I2C) bus, and the controller sends a control signal to the external light source module via the communication bus to set the power of the continuous wave laser signal. In another embodiment, the system includes a second communication bus located between the controller and the optical module. The controller receives the stored power level from the memory via the second communication bus.

[0008] Another disclosed embodiment is a method for safely using an external light source module, the external light source module transmitting a continuous wave laser signal to an optical module, and the optical module generating a modulated light signal. The continuous wave laser signal emitted by the external light source module is set at a low power level. The continuous wave laser signal from the external light source module is received by the optical module through the optical module. The power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module is determined. The received power is compared with a predetermined power level via a controller. If the received power exceeds the predetermined power level, the power of the continuous wave laser signal is changed to a high power.

[0009] In another embodiment of the disclosed exemplary method, the predetermined power level and the determined power received from the optical module are stored in a memory of the optical module. In another embodiment, the memory is an electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) accessible by the controller. In another embodiment, the external light source module includes a pluggable standard packaging housing. In another embodiment, if the optical jumper actually couples the continuous wave laser signal to the optical module, the predetermined power level is the input power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module. In another embodiment, the low power level is the power level at which the continuous wave laser signal is not harmful to human eyes.

[0010] Another example disclosed is an optical switch, comprising: an optical module for generating a modulated optical signal, the optical module having an optical input for receiving a continuous wave laser signal; an external light source module for emitting a continuous wave laser signal, the continuous wave laser signal being optically coupled to the optical input of the optical module; and a controller coupled to the optical module and the external light source module. The controller first controls the power of the continuous wave laser signal to a low level where it does not hurt the human eye. The controller determines whether the power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module at a low level does not exceed a predetermined power level to indicate that the laser beam is indeed coupled to the optical module. The controller increases the power of the continuous wave laser signal to a high level so that the optical module can transmit the modulated optical signal.

[0011] In another embodiment of the disclosed exemplary optical switch, the controller is a central processing unit (CPU). In another embodiment, the external light source module is one of a plurality of external light source modules, and the optical module is one of a plurality of optical modules. In another embodiment, the optical switch has a panel including a socket. The external light source module includes a pluggable standard packaging housing. In another embodiment, the optical module includes a memory that stores a predetermined power level and a power determined to be received from the optical module. In another embodiment, the controller is coupled to the external light source module via an I2C bus and coupled to the optical module via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus.

[0012] The above summary of the invention is not intended to represent every embodiment or every viewpoint of the present disclosure. On the contrary, the foregoing summary of the invention only provides examples of certain novel concepts and features listed here. The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be immediately apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for implementing the present invention when associated with the accompanying drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present disclosure will be better understood from the following illustrative embodiments with accompanying drawings. In addition, it should be understood that in the flowchart of the present disclosure, the execution order of each block can be changed, and / or some blocks can be changed, deleted or merged.

[0014] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an optical switch containing an optical assembly having routine-based firmware to prevent accidental high-power laser emission.

[0015] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A block diagram of one of the example laser assemblies shown in FIG.

[0016] Figure 2 is to prevent Figure 1B State diagram for an example routine in which the External Light Source module in LASER emits at full power.

[0017] Figures 3A-3D The example routine is used to start Figure 1B Part of the register data table for the external light source module.

[0018] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a routine for providing high power to an external light source only when a laser signal is positively received from an optical module.

[0019] Figure 5 It corresponds to Figure 4 Example state diagram for the example routine in .

[0020] The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Certain representative embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the present disclosure encompasses all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0021]

Explanation of symbols

[0022] 100:Optical switch

[0023] 110: Chassis

[0024] 112: Circuit Board

[0025] 114: Controller

[0026] 116: Optical module

[0027] 118: External light source module

[0028] 120: Panel

[0029] 122: Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)

[0030] 130:Optical jumper

[0031] 132: Continuous wave laser output port

[0032] 134: Fiber Array Port

[0033] 136, 136: bus

[0034] 150:Silicon Photonic Chip

[0035] 152: Memory

[0036] 154: Controller

[0037] 156:Firmware

[0038] 160: Fiber Array Receiving Port

[0039] 162: Fiber Array Transmission Port

[0040] 170: Controller

[0041] 172: Firmware

[0042] 210: Reset in progress status

[0043] 212: Status reset

[0044] 214: Manage initialization status

[0045] 216: Module low power state

[0046] 218: Laser safety initialization state

[0047] 220: Module power-off status

[0048] 222: Laser safety status

[0049] 224: Module power-on status

[0050] 226: Laser safety initialization state

[0051] 228: Module ready state

[0052] 230: Error status

[0053] 300: Table

[0054] 400:Procedure

[0055] 410-420: Block

[0056] 510: Status bar

[0057] 512: Low power state

[0058] 514: Laser safety initialization state

[0059] 516: Laser safety mode status

[0060] 518: Module power-on status

[0061] 520: High power mode state

[0062] 530-550: Behavior DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The present invention can be implemented in many different forms. Representative embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. The present disclosure is an example or illustration of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the broad viewpoints of the present disclosure to the illustrated embodiments. On this basis, elements and limitations disclosed in the abstract, content of the invention, and embodiments, but not explicitly listed in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims individually, collectively, implicitly, inferentially or otherwise. For the purpose of this detailed description, unless specifically denied, the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and the word "include" means "include without limitation". In addition, words that represent approximation, such as "about", "almost", "substantially", "approximately" and similar words, can be used here to mean "in", "near", "close to", "within the range of 3-5%" or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances", or any logical combination thereof.

[0064] The present disclosure provides a firmware routine for initializing an external light source module. For safety reasons, the external light source module prevents the emitted laser from being emitted at full power. The firmware routine controls the optical power of the external light source module during system initialization. The disclosed routine includes an optical power-uptraining loop. This function of the optical packaging system also includes a scenario in which the laser is automatically turned off when it is detected that the optical fiber connector from the external light source is disconnected from the optical module. The external light source module will only be adjusted to full power when the laser signal is actually received by the optical module, indicating that the optical connector is actually connected.

[0065] In laser safety mode, the routine reduces the optical power of the external light source module. The routine determines the continuous wave laser input power received from the optical module from a value stored in memory. When the laser input power is at the expected level indicating a positive optical connection, the routine controls the external light source to increase the continuous wave laser to full power. The firmware monitors and controls the external light source, and the optical module to ensure that the laser emission is not at full power until the optical signal is positively received by the optical module, indicating a positive connection of the fiber optic connector. This ensures that the eye is protected from accidental full power laser emission.

[0066] Figure 1A An example optical device is shown, in this example an optical switch 100. The optical switch 100 includes a housing 110 that houses supporting components such as power supplies, fans, memory devices, and controllers. The optical switch 100 routes optical signals transmitted and received by external network devices such as servers. The optical switch 100 is based on co-packaged optical components that manage the transmission and reception of optical signals.

[0067] The optical assembly includes a high-density organic substrate circuit board 112, a switch controller 114, and an optical module 116. In this example, there are sixteen optical modules 116 on the circuit board 112, which are arranged in four groups. In this example, the switch controller 114 is a central processing unit (CPU), but any suitable controller can be used, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Each optical module 116 has three fiber array ports located on the same side and facing outward. One of the fiber array ports transmits optical signals, while the second fiber array port receives optical signals. The third fiber array port is optically connected to an external light source module 118 to receive a continuous wave laser signal to drive the optical module 116. In this example, there are a total of eight external light source modules 118, each of which corresponds to two of the optical modules 116. The external light source modules 118 are mounted on a panel 120. The optical module 116 has electrical connection pins located on a side opposite to the side with the fiber array port and facing inward. The optical modules are placed near an ASIC 122 which contains switching logic to route signals between the optical modules through connection pins.

[0068] Each external light source module 118 is plugged into a corresponding socket on the panel 120 of the housing 110, and the socket supplies power to the external light source module 118. The external light source modules 118 are arranged in two rows on the panel 120. As will be described below, each external light source module 118 emits a continuous wave laser output signal. The laser output signals are provided to the respective optical modules 116 via the optical jumper 130. The optical jumper 130 has a series of channels (e.g., eight channels), one end of which is connected to the external light source module 118. The other end of the optical jumper 130 is connected to an optical splitter (not shown), which connects some channels of the optical jumper 130 to one of the fiber array ports of one of the optical modules 116, and connects other channels of the optical jumper 130 to another optical module 116. Thus, each external light source module 118 has an optical jumper 130, and the optical jumper 130 provides laser output signals to the respective two optical modules 116.

[0069] In this example, the external light source module 118 is a standard pluggable module that can be plugged into a corresponding socket in the panel 120 of the switch 100. The housing of the external light source module 118 in the example is a QSFP-DD and OSFP standard package type. Due to the design of this pluggable module, the external light source module 118 can be activated and managed by any of the eight QSFP-DD or OSFP sockets in the panel 120.

[0070] Figure 1B 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary laser emission system including the controller 114, the optical module 116 and the external light source module 118 in FIG. 1. In this example, the external light source module 118 is a high optical power provider, such as a laser emitter. The external light source module 118 includes a continuous wave laser output port 132, which emits a continuous laser output signal to one end of an optical jumper 130. The other end of the optical jumper 130 is connected to the optical fiber array port 134 of the optical module 116 through an optical splitter (not shown). The controller 114 exchanges signals with the external light source module 118 via a bus 136. In this example, the bus 136 is an inter-integrated circuit bus (I2C) bus, but any similar bus can be used. The controller 114 communicates with the optical module 116 via a bus 138. In this example, the bus 138 is a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, but any similar bus can be used.

[0071] The optical module 116 includes a silicon photonic chip 150, which converts a continuous wave laser signal from an external light source module 118 into a pulse modulated optical output signal. The optical module 116 also includes a memory 152 composed of registers, which provide status data for the optical system. The optical module 116 also includes a controller 154 that operates according to firmware 156. The optical module 116 also includes a fiber array receiving port 160 and a fiber array transmitting port 162. In this example, the controller 154 operates the silicon photonic chip 150 to modulate the optical output signal through the fiber array transmitting port 162 to transmit the optical signal. The external light source module 118 also includes a controller 170 and firmware 172 to control the power signal of the internal laser element that generates the continuous wave laser beam.

[0072] The controller 114 is a host that controls the emission power of the laser from the external light source module 118 and the pulse modulated light output from the light module 116. The controller 114 obtains status data from the external light source module 118 via the bus 136. In this example, the controller 114 performs a power-on routine for the external light source module 118 to ensure that the optical jumper 130 is securely connected before the laser beam is operated at full power.

[0073] The power-on routine executed by the controller 114 has three phases, namely, a laser safety mode, a power assessment phase, and a power-on phase. First, for eye protection, the firmware 172 of the external light source module 118 executes a laser safety mode to set the optical power output of the laser to a low optical power level. Next, the firmware 156 of the optical module 116 can feed back the continuous wave optical power reading received from the external light source module 118 through the memory image in the memory 152. Next, the firmware of the host system 114 executes an optical power-on training loop program to coordinate the external light source module 118 and the optical module 116 according to the start-up routine. Then, when the initialization state is completed and the low-power laser signal received by the optical module 116 is at the expected level, indicating the actual connection of the optical jumper 130, the loop will drive the external light source module 118 to set the laser to full power.

[0074] Figure 2 yes Figure 1B The optical system including the controller 114, the optical module 116 and the external light source module 118 is shown in the state diagram of the full power-up process. Figure 2In the figure, the rectangle represents a stable state, while the oval represents a transition state. All states of the optical system are reset by a reset signal whose value is true. After the state is reset, the system transitions to the resetting state 210. Then, the system enters the reset state 212. Then, the reset signal sent from the controller 114 to the light source module 118 is set to false. Then, the system transitions to the management initialization state 214. Management initialization ensures that the bus 136 (such as Figure 1B ) is actually operating, and signals can be communicated between the controller 114 and the external light module 118 via the bus 136. If the reset signal is true during the transition, the system returns to the reset in progress state 210. If the management initialization process is complete, the system moves to the module low power state 216.

[0075] When the system is in the module low power state 216, if the reset signal is true, the system transitions to the reset in progress state 210. If the low power signal is false during the low power state, the system transitions to the laser safety initialization state 218. In the laser safety state, the external light source module 118 uses a lower power to the laser emitter. If the low power signal is set to true during the transition to laser safety initialization, the system transitions to the module power off state 220. When the power off state is completed, the system transitions to the module low power state 216. When the laser safety initialization procedure is completed, the system transitions to the laser safety state 222.

[0076] When the system is in the Laser Safety State 222, if the Low Power signal is set to true, the system transitions to the Module Power Off State 220. If the Laser Safety signal is set to false, the system transitions to the Module Power On State 224 where the module is raised to full power. If during the transition, the Laser Safety signal is set to true, the system transitions to the Laser Safety Initialization State 226. When initialization is complete, the system is in the Laser Safety State 222. When module power on is complete, the system is in the Module Ready State 228. During the Module Ready State 228, if the Laser Safety signal is set to true, the system transitions to the Laser Safety Initialization State 226. If the Fault signal is set to true during the transition, the system transitions to the Laser Safety Initialization State 226. Figure 2 If any of the states in is set to true at any time, the system is set to an error state 230.

[0077] In this example, the Common Management Interface System (CMIS) version 4.0 management interface is used to set status signals such as reset signal, low power signal, error signal, laser safety signal, etc. In the state diagram, the laser safety state 222 in the laser safety mode is embedded Figure 1B The laser safety mode is executed by the external light source module state machine in the laser safety state 222. During the laser safety state 222, the laser output power of the external light source module 118 is limited to a lower optical power that will not cause damage to the eyes. When the laser safety transition signal is set to false, indicating that the optical module 116 successfully receives the power signal at the correct power level, the firmware 172 begins to enable the optical power of the external light source module 118 to transition to a higher power level, thereby operating normally in the module power-on state 224. When the power-on is completed, the firmware 172 of the external light source module 118 is set to the module ready state 228.

[0078] The firmware 156 of the optical module 116 writes the power reading registers (both in Figure 1B 14 ) to store the continuous wave laser output received from the external light source module 118. In this example, the necessary registers are defined in a memory table stored in the memory 152 of the optical module 116 to store the different output power levels of the laser emission received by the optical module 116. During the optical power-on training cycle, the optical power reading of the external optical module 118 is reported back to the controller 114 via the bus 138. During the optical power-on training cycle, the controller 114 continuously monitors the optical power reading.

[0079] Figures 3A-3D is a portion of table 300 for optical module 116. Table 300 is stored in Figure 1B In the memory 152 of the optical module 116. Figure 1B The controller 154 of the optical module 116 in the embodiment can read and write the data of the table 300, and send the read data to the controller 114. The table 300 shows an example data allocation of bytes 128-147 that are stored to supply data. In this example, the memory 152 is an EEPROM, but other memory devices can be used. The table 300 is an example of storing data required to operate the optical module 116. The table 300 stores additional information provided by the optical module 116. The stored information is used to monitor the optical power received from the laser, and store alarm / warning optical power thresholds and flags.

[0080] As described above, certain registers in table 300 define different power levels of the continuous wave laser output of the external light source module 118. In table 300, the optical power value emitted by the external light source module 118 is converted into a digital signal and stored in bytes 128-129 after being determined to be received by the optical module 116. Bytes 130-137 store different laser safety thresholds for different alarm thresholds. Byte 138 includes bits 0-7, which can be set for various warnings or alarms. The high safety warning threshold and the low safety warning threshold are used for the optical system in the optical power-on training stage. The high alarm threshold and the low alarm threshold are used for the optical system in the full power and normal working stage.

[0081] Bytes 139-146 store the values ​​or thresholds for the alarms and warnings of the power monitor under normal operation of the laser. Bits 0-7 in byte 147 can be set for various warnings and alarms under normal operation of the continuous wave laser. Therefore, the routine reads the power level of the laser output from the optical module in bytes 128-129 and compares this value with the alarm threshold and warning threshold read from bytes 130-137 in laser safety mode. Based on these comparison results, the routine sets the alarm or warning in the bits of byte 138 respectively. For example, the controller 114 can detect a low alarm flag register that is triggered during normal operation. The controller 114 can decide to translate the laser safety signal as true to force the external light source module 118 to enter via the I2C bus 136. Figure 2 Alternatively, the controller 114 may decide to translate the low power signal as true to force the external light source module 118 to enter the laser safety state 222. Figure 2 in low power state 216.

[0082] Likewise, during normal operation, the routine reads the output power of the laser in bytes 128 and 129 and compares that value to the alarm and warning thresholds read in bytes 139-146 in normal mode. Based on the results of these comparisons, the routine sets the alarm or warning in the bits of byte 147, respectively.

[0083] Figure 4 The flowchart in the figure represents Figure 1BExample machine-readable instructions for a procedure 400 for safely powering on the external light source module 118 in the example. In this example, the machine-readable instructions include an algorithm executed by (a) a processor; (b) a controller; and / or (c) one or more other applicable processing devices. The algorithm may be implemented by software stored on a tangible medium, such as a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a digital (versatile) video disk (DVD), or other memory device. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all or part of the algorithm may alternatively be executed by a device other than a processor, and / or implemented in a known manner (e.g., by an application specific integrated circuit [ASIC]; a programmable logic device [PLD]; a field programmable logic device [FPLD]), by firmware or dedicated hardware. For example, any or all elements of the interface may be executed by software, hardware, and / or firmware. Similarly, some or all of the machine-readable instructions represented by the flowchart may be executed manually. In addition, although the example algorithm is a reference Figure 4 As described in the flowchart shown in the figure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other methods can be used to execute the exemplary machine-readable instructions. For example, the execution order of the blocks can be changed, and / or some of the blocks can be changed, deleted or merged.

[0084] In this example, at block 410, the process begins with power on. At block 412, Figure 1B The routine executed by the controller 114 in the SPI sets the low power signal to false to initially transition to the laser safety mode. The external light source module 118 is set to the laser safety mode. In this example, the output power of the continuous wave laser in the low power state is maintained at 3 milliwatts (mW). When the continuous wave laser power level is read from the appropriate register in the memory 152, the optical module 116 reports the received power value to the common management interface system (CMIS) via the SPI bus.

[0085] In block 414, the host controller 114 checks whether the received laser output power is at or below the expected low power level. If the received power is within the specified low power level, then in block 416, the host controller 114 sets the laser safety signal to false to the external light source module 118 via the I2C bus. If the received power is not within the specification, the laser safety state is maintained so that the light source module 118 maintains the laser at the current power level. In this example, in block 414, the external light source power is checked 10 times, and each time the power reading is checked against the specified power level. If the power is not within the specification after 10 times, block 420 is entered and the routine ends. In block 414, if the power reading is within the specification in any of the 10 checks, block 416 is entered and the laser safety signal is set to false.

[0086] At block 416, when the laser safety transition signal turns false, the external light source module 118 begins to increase the bias current for the laser emitter. This causes the external light source module 118 to emit a continuous wave laser with a higher optical power level. As a result, the external light source module 118 enters the module ready state. If the external light source module 118 is in the module ready state, the routine ends. In this example, if the external light source module 118 is not in the module ready state, the system generates an error state by writing to the registers in the external light source module 118 and the optical module 116. The controller 114 can access these registers to determine the error state of the optical module 116 and the external light source module 118.

[0087] Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram showing different behaviors and state machine modes of a routine for safely powering on the external light source module 118. The schematic diagram shows the behaviors of the host controller 114, the behaviors of the external light source module 118, and the status bar 510 of the external light source. The status bar 510 lists five states of the external light source module 118, namely, a low power state 512, a laser safety initialization state 514, a laser safety mode state 516, a module power-on state 518, and a high power mode state 520.

[0088] The controller 114 first sets the low power signal to false to initially transition to the laser safety mode, i.e., behavior 530. As a result, the external light source module 118 is in the low power mode 512. When the low power signal is received as false, the controller of the external light source module 118 begins to transition to the laser safety initialization state, i.e., behavior 532. The external light source module 118 enables the laser bias current, i.e., behavior 534. Next, the controller of the external light source module 118 stabilizes the laser output power at a lower power, i.e., behavior 536. After the laser output power is stabilized, the controller 114 checks the state of the external light source module 118 to ensure that it is in the laser safety mode 516, i.e., behavior 538.

[0089] The controller 114 checks the data stored in Figure 1B , and determines whether the power reading exceeds the power threshold read from the memory, that is, behavior 540. If the reading is lower than the power threshold, it is determined as an error condition and the external light source module 118 is powered off. If the reading exceeds the threshold level, the controller 114 sets the laser safety signal to false to initially transition the external light source module 118 to the high power mode, that is, behavior 542. The controller of the external light source module 118 receives the value of the laser transition signal as false and transitions to the module power-on state 518, that is, behavior 544. The controller 114 drives the external light source module 118 to increase the bias current to the high power mode, that is, behavior 546. When the module is ready, the controller 114 sets the module state change flag to 1 and stabilizes the laser output power at a higher power, that is, behavior 548. Then, the external light source module 118 enters the high power mode state 520. The controller of the external light source module 118 receives the flag and indicates that the transition to the high power mode has been completed, that is, behavior 550. Then, the controller detects the assertion of the interrupt and reads all the interrupt flag registers that cancel the interrupt assertion, that is, behavior 552 .

[0090] As used in this application, "element", "module", "system" or similar terms generally refer to a computer-related entity, which can be hardware (such as a circuit), a combination of hardware and software, software, or an entity related to an operating machine and having one or more specific functions. For example, an element can be, but is not limited to, a program executed on a processor (such as a digital signal processor), a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computer. As an example, an application executed on a controller, as well as the controller itself, can be an element. One or more elements can reside within a program and / or thread, and an element can be confined to one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, a "device" can be in the form of specially designed hardware; general-purpose hardware specially made by executing software on it that enables the hardware to perform specific functions; software stored on a computer-readable medium; or a combination thereof.

[0091] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, if the words "including," "having," or variations thereof, are used in the detailed description and / or claims, such words are intended to be included in a manner similar to the word "comprising."

[0092] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they are in the context of the relevant technology, and unless explicitly defined as such herein, such terms will not be interpreted as idealized or overly formal concepts.

[0093] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented only as examples and not as limitations. Even though the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to one or more embodiments, when reading and understanding this specification and the attached drawings, equivalent replacements and modifications will be thought of or known by other persons skilled in the art. In addition, although specific features of the present invention may be disclosed by only one of several embodiments, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, and these other features may be desirable or advantageous for any given or specific application. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited to any of the embodiments described above. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention should be defined according to the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for safely operating an optical assembly, the system comprising: An external light source module emits a continuous wave laser signal through an output port; An optical module having an input port, a photonic chip, and a memory, wherein the photonic chip generates a modulated optical signal based on a continuous wave laser signal received at the input port, wherein the memory stores a power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module; An optical jumper, used for coupling the output port and the input port; a controller operable to set the external light source module at a low power level and transition the external light source module to a high power level when the stored power level of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module exceeds a predetermined level; as well as The communication bus couples the controller and the external light source module so that the controller can set the power level of the external light source module.

2. The system for safely operating an optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the external light source module comprises a standard form factor housing that can be plugged into a socket in an optical switch.

3. The system for safely operating an optical component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined level is an expected input power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module if the optical jumper positively connects the output port to the input port.

4. The system for safely operating optical components as described in claim 1, wherein the communication bus is an inter-integrated circuit bus (I2C bus), and wherein the controller sends a control signal to the external light source module through the communication bus to set the power of the continuous wave laser signal.

5. A method for safely using an optical component, safely using an external light source module to emit a continuous wave laser signal to an optical module, the optical module having an input port, a photonic chip and a memory, the photonic chip generating a modulated optical signal based on the continuous wave laser signal received at the input port, the method comprising: Setting the continuous wave laser signal emitted by the external light source module to a low power level; Receiving the continuous wave laser signal from the external light source module via the optical module; determining the power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module; comparing, via a controller, the received power with a predetermined power level; as well as If the received power exceeds the predetermined power level, the power of the continuous wave laser signal is changed to a high power.

6. The method for safely using an optical component as claimed in claim 5, wherein if the optical jumper positively couples the continuous wave laser signal to the optical module, the predetermined power level is the input power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module.

7. The method for safely using an optical component as claimed in claim 5, wherein the low power level is a power level at which the continuous wave laser signal does not harm human eyes.

8. An optical switch, comprising: An optical module having an input port and a photonic chip, wherein the photonic chip generates a modulated optical signal based on a continuous wave laser signal received at the input port; an external light source module, emitting the continuous wave laser signal, the continuous wave laser signal being optically coupled to the optical input of the optical module; as well as A controller coupled to the optical module and the external light source module, wherein the controller is operable to: Firstly, the power of the continuous wave laser signal is controlled to a low level that does not hurt human eyes; Determining whether the power of the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module at the low level does not exceed a predetermined power level, so as to indicate whether the continuous wave laser signal is actually coupled to the optical module; When the continuous wave laser signal received by the optical module exceeds the predetermined power level, the power of the continuous wave laser signal is increased to a high level so that the optical module can transmit a modulated optical signal.

9. The optical switch of claim 8, further comprising a faceplate, the faceplate comprising a socket, wherein the external light source module comprises a standard form factor housing that plugs into the socket.

10. The optical switch of claim 8, wherein the controller is coupled to the external light source module via an inter-integrated circuit bus (I2C bus), and is coupled to the optical module via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus.

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