A single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device with external filtering

Abstract

The present invention discloses an externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device, which includes a base, an optical transmitter module, an optical filter module, an adapter, a receiving port and a transmission optical fiber assembly. The optical transmitter module is arranged in the base, and the adapter and the optical filter module are both arranged outside the base. The optical filter module includes a housing, a filter chip and a waveguide channel. The waveguide channel includes a first channel and a second channel that are independent of each other. The transmission optical fiber assembly includes a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber. After the first light beam emitted by the optical transmitter module is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the first optical fiber, it is refracted into the first channel and then transmitted to the adapter output through the second optical fiber. After the second light beam is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the adapter and the second optical fiber, it is refracted into the second channel and then transmitted to the receiving port through the first optical fiber. The present invention has few limitations, low insertion loss and high isolation, and realizes simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective transmission of light of a specific wavelength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical communication technology, and in particular to an externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, 4G and 5G mobile communication networks have become part of our daily lives. With the increasing diversity of applications and scenarios, from terminal video data to the Internet of Things, demand has rapidly increased, and with it, higher requirements for corresponding network communication technologies, such as small device (optical module) size, large bandwidth, high speed, low latency, high stability, and low cost. Furthermore, in addition to the demand for network experience, current policies guiding energy conservation and emission reduction have also made low power consumption a key product characteristic.

[0003] Existing optical transceivers use optical splitters to split optical signals from a main optical fiber into multiple sub-fibers. The light from the main optical fiber will pass through multiple sub-fibers at the same time, and the light from all sub-fibers must be in the same direction. This results in high transmission loss and no isolation, making it impossible to simultaneously transmit light of specific wavelengths in both directions and with channel selectivity. Furthermore, existing optical transceivers embed adapters in the optical path structure, and the adapter position cannot be adjusted according to the needs of the optical module. The optical device chip layout cannot be flexibly adjusted according to the coupling and differential impedance performance requirements, resulting in significant limitations.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing optical transceiver devices to solve the problems of large limitations and the inability to meet the requirements of simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective transmission of light of specific wavelengths. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device to solve the problem that existing optical transceiver devices have large limitations and cannot meet the requirements of simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective transmission of light of specific wavelengths.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] An externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device comprises a base, an optical transmitter module, an optical filter module, an adapter, a receiving port, and a transmission fiber assembly. The optical transmitter module is disposed within the base, and the adapter and optical filter module are both disposed outside the base. The optical filter module comprises a housing, a filter chip, and a waveguide channel, wherein the waveguide channel comprises a first channel and a second channel that are independent of each other. The transmission fiber assembly comprises a first optical fiber connected to the optical transmitter module and the optical filter module, and a second optical fiber connected to the optical filter module and the adapter.

[0008] The first light beam emitted by the optical transmission module is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the first optical fiber, refracted into the first channel, and then transmitted to the adapter output through the second optical fiber;

[0009] The second light beam is sequentially transmitted through the adapter and the second optical fiber to the filter chip of the optical filter module, refracted into the second channel, and then transmitted to the receiving port through the first optical fiber. The angle between the first channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed by the first light beam after being refracted through the filter chip. The angle between the second channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed by the second light beam after being refracted through the filter chip.

[0010] Preferably, the first optical fiber is provided with a first sub-optical fiber and a second sub-optical fiber, the optical transmission module includes a silicon optical modulator, the first sub-optical fiber is coupled to the silicon optical modulator, and the second sub-optical fiber is coupled to the receiving port.

[0011] Preferably, the optical filtering module is a filter, and both ends of the filter are provided with a first transceiver port, and the first transceiver port is used to receive the first light beam and the second light beam, and emit the processed first light beam and the second light beam.

[0012] Preferably, the adapter is provided with a second transceiver port, and the second transceiver port is used to transmit the second light beam and receive the first light beam processed by the filter.

[0013] Preferably, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are both single-mode optical fibers.

[0014] Preferably, the optical transmission module further includes a laser, and the first light beam is emitted through an emission end of the laser and coupled to the silicon light modulator through a light input end of the silicon light modulator.

[0015] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon optical BOX device further comprises an isolator for isolating the first light beam from the second light beam, and the isolator is provided between the laser and the silicon optical modulator.

[0016] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device further includes a silicon photodetector, which receives the second light beam and converts an optical signal of the second light beam into an electrical signal.

[0017] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device further includes a transimpedance amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal, one end of the transimpedance amplifier is directly coupled to the silicon photonic detector, and the other end of the transimpedance amplifier is connected to the receiving port.

[0018] Preferably, the silicon photodetector and the transimpedance amplifier are both disposed in the base.

[0019] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonics BOX device further includes a heat sink, which is a semiconductor cooler.

[0020] Preferably, the external filtering single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonics BOX device further includes a thermistor, and the thermistor is used to monitor the operating temperature of the laser.

[0021] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonics BOX device further includes a backlight detector, which is used to monitor the luminous efficiency of the laser.

[0022] Preferably, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonics BOX device further includes a converging lens, which is disposed between the laser and the isolator.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device provided by the present invention separates the adapter from the optical path structure. The position of the adapter can be adjusted according to the needs of the optical module, and the optical device chip layout can be flexibly adjusted according to the coupling and differential impedance performance requirements, with few limitations. In addition, the optical filter module is designed with channels that match these light beams based on the different refraction angles of light beams of different wavelengths after being refracted by the filter chip, so that light beams of different wavelengths are refracted by the filter chip and output along different channels, with low insertion loss and high isolation, realizing simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective passage of light of specific wavelengths. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the first light beam of the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the second light beam of the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device of the present invention.

[0028] Illustration: adapter 1, semiconductor cooler 2, laser 3, converging lens 4, isolator 5, filter 6, silicon optical modulator 7, transimpedance amplifier 8, silicon photodetector 9, second sub-fiber 10, second optical fiber 11, thermistor 12, backlight detector 13, first sub-fiber 14, base 15, receiving port 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purposes, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0031] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the external filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device of this embodiment includes a base 15, an optical transmission module, an optical filtering module, an adapter 1, a receiving port 16 and a transmission optical fiber assembly, wherein the receiving port 16 is used for signal transmission, the optical transmission module is arranged inside the base 15, and the adapter 1 and the optical filtering module are both arranged outside the base 15.

[0032] The optical filtering module includes a housing, a filtering chip and a waveguide channel. The waveguide channel includes a first channel and a second channel that are independent of each other. The transmission optical fiber assembly includes a first optical fiber connected to the optical transmitting module and the optical filtering module and a second optical fiber 11 connected to the optical filtering module and the adapter 1.

[0033] The first light beam emitted by the optical transmission module is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the first optical fiber, refracted into the first channel, and then transmitted to the adapter 1 through the second optical fiber 11 for output.

[0034] The second light beam is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the adapter 1 and the second optical fiber 11 in sequence, and then transmitted to the receiving port 16 through the first optical fiber. The angle between the first channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed after the first light beam is refracted through the filter chip, and the angle between the second channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed after the second light beam is refracted through the filter chip.

[0035] It should be noted that the optical transmission module of the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device provided by the present invention is arranged in the base 15, and the adapter 1 and the optical filter module are arranged outside the base 15. The adapter 1 can not only receive the first light beam but also emit the second light beam. The first light beam and the second light beam are both transmitted through optical fibers. The process is simple and more flexible, with small limitations. The optical filter module designs channels that match these light beams according to the different refraction angles of light beams of different wavelengths in the filter chip, so that light beams of different wavelengths coupled to the filter chip will be refracted by the filter chip and output along different channels. The insertion loss is less than 0.5dB, which has the characteristics of low insertion loss, and realizes simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective passage of light of specific wavelengths.

[0036] It's also important to emphasize that although the first and second beams experience different refraction angles at the filter chip, it's inevitable that a small portion of the first beam will enter the second channel along with the second beam after being refracted by the filter chip. To prevent the first beam from interfering with the second beam, a filter chip can be added to the second channel to further distinguish the first and second beams. Multiple experimental measurements have shown that the present invention achieves 23dB isolation after a single filter, and this isolation increases to 42dB after two filters. Therefore, the present invention exhibits high isolation.

[0037] Specifically, the first optical fiber is provided with a first sub-fiber 14 and a second sub-fiber 10. The optical transmission module includes a silicon optical modulator 7. The first sub-fiber 14 is coupled to the silicon optical modulator 7, and the second sub-fiber 10 is coupled to the receiving port 16. In this embodiment, the first light beam passes through the first sub-fiber 14 of the first optical fiber for a certain distance before being merged into the first optical fiber. The second light beam passes through the first optical fiber for a certain distance before entering the second sub-fiber 10 of the first optical fiber. Of course, it should be emphasized that the optical fiber and the filter chip of the present invention are coupled through cross-sectional solid contact and are sealed and packaged, and their performance is not significantly affected by external conditions such as temperature.

[0038] Specifically, the optical filtering module is a filter 6 , and a first transceiver port is provided at each end of the filter 6 . The first transceiver port is used to receive the first light beam and the second light beam, and emit the processed first light beam and the second light beam.

[0039] Specifically, the adapter 1 is provided with a second transceiver port, which is used to transmit the second light beam and receive the first light beam processed by the filter 6 .

[0040] The optical filtering module of this embodiment uses a filter 6, and a first transceiver port is provided at each end of the filter 6. A second transceiver port is provided on the adapter 1. The first transceiver port is used to receive the first light beam and the second light beam, and emit the processed first light beam and the second light beam. The second transceiver port is used to emit the second light beam and receive the first light beam processed by the filter 6, and has the characteristics of miniaturization and micro-miniaturization.

[0041] Specifically, the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber 11 are both single-mode optical fibers. The transmission loss and transmission dispersion of single-mode optical fibers are relatively small. The small transmission loss can make the signal transmit farther in the optical fiber, and the small transmission dispersion is conducive to the transmission of high-speed and large-capacity data.

[0042] The optical transmission module also includes a laser 3. The first light beam is emitted through the emission end of the laser 3 and is coupled to the silicon light modulator 7 through the light input end of the silicon light modulator 7. The light input end of the silicon light modulator 7 of the present invention is designed for mode field matching of the laser 3. The laser 3 is directly coupled to the silicon light modulator 7, which can save internal space of the device, make the device smaller, and achieve efficient coupling.

[0043] The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon optical BOX device also includes an isolator 5 for isolating the first light beam and the second light beam. The isolator 5 is arranged between the laser 3 and the silicon optical modulator 7. The greater the isolation degree of the isolator 5, the better the isolation effect, and the smaller the isolation degree of the isolator 5, the worse the isolation effect.

[0044] Specifically, the external filtering single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device further includes a silicon photodetector 9, which receives the second light beam and converts the optical signal of the second light beam into an electrical signal.

[0045] Specifically, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device also includes a transimpedance amplifier 8 for amplifying electrical signals. One end of the transimpedance amplifier 8 is directly coupled to the silicon photodetector 9, and the other end of the transimpedance amplifier 8 is connected to the receiving port 16. The silicon photodetector 9 and the transimpedance amplifier 8 are both arranged in the base 15.

[0046] It should be noted that the silicon photodetector 9 includes a coupler and a light detection structure. The coupler is connected to the adapter 1 through a second optical fiber 11. The output end of the light detection structure is electrically connected to the transimpedance amplifier 8. The second light beam emitted by the adapter 1 directly enters the silicon photodetector 9. The silicon photodetector 9 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and then amplifies it through the transimpedance amplifier 8. The silicon photodetector 9 and the transimpedance amplifier 8 are both arranged in the base 15. This can save internal space of the device, make the device smaller and have high stability performance.

[0047] The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device further includes a heat sink, which is a semiconductor cooler 2 .

[0048] It should be noted that in order to ensure that the laser 3 stably outputs the optical signal, the operating temperature of the laser 3 needs to be kept stable. However, the working process of the laser 3 will inevitably generate heat, which will affect the temperature of the laser 3. In order to reduce the occurrence of this situation, the present embodiment uses the semiconductor cooler 2 as a heat sink. The semiconductor cooler 2 can accurately adjust the temperature, and the temperature can be as accurate as 0.1°C. It has high reliability, uses solid-state devices for cooling, and has a long service life.

[0049] Specifically, in order to monitor the operating temperature of the laser 3 , the present invention further mounts a thermistor 12 . However, in practical applications, a feedback circuit may be designed around the optical transceiver device to control the operating temperature of the laser 3 .

[0050] Specifically, in order to stabilize the luminous performance of the laser 3 , the present invention further mounts a backlight detector 13 for monitoring the luminous efficiency of the laser 3 .

[0051] Specifically, the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device further includes a converging lens 4 , which is disposed between the laser 3 and the isolator 5 , thereby ensuring that the first light beam can propagate along a predetermined optical axis.

[0052] Combine Figure 1-Figure 3 It can be seen that the externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device provided by the present invention utilizes the different refraction angles of light of different wavelengths on the same filter chip to design the first channel and the second channel that match these light beams, so that light beams of different wavelengths will be refracted by the filter chip and output along different channels, with low insertion loss and high isolation, and realizes simultaneous bidirectional and channel-selective passage of light of specific wavelengths. In addition, the present invention separates the adapter 1 from the optical path structure, solving the problem that the position of the adapter 1 of traditional free-space light must be consistent with the optical path. The position of the adapter 1 can be adjusted according to the needs of the optical module, and the layout of the optical device chip can be flexibly adjusted according to the needs of coupling and differential impedance performance, greatly reducing limitations.

[0053] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0054] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device with external filtering, characterized by: The optical fiber transmission device comprises a base, an optical transmission module, an optical filter module, an adapter, a receiving port, and a transmission optical fiber assembly. The optical transmission module is arranged in the base, and the adapter and the optical filter module are both arranged outside the base. The optical filter module comprises a housing, a filter chip, and a waveguide channel. The waveguide channel comprises a first channel and a second channel that are independent of each other. The transmission optical fiber assembly comprises a first optical fiber connected to the optical transmission module and the optical filter module, and a second optical fiber connected to the optical filter module and the adapter. The first light beam emitted by the optical transmission module is transmitted to the filter chip of the optical filter module through the first optical fiber, refracted into the first channel, and then transmitted to the adapter output through the second optical fiber; The second light beam is sequentially transmitted through the adapter and the second optical fiber to the filter chip of the optical filter module, refracted into the second channel, and then transmitted to the receiving port through the first optical fiber. The angle between the first channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed by the first light beam after being refracted through the filter chip. The angle between the second channel and the filter chip is the same as the refraction angle formed by the second light beam after being refracted through the filter chip.

2. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first optical fiber is provided with a first sub-optical fiber and a second sub-optical fiber. The optical transmission module includes a silicon optical modulator. The first sub-optical fiber of the first optical fiber is coupled to the silicon optical modulator, and the second sub-optical fiber of the first optical fiber is coupled to the receiving port.

3. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical filtering module is a filter. Both ends of the filter are provided with a first transceiver port. The first transceiver port is used to receive the first light beam and the second light beam and emit the processed first light beam and the second light beam.

4. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adapter is provided with a second transceiver port, and the second transceiver port is used to transmit the second light beam and receive the first light beam processed by the filter.

5. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are both single-mode optical fibers.

6. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The optical transmission module further includes a laser, and the first light beam is emitted through the emission end of the laser and is coupled to the silicon light modulator through the light input end of the silicon light modulator.

7. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The invention also includes an isolator for isolating the first light beam from the second light beam, wherein the isolator is arranged between the laser and the silicon light modulator.

8. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further includes a silicon photodetector configured to receive the second light beam and convert an optical signal of the second light beam into an electrical signal.

9. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a transimpedance amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal. One end of the transimpedance amplifier is directly coupled to the silicon photodetector, and the other end of the transimpedance amplifier is connected to the receiving port.

10. The externally filtered single-fiber bidirectional silicon photonic BOX device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The silicon photodetector and the transimpedance amplifier are both arranged in the base.

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