Bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module

Abstract

A bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module includes a package housing, an optical transmitting sub-module, a plurality of optical receiving sub-modules, and a plurality of optical path turning units. The optical transmitting sub-module is housed in the package housing. The optical transmitting sub-module includes an optical transmitting unit and a thin film lithium niobate modulator, and an optical receiving port of the thin film lithium niobate modulator is optically coupled with the optical transmitting unit. The optical receiving sub-modules are housed in the package housing, and the optical receiving sub-modules are configured to receive external optical signals into the package housing. The optical path turning units are respectively optically coupled with a plurality of optical output ports of the thin film lithium niobate modulator. The optical path turning units are configured to change optical path directions of the optical transmitting sub-module, and each of the optical path turning units is configured to enable one of the optical receiving sub-modules to share a fiber port with the optical transmitting sub-module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical communication device, and more particularly to a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module. Background Technology

[0002] In modern high-speed optical networks, optical communication devices are typically installed within electronic communication equipment. With the upgrading of communication systems and the rapid increase in bandwidth demands from various Internet services, existing communication systems face two major challenges: insufficient internal storage space and high energy consumption. How to provide a small-size, high-space-utilization, and low-energy-consumption communication system while increasing bandwidth and transmission rate is currently one of the important research topics in this field.

[0003] With the diversification of application requirements, higher signal transmission rates, and longer transmission distances, higher bandwidth requirements are often placed on the optical signals emitted by optical modules to ensure signal transmission stability. Therefore, signal modulation needs to become more convenient and efficient. Currently, in the application of optical wireless communication technology, dual-channel parallel optical transceiver modules are generally implemented by assembling two separate single-channel optical transceiver modules, such as... Figure 1 As shown, two separate single-channel optical transceiver modules 2 are housed within the housing 3 of the optical transceiver. However, assembling two separate single-channel optical transceiver modules occupies a significant amount of internal space in the optical communication device, making it difficult for the device to meet the development trends of integration and miniaturization.

[0004] Furthermore, with the gradual development of 5G networks, electro-absorption modulated lasers (EMLs) are gradually replacing direct-modulated lasers (DMLs) as the mainstream lasers in existing optical modules. EMLs have the characteristic of not altering laser characteristics, giving them an advantage in long-distance transmission applications (typically over distances greater than 10 kilometers). However, optical modules using EMLs, besides needing to comply with the Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) standard and potentially requiring a hermetically sealed structure, also require higher power and more complex circuit layouts to operate. Moreover, the distributed feedback (DFB) lasers typically used in EMLs are difficult to apply to high-bandwidth optical modules, leading to high costs for deploying 5G base stations and thus hindering the widespread adoption of 5G networks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module, which helps to solve the problem that existing dual-channel parallel optical transceiver modules, which are assembled from two separate single-channel optical transceiver modules, occupy a lot of internal space in optical communication devices.

[0006] The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module disclosed in this invention includes a package housing, an optical transmitting submodule, multiple optical receiving submodules, and multiple optical path switching units. The optical transmitting submodules are housed within the package housing. Each optical transmitting submodule includes an optical transmitting unit and a thin-film lithium niobate modulator, with the optical receiving port of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator optically coupled to the optical transmitting unit. The optical receiving submodules are also housed within the package housing and are used to receive external optical signals entering the package housing. The optical path switching units are respectively optically coupled to multiple optical output ports of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator. Each optical path switching unit is used to change the optical path direction of the optical transmitting submodule, and each optical path switching unit is configured such that one of the optical receiving submodules shares an optical fiber port with the optical transmitting submodule.

[0007] The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module disclosed in this invention integrates at least two optical receiving sub-modules and one optical transmitting sub-module into a single package. This allows for multi-channel optical signal output using only a single optical transmitting unit, helping to reduce manufacturing costs and the size of the optical transceiver module. Compared to assembling multiple separate single-channel optical transceiver modules, the architecture integrating multiple optical receiving sub-modules and one optical transmitting sub-module into a single package improves integration and further reduces the overall size of the optical transceiver module.

[0008] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the spirit and principle of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of protection of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a single-channel transceiver module in an existing optical transceiver.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A top view of the bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module.

[0013] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the optical path of the optical transmitting submodule of the bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module.

[0014] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the optical path of the optical receiver submodule in a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module.

[0015] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0016] 1 Optical transceiver

[0017] 2 Single-channel optical transceiver module

[0018] 3.10 Outer shell

[0019] 4 Ceramic ferrule

[0020] 5 Ceramic Sleeves

[0021] 20 Bidirectional Multi-channel Optical Transceiver Module

[0022] 210 package

[0023] 211 Fiber Optic Port

[0024] 220 optical emission sub-module

[0025] 221 optical emitting units

[0026] 222 Thin-film lithium niobate modulator

[0027] 2221 Optical Receiver Port

[0028] 2222 Optical Output Port

[0029] 230 Optical Receiver Sub-module

[0030] 231 Optical Receiver Unit

[0031] 232 Coupled Lens

[0032] 240 optical path conversion units

[0033] 241 Right-angle prism

[0034] 2411 Translucent Surface

[0035] 2412 Optical Surface

[0036] 242 Orthorhombic prism

[0037] 2421 Luminous surface

[0038] 2422 Optical Surface

[0039] 250 Ceramic Circuit Board

[0040] TX and RX optical paths Detailed Implementation

[0041] The following detailed description of the features and advantages of the present invention in the embodiments is sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. Based on the content, scope of protection, and drawings disclosed in this specification, those skilled in the art can easily understand the related objectives and advantages of the present invention. The following embodiments further illustrate the viewpoints of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention in any way.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 ,in Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module, and Figure 4 for Figure 3 A top view of the bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module. In this embodiment, the optical transceiver 1 may include a housing 10 and a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module 20 housed within the housing 10. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module 20 may include a housing 210, an optical transmitting sub-module 220, multiple optical receiving sub-modules 230, and multiple optical path turning units 240. Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary illustration shows a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module 20 comprising two optical receiving sub-modules 230 and two optical path turning units 240. Additionally, for ease of understanding, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The top portion of the package housing 210 is omitted from the drawing.

[0043] The encapsulation housing 210 can be hermetically sealed or non-hermetically sealed. In this embodiment, the encapsulation housing 210 is a single-piece hermetically sealed housing. The light emitting sub-module 220 is housed within the encapsulation housing 210, and the light emitting sub-module 220 may include a light emitting unit 221 and a thin-film lithium niobate (LiNbO3) modulator 222.

[0044] The optical emitting unit 221 is, for example, but not limited to, a laser emitter, and the bandwidth and wavelength of this laser emitter are not limited; for example, the optical emitting unit 221 can be a continuous wave laser (CW laser). The thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 may have an optical receiving port 2221 and multiple optical output ports 2222 located on the same side. The optical receiving port 2221 is optically coupled to the optical emitting unit 221, and these optical output ports 2222 are respectively optically coupled to several fiber optic ports 211 formed on the package housing 210. The fiber optic ports 211 are located on the same side of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 as the optical emitting unit 221, and the fiber optic ports 211 may be provided with ceramic ferrules 4 and ceramic sleeves 5 for the insertion of external optical fibers (not shown).

[0045] The light emitting submodule 220 may also include a thermoelectric cooler housed within the package housing 210. The thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 may have thermal contact with the thermoelectric cooler, thereby dissipating heat and cooling the device through the thermoelectric cooler. In addition, the light emitting submodule 220 may also include a coupling lens and an optical isolator housed within the package housing 210, wherein the coupling lens and the optical isolator may be disposed between the light emitting unit 221 and the light receiving port 2221 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222.

[0046] Optical receiving sub-modules 230 are housed within a package housing 210, and each optical receiving sub-module 230 includes an optical receiving unit 231 and a coupling lens 232. The optical receiving unit 231 is, for example, but not limited to, a photodiode, used to receive external optical signals entering the package housing 210. In this embodiment, the optical receiving sub-module 230 may also include a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) to convert a current signal into a voltage signal. The optical receiving sub-module 230 is optically coupled to an optical fiber port 211 to receive external optical signals.

[0047] The optical emitting unit 221 can emit an optical signal with a wavelength of 1270 nanometers, and the optical receiving unit 231 can receive and respond to an optical signal with a wavelength of 1330 nanometers. However, the wavelengths of the optical signals are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, the optical emitting unit and / or the optical receiving unit can emit and / or receive optical signals with wavelengths suitable for long-distance transmission, such as optical signals with wavelengths greater than 1270 nanometers. The optical signal wavelength mentioned herein can refer to the peak value within a spectral linewidth.

[0048] The optical path reversal unit 240 is housed within the package housing 210, and the optical receiving submodule 230 and the optical path reversal unit 240 are of equal number. These optical path reversal units 240 are optically coupled to the optical output ports 2222 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222. The optical path reversal unit 240 is used to change the optical path direction of the optical emitting submodule 220. Figure 4 As shown, each optical path switching unit 240 is configured to correspond to one of the optical receiving sub-modules 230, such that the optical path switching unit 240 can be configured to allow the corresponding optical receiving sub-module 230 and the optical transmitting sub-module 220 to share the same optical fiber port 211.

[0049] Each optical path reversal unit 240 may include a right-angle prism 241 and an orthorhombic prism 242. The right-angle prism 241 is disposed corresponding to the optical receiving unit 231, and the right-angle prism 241 has a light-transmitting surface 2411 that is substantially perpendicular to the optical path of the optical receiving sub-module 230 and an optical surface 2412 that is inclined relative to the optical path of the optical receiving unit 231. The light-transmitting surface 2411 and the optical surface 2412 of the right-angle prism 241 are transmission surfaces for the wavelength of the external optical signal incident on the optical receiving unit 231 (e.g., 1330 nm). That is to say, the light-transmitting surface 2411 and the optical surface 2412 have high transmittance for external optical signals. Therefore, the external optical signal entering the package housing 210 from the fiber optic port 211 can travel through the light-transmitting surface 2411 and the optical surface 2412 and continue to be transmitted to the optical receiving unit 231 without reversing the direction of the optical path of the optical receiving sub-module 230.

[0050] The rhomboid prism 242 is disposed corresponding to the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222, and has two light-transmitting surfaces 2421 substantially perpendicular to the optical path of the light-emitting submodule 220 and two optical surfaces 2422 inclined relative to the optical path. The optical surface 2412 of the right-angle prism 241 is engaged with one of the optical surfaces 2422 of the rhomboid prism 242. The light-transmitting surfaces 2421 of the rhomboid prism 242 are transmission surfaces for the wavelength of the light signal emitted from the light output port 2222 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 (e.g., 1270 nm), and the optical surfaces 2422 are reflection surfaces for the wavelength of the light signal emitted from the light output port 2222 (e.g., 1270 nm). The light-transmitting surfaces 2421 and 2422 of the rhomboid prism 242 are transmission surfaces for the wavelength of the external light signal (e.g., 1330 nm). In other words, the light-transmitting surface 2421 has high transmittance for the optical signal received by the optical receiving unit 231. The "high transmittance" and "high reflectance" mentioned here refer to the transmittance and reflectance that meet the requirements of optical signal transmission. For example, according to relevant technical field standards, in order to meet the requirements of optical communication applications, the high transmittance, for example but not limited to, requires a transmittance of at least 95%, and the high reflectance, for example but not limited to, requires a reflectance of at least 99%.

[0051] In this embodiment, the specific technical means for the light-transmitting surface 2411, optical surface 2412, and light-transmitting surface 2421 to be transparent for a specific optical signal wavelength (e.g., 1270 nm or 1330 nm) can be by attaching filter films to the light-transmitting surface 2411 and optical surface 2412 respectively, wherein the filter films have a transmittance of more than 95% for the specific optical signal wavelength. Furthermore, the specific technical means for the optical surface 2422 to be reflective for a specific optical signal wavelength (e.g., 1270 nm) can be by attaching a filter film to the optical surface 2422, wherein the filter film has a reflectance of more than 99% for the specific optical signal wavelength.

[0052] In this embodiment, the optical output port 2222 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222, the optical receiving sub-module 230, the optical path turning unit 240, and the fiber optic port 211 of the encapsulation shell 210 have the same number. Figure 4 For example, the number of optical output ports 2222, optical receiving sub-modules 230, optical path switching units 240, and optical fiber ports 211 are all two. The optical receiving port 2221 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 can be located between the two optical output ports 2222. Furthermore, the two optical output ports 2222 can be symmetrically distributed with respect to the optical receiving port 2221, and the two optical path switching units 240 can be symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical emitting unit 221.

[0053] In this embodiment, the bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module 20 may include a ceramic circuit board (Feedthru) 250. The ceramic circuit board 250 is disposed on the package housing 210 and can be fixed to the package housing 210 by means of sealing solder. The ceramic circuit board 250 can be electrically connected to the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222. Using the ceramic circuit board 250 to implement electrical signal transmission and reception can meet the requirements of high bandwidth and reduced radio frequency loss.

[0054] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the optical path of the optical transmitting submodule of the bidirectional multichannel optical transceiver module. The single-channel optical signal emitted by the optical transmitting unit 221 is coupled into the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222. The optical signal is modulated by the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222, and the modulated optical signal is output from the optical output port 2222 of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222. The wavelength of the modulated optical signal output from the optical output port 2222 can be 1270 nanometers. The modulated optical signal passes sequentially through the light-transmitting surface 2421, the optical surface 2422, another optical surface 2422, and another light-transmitting surface 2421 of the rhomboid prism 242. The optical path TX is deflected once at each of the two optical surfaces 2422, thus changing direction twice in total. Therefore, the modulated optical signal can finally be coupled to the external optical fiber located at the optical fiber port 211.

[0055] Figure 6 for Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path of the optical receiving submodule of a bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module. An external optical signal (e.g., 1330 nm) enters the package housing 210 via an external optical fiber through fiber optic port 211. The external optical signal travels through the light-transmitting surface 2411 and the optical surface 2412 and can be received by the optical receiving unit 231. The RX direction of the optical path from each fiber optic port 211 to the corresponding optical receiving submodule 230 is parallel to... Figure 5 The optical path from the light emitting unit 221 to the thin-film lithium niobate modulator 222 is in the TX direction.

[0056] A multi-channel optical transceiver module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a thin-film lithium niobate modulator, which modulates an optical signal such that the wavelength and bandwidth of the modulated optical signal meet the requirements of high-speed long-distance transmission. Therefore, the laser used in the optical transceiver module can be of a type with significantly lower cost and power consumption than EML, such as a continuous-wave laser (CWlaser). Furthermore, the optical signal modulated by the thin-film lithium niobate modulator helps prevent poor transmission quality issues when the optical transceiver module is used for high-speed long-distance transmission.

[0057] Furthermore, the multi-channel optical transceiver module disclosed in this invention integrates at least two optical receiving sub-modules and one optical transmitting sub-module into a single package. This allows for multi-channel optical signal output using only a single optical transmitting unit, helping to reduce manufacturing costs and the size of the optical transceiver module. Compared to assembling multiple separate single-channel optical transceiver modules, the architecture integrating multiple optical receiving sub-modules and one optical transmitting sub-module into a single package improves integration and further reduces the overall size of the optical transceiver module. Moreover, the two optical output ports of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator can be symmetrically distributed relative to the optical receiving ports, contributing to a more uniform distribution of transmitting and receiving channels in the multi-channel optical transceiver module, thus broadening its applicability to a wider range of communication devices.

Claims

1. A bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module, characterized in that, Include: Encapsulation shell; A light-emitting submodule is housed within the package housing. The light-emitting submodule includes a light-emitting unit and a thin-film lithium niobate modulator, and the light-receiving port of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator is optically coupled to the light-emitting unit. Multiple optical receiving sub-modules are housed within the package housing, and the multiple optical receiving sub-modules are used to receive external optical signals entering the package housing; as well as Multiple optical path switching units are optically coupled to multiple optical output ports of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator. The optical path switching units are used to change the optical path direction of the optical transmitting submodule, and each of the multiple optical path switching units is configured to enable one of the multiple optical receiving submodules to share an optical fiber port with the optical transmitting submodule.

2. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure is a single-piece hermetically sealed enclosure.

3. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thin-film lithium niobate modulator has two optical output ports. The optical receiving port and the two optical output ports are located on the same side of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator, and the optical receiving port is located between the two optical output ports.

4. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The two optical output ports are symmetrically distributed relative to the optical receiving port.

5. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of optical path turning units is two, and the two optical path turning units are symmetrically arranged with respect to the optical emitting unit.

6. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The enclosure has multiple fiber optic ports corresponding to the multiple optical receiving sub-modules, and the multiple optical receiving sub-modules are optically coupled to the multiple fiber optic ports to receive the external optical signal.

7. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The optical path direction from each fiber port to the corresponding optical receiving submodule is parallel to the optical path direction from the optical emitting unit to the thin-film lithium niobate modulator.

8. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the optical path turning units includes an orthographic prism, which has two parallel first light-transmitting surfaces and two first optical surfaces that are inclined relative to the two first light-transmitting surfaces. The optical signal output from the plurality of optical output ports of the thin-film lithium niobate modulator has a first optical wavelength. The two first light-transmitting surfaces of the orthographic prism are transmission surfaces with respect to the first optical wavelength, and the two first optical surfaces of the orthographic prism are reflection surfaces with respect to the first optical wavelength.

9. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the optical path turning units further includes a right-angle prism, which has a second optical surface that engages with one of the two first light-transmitting surfaces and a second light-transmitting surface that is inclined relative to the second optical surface. The second light-transmitting surface of the right-angle prism is a transmission surface for the second light wavelength of the external light signal, and the second optical surface of the right-angle prism is a transmission surface for the second light wavelength.

10. The bidirectional multi-channel optical transceiver module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a ceramic circuit board disposed within the package housing.

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