Multi-channel long-distance optical module

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of optical modules, and provides a multi-channel long-distance optical module, which comprises a shell, at least two groups of signal input and output interfaces and a multi-channel module, the signal input and output interface is used for receiving and preliminarily amplifying an external optical signal; and the multi-channel module comprises at least two multi-path selection switch units, and the multi-path selection switch units are connected with the output end of the signal input and output interface and are used for selecting optical signals and routing the selected optical signals to specified signal transmission channels. According to the multichannel long-distance optical module provided by the embodiment of the specification, multichannel long-distance signal transmission can be realized in a low-cost and simple manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present specification relate to the field of optical module technology, and in particular to a multi-channel long-distance optical module. Background Art

[0002] At present, point-to-point communication is widely used in the field of optical fiber communication. With the large-scale construction of 5G base stations, the demand for fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul optical modules is increasing. In order to meet the needs of large-capacity transmission and increase bandwidth, it is necessary to merge two single channels into a dual channel for signal transmission. Therefore, in the 5G application market, the demand for dual channels is proposed. The existing dual-channel optical module directly integrates two single-channel optical modules into an integrated optical module, which is large in size, high in cost, expensive, low in reliability, and also puts forward higher requirements for wiring. Summary of the invention

[0003] As the 5G market has higher and higher requirements for data transmission, and considering the limitations of space and cost, there is an urgent need for a multi-channel long-distance optical module that can combine multiple channels in one optical device to ensure its transmission performance while reducing its production cost and volume. In view of the above problems in the prior art, the purpose of the embodiments of this specification is to provide a multi-channel long-distance optical module to solve the problem that the existing multi-channel optical module cannot realize long-distance signal transmission at low cost and simply.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the specific technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification are as follows:

[0005] On the one hand, embodiments of the present specification provide a multi-channel long-distance optical module, comprising a housing and at least two groups of signal input and output interfaces disposed in the housing, a multi-channel module;

[0006] The signal input and output interface is used to receive and preliminarily amplify optical signals from the outside;

[0007] The multi-channel module includes at least two multi-way selection switch units, which are connected to the output end of the signal input and output interface and are used to select optical signals and route the selected optical signals to designated signal transmission channels.

[0008] Preferably, the multi-channel module further comprises a TIA chip, a VGA chip, two laser units, an attenuator unit and a control unit;

[0009] The input end of the TIA chip is connected to a group of signal input / output interfaces. The output end of the TIA chip is connected to the input end of the VGA chip through a first multiplexer unit, and is used for amplifying the optical signal received by the group of signal input / output interfaces and converting it into a voltage signal. The VGA chip is used for performing variable-gain amplification processing on the voltage signal selected by the multiplexer unit.

[0010] The input ends of the two laser units are connected to the output end of the VGA chip and another group of signal input / output interfaces. The output end of one of the laser units is connected to the input end of the VGA chip through a first multiplexer unit, and the other laser unit is connected to the input end of the attenuator unit through a second multiplexer unit, and is used for converting the processed voltage signal into an optical signal.

[0011] The output end of the attenuator unit is connected to the laser output ends of the two laser units, and is used for attenuating the optical signal.

[0012] The control unit is connected to the TIA chip, the two multiplexer units, the VGA chip, the laser units and the attenuator unit, and is used for collecting the power of each unit and adjusting and controlling the working parameters and states of each unit in real time according to the power.

[0013] Preferably, the multi-channel module further includes: an optical power monitoring unit;

[0014] The input end of the optical power monitoring unit is connected to the output end of the attenuator unit, and the output end of the optical power monitoring unit is connected to the control unit, and is used for monitoring the optical signal output power of each signal transmission channel in real time according to the output of the attenuation unit and transmitting an abnormal signal to the control unit when an abnormal power is detected.

[0015] Preferably, the multi-channel module further includes: an indication circuit, and the indication circuit includes a power indication circuit and two signal indication circuits;

[0016] The input end of the power indication circuit is connected to the output end of the optical power monitoring unit, and is used for indicating the power value of the optical power monitoring unit;

[0017] The input end of one of the signal indication circuits is connected to the output ends of the two multiplexer units, and is used for indicating the signal state in the signal transmission channel specified by each multiplexer unit;

[0018] The other signal indication circuit is connected to the laser output end of the laser unit, and is used for indicating the optical signal transmission state of the laser unit.

[0019] Preferably, the multi-channel long-distance optical module further includes: a circuit board, and the multi-channel module and the signal input / output interface are welded to the surface of the circuit board by welding materials.

[0020] Preferably, the control unit is an external control unit or a surface-mounted digital processing module.

[0021] Preferably, the TIA chip is in a multi-channel micro-miniature package.

[0022] Preferably, the control unit integrates a microprocessor MCU, a TIA chip driving circuit, a multiplexer unit control circuit, and a laser driving circuit.

[0023] Preferably, the VGA chip is a pair of single-channel voltage gain amplification units.

[0024] Preferably, the signal input / output interface is an SFP connector, and the multi-channel module is an SFP+ gold finger interface.

[0025] The multi-channel long-distance optical module provided by the embodiments of this specification integrates the functions of multiple single-channel optical modules into one optical device, reducing the manufacturing cost. As a connection bridge between the optical module and external devices, the signal input / output interface is not only responsible for receiving optical signals from the outside, but also performs preliminary amplification processing on these signals. By amplifying the optical signals, the attenuation of the optical signals during long-distance transmission can be compensated, ensuring that the signals still have sufficient strength and quality when reaching the receiving end. The multi-channel can be output separately or simultaneously through the multiplexer, improving the functional flexibility of the optical module, and can ensure that the signal quality is well guaranteed when the two-channel signals are transmitted separately or simultaneously, with high reliability and low module design difficulty.

[0026] The above description is only an overview of the technical solutions of some embodiments of this specification. In order to be able to understand the technical means of some embodiments of this specification more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the specification. And in order to make the above and other purposes, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this specification more obvious and understandable, the following specifically enumerates preferred embodiments and, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, makes the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of this specification. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0028] Figure 1Shows a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a multi-channel long-distance optical module in some embodiments of this specification;

[0029] Figure 2 Shows a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a multi-channel long-distance optical module in a disassembled state in some embodiments of this specification;

[0030] Figure 3 Shows a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a dual-channel module in some embodiments of this specification.

[0031] Explanation of the reference signs in the drawings:

[0032] 1. Housing; 2. Circuit board; 3. Signal input / output interface; 301. First signal input / output interface; 302. Second signal input / output interface; 4. Multi-channel module; 401. TIA chip; 402. VGA chip; 403. First laser unit; 404. Second laser unit; 405. First multiplexer unit; 406. Second multiplexer unit; 407. Attenuator unit; 408. Control unit; 409. Optical power monitoring unit. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this specification, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this specification.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in this specification, the claims and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of this specification described here can be implemented in an order different from those illustrated or described here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, device, product or equipment including a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those clearly listed steps or units, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these process, method, product or equipment. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more.

[0035] In the description of this specification, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of this specification.

[0036] In the description of this specification, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this specification can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0037] To solve the above problems, an embodiment of this specification provides a multi-channel long-distance optical module. Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-channel long-distance optical module provided by an embodiment of this specification. Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the multi-channel long-distance optical module includes: a housing 1 and at least two groups of signal input / output interfaces 3 and a multi-channel module 4 disposed in the housing 1.

[0038] The housing 1 serves as a protective layer for the multi-channel long-distance optical module, providing not only physical support but also ensuring the stability and safety of the internal components. In some embodiments, the material of the housing 1 should have good heat dissipation performance to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the multi-channel long-distance optical module during high-power operation. At the same time, it should also have sufficient mechanical strength to resist external physical impacts and vibrations.

[0039] The signal input / output interface 3 serves as a connection bridge between the multi-channel long-distance optical module and external devices, and is used to receive optical signals from the outside and perform preliminary amplification processing on the optical signals. Optical signals will experience attenuation during long-distance transmission. By amplifying the optical signals, this attenuation can be compensated to a certain extent to ensure that the signals still have sufficient strength and quality when reaching the receiving end.

[0040] The multi-channel module 4 includes at least two multiplexer units, which are connected to the output end of the signal input / output interface 3 and are used to select an optical signal from multiple input optical signals and route the selected optical signal to a specified signal transmission channel. This selectivity and routing function enables the multi-channel long-distance optical module to flexibly process multiple optical signals and meet the requirements in different application scenarios. At the same time, it also helps to optimize the signal transmission path and reduce signal loss.

[0041] In some embodiments of this specification, the signal input / output interface 3 and the multiplexer units can be set to multiple according to actual needs.

[0042] Preferably, in some embodiments of this specification, taking two groups of signal input / output interfaces and two multiplexer units as an example, the signal transmission process of the multi-channel long-distance optical module and the internal unit connection of the multi-channel module 4 are described. As Figure 3 shown, the multi-channel long-distance optical module includes a first signal input / output interface 301 and a second signal input / output interface 302, and the multi-channel module 4 includes: a TIA chip 401, a VGA chip 402, a first laser unit 403, a second laser unit 404, a first multiplexer unit 405, a second multiplexer unit 406, an attenuator unit 407, and a control unit 408.

[0043] As Figure 3 shown, the input end of the TIA chip 401 is connected to the first signal input / output interface 301, and the output end of the TIA chip 401 is connected to the input end of the VGA chip 402 through the first multiplexer unit 405, and is used to amplify and convert the optical signal received by this group of signal input / output interfaces into a voltage signal. The VGA chip 402 is used to perform variable-gain amplification processing on the voltage signal selected by the first multiplexer unit 405. From the above description, it can be seen that the output end of the TIA chip 401 does not directly lead to the next stage after further amplifying and sorting the signal, but selects the path through the first multiplexer chip. This design allows the signal output by the TIA chip 401 to be flexibly distributed to the input ends of different VGA (Video Graphics Array) chips 402 according to actual needs to achieve diversified signal processing and optimization.

[0044] As Figure 3 shown, the VGA chip 402, as one of the cores of signal processing, its output end is connected to the input ends of the first laser unit 403 and the second laser unit 404 again, forming a feedback and adjustment closed loop, enabling the optical module to dynamically adjust the working state of the laser unit according to the signal quality processed by the VGA chip 402 to achieve the best output effect.

[0045] As Figure 3 shown, the input ends of the first laser unit 403 and the second laser unit 404 are also connected to the second signal input / output interface 302. The second signal input / output interface 302 provides necessary electrical signals for the excitation of the laser units, thereby controlling the emission of laser light. The output end of the first laser unit 403 is connected to the input end of the VGA chip 402 through the first multiplexer unit 405. The output end of the second laser unit 404 is connected to the input end of the attenuator unit 407 through the second multiplexer unit 406. The laser units are used to convert the processed voltage signals into optical signals.

[0046] As Figure 3 shown, the output end of the attenuator unit 407 is connected to the laser output ends of the first laser unit 403 and the second laser unit 404, and is used to attenuate the optical signals. The laser output ends of the laser units are responsible for sending the accurately attenuated laser signals to external devices or transmission media.

[0047] As Figure 3 described, the control unit 408, as the "brain" of the entire optical module, is connected to the TIA chip 401, two multiplexer units, the VGA chip 402, the laser units, and the attenuator unit 407, and is used to collect the power of each unit in the multi-channel module, and adjust and control the working parameters and states of each unit in real time according to the power. Specifically, the control unit 408 collects the power of each input channel in the multi-channel module, and after AD sampling and sampling processing by the control unit 408, outputs to the first multiplexer unit 405 and the second multiplexer unit 406 for channel switching in the multi-channel module, to control the selection output of the first channel switch or the second channel switch, or the output of the first channel signal and the second channel signal together. In some other embodiments, the control unit 408 can be controlled by a program to make the preamplifier in the optical receiver work properly, and can also be used to collect the parameters of each unit in the multi-channel module, including parameters such as temperature and voltage, and perform analog-to-digital conversion and processing and then output. When the collected parameters exceed the threshold range set by the chip, the control unit 408 adjusts the output power and received power of the optical transceiver device to the optimal state by driving and controlling the switches of the optical devices between channels and within channels.

[0048] Through the multi-channel long-distance optical module provided by the embodiments of this specification, the functions of multiple single-channel optical modules are integrated into one optical device, reducing the manufacturing cost. The signal input / output interface serves as a connection bridge between the optical module and external devices. It not only receives optical signals from the outside but also performs preliminary amplification processing on these signals. By amplifying the optical signals, the attenuation of the optical signals during long-distance transmission can be compensated, ensuring that the signals still have sufficient intensity and quality when reaching the receiving end. The multi-channel separate or simultaneous output is achieved through a multiplexer switch, improving the functional flexibility of the optical module and ensuring that the signal quality can be well guaranteed when the two-channel signals are transmitted separately or simultaneously, with high reliability and low module design difficulty.

[0049] In some embodiments of this specification, the multi-channel module 4 further includes: an optical power monitoring unit 409. As Figure 3 shown, the input end of the optical power monitoring unit 409 is connected to the output end of the attenuator unit, the output end of the optical power monitoring unit 409 is connected to the control unit, and the optical power monitoring unit 409 is used to monitor the optical signal output power of each signal transmission channel in real time according to the output of the attenuation unit, and transmit an abnormal signal to the control unit 408 when abnormal power is detected. The control unit 408 quickly takes necessary adjustment measures to ensure that the multi-channel long-distance optical module operates within a safe and stable range.

[0050] In some embodiments of this specification, the multi-channel module 4 further includes: an indication circuit, and the indication circuit includes a power indication circuit and two signal indication circuits. The input end of the power indication circuit is connected to the output end of the optical power monitoring unit and is used to indicate the power value of the optical power monitoring unit. The input end of one of the signal indication circuits is connected to the output ends of the two multiplexing units and is used to indicate the signal status in the signal transmission channel specified by each multiplexer switch unit. The other signal indication circuit is connected to the laser output end of the laser unit and is used to indicate the optical signal transmission status of the laser unit. By designing two signal indication circuits in this specification, the monitoring of power and signal status can be realized, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the optical module.

[0051] In some embodiments of this specification, as Figure 2 shown, the multi-channel long-distance optical module further includes: a circuit board 2, and the multi-channel module 4 and the signal input / output interface are welded to the surface of the circuit board through welding materials.

[0052] In some embodiments of this specification, the control unit 408 is an external control unit in a small integrated circuit package or a patch-type digital processing module. Optionally, a programmable logic chip FPGA can be selected. The programmable logic chip has flexible functional variability and can achieve specific functions through programming. It has flexible functions, low cost, small size, and is convenient for application implementation.

[0053] In some embodiments of this specification, the TIA chip 401 is in a multi-channel micro-miniature package. It can be understood that the TIA chip adopts a package form with a smaller size and a compact pin pitch to meet the requirements of multi-channel design and high-density integration. In the embodiments of this specification, specific dimensions are not specifically limited. Through the micro-miniature package, the occupied area of the circuit board 2 can be reduced, which is beneficial to reducing the overall volume of the multi-channel long-distance optical module.

[0054] In some embodiments of this specification, the control unit 408 is a small integrated circuit package integrating a microprocessor MCU, a TIA chip driving circuit, a multiplexer chip control circuit, and a laser driving circuit. Integrating the circuits and control chips for controlling the multiplexer unit, the TIA chip, and the laser unit can further reduce the volume of the multi-channel long-distance optical module and facilitate implementation and popularization. Among them, the microprocessor MCU is the core of the control unit, responsible for processing various input signals, executing control algorithms, and outputting corresponding control signals. It integrates multiple functions such as a CPU, a memory, and an I / O interface, and can realize the control and monitoring of the entire system. The MCU is connected to the TIA chip driving circuit, the multiplexer unit control circuit, and the laser driving circuit through specific interfaces (such as SPI, I2C, etc.) to send control instructions to adjust / control the working parameters of each unit, such as the gain and bandwidth of the TIA chip, and the light emission intensity of the laser. The TIA chip driving circuit is used to drive the TIA chip to ensure that the TIA chip can work normally, receive optical signals and convert them into amplified electrical signals. The multiplexer unit control circuit is used to control the multiplexer unit to realize the selection and switching of input / output signals. In a multi-channel module, there may be multiple signals that need to be processed, and this control circuit is responsible for selecting the correct signal path according to the instructions of the MCU. The laser driving circuit is used to provide the necessary driving current and voltage for the laser unit and control parameters such as the light emission intensity and frequency of the laser.

[0055] In some embodiments of this specification, the VGA chip 402 is a pair of single-channel voltage gain amplification units. Integrating the VGA chip as a pair of single-channel voltage gain amplification units in the multi-channel long-distance optical module can achieve multi-channel optical power equalization and improve the working performance stability of the optical module.

[0056] In some embodiments of this specification, the signal input / output interface 3 is an SFP connector, and the multi-channel module 4 is an SFP+ gold finger interface. As a small form-factor pluggable package, the SFP+ gold finger interface design facilitates the connection between the optical module and external devices, making it convenient for implementation and popularization.

[0057] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. Moreover, the acquisition, storage, use, processing, etc. of data in the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application all comply with relevant regulations.

[0058] Specific embodiments are used in this specification to elaborate on the principles and implementation manners of this specification. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only used to help understand the method and its core idea of this specification; at the same time, for those of ordinary skill in the art, based on the idea of this specification, there will be changes in the specific implementation manners and application scopes. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to this specification.

Claims

1. A multi-channel long-distance optical module, characterized in that: It includes a housing and at least two groups of signal input and output interfaces and a multi-channel module arranged in the housing; The signal input and output interface is used to receive and preliminarily amplify optical signals from the outside; The multi-channel module includes at least two multi-way selection switch units, which are connected to the output end of the signal input and output interface and are used to select optical signals and route the selected optical signals to designated signal transmission channels.

2. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-channel module also includes a TIA chip, a VGA chip, two laser units, an attenuator unit and a control unit; The input end of the TIA chip is connected to a group of signal input and output interfaces, and the output end of the TIA chip is connected to the input end of the VGA chip through a first multi-way selection switch unit, for amplifying and converting optical signals received by the group of signal input and output interfaces into voltage signals; the VGA chip is used to perform variable gain amplification processing on the voltage signal selected by the multi-way selection switch unit; The input ends of the two laser units are connected to the output end of the VGA chip and another group of signal input and output interfaces, wherein the output end of one laser unit is connected to the input end of the VGA chip through a first multi-way selection switch unit, and the other laser unit is connected to the input end of the attenuator unit through a second multi-way selection switch unit, for converting the processed voltage signal into an optical signal; The output end of the attenuator unit is connected to the laser output ends of the two laser units, and is used to attenuate the optical signal; The control unit is connected to the TIA chip, two multi-way selection switch units, the VGA chip, the laser unit and the attenuator unit, and is used to collect the power of each unit and adjust and control the working parameters and status of each unit in real time according to the power.

3. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The multi-channel module also includes: an optical power monitoring unit; The input end of the optical power monitoring unit is connected to the output end of the attenuator unit, and the output end of the optical power monitoring unit is connected to the control unit, and is used to monitor the optical signal output power of each signal transmission channel in real time according to the output of the attenuation unit, and transmit the abnormal signal to the control unit when the power abnormality is detected.

4. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The multi-channel module further comprises: an indication circuit, the indication circuit comprising a power indication circuit and two signal indication circuits; The input end of the power indicating circuit is connected to the output end of the optical power monitoring unit, and is used to indicate the power value of the optical power monitoring unit; An input end of one of the signal indication circuits is connected to the output ends of the two multi-way selection units, and is used to indicate the signal state in the signal transmission channel designated by each multi-way selection switch unit; Another signal indicating circuit is connected to the laser output end of the laser unit and is used to indicate the optical signal transmission state of the laser unit.

5. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-channel long-distance optical module further includes: a circuit board, and the multi-channel module and the signal input and output interface are welded to the surface of the circuit board by welding material.

6. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit is an external control unit or a surface mount digital processing module.

7. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The TIA chip is a multi-channel micro-package.

8. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit integrates a microprocessor MCU, a TIA chip driving circuit, a multi-way selection switch unit control circuit and a laser driving circuit.

9. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The VGA chip is a pair of single-channel voltage gain amplification units.

10. The multi-channel long-distance optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal input and output interface is an SFP connector, and the multi-channel module is an SFP+gold finger interface.

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