Real-time monitoring device and method for sub-signal delay inequality of light transmitter

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a real-time monitoring device and method for sub-signal delay inequality of a light transmitter, and the method comprises the steps: inputting a first input signal into a first electro-optical conversion unit, and modulating to-be-modulated light, thereby obtaining a first output signal; inputting the second input signal to a second electro-optical conversion unit to modulate the to-be-modulated light to obtain a second output signal; wherein the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal; performing related operation processing on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal; and determining the delay inequality of the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset corresponding relation between the correlation quantity and the delay inequality. Therefore, the use of high-speed equipment is avoided, and the delay inequality of two high-speed signals can be monitored only by using a low-bandwidth electrical device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of optical communication technologies. Background Art

[0002] In the field of optical communication, in order to achieve a larger communication capacity, the signal rate output by a transmitter is very high, for example, 100 Gbaud. These signals often consist of multiple sub-signals. For example, a dual-polarization system has two polarization components, x and y; a coherent system has an in-phase component I and a quadrature component Q; in a DAC architecture, PAM8 is the superposition of three 0 / 1 sequences, and each 0 / 1 sequence constitutes a sub-signal; in a multi-segment modulation, the total signal is the superposition of the signals of each modulation segment, and each modulation segment constitutes a sub-signal. In hardware implementation, these sub-signals are often generated by different electrical and optical components. Therefore, different sub-signals may have different analog characteristics. For example, there may be different time delay differences between different sub-signals. This time delay difference will cause distortion of the output signal, thereby resulting in a decline in system performance. Currently, before the transmitter is used, the time delays of all sub-signals are calibrated to reduce the impact brought by the time delay difference. However, even if the time delays of all sub-signals are calibrated before the transmitter is used, changes in temperature, environment, etc. may still cause the time delays between sub-signals to deviate again. Therefore, it is very necessary to monitor the time delay difference of sub-signals in real time without affecting normal communication.

[0003] It should be noted that the above introduction of the technical background is only for the convenience of clearly and completely explaining the technical solutions of the present application and facilitating the understanding of those skilled in the art. It cannot be considered that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art just because these solutions are described in the background art part of the present application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, the inventors found that for a high-speed optical transmitter with multiple sub-signals, a scheme for adjusting the time delay difference of each sub-signal is to monitor the eye diagram quality at its output end, and then adjust the time delay difference of the sub-signals on the AWG at its transmitting end based on the eye diagram quality. However, this scheme requires expensive real-time signal analysis equipment to obtain the output waveform at the receiving end, which is difficult to implement in applications, and this scheme also cannot monitor the time delay difference without affecting normal communication.

[0005] In view of at least one of the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a real-time monitoring device and method for the time delay difference of sub-signals of an optical transmitter. The correlation between the high-speed sub-signals in the communication process of the optical transmitter and another high-speed signal is used to indicate the time delay of the optical transmitter or the electro-optic conversion unit of the optical transmitter, which is simple to implement, flexible in implementation method, and wide in application range.

[0006] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a real-time monitoring device for the time delay difference of sub-signals of an optical transmitter is provided. The device includes:

[0007] A first signal input unit, which is used to input a first input signal to a first electro-optic conversion unit, so that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first input signal to obtain a first output signal;

[0008] A second signal input unit, which is used to input a second input signal to a second electro-optic conversion unit, so that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second input signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal;

[0009] A correlation operation unit, which is used to perform correlation operation processing on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal;

[0010] A time delay difference determination unit, which is used to determine the time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0011] According to one aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a real-time monitoring method for the time delay difference of sub-signals of an optical transmitter is provided. The method includes:

[0012] Input a first input signal to a first electro-optic conversion unit, so that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first signal to obtain a first output signal;

[0013] Input a second input signal to a second electro-optic conversion unit, so that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal;

[0014] Perform correlation operation processing on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal;

[0015] Determine the time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0016] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application lies in that: the present application determines the time delay difference by using the signal output by the electro-optical conversion unit of the optical transmitter, realizes the real-time monitoring of the time delay difference, and there is no need for the optical transmitter to send special signals; moreover, the present application can realize the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter by using low-bandwidth electrical devices, avoiding the use of high-speed devices, and can be flexibly realized in an integrated or non-integrated manner; in addition, the application scenarios of the present application are rich and applicable to the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference in a variety of optical transmitters.

[0017] Referring to the following description and drawings, specific embodiments of the embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, indicating the ways in which the principles of the embodiments of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited in scope thereby. Within the spirit and terms of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present application include many changes, modifications and equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The included drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present application, which form a part of the specification, are used to illustrate the embodiments of the present application, and are used to explain the principles of the present application together with the written description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other embodiments according to these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a method for real-time monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figures 2A to 2D is a schematic diagram of a first electro-optical conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the second input signal at intervals according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figures 4A to 4E is a schematic diagram of a second electro-optical conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figures 5A to 5B is a schematic diagram of a photoelectric multiplier or a photoelectric conversion unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figures 6A to 6B is a schematic diagram of an electrical averaging unit according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figures 7 to 10 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure for determining relevant quantities according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figures 11A to 11C is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between relevant quantities and time delay difference according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of a real-time monitoring device for the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of an electronic device in an embodiment of the present application. Specific embodiments

[0029] Referring to the accompanying drawings, through the following description, the foregoing and other features of the embodiments of the present application will become apparent. In the description and drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed, which show some embodiments in which the principles of the embodiments of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present application include all modifications, variations, and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish different elements in terms of name, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or time sequence of these elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the related listed terms. Terms such as "comprising", "including", and "having" mean the presence of the stated features, elements, components, or assemblies, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, or assemblies.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present application, the singular forms "a", "the", etc. include the plural forms and should be broadly understood as "a kind" or "a class" rather than being limited to the meaning of "one"; in addition, the term "the" should be understood to include both the singular form and the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term "according to" should be understood as "at least partially according to...", and the term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on...", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] Features described and / or shown for one embodiment can be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with the features in other embodiments, or replace the features in other embodiments. The term "including / comprising" as used herein means the presence of features, whole things, steps, or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, whole things, steps, or components.

[0033] Embodiments of the first aspect

[0034] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for real-time monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter. Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a method for real-time monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter in an embodiment of the present application, as Figure 1As shown, the method includes:

[0035] 101. Input a first input signal into a first electro-optical conversion unit, so that the first electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first signal, and a first output signal is obtained;

[0036] 102. Input a second input signal into a second electro-optical conversion unit, so that the second electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second signal, and a second output signal is obtained; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal;

[0037] 103. Perform a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal;

[0038] 104. Determine a time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0039] It should be noted that the above appendix Figure 1 only schematically illustrates the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. For example, some of the above steps can be executed simultaneously, or can be executed in sequence, the execution order between each operation can be appropriately adjusted, and in addition, some other operations can be added or some of the operations can be reduced. Those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications according to the above content, not limited to the records in the above appendix Figure 1 description.

[0040] In step 101, a first input signal is input into a first electro-optical conversion unit, so that the first electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first signal, and a first output signal is obtained.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first input signal can be any signal. In the present application, it is represented as the first input signal A[n]. The first input signal A[n] can be a discrete symbol sequence or a continuous signal, where n represents the time sequence number. The first electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated input therein according to the first input signal A[n] to obtain a first output signal, and the first output signal is a high-speed signal and an optical signal. The optical signal to be modulated is, for example, a direct current optical signal, or an optical signal output by the previous-stage unit connected to the first electro-optical conversion unit, etc.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first electro-optical conversion unit is a unit with modulation function that can generate high-speed signals. For example, the first electro-optical conversion unit is the optical transmitter itself. At this time, the first output signal is the total output optical signal of the optical transmitter. The first electro-optical conversion unit can also be a partial modulation unit of the optical transmitter. At this time, the first output signal is a part of the total output optical signal of the optical transmitter, that is, the first output signal is included in the total output optical signal of the optical transmitter. Among them, the optical transmitter includes but is not limited to coherent transmitters, intensity modulation transmitters, phase modulators, optical frequency comb-based combined signal transmitters, etc.

[0043] Figures 2A to 2D is a schematic diagram of the first electro-optical conversion unit of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2A shows an IQ modulator with multiple sub-signal branches in a coherent transmitter. Both the I path and the Q path of the IQ modulator have multiple modulation units. Figure 2A In, the first electro-optical conversion unit can be any one of the modulation units in the IQ modulator. For example, it is the modulation unit corresponding to the first symbol sequence A[n] on the I path, that is, the modulation unit to which the first symbol sequence A[n] is input. Figure 2B In, the first electro-optical conversion unit is the modulation unit corresponding to the first symbol sequence A[n] in the segmented intensity modulator. Figure 2C In, the first electro-optical conversion unit is the modulation unit corresponding to the first symbol sequence A[n] in the segmented phase modulator. Figure 2D In, the first electro-optical conversion unit is the EO MOD unit corresponding to the first symbol sequence A[n] in the optical frequency comb-based combined signal transmitter. Except Figures 2A to 2D For the structures shown, the first electro-optical conversion unit can also adopt other structures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0044] In step 102, the second input signal is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit, so that the second electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second signal, and a second output signal is obtained; wherein, the second input signal is the differential signal of the first input signal.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second input signal is the differential signal of the first input signal A[n]. In the present application, it is denoted as the second input signal B[n]. Wherein, n represents the time sequence number. The second electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated input thereto according to the second input signal B[n], and a second output signal is obtained. The second output signal is also a high-speed signal and is an optical signal. The optical signal to be modulated of the second electro-optical conversion unit can be the same as or different from the optical signal to be modulated corresponding to the first electro-optical conversion unit.

[0046] In some embodiments, the differential signal of the first input signal, i.e., the second input signal, is the difference between the first input signals at two different times.

[0047] For example, the first input signals A[n] at two different times are respectively represented as A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2. Then the second input signal B[n] is the difference between A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], i.e., B[n] = A[n + k1] - A[n + k2].

[0048] In some embodiments, the differential signal of the first input signal, i.e., the second input signal, is the sign sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times.

[0049] For example, the first input signals A[n] at two different times are respectively represented as A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and the sign function is sign(). Then the second input signal B[n] is the sign sequence of the difference between A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], i.e., B[n] = sign(A[n + k1] - A[n + k2]).

[0050] In some embodiments, the differential signal of the first input signal, i.e., the second input signal, is the product of the sign sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a random amplitude sequence with finite values.

[0051] For example, the first input signals A[n] at two different times are respectively represented as A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and the random amplitude sequence with finite values is Amp1[n]. Then the second input signal B[n] is the product of the sign sequence of the difference between A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] and Amp1[n], i.e., B[n] = Amp1[n] * sign(A[n + k1] - A[n + k2]). Here, Amp1[n] is, for example, a series of random amplitude sequences with positive values.

[0052] In some embodiments, the differential signal of the first input signal, i.e., the second input signal, is the product of the sign sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a random amplitude sequence with infinite values.

[0053] For example, the first input signal A[n] at two different moments is respectively represented as A[n + k1] and A[n + k2], where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and the randomly varying amplitude sequence with infinite values is Amp2[n]. Then the second input signal B[n] is the product of the sign sequence of the difference between A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] and Amp2[n], that is, B[n] = Amp2[n] * sign(A[n + k1] - A[n + k2]). Among them, Amp2[n] is, for example, a sequence of randomly varying positive values.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second input signal is run at intervals. The meaning of running at intervals is that: the signal input to the second electro-optical conversion unit is not assigned the second input signal B[n] at all times, but is assigned the second input signal B[n] at some times. In this way, at a preset time, the second input signal B[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit; at times other than the preset time, a 0 signal or a signal unrelated to the first input signal A[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit.

[0055] In some embodiments, the preset time can be a periodically occurring time, that is, the second input signal runs at fixed periodic intervals. For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the second input signal running at intervals in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 shows five rows of squares. Each square in each row represents a moment. The square with a white background indicates that the moment corresponding to it is assigned the signal marked on the left side of the square in this row. As Figure 3 shown, the first row of squares indicates that at all times, the first input signal A[n] is input to the first electro-optical conversion unit; the second row of squares indicates that at all times, the second input signal B[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit; the third row of squares indicates that the second input signal runs at an interval of 1 / 2 rate (Half-assigned B[n]), that is, taking two moments as a cycle, and at one moment included in each cycle, the second input signal B[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit; the fourth row of squares indicates that the second input signal runs at an interval of 1 / 4 rate (1 / 4-assigned B[n]), that is, taking four moments as a cycle, and at one moment included in each cycle, the second input signal B[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit; the fifth row of squares indicates that the second input signal runs at an interval of 1 / 8 rate (1 / 8-assigned B[n]), that is, taking eight moments as a cycle, and at one moment included in each cycle, the second input signal B[n] is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit.

[0056] In practical applications, the length of the interval running cycle of the second input signal B[n] is not limited to the above examples.

[0057] In some embodiments, the preset moment may be a randomly selected moment, that is, the second input signal runs at random intervals.

[0058] In the above embodiments, by making the second input signal run at intervals, the moment of inputting the second input signal is reduced, and the calculated correlation quantity will also be correspondingly reduced, which is beneficial to reducing the power consumption of the real-time monitoring operation of the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second electro-optic conversion unit is a unit with modulation function that can generate high-speed signals. In this application, the second electro-optic conversion unit may be an existing electro-optic conversion unit. Figures 4A to 4E It is a schematic diagram of the second electro-optic conversion unit of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4A In [diagram], the second electro-optic conversion unit is an MZ modulator (MZM) with one modulation unit; Figure 4B In [diagram], the second electro-optic conversion unit is an MZ modulator (MZM) with two modulation units of equal length; Figure 4C In [diagram], the second electro-optic conversion unit is an electro-absorption modulator (EAM); Figure 4D In [diagram], the second electro-optic conversion unit is a phase modulator (PM); Figure 4E In [diagram], the second electro-optic conversion unit is a structure in which an amplitude modulator (such as an MZ modulator (MZM) or an electro-absorption modulator (EAM)) and a phase modulator (PM) are connected in series. In addition to Figures 4A to 4E the structures shown, the second electro-optic conversion unit may also adopt other structures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0060] In some embodiments, the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit is a continuous signal.

[0061] In some embodiments, the second electro-optic conversion unit outputs a finite number of states, that is, the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit is a discrete signal with a finite number of values. For example, the value set of the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit may be {1, -1}, {1, 0} or {1, 0, -1}, etc. For example, for Figure 4A the second electro-optic conversion unit shown, the value of the second input signal B[n] input thereto is ±1, and the value of the output symbol sequence may be {1, -1}, {1, 0} or {1, 0, -1}; for Figure 4B the second electro-optic conversion unit shown, the value of the second input signal B[n] input thereto is ±1, and the value of the output symbol sequence may be {1, 0, -1}; for Figure 4C the second electro-optic conversion unit shown, the values of the second symbol sequence B[n] input thereto are 1 and 0, and the value of the output symbol sequence may be {1, 0}; for Figure 4DThe second electro-optic conversion unit shown has an input second symbol sequence B[n] with values of ±1, and the output symbol sequence can have values of {1, -1}; for Figure 4E the second electro-optic conversion unit shown, when it has a structure of a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) in series with a phase modulator (PM), the input second symbol sequence B[n] of the MZM has values of ±1, the input second symbol sequence B[n] of the PM has values of ±1, and the output symbol sequence of the second electro-optic conversion unit can have values of {1, 0, -1}. When it has a structure of an electro-absorption modulator (EAM) in series with a phase modulator (PM), the input second symbol sequence B[n] of the EAM has values of 1 and 0, the input second symbol sequence B[n] of the PM has values of ±1, and the output symbol sequence of the second electro-optic conversion unit can have values of {1, 0, -1}.

[0062] When the second electro-optic conversion unit only outputs a finite number of states, the second electro-optic conversion unit only requires logical operations, and its complexity, cost, and power consumption are all reduced.

[0063] In step 103, the first output signal and the second output signal are subjected to a correlation operation to obtain the correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal.

[0064] In some embodiments, performing a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal includes: multiplying the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal; and, performing an electrical averaging operation on the product signal, thereby obtaining the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0065] In some embodiments, the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal is determined by an optoelectronic method.

[0066] When using an optoelectronic method, the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit are connected in parallel. At this time, the first electro-optic conversion unit outputs an optical signal of the first output signal, and the second electro-optic conversion unit outputs an optical signal of the second output signal. Subsequently, the optical signal of the first output signal and the optical signal of the second output signal are combined into one optical signal, and an optoelectronic conversion and multiplication operation is performed on the combined optical signal, thereby obtaining the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal, and the product signal is an electrical signal.

[0067] In some embodiments, the optoelectronic method is implemented by an optoelectronic multiplier, for example, using an optoelectronic detector, a balanced detector, a coherent detector, etc. for optoelectronic conversion and multiplication operations. Figures 5A to 5B is a schematic diagram of the optoelectronic multiplier of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5AIn it, the optoelectronic multiplier includes a phase shifter a 90-degree hybrid and two balanced photodetectors (BPDs). Among them, the phase shifter is optional, that is Figure 5A it may include a phase shifter or may not include a phase shifter. Figure 5A In it, the optoelectronic multiplier has two input signals, namely signal 1 and signal 2. In this application, one of signal 1 and signal 2 is the optical signal of the first output signal output by the first electro-optic conversion unit, and the other of signal 1 and signal 2 is the optical signal of the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit. Among the output signals of the optoelectronic multiplier, it includes the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0068] Figure 5B In it, the optoelectronic multiplier includes two single photodetectors (PDs) and a multiplier. The input of one of the two PDs is the optical signal of the first output signal output by the first electro-optic conversion unit, and the output is the electrical signal of the first output signal; the input of the other of the two PDs is the optical signal of the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit, and the output is the electrical signal of the second output signal. The multiplier is used to calculate and output the product signal of the electrical signal of the first output signal and the electrical signal of the second output signal.

[0069] In addition to Figures 5A to 5B the structure shown, the optoelectronic multiplier can also adopt other structures, and this application does not limit this.

[0070] In some embodiments, the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal is determined by an optical method.

[0071] When using the optical method, the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit are connected in series to form an optical multiplier. This optical multiplier realizes the multiplication of the first output signal and the second output signal in the optical domain. Therefore, this optical multiplier directly outputs the optical signal of the product of the first output signal and the second output signal. Subsequently, photoelectric conversion is performed on this product optical signal, and then the electrical signal of the product of the first output signal and the second output signal, that is, the above-mentioned product signal, is obtained.

[0072] In some embodiments, photoelectric conversion is realized through a photoelectric conversion unit. The structure of the photoelectric conversion unit is, for example, similar to the structure of the optoelectronic multiplier shown in Figures 5A to 5B , the difference is that when using the optical method Figure 5AThe photoelectric multiplier in [the device] is used as a photoelectric conversion unit. At this time, one of its two input signals, namely signal 1 and signal 2, is the signal output after the series connection of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit, that is, the optical signal of the product of the first output signal and the second output signal, and the other is direct current light.

[0073] In addition to Figures 5A to 5B the structure shown, the photoelectric conversion unit can also adopt other structures, and this application does not limit this.

[0074] In some embodiments, an electrical averaging operation is performed on the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0075] Among them, the electrical averaging operation can be implemented in the analog domain. For example, the electrical averaging operation of the product signal can be implemented through an analog circuit; the electrical averaging operation can also be implemented in the digital domain. For example, after the product signal is subjected to analog-to-digital conversion, the electrical averaging operation of the digital signal corresponding to the product signal is implemented through a digital circuit.

[0076] In some embodiments, the electrical averaging operation is implemented through an electrical averaging unit. For example, the averaging of the signal is implemented through a low-pass filter or a low-speed DSP. Figures 6A to 6B is a schematic diagram of the electrical averaging unit of the embodiment of this application. In Figure 6A it, the electrical averaging unit includes two low-pass filters (Filter) and a low-speed digital signal processor (Low-speed DSP). Figure 6B in it, the electrical averaging unit includes a low-pass filter (Filter) and a low-speed digital signal processor (Low-speed DSP).

[0077] In addition to Figures 6A to 6B the structure shown, the electrical averaging unit can also adopt other structures, and this application does not limit this.

[0078] The above-mentioned photoelectric multiplier and electrical averaging unit of this application constitute a correlation operation unit, or the above-mentioned photoelectric multiplier, photoelectric conversion unit, and electrical averaging unit constitute a correlation operation unit. The structure for determining the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal will be exemplarily described below through embodiments. However, the manner of implementing the correlation operation in this application is not limited to this.

[0079] Figures 7 to 10 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure for determining the correlation quantity of the embodiment of this application. Among them, Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 the hardware structure shown includes a first electro-optic conversion unit, a second electro-optic conversion unit, a photoelectric multiplier, and an electrical averaging unit.Figure 8 The described hardware structure includes a first electro-optic conversion unit, a second electro-optic conversion unit, a photoelectric conversion unit, and an electrical averaging unit. And the first electro-optic conversion unit can be Figures 2A to 2D any of the first electro-optic conversion units shown or other structures, and the second electro-optic conversion unit can be Figures 4A to 4E any of the second electro-optic conversion units shown or other structures, the photoelectric multiplier or the photoelectric conversion unit can be Figures 5A to 5B any of the photoelectric multipliers shown or other structures, and the electrical averaging unit can be Figures 6A to 6B any of the electrical averaging units shown or other structures.

[0080] For example, Figure 7 in the hardware structure shown, the Figure 2A shown first electro-optic conversion unit, Figure 4A shown second electro-optic conversion unit, Figure 5A shown photoelectric multiplier, and Figure 6A shown electrical averaging unit are adopted. Figure 7 In, the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit are in parallel. The light to be modulated of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit is the DC light output by the same laser. Before the modulator, a part (for example, 95%) of the DC light is delivered to the first electro-optic conversion unit, and another part (for example, 5%) is delivered to the second electro-optic conversion unit. Among them, the coherent transmitter has multiple output ports. Therefore, the first output signal output by it can be included in the output signal I + jQ of the I + jQ detection end, or be included in the output signal I - jQ of the I - jQ detection end, or be included in the output signals of other detection branches. The acquisition of the first output signal can be realized by a beam splitter. A part (for example, 5%) of the output signal of the corresponding branch is split out by the beam splitter and used as the first output signal for this application. For details, reference can be made to the prior art. Figure 7 Taking the example that the first output signal is included in the output signal I - jQ of the I - jQ detection end, but this application is not limited thereto.

[0081] The input of the photoelectric multiplier is the first output signal output by the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second output signal output by the second electro-optic conversion unit. The output of the photoelectric multiplier is two electrical signals of the in-phase path and the quadrature path. The low-pass filtering of the electrical signals and the low-speed DSP constitute the electrical averaging unit. The electrical averaging operation can be realized in the analog domain or the digital domain.

[0082] For another example, Figure 8 in the hardware structure shown, the Figure 2A shown first electro-optic conversion unit, Figure 4A shown second electro-optic conversion unit, Figure 5A shown photoelectric conversion unit, and Figure 6AThe electrical averaging unit shown. Figure 8 In it, the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are connected in series to form an optical multiplier, realizing the multiplication of the first output signal and the second output signal in the optical domain. Before the modulator, a part (such as 95%) of the DC light output by the laser is delivered to the first electro-optical conversion unit, and the first electro-optical conversion unit forms the first output signal. This first output signal is included in the output signal at the output port (such as the I + jQ detection end or the I - jQ detection end or other detection ends) of the coherent transmitter. The input end of the second electro-optical conversion unit is connected to the corresponding output port of the coherent transmitter, and modulates the input signal containing this first output signal, and then outputs the product of the first output signal and the second output signal in the optical domain.

[0083] The two inputs of the photoelectric conversion unit are respectively the product of the first output signal and the second output signal in the optical domain and a part (such as 5%) of the DC light that is separated.

[0084] For another example, Figure 9 In the hardware structure shown, Figure 2A the first electro-optical conversion unit shown, Figure 4A the second electro-optical conversion unit shown, Figure 5B the photoelectric conversion unit shown, and Figure 6B the electrical averaging unit shown. Figure 9 In it, the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are connected in parallel. The light to be modulated by the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit is the DC light output by the same or different lasers. The first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit are respectively detected by a PD, then multiplied electrically through a multiplier, and then electrically averaged through the electrical averaging unit to obtain the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0085] In some embodiments, during the correlation operation process, a square wave multiplication frequency shift operation is further included. Specifically, the second input signal is multiplied by a low-frequency square wave, and the product of the second input signal and the low-frequency square wave is input to the second electro-optical conversion unit; correspondingly, in the correlation operation process, the product signal of the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit is multiplied by the low-frequency square wave, and then the product of the product signal and the low-frequency square wave is subjected to an electrical averaging operation to obtain the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal.

[0086] Figure 10 In it, in Figure 7Based on the hardware structure shown, a multiplier is set before the input of the second electro-optic conversion unit to multiply the second input signal by the low-frequency square wave, and a multiplier is set between the low-pass filter (Filter) and the low-speed digital signal processor (Low-speed DSP) of the electrical averaging unit to multiply the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal by the low-frequency square wave. In addition, a square wave multiplication frequency shift operation can also be added based on Figure 8 , Figure 9 and other hardware structures capable of performing related operations. The present application does not limit this.

[0087] Through the above embodiments, the present application adds a step of square wave multiplication frequency shift in the method for real-time monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter, that is, using the product of the low-frequency square wave and the second input signal as the input of the second electro-optic conversion unit, and performing an electrical averaging operation on the product of the product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal and the low-frequency square wave in the electrical averaging operation to obtain the correlation quantity between the first output signal and the second output signal. After adding the square wave multiplication frequency shift operation, the calculated correlation quantity can be transferred from DC to the frequency of the low-frequency square wave, thereby avoiding the 1 / f noise near DC.

[0088] In step 104, determine the time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity between the first output signal and the second output signal and the preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first input signal is input into the first electro-optic conversion unit, and its output is the first output signal. The second input signal is input into the second electro-optic conversion unit, and its output is the second output signal. The correlation quantity between the first output signal and the second output signal indicates the time delay difference between the output signals of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit. The corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference is: the sum of the time delay difference and a constant is proportional to the correlation quantity. Among them, the constant is related to the second input signal. As mentioned above, the second input signal is the difference signal of the first input signal at two different times, and this constant is related to the selection of the "two different times".

[0090] For example, the first input signal is A[n], and the second input signal is the difference signal of the first input signal A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] at two different times, where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2; at this time, the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference is expressed as:

[0091] S = k * (τ + (k 1+ k2)T / 2)

[0092] Wherein, S is the correlation quantity between the first output signal and the second output signal, τ is the time delay difference between the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit, T is the unit time length corresponding to the time sequence number n, k1 and k2 are integers and k1≠k2, and k is a known quantity related to k1 and k2.

[0093] It can be seen that the above constant is (k 1+ k2)T / 2. When the "two different moments" selected are different, k1 and k2 are different, and (k 1+ k2) may be different, and thus the above constant, i.e., (k 1+ k2)T / 2, may also be different.

[0094] Figures 11A to 11C It is a schematic diagram of the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 11A It shows the cases where k1 and k2 take values (-1, 0), (-1, 1), (-3, 0), and (-3, 1) respectively. In practical applications, k1 and k2 can also be other different combinations, and the present application does not limit this.

[0095] In the present application, the "corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference" corresponding to different combinations of k1 and k2 can be pre-stored in the memory. During the real-time monitoring of the time delay difference, when the values of k1 and k2 are given, the preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference can be found according to the values of k1 and k2. Then, according to the correlation quantity between the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit and the found corresponding relationship, the value of (τ+(k 1+ k2)T / 2) is determined, and thus the time delay difference τ is obtained.

[0096] Figure 11A In [reference], the second input signal is taken as the difference between the first input signals at two different moments as an example. When the second input signal is the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different moments, or the product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different moments and a randomly varying amplitude function with a finite value, or the product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different moments and a randomly varying amplitude function with an infinite value, the above corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference also applies.

[0097] For example, Figure 11B in [reference] shows the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference when k1 and k2 take values (-1, 0) respectively and the second input signal adopts different forms of differential signals of the first input signal. Figure 11BAmong them, curve S0 represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal B[n]=A[n + k1]-A[n + k2]; curve S1 represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal B[n]=sign(A[n + k1]-A[n + k2]); curve S2 represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal B[n]=Amp1[n]*sign(A[n + k1]-A[n + k2]), where Amp1[n] is a random amplitude sequence with finite values; curve S3 represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal B[n]=Amp2[n]*sign(A[n + k1]-A[n + k2]), where Amp2[n] is a random amplitude sequence with infinite values.

[0098] In addition, for the second input signal operating at intervals, the above corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference also applies.

[0099] For example, Figure 11C shows the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference when the same second input signal B[n] operates in different ways. Figure 11C Among them, curve Full represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal is assigned values for operation at all times (corresponding to Figure 3 the second row of squares); curve Half-assigned B[n] represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal operates at intervals at a rate of 1 / 2 (corresponding to Figure 3 the third row of squares); curve 1 / 4-assigned B[n] represents the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity of the first output signal and the second output signal and the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit when the second input signal operates at intervals at a rate of 1 / 4 (corresponding to Figure 3 the fourth row of squares).

[0100] Figures 11A to 11CIn this case, the unit of the relevant quantity is millivolt (mV), and the unit of the time delay difference is picosecond (ps). In practical applications, the units of the relevant quantity and the time delay difference may be different from this. Correspondingly, the slope of the corresponding curve may also be different. This application is not limited thereto.

[0101] In some embodiments, when the responses of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are the same, and the correlation quantity between the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit is 0, the time delays of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are aligned.

[0102] During the real-time monitoring process, the second input signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit is the differential signal of the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit. Therefore, even if the time delays of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second conversion unit are aligned, the time delay difference obtained through the above steps is not necessarily 0. For example, Figure 11A in this case, when k1 and k2 take values (-1, 1) respectively, the responses of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are the same, and the correlation quantity between the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit is 0, the time delays of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are aligned. At this time, the time delay of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit obtained through the above steps is 0; but when k1 and k2 take values (-1, 0) respectively, the responses of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are the same, and the correlation quantity between the first output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit is 0, the time delays of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are aligned. At this time, the time delay difference of the output signals of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit obtained through the above steps is T / 2 picoseconds.

[0103] In some embodiments, the real-time monitoring method for the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub-signal further includes:

[0104] Determining the time delay differences between the output signals of the multiple first electro-optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit respectively according to the correlation quantities between the first output signals of the multiple different first electro-optical conversion units and the second output signal of the same second electro-optical conversion unit and their corresponding relationships between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference; and calibrating the time delays between the multiple first electro-optical conversions based on the respective time delay differences.

[0105] In some implementations, calibrating the time delays between the multiple first electro-optical conversions based on the respective time delay differences includes:

[0106] Determine the reference time delay difference between the output signals of each first electro-optical conversion unit and the same second electro-optical conversion unit; wherein, the reference time delay difference is the value of the time delay difference when the correlation quantity is 0 in the corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0107] Determine the difference between each of the time delay differences and the corresponding reference time delay difference.

[0108] Calibrate the time delay of the corresponding first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit according to the difference.

[0109] Since it is considered that the time delays of the output signals of the corresponding first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are aligned when the correlation quantity is 0, therefore, after calibrating the time delay of the output signal of the corresponding first electro-optical conversion unit according to the difference, the time delays of the output signals of each first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit are aligned, and the time delay difference of the output signals of each first electro-optical conversion unit is 0.

[0110] For example, assume that N different first electro-optical conversion units are Tx11, Tx12, …, Tx1N, and the second electro-optical conversion unit is Tx2. Through steps 101 to 104 of the present application, it is determined that the time delay differences between the N first electro-optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit Tx2 are τ11, τ12, …, τ1N respectively, and the reference time delay differences between the N first electro-optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit Tx2 are τ01, τ02, …, τ0N respectively. Then the differences between the corresponding time delay differences and the reference time delay differences of the N first electro-optical conversion units are: (τ11 - τ01), (τ12 - τ02), …, (τ1N - τ0N). At this time, adjust the time delay of the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit Tx11 by [-(τ11 - τ01)], adjust the time delay of the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit Tx12 by [-(τ12 - τ02)], …, and adjust the time delay of the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit Tx1N by [-(τ1N - τ0N)]. After the above adjustments, the time delays of the output signals of these N first electro-optical conversion units are the same, and the time delay difference is 0. Thus, the time delay calibration between different first electro-optical conversion units is achieved.

[0111] The above has schematically described the real-time monitoring method for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter and part of the hardware structure for implementing this method, but the present application is not limited thereto. The real-time monitoring method for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter may further include other steps or processes. For the specific content of these steps or processes, reference may be made to the prior art. In addition, the above has made an exemplary description of the hardware structure for implementing the real-time monitoring method for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter, but the present application is not limited to these hardware structures, and appropriate modifications can also be made to these structures. The implementation manners of these modifications should all be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0112] Each of the above embodiments only makes an exemplary description of the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can also be made on the basis of each of the above embodiments. For example, each of the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0113] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the present application uses the signal output by the electro-optic conversion unit of the optical transmitter to determine the time delay difference, realizes the real-time monitoring of the time delay difference, and does not require the optical transmitter to send special signals; moreover, the present application can realize the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter by using low-bandwidth electrical devices, avoiding the use of high-speed devices, and can be flexibly realized in an integrated or non-integrated manner; in addition, the application scenarios of the present application are rich and applicable to the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference in a variety of optical transmitters.

[0114] Embodiments of the second aspect

[0115] The embodiments of the present application provide a real-time monitoring device for the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter. The same content as that in the embodiments of the first aspect will not be elaborated herein.

[0116] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the real-time monitoring device for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 12 shown, the real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter includes:

[0117] A first signal input unit 1201, which is used to input a first input signal to a first electro-optic conversion unit, so that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical to be modulated according to the first input signal to obtain a first output signal;

[0118] A second signal input unit 1202, which is used to input a second input signal to a second electro-optic conversion unit, so that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical to be modulated according to the second input signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal;

[0119] A correlation operation unit 1203, which is configured to perform a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal;

[0120] A time delay difference determination unit 1204, which is configured to determine a time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first electro-optical conversion unit is a transmitter or a partial modulation unit of a transmitter.

[0122] In some embodiments, the second electro-optical conversion unit outputs a finite number of states.

[0123] In some embodiments, the differential signal of the first input signal includes:

[0124] The difference between the first input signals at two different times; or

[0125] The symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times; or

[0126] The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a randomly varying amplitude sequence with a finite number of values; or

[0127] The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a randomly varying amplitude sequence with an infinite number of values.

[0128] In some embodiments, the correlation operation unit 1203 is specifically configured to:

[0129] Determine a product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal by an optoelectronic method or an optical method;

[0130] Perform an electrical averaging operation on the product signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first input signal is A[n], and the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signals A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] at two different times, where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2;

[0132] The correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference includes:

[0133] S = k * (τ + (k 1+ k2)T / 2)

[0134] Wherein, S is the relevant quantity, τ is the time delay difference between the first electro-optical conversion unit and the second electro-optical conversion unit, T is the unit time length corresponding to the time serial number n, k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and k is a known quantity related to k1 and k2.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second signal input unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0136] At a preset moment, input the second input signal into the second electro-optical conversion unit; at a moment other than the preset moment, input a signal unrelated to the first input signal or a 0 signal into the second electro-optical conversion unit.

[0137] In some embodiments, the time delay difference determination unit 1204 is further configured to:

[0138] Determine the time delay difference between the output signal of each first electro-optical conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit respectively according to the relevant quantity between the output signal of a plurality of first electro-optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit and the corresponding relationship between the relevant quantity and the time delay difference;

[0139] And the apparatus 1200 further includes a time delay calibration unit 1205, which is configured to calibrate the time delay between the plurality of first electro-optical conversions based on each time delay difference.

[0140] In some embodiments, the optical to be modulated corresponding to the first electro-optical conversion unit and the optical to be modulated corresponding to the second electro-optical conversion unit come from the same or different laser light sources.

[0141] It should be noted that only the components or modules related to the present application are described above, but the present application is not limited thereto. The real-time monitoring apparatus 1200 for the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub-signal in the embodiments of the present application may further include other components or modules. For the specific content of these components or modules, reference may be made to the related art.

[0142] For simplicity, Figure 12 Only the connection relationship or signal direction between each component or module is exemplarily shown, but those skilled in the art should clearly understand that various related technologies such as bus connection can be adopted. The above-mentioned each component or module can be implemented by hardware facilities such as a processor and a memory; the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0143] Each of the above embodiments only exemplarily illustrates the embodiments of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto, and appropriate modifications can also be made on the basis of each of the above embodiments. For example, each of the above embodiments can be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments can be combined.

[0144] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the present application uses the signal output by the electro-optical conversion unit of the optical transmitter to determine the time delay difference, realizing real-time monitoring of the time delay difference without the optical transmitter sending special signals. Moreover, the present application can realize the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter by using low-bandwidth electrical devices, avoiding the use of high-speed devices, and can be flexibly realized in an integrated or non-integrated manner. In addition, the application scenarios of the present application are rich and suitable for the monitoring of the sub-signal time delay difference in a variety of optical transmitters.

[0145] Embodiments of the third aspect

[0146] An embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, including a real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter as described in the embodiment of the second aspect, the content of which is incorporated herein. The electronic device may be, for example, a computer, a server, a workstation, a laptop computer, a smart phone, etc.; however, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0147] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device of the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 13 shown, the electronic device 1300 may include: a processor (such as a central processing unit CPU) 1310 and a memory 1320; the memory 1320 is coupled to the central processor 1310. The memory 1320 can store various data; in addition, a program 1321 for information processing is stored, and the program 1321 is executed under the control of the processor 1310.

[0148] In some embodiments, the function of the real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter is integrated into the processor 1310. Among them, the processor 1310 is configured to implement the real-time monitoring method for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter as described in the embodiment of the first aspect.

[0149] In some embodiments, the real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter is separately configured from the processor 1310. For example, the real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter may be configured as a chip connected to the processor 1310, and the function of the real-time monitoring device 1200 for the sub-signal time delay difference of the optical transmitter is realized through the control of the processor 1310.

[0150] For example, the processor 1310 is configured to perform the following control:

[0151] Input a first input signal into a first electro-optic conversion unit, such that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates a light to be modulated according to the first input signal to obtain a first output signal; input a second input signal into a second electro-optic conversion unit, such that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the light to be modulated according to the second input signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal; perform a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal; determine a time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0152] In addition, as Figure 13 shown, the electronic device 1300 may further include: an input / output (I / O) device 1330, a display 1340, etc.; wherein, the functions of the above components are similar to those in the prior art and will not be elaborated here. It should be noted that the electronic device 1300 does not necessarily have to include Figure 13 all the components shown in Figure 13 ; in addition, the electronic device 1300 may further include components not shown in

[0153] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable program, wherein when the program is executed in an electronic device, the program enables a computer to execute the method for real-time monitoring of the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub-signals as described in the embodiment of the first aspect in the electronic device.

[0154] The embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, wherein the computer-readable program enables a computer to execute the method for real-time monitoring of the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub-signals as described in the embodiment of the first aspect in an electronic device.

[0155] The above devices and methods of the present application may be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software. The present application relates to such a computer-readable program, which when executed by a logic component, can enable the logic component to implement the above-mentioned device or component, or enable the logic component to implement the above-mentioned various methods or steps. The present application also relates to a storage medium for storing the above program, such as a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a DVD, a flash memory, etc.

[0156] The method / apparatus described in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. For example, one or more of the functional block diagrams shown in the figures and / or a combination of one or more of the functional block diagrams can correspond to each of the software modules in the computer program flow, and can also correspond to each of the hardware modules. These software modules can respectively correspond to the various steps shown in the figures. These hardware modules can be implemented by solidifying these software modules using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0157] The software module can be located in a RAM memory, a flash memory, a ROM memory, an EPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storage medium can be coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium; or the storage medium can be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. The software module can be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or in a memory card insertable into the mobile terminal. For example, if the device (such as a mobile terminal) uses a larger-capacity MEGA-SIM card or a large-capacity flash device, the software module can be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the large-capacity flash device.

[0158] One or more of the functional block diagrams described in the accompanying drawings and / or a combination of one or more of the functional block diagrams can be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or any suitable combination thereof for performing the functions described in the present application. One or more of the functional block diagrams described in the accompanying drawings and / or a combination of one or more of the functional block diagrams can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in communication combination with a DSP, or any other such configuration.

[0159] The present application has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, but those skilled in the art should understand that these descriptions are exemplary and not a limitation on the protection scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various variations and modifications to the present application according to the principles of the present application, and these variations and modifications are also within the scope of the present application.

[0160] Regarding the embodiments including the above embodiments, the following postscript is also disclosed:

[0161] Postscript 1. A method for real-time monitoring of the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub-signal, the method comprising:

[0162] Input a first input signal into a first electro-optic conversion unit, so that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first signal to obtain a first output signal;

[0163] Input a second input signal into a second electro-optic conversion unit, so that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal;

[0164] Perform a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal;

[0165] Determine a time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

[0166] Supplementary Note 2. The method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first electro-optic conversion unit is a transmitter or a partial modulation unit of a transmitter.

[0167] Supplementary Note 3. The method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second electro-optic conversion unit outputs a finite number of states.

[0168] Supplementary Note 4. The method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the differential signal of the first input signal includes:

[0169] The difference between the first input signals at two different times; or

[0170] The symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times; or

[0171] The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a randomly varying amplitude sequence with a finite number of values; or

[0172] The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a randomly varying amplitude sequence with an infinite number of values.

[0173] Supplementary Note 5. The method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein performing a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal includes:

[0174] Determine a product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal by an optoelectronic method or an optical method;

[0175] Perform an electrical averaging operation on the product signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal.

[0176] Supplement Note 6. According to the method described in Supplement Note 1, wherein the first input signal is A[n], and the second input signal is the differential signal of the first input signals A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] at two different times, where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2;

[0177] The corresponding relationship between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference includes:

[0178] S = k * (τ + (k 1+ k2)T / 2)

[0179] where S is the correlation quantity, τ is the time delay difference between the first electro - optical conversion unit and the second electro - optical conversion unit, T is the unit time length corresponding to the time sequence number n, k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and k is a known quantity related to k1 and k2.

[0180] Supplement Note 7. According to the method described in Supplement Note 1, wherein at a preset time, the second input signal is input into the second electro - optical conversion unit; at times other than the preset time, a signal unrelated to the first input signal or a 0 signal is input into the second electro - optical conversion unit.

[0181] Supplement Note 8. According to the method described in Supplement Note 1, wherein the method further includes:

[0182] Determining the time delay differences between the output signals of the multiple first electro - optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro - optical conversion unit respectively according to the correlation quantities between the output signals of the multiple first electro - optical conversion units and the output signal of the second electro - optical conversion unit and their corresponding relationships between the correlation quantities and the time delay differences;

[0183] And the device further includes a time delay calibration unit, which is configured to calibrate the time delays between the multiple first electro - optical conversions based on the respective time delay differences.

[0184] Supplement Note 9. According to the device described in Supplement Note 1, wherein the optical signal to be modulated corresponding to the first electro - optical conversion unit and the optical signal to be modulated corresponding to the second electro - optical conversion unit come from the same or different laser light sources.

[0185] Supplement Note 10. An electronic device, including a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to implement the real - time monitoring method for the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub - signals as described in any one of Supplement Notes 1 to 9.

[0186] Supplement Note 11. A storage medium storing a computer - readable program, wherein the computer - readable program causes a computer to execute the real - time monitoring method for the time delay difference of the optical transmitter sub - signals as described in any one of Supplement Notes 1 to 9 in an electronic device.

Claims

1. A real-time monitoring device for the sub-signal time delay difference of an optical transmitter, characterized in that, The device includes: A first signal input unit, which is configured to input a first input signal to a first electro-optic conversion unit, so that the first electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first input signal to obtain a first output signal; A second signal input unit, which is configured to input a second input signal to a second electro-optic conversion unit, so that the second electro-optic conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second input signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal; A correlation operation unit, which is configured to perform a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal; A time delay difference determination unit, which is configured to determine a time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first electro-optic conversion unit is a transmitter or a partial modulation unit of a transmitter.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The second electro-optic conversion unit outputs a finite number of states.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The differential signal of the first input signal includes: The difference between the first input signals at two different times; or The symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times; or The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a random amplitude sequence with finite values; or The product of the symbol sequence of the difference between the first input signals at two different times and a random amplitude sequence with infinite values.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, Specifically, the correlation operation unit is configured to: Determine a product signal of the first output signal and the second output signal by an optoelectronic method or an optical method; Perform an electrical averaging operation on the product signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first input signal is A[n], and the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signals A[n + k1] and A[n + k2] at two different times, where k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2; The correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference includes: S = k*(τ+(k 1+ k2)T / 2) Where S is the correlation quantity, τ is the time delay difference between the first electro-optic conversion unit and the second electro-optic conversion unit, T is the unit time length corresponding to the time serial number n, k1 and k2 are integers and k1 ≠ k2, and k is a known quantity related to k1 and k2.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The second signal input unit is further configured to: At a preset moment, input the second input signal to the second electro-optic conversion unit; at a moment other than the preset moment, input a signal unrelated to the first input signal or a 0 signal to the second electro-optic conversion unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The time delay difference determination unit is further configured to: Respectively determine the time delay difference between the output signal of each first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit according to the correlation quantity between the output signal of each first electro-optic conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optic conversion unit and the corresponding correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference; And the device further includes a time delay calibration unit, which is configured to calibrate the time delay between the multiple first electro-optical conversions based on each of the time delay differences.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein The optical signal to be modulated corresponding to the first electro-optical conversion unit and the optical signal to be modulated corresponding to the second electro-optical conversion unit come from the same or different laser light sources.

10. A real-time monitoring method for the time delay difference of sub-signals of an optical transmitter, characterized in that, The method includes: Inputting a first input signal into a first electro-optical conversion unit, so that the first electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the first input signal to obtain a first output signal; Inputting a second input signal into a second electro-optical conversion unit, so that the second electro-optical conversion unit modulates the optical signal to be modulated according to the second input signal to obtain a second output signal; wherein, the second input signal is a differential signal of the first input signal; Performing a correlation operation on the first output signal and the second output signal to obtain a correlation quantity of the first input signal and the second input signal; Determining the time delay difference between the output signal of the first electro-optical conversion unit and the output signal of the second electro-optical conversion unit according to the correlation quantity and a preset correspondence between the correlation quantity and the time delay difference.

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