Communication system of vehicle and vehicle
By employing a parallel optical transmission path and a centralized light source design in the vehicle environment, the stability problem of high-bandwidth communication in vehicles was solved, realizing an efficient and stable optical communication system that is adaptable to the electromagnetically complex electric vehicle environment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies are insufficient to meet the high-bandwidth communication requirements of in-vehicle environments, especially in electric vehicles with complex electromagnetic environments, where the application of optical communication technology suffers from stability issues.
Using optical fiber as the transmission medium, an optical carrier is provided to modulate the uplink signal through a parallel optical transmission path between the optical line terminal and the optical network unit. This ensures that the light source is centrally located at the optical line terminal, each optical network unit shares the light source, and the transmission path is deployed in different optical fibers, thus achieving stable transmission of optical signals.
It improves the quality and stability of in-vehicle network communication, reduces costs, decreases structural complexity, enhances resistance to electromagnetic interference, and meets the high bandwidth requirements of future in-vehicle communication.
Smart Images

Figure CN121644261A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle communication technology, and in particular to a vehicle communication system and a vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of vehicle electrification, intelligence, and connectivity, as well as the improvement of driver assistance levels, the number of sensors on vehicles is increasing, the reliance on sensor data is becoming higher, and the required bandwidth is also increasing.
[0003] Currently, to address the high bandwidth requirements of automotive applications and the complex electromagnetic environment in the automotive field, optical fibers are typically used instead of cables and twisted pairs as the transmission medium for electric vehicles that integrate high-voltage battery packs and low-voltage electronic components, in order to solve electromagnetic interference. However, application bottlenecks still exist in the application of optical communication technology in the automotive environment. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above problems, embodiments of this application provide a vehicle communication system and a vehicle.
[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a vehicle communication system, the communication system including an optical line terminal and m optical network units, the m optical network units including a first optical network unit and a second optical network unit, where m is a positive integer, m≥2, and includes:
[0006] The optical line terminal is used to send a first optical carrier to the first optical network unit through a first optical transmission path and to send a second optical carrier to the second optical network unit through a second optical transmission path. The first optical carrier is used by the first optical network unit to modulate a first uplink optical signal, and the second optical carrier is used by the second optical network unit to modulate a second uplink optical signal. At least a portion of the first optical transmission path and at least a portion of the second optical transmission path are respectively deployed on different optical fibers.
[0007] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal includes an optical emitting module.
[0008] The optical transmitting module includes a first uplink optical transmitting unit, wherein the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit; or,
[0009] The optical transmitting module includes a first uplink optical transmitting unit and a second uplink optical transmitting unit. The first optical carrier is transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit, and the second optical carrier is transmitted by the second uplink optical transmitting unit.
[0010] In some possible implementations, the optical transmitting module includes a first uplink optical transmitting unit, wherein the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit. The communication system further includes a splitter that is communicatively connected to the m optical network units. The splitter is communicatively connected to the first uplink optical transmitting unit and is used to divide the optical carrier transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit into multiple optical carriers, wherein the multiple optical carriers include the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier.
[0011] In some possible implementations, the optical splitter is connected to the first optical network unit via a first optical fiber, and the optical splitter is connected to the second optical network unit via a second optical fiber. The first optical transmission path is deployed on the first optical fiber, and the second optical transmission path is deployed on the second optical fiber.
[0012] In some possible implementations, the first optical network unit includes an optical receiving unit and an uplink optical modulator. The optical receiving unit is used to receive the first optical carrier, and the uplink optical modulator is used to modulate the first optical carrier to obtain a first uplink optical signal and send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal.
[0013] In some possible implementations, the first transmission time of the first uplink optical signal is different from the second transmission time of the second uplink optical signal.
[0014] In some possible implementations, the first optical network unit includes an optical control unit for controlling the transmission timing of the first uplink optical signal.
[0015] In some possible implementations, the optical control unit is an optical switch or a VOA.
[0016] In some possible implementations, the communication system includes a first uplink optical transmission path through which the first uplink optical signal and the second uplink optical signal are transmitted to the optical line terminal.
[0017] In some possible implementations, the communication system includes a first uplink optical transmission path and a second uplink optical transmission path, wherein the first uplink optical signal is transmitted to the optical line terminal through the first uplink optical transmission path, and the second uplink optical signal is transmitted to the optical line terminal through the second uplink optical transmission path.
[0018] In some possible implementations, the first uplink optical transmission path and the second uplink optical transmission path are deployed on different optical fibers.
[0019] In some possible implementations, the communication system further includes a first downlink optical transmission path and a second downlink optical transmission path, wherein the first downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit, and the second downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit.
[0020] In some possible implementations, the downlink optical signal is a broadcast signal sent to the m optical network units.
[0021] In some possible implementations, the downlink optical signal includes a first indication field, which is used to indicate the optical network unit corresponding to the downlink optical signal.
[0022] In some possible implementations, the first downlink optical transmission path and the first optical transmission path are deployed on the same optical fiber.
[0023] In some possible implementations, the downlink optical signal has a different wavelength than the first optical carrier.
[0024] In some possible implementations, the optical transmitting module includes a downlink optical transmitting unit through which the downlink optical signal is transmitted.
[0025] In some possible implementations, the downlink optical transmitting unit includes a downlink light source and a downlink optical modulator, wherein the downlink light source is used to transmit a downlink optical carrier, and the downlink optical modulator is used to modulate the downlink optical carrier to obtain the downlink optical signal.
[0026] In some possible implementations, the communication system further includes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM), which combines the downlink optical signal and the uplink optical carrier emitted by the optical transmitting module of the communication system into a combined optical wave. The combined optical wave is transmitted via optical fiber to a splitter connected to the m optical network units (ONUs). The splitter divides the combined optical wave into m sub-optical waves, which are respectively transmitted to the m ONUs. The m sub-optical waves include a first sub-optical wave and a second sub-optical wave. The first sub-optical wave is transmitted to the first ONU via the first optical transmission path, and the second sub-optical wave is transmitted to the second ONU via the second optical transmission path.
[0027] The communication system further includes a first dewavelength division multiplexer and a second dewavelength division multiplexer. The first dewavelength division multiplexer is used to divide the first sub-optical wave into the first optical carrier and the downlink optical signal, and transmit the first optical carrier to the uplink optical modulator of the first optical network unit and transmit the downlink optical signal to the optical receiving unit of the first optical network unit. The second dewavelength division multiplexer is used to divide the second sub-optical wave into the second optical carrier and the downlink optical signal, and transmit the second optical carrier to the uplink optical modulator of the second optical network unit and transmit the downlink optical signal to the optical receiving unit of the second optical network unit.
[0028] In some possible implementations, the communication system includes multiple optical network unit groups, each of the optical network unit groups including a splitter and at least one optical network unit, wherein the at least one optical network unit in the multiple optical network unit groups is communicatively connected to the optical line terminal through the splitter of the optical network unit group;
[0029] The plurality of optical network unit groups include a first optical network unit group, which includes the m optical network units. The splitter of the first optical network unit group is communicatively connected to the optical line terminal. The first optical transmission path is deployed on the optical fiber connecting the optical line terminal and the splitter of the first optical network unit group, the splitter of the first optical network unit group, and the optical fiber connecting the first optical network unit and the splitter of the m optical network units. The second optical transmission path is deployed on the optical fiber connecting the optical line terminal and the splitter of the second optical network unit group, the splitter of the second optical network unit group, and the optical fiber connecting the second optical network unit and the splitter of the m optical network units.
[0030] In some possible implementations, the communication system includes a main optical fiber with both ends connected to the optical line terminal, and the splitters of the plurality of optical network unit groups are communicatively connected to the optical line terminal through the main optical fiber.
[0031] In some possible implementations, the plurality of optical network unit groups includes a second optical network unit group, wherein the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group has a different wavelength than the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit group.
[0032] In some possible implementations, the downlink optical signals from the optical line terminal to the m optical network units of the first optical network unit group are identical.
[0033] In some possible implementations, the optical transmission module of the optical line terminal includes multiple downlink optical transmission units, the multiple downlink optical transmission units including a first downlink optical transmission unit and a second downlink optical transmission unit, the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group is sent by the first optical transmission unit, and the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit group is sent by the second optical transmission unit.
[0034] In some possible implementations, the splitters of the plurality of optical network unit groups are respectively connected to the optical line terminal via different optical fibers.
[0035] In some possible implementations, the wavelengths of the downlink optical signals transmitted by the optical line terminal to the splitters of the plurality of optical network unit groups are the same; or,
[0036] The wavelengths of the downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the splitters of the multiple optical network unit groups are different.
[0037] In some possible implementations, the optical transmitting module and the optical receiving module of the communication system are deployed around the optical line terminal.
[0038] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal is connected to a controller or the optical line terminal is deployed on the controller, which is a domain controller or a central controller.
[0039] In some possible implementations, the optical transmitting module of the optical line terminal and the optical receiving module of the communication system are deployed around the controller.
[0040] In some possible implementations, the first optical network unit is connected to the vehicle-mounted device.
[0041] In some possible implementations, the first optical network unit is deployed on an in-vehicle device, which includes sensors or actuators.
[0042] A second aspect of this application provides a vehicle that includes the communication system described in the first aspect of this application.
[0043] The specific beneficial effects are as follows:
[0044] This application utilizes a communication system to realize network communication in a vehicle environment, thereby improving the quality of vehicle network communication. At the same time, it provides optical carriers for the modulation of uplink signals of optical network units based on optical line terminals, and the transmission paths for transmitting optical carriers between optical line terminals and m optical network units in the communication system are connected in parallel, which can improve the stability of uplink signal transmission. Attached Figure Description
[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0046] Figures 1A to 1B This is a schematic diagram of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission process of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical network unit provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0049] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the optical network unit provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0051] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0052] Figure 7 This is a topology diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0053] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0054] Figure 9 This is a topology diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0055] The attached figures are labeled as follows:
[0056] 1-Optical line terminal; 101-Optical transmitting module; 1011-Uplink optical transmitting unit; 1012-Downlink optical transmitting unit; 102-Optical receiving module; 1021-Optical receiving unit; 1'-Central computing platform; 2-Optical network unit; 201-Optical receiving unit; 202-Uplink optical modulator; 203-Optical control unit; 204-Vehicle-mounted device; A-Silicon photonics chip; B-Electrical chip; C-Media access control chip; D-Transimpedance amplifier chip; E-Laser driver chip; 2'-Optical network unit group; 3-Wavelength division multiplexer; 4-Optical splitter; 5-De-Wavelength division multiplexer; 6-Main optical fiber. Detailed Implementation
[0057] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of this application and to fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art.
[0058] With the development of vehicle electrification, intelligence, and connectivity, as well as the improvement of driver assistance systems, the demand for in-vehicle communication network bandwidth is gradually increasing, mainly in two aspects: First, the improvement of driver assistance systems requires the fusion of multiple sensors, including data fusion between cameras, ultrasonic radar, lidar, and millimeter-wave radar. The development of in-vehicle cameras, in particular, has two directions: firstly, the number of cameras has exceeded 10; secondly, cameras are becoming more high-definition, with 8-megapixel cameras already in mass production. Without compression, the data transmission bandwidth is approaching 10Gbps. Second, the development of smart cockpits, with the increase in interactive and entertainment devices such as screens, places higher demands on in-vehicle communication bandwidth. In summary, the future demand for in-vehicle communication bandwidth is expected to exceed 50Gbps, or even higher, reaching 100Gbps, approaching the network bandwidth requirements of consumer electronics products.
[0059] However, current traditional automotive buses, such as Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Media Oriented System Transport (MOST), and FlexRay, have transmission bandwidths below 150Mbps. High-speed automotive communication primarily uses Ethernet, currently supporting a maximum transmission rate of 10Gbps, and its transmission medium is twisted-pair cable, which is insufficient to meet the bandwidth requirements of future automotive networks. Furthermore, the electromagnetic environment in the automotive field is more complex, especially in electric vehicles, where high-voltage battery packs and low-voltage electronic components are integrated, easily causing severe electromagnetic interference to communication transmissions.
[0060] Optical communication technology can often achieve higher network bandwidth. Considering the future demand for high bandwidth (50Gbps+) in automotive applications, and referencing current industry practices where bandwidths above 40Gbps are typically achieved using optical fiber as the transmission medium, replacing cables and twisted-pair cables with optical fiber is a better choice. Optical fiber not only meets the future bandwidth requirements of automotive transmission but also better mitigates electromagnetic interference.
[0061] However, there are still some challenges in applying optical communication technology to the automotive environment. For example, the number of automotive devices such as sensors and actuators in the automotive environment is increasing, and the reliance on sensors is growing. Optical communication technology in related technologies cannot guarantee the stability of communication between sensors and other automotive devices.
[0062] In view of the above problems, this application proposes a vehicle communication system and a vehicle to solve the problem of high bandwidth requirements of optical communication technology in the vehicle environment. The communication system provided by this application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.
[0063] The first aspect of this application proposes a communication system. As a key technology in the field of intelligent vehicles, vehicle-mounted optical communication can meet the needs of high-speed, stable and large-capacity vehicle-mounted communication by utilizing the advantages of optical fiber transmission. It can not only provide higher data transmission rates and larger spectrum resources, but also has lower power consumption and stronger anti-interference capabilities, making it suitable for the complex electromagnetic environment inside the vehicle.
[0064] Reference Figures 1A to 1B The diagram shows a schematic representation of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0065] In some possible implementations, the communication system may include an optical line terminal (OLT) and an optical network unit (ONU).
[0066] Optionally, one optical line terminal can be set, and m optical network units can be set. For example, the m optical network units can include the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit, where m is a positive integer and m≥2.
[0067] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal (OLT) is used to transmit a first optical carrier to a first optical network unit (ONU) via a first optical transmission path, and a second optical carrier to a second ONU via a second optical transmission path, wherein the first optical carrier is used by the first ONU to modulate a first uplink optical signal, and the second optical carrier is used by the second ONU to modulate a second uplink optical signal. At least a portion of the first optical transmission path and at least a portion of the second optical transmission path are deployed on different optical fibers.
[0068] An optical carrier can be understood as an empty carrier that has not yet been modulated. After the optical carrier is modulated, an optical signal containing data and / or information can be obtained.
[0069] In this scheme, the optical line terminal (OLT) provides a light source for modulating the uplink signal of the optical network unit (ONU). This centralized arrangement of the light source at the OLT, compared to a scheme where each onboard device has its own independent light source, offers better protection for the light source. For example, it improves heat dissipation and structural protection, ensuring the stability of the light source and thus guaranteeing the transmission of the uplink signal. For instance, if each ONU has its own independent light source for modulating its uplink signal, each ONU would need its own heat dissipation and protection structures to protect the light source, leading to increased costs and numerous structural design changes. In this embodiment, by placing the light source at the OLT, the uplink signals of each ONU share the carrier wave emitted by this light source, reducing costs and simplifying the structure.
[0070] In this application, at least a portion of the first optical transmission path and at least a portion of the second optical transmission path are deployed on different optical fibers. This can be understood as the first optical transmission path and the second optical transmission path being completely deployed on different optical fibers, or the first optical transmission path and the second optical transmission path being partially deployed on the same optical fiber and partially deployed on different optical fibers.
[0071] The first and second optical transmission paths are deployed on completely different optical fibers, and the optical transmission paths from the optical line terminal to the first and second optical network units are completely parallel. In this way, each optical network unit receives the optical carrier through its own optical transmission path. Compared to a serial approach, this avoids the situation where a failure in a segment of the transmission path corresponding to one optical network unit prevents other optical network units from being unable to receive the optical carrier, thus hindering uplink signal modulation. The solution proposed in this application improves the stability of uplink optical signal transmission.
[0072] The first and second optical transmission paths are partially deployed on the same optical fiber and partially on different optical fibers. This can be understood as a shared portion and an independent portion. If the independent portion of the first transmission path fails, it does not affect the continued transmission of the second optical carrier on the second transmission path. This also improves the stability of uplink optical signal transmission and simplifies the fiber optic lines of the communication system. For example, if the shared fiber optic structure is well-protected, this scheme can effectively simplify the lines and improve system stability.
[0073] Thus, the technical solution of this application allows the vehicle-mounted device to send uplink optical signals through the optical network unit, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle-mounted device's communication.
[0074] In some alternative implementations, the first optical network unit is connected to the vehicle-mounted device; or, the first optical network unit is deployed on the vehicle-mounted device, which includes sensors or actuators. This allows the vehicle-mounted device to communicate via the optical network unit, improving the stability of communication within the vehicle-mounted device.
[0075] In some alternative implementations, the optical line terminal is connected to the controller or deployed on the controller, which is either a domain controller or a central controller. This allows the controller and the vehicle-mounted devices to share the same light source.
[0076] In some alternative implementations, the optical transmitter module of the optical line terminal and the optical receiver module of the communication system are deployed around the controller. This allows the controller's cooling system to be used to cool the optical transmitter module.
[0077] Optionally, the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit can be understood as any two optical network units among m optical network units.
[0078] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal (OLT) transmits optical carriers to m optical network units (ONUs) via m optical transmission paths. This ensures that the optical transmission paths from the OLT to the multiple ONUs are parallel, allowing each ONU to receive the optical carrier via its own path. This improves the stability of uplink signal transmission from each ONU and guarantees the overall reliability of the system.
[0079] In some examples, the optical line terminal can be placed in a central position in the vehicle to balance the transmission with each optical network unit, or it can be placed in other positions. The optical network units can be distributed in various areas of the vehicle, and can be set according to the actual needs of the vehicle.
[0080] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal (OLT) is deployed on or communicatively connected to the vehicle's central computing platform, while the optical network unit (ONU) is deployed on or communicatively connected to onboard electronic devices, such as sensors, actuators, or controllers. This allows communication between the onboard electronic devices and the central computing platform via the ONU and the OLT. The communication system described in this application can improve the stability of uplink signals transmitted from the onboard devices to the central computing platform.
[0081] In the parallel structure of optical line terminal and optical network unit, the optical line terminal can be mainly used to send a first optical carrier to the first optical network unit through a first optical transmission path, and to send a second optical carrier to the second optical network unit through a second optical transmission path; the first optical carrier can be used by the first optical network unit to modulate a first uplink optical signal, and the second optical carrier can be used by the second optical network unit to modulate a second uplink optical signal.
[0082] In some possible implementations, the optical line terminal is directly connected to the first optical network unit via optical fiber, and the optical line terminal is directly connected to the second optical network unit via optical fiber.
[0083] For example, such as Figure 1A As shown, optical line terminal 1 and m optical network units, such as optical network unit 2-1, optical network unit 2-2, ..., optical network unit 2-m, are directly connected via optical fibers. Optical network unit 2-1 can be understood as the first optical network unit, and optical network unit 2-2 can be understood as the second optical network unit. Of course, the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit can also be any two other optical network units among the m optical network units.
[0084] In this scheme, the first optical transmission path for optical line terminal 1 to send an optical carrier to optical network unit 2-1 is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and optical network unit 2-1, and the optical transmission path for optical line terminal 1 to send an optical carrier to optical network unit 2-2 is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and optical network unit 2-2. Similarly, the optical transmission path for optical line terminal 1 to send an optical carrier to optical network unit 2-m is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and optical network unit 2-m.
[0085] In some other possible implementations, the optical line terminal and the optical splitter are connected, and the optical splitter is connected to the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit, respectively.
[0086] For example, such as Figure 1B As shown, the optical line terminal 1 and the m optical network units are connected via an optical splitter 4. The optical line terminal 1 and the optical splitter 4 are connected via optical fibers, and the optical splitter 4 is connected to each of the m optical network units via m separate optical fibers. Optionally, the optical splitter is connected to the first optical network unit via a first optical fiber, and to the second optical network unit via a second optical fiber. The first optical transmission path is deployed on the first optical fiber, and the second optical transmission path is deployed on the second optical fiber.
[0087] In this scheme, the optical carrier transmitted by optical line terminal 1 is split into m bundles by a splitter, and each bundle is transmitted to m optical network units via m optical fibers. The first optical transmission path for optical carrier transmission from optical line terminal 1 to optical network unit 2-1 is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and the splitter, as well as the optical fiber connecting the splitter and optical network unit 2-1. The optical transmission path for optical carrier transmission from optical line terminal 1 to optical network unit 2-2 is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and the splitter, as well as the optical fiber connecting the splitter and optical network unit 2-2. Similarly, the optical transmission path for optical carrier transmission from optical line terminal 1 to optical network unit 2-m is deployed on the optical fiber connecting optical line terminal 1 and the splitter, as well as the optical fiber connecting the splitter and optical network unit 2-m.
[0088] The following section, in conjunction with the accompanying diagram, describes the implementation scheme for uplink optical signal transmission.
[0089] Reference Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the transmission process of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0090] The optical line terminal includes an optical transmitting module. The optical transmitting module includes one or more uplink optical transmitting units. Each uplink optical transmitting unit includes at least a light source, such as an LD1.
[0091] The first optical carrier and the second optical carrier can be transmitted by the same uplink optical transmitting unit or by different uplink optical transmitting units.
[0092] In some embodiments, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by the same uplink optical transmitting unit.
[0093] Specifically, the optical transmitting module includes a first uplink optical transmitting unit, and the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit. In this scheme, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier share one uplink optical transmitting unit, or in other words, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier share one light source, which can simplify the structure of the communication system.
[0094] In one possible implementation, the first uplink optical transmitting unit can be connected to a splitter, and the optical carrier transmitted by the first uplink optical transmission is split into multiple optical carriers by the splitter. The multiple optical carriers include a first optical carrier sent to a first optical network unit and a second optical carrier sent to a second optical network unit.
[0095] Optionally, the optical line terminal transmits optical carriers to m optical network units through the first uplink optical transmitting unit. For example, it can be combined with... Figure 1B In one embodiment, the optical line terminal 1 is connected to m optical network units via a splitter 4. The optical carrier emitted by the optical line terminal 1 through the first uplink optical transmitting unit is split into m optical carriers by the splitter 4, and the m optical carriers are transmitted to the m optical network units respectively through m optical fibers.
[0096] like Figure 2 As shown, the optical carrier transmitted by optical line terminal 1 is split into m optical carriers by a splitter, and sent to m optical network units (2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-m) respectively.
[0097] In another possible implementation, the first uplink optical transmitting unit transmits optical carriers to different optical network units at different times. This can be understood as time-division multiplexing the optical carriers.
[0098] In other embodiments, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by different uplink optical transmitting units.
[0099] The optical transmitting module includes a first uplink optical transmitting unit and a second uplink optical transmitting unit. The first optical carrier is transmitted by the first uplink optical transmitting unit, and the second optical carrier is transmitted by the second uplink optical transmitting unit. In this scheme, two optical transmitting units transmit the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier respectively; or, in other words, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are transmitted by two different light sources. This makes the connection of the communication system and the transmission of the first and second optical carriers more flexible and stable.
[0100] Can be combined Figure 1A In one embodiment, the optical line terminal includes m optical transmitting units, and each of the m optical transmitting units transmits m optical carriers to m optical network units. It should be understood that... Figure 1A In a corresponding embodiment, one uplink optical transmitting unit can send m optical carriers to m optical network units respectively.
[0101] In some possible embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the optical network unit 2 may include an optical receiving unit 201 and an uplink optical modulator 202. The optical receiving unit 201 is mainly used to receive uplink optical carriers; the uplink optical modulator 202 is mainly used to modulate uplink optical signals based on uplink optical carriers to obtain uplink optical signals, and to transmit the modulated uplink optical signals to optical line terminals.
[0102] Optionally, the optical network unit 2 can be connected to or deployed within an in-vehicle device, which may include, but is not limited to, sensors and / or actuators. For example, the first optical network unit can be connected to a sensor or actuator; or, the first optical network unit can be deployed within a sensor or actuator. The sensor and / or actuator can be a domain controller related to control domains such as vehicle control, smart cockpit, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Sensors may include, but are not limited to, cameras, millimeter-wave radar, lidar, and ultrasonic radar; actuators may be electric motors, clutch valves, valve mechanisms, solenoid valves, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on these aspects.
[0103] The transmission of uplink optical signals represents the process by which an optical network unit (ONU) transmits uplink signals to an optical line terminal (OLT).
[0104] In some possible embodiments, taking the first optical network unit as an example, the uplink optical signal transmission process of the optical network unit is described. The optical line terminal 1 transmits a first optical carrier λ0' to the first optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-1, via a light source, such as LD1, included in the uplink optical transmitting unit 1011 of the optical transmitting module 101 through a first optical transmission path. This allows optical network unit 2-1 to modulate a first uplink optical signal based on the first optical carrier λ0'. The first optical network unit can then transmit the modulated first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal. It should be noted that the identifier of the uplink optical carrier transmitted to other optical network units can refer to the identifier of the first optical carrier; this application does not impose any limitations on this.
[0105] In some possible embodiments, taking a first optical network unit as an example, the uplink optical signal modulation process of the optical network unit is described. The first optical network unit receives a first optical carrier. The uplink optical modulator 202 of the first optical network unit receives a first electrical signal from the vehicle-mounted device, the first electrical signal containing relevant information or data of the vehicle-mounted device; the uplink optical modulator 202 can modulate the first optical carrier based on the first electrical signal containing information or data to obtain a first uplink optical signal containing the aforementioned information or data, and send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal. In this way, the information or data of the vehicle-mounted device is transmitted to the optical line terminal in the form of an optical signal.
[0106] The transmission path for the first optical network unit to send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal and the transmission path for the second optical network unit to send the second uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal can be the same or different.
[0107] In some possible embodiments, the transmission path for the first optical network unit to send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal and the transmission path for the second optical network unit to send the second uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal are the same.
[0108] Optionally, the communication system includes a first uplink optical transmission path, through which a first uplink optical signal and a second uplink optical signal are transmitted to an optical line terminal. Alternatively, a first optical network unit and a second optical network unit transmit the first uplink optical signal and the second uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal via the first uplink optical transmission path. Or, the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit transmit the first uplink optical signal and the second uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal via the same optical fiber.
[0109] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the uplink optical signals of m optical network units are transmitted to the optical line terminal (OLT) through the same transmission path. Optionally, the uplink optical signals of the m optical network units are transmitted to the OLT through the same optical fiber. This simplifies the system architecture.
[0110] Optionally, the transmission times of the first uplink optical signal and the second uplink optical signal are different. In other words, the first uplink optical signal and the second uplink optical signal are transmitted in a time-division multiplexing manner. For example, Figure 2 The uplink optical signals of the m optical network units in the network are transmitted at different times. This ensures that only one ONU is transmitting data at any given time, thus avoiding interference between signals.
[0111] In some possible embodiments, the transmission timing of the uplink optical signal can be implemented based on the optical control unit. The optical network unit also includes an optical control unit, which can be used to control the transmission of the uplink optical signal, for example, to control the transmission timing of the uplink optical signal modulated by the uplink optical modulator 202, so that the uplink optical signal is transmitted to the optical line terminal 1 at the corresponding transmission timing. Taking the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit as examples, the optical control unit 203 of the first optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-1, can be used to control the transmission timing of the first uplink optical signal, and the optical control unit 203 of the second optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-1, can be used to control the transmission timing of the second uplink optical signal, so that the first transmission timing of the first uplink optical signal is different from the second transmission timing of the second uplink optical signal.
[0112] Optionally, the optical control unit 203 can be an optical switch or a fiber optic attenuator (VOA), and this application does not limit it in this regard.
[0113] In some other possible embodiments, the uplink optical signals of the m optical network units are transmitted to the optical line terminal via different transmission paths. Optionally, the uplink optical signals of the m optical network units are transmitted to the optical line terminal via different optical fibers.
[0114] For example, a communication system includes a first uplink optical transmission path and a second uplink optical transmission path. The first uplink optical signal is transmitted to the optical line terminal through the first uplink optical transmission path, and the second uplink optical signal is transmitted to the optical line terminal through the second uplink optical transmission path.
[0115] Optionally, the first uplink optical transmission path and the second uplink optical transmission path are deployed on different optical fibers.
[0116] The following diagram illustrates the implementation scheme for controlling the transmission of uplink optical signals at different times.
[0117] Reference Figure 4 The diagram shows a specific structural schematic of the optical network unit provided in the embodiments of this application.
[0118] In some possible implementations, the optical receiving unit 201, the uplink optical modulator 202, and the optical control unit 203 can be deployed on the silicon photonics chip A of the optical network unit 2 to control the devices integrated on the silicon photonics chip A based on the electrical chip B.
[0119] For example, the silicon photonics chip A can be a photonics integrated circuit (PIC). The light receiving unit 201 deployed on the silicon photonics chip can be manufactured using, but is not limited to, a silicon-based silicon-germanium process or a III-V semiconductor material. Specifically, the light receiving unit 201 can be a silicon-based silicon-germanium process PIN photodiode, an avalanche photodiode detector (APD), or a III-V semiconductor-based PIN / APD light receiver. The uplink light modulator 202 deployed on the silicon photonics chip can be manufactured using either silicon or lithium niobate. That is, it can be a silicon-based modulator or a lithium niobate-based modulator; this embodiment does not limit the specific application.
[0120] Optionally, the silicon photonics chip has a transmission mode MOD, which can be switched by the optical control unit 203 based on the transmission time of different uplink optical signals. Different transmission modes MOD may include, but are not limited to, a first signal transmission mode based on the optical receiving unit 201, a second signal transmission mode based on the uplink optical modulator 202, and a third signal transmission mode that does not process the received signal.
[0121] In some possible implementations, the control of the uplink optical signal transmission timing by the optical control unit 203 can be mainly achieved by the control of the optical control unit 203 by the electrical chip B.
[0122] For example, the electrical chip B can be an Electronic Integrated Circuit (EIC) chip, which may include an optical driver chip and a Media Access Control (MAC) chip C. The optical driver chip can be, for example, a transimpedance amplifier chip D (TIA) or a laser driver chip E (LD Driver), mainly used to implement photoelectric signal driving and photoelectric signal processing functions. The media access control chip C can be located in the physical layer and data link layer, and is used to control the optical control unit 203 on the silicon photonics chip A to perform signal transmission. Specifically, the transmission time of the uplink optical signal can be controlled by controlling the optical control unit 203.
[0123] In some possible implementations, an optical network unit can be integrated based on the vehicle-mounted device 204, the silicon photonics chip A, and the electrical chip B. The vehicle-mounted device 204, silicon photonics chip A, and electrical chip B can be deployed in a discrete or integrated manner, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.
[0124] Optionally, in each optical network unit, the vehicle-mounted optical communication device, silicon photonics chip, and electrical chip can be integrated on the same printed circuit board (PCB); m such Figure 4 The optical network units shown can be integrated onto the same printed circuit board (PCB). For example... Figure 4 The optical network unit shown does not contain a temperature-sensitive light-emitting unit, and its silicon photonics chip is fabricated using CMOS technology, such as... Figure 4 The optical network unit shown has the characteristics of high temperature resistance (e.g., -40℃ to 125℃), high reliability and consistency.
[0125] To control m optical network units to send uplink optical signals at different transmission times, it can be understood that the transmission times of the uplink optical signals of the m optical network units are different, and the working time periods of the different optical network units are different.
[0126] The following example illustrates how different transmission times of uplink optical signals from m optical network units can be achieved.
[0127] The uplink optical signals of m optical network units are transmitted at different times, which can be understood as the uplink signals of the m optical network units being transmitted in a time-division multiplexing manner. Assuming the transmission time of each ONU is t (t1~tn), where t ranges from 125±120µs, when the first optical network unit is working, only the optical controller 203 of the first optical network unit is allowed to control the first optical network unit, for example, optical network unit 2-1, to transmit the first uplink optical signal. At this time, the other optical network units, such as optical network unit 2-2, are inactive. When the other optical network units, such as optical network unit 2-2, are working, the same process can be used. Thus, the optical control unit 203 ensures that the working time periods of different optical network units (ONUs) are different, thereby achieving time-division multiplexing of uplink signal transmission.
[0128] In some possible implementations, when the first optical carrier λ0' is transmitted to the silicon photonics chip of the first optical network unit, specifically to the uplink optical modulator of the silicon photonics chip, the uplink optical modulator 202 in the silicon photonics chip A can be driven by an optical driver chip, such as Driver chip E, to modulate the first optical carrier λ0' based on the first electrical signal to obtain the first uplink optical signal. During the modulation process, the electrical signal to optical signal conversion is completed. At this time, the optical controller 203 of the first optical network unit will not send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal. When the transmission time of the first uplink optical signal is reached, the optical control unit 203 can be controlled by the electrical chip B of the first optical network unit 2-1, specifically by the MAC chip C of the electrical chip B, to send the first uplink optical signal to the optical line terminal at the first transmission time.
[0129] like Figure 2 As shown, the optical line terminal 1 may further include an optical receiving module 102, which includes an optical receiving unit 1021. The optical receiving unit 1021 is used to receive the uplink optical signal transmitted by the optical network unit to obtain relevant information or data of the sensor or actuator. Optionally, the optical receiving unit 1021 may be a photodiode (PD) used as a photodetector, and this application does not limit this.
[0130] The following section, with reference to the accompanying diagram, describes the implementation scheme for downlink optical signal transmission.
[0131] Reference Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the transmission process of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0132] In some possible embodiments, the optical transmitting module 101 further includes a downlink optical transmitting unit 1012, through which the optical line terminal 1 transmits downlink optical signals to the optical network unit. This enables the transmission of downlink signals.
[0133] Optionally, the downlink optical transmitting unit 1012 includes at least a downlink light source and a downlink optical modulator. The downlink light source is used to transmit a downlink optical carrier, and the downlink optical modulator is used to modulate the downlink optical carrier to obtain a downlink optical signal.
[0134] For example, the optical carrier emitted by the optical emitting unit can be implemented via a laser diode (LD). Assuming the uplink optical emitting unit 1011 uses LD1, LD1 can continuously emit light, and the wavelength of the uplink optical carrier emitted by LD1 can be λ0, with a wavelength range of 380nm to 1600nm. Assuming the downlink optical emitting unit 1012 uses LD2, the wavelength of the uplink optical carrier emitted by LD2 can be λ1, with a wavelength range of 380nm to 1600nm, where λ1 ≠ λ0. It should be noted that the uplink optical emitting unit can use a semiconductor laser as the optical emitting unit, and the wavelength of the emitted light source can cover 380nm to 1600nm; the downlink optical emitting unit can use an electro-absorption modulated laser (EML) as the optical emitting unit. This embodiment of the application does not limit the specific use of EMLs.
[0135] Optionally, the downlink optical signal has a different wavelength than the uplink optical carrier (e.g., the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier).
[0136] The downlink optical signals transmitted by the optical line terminal (OLT) to the first optical network unit (ONU) and the second optical network unit via the optical transmitting unit can be the same. For example, the communication system also includes a first downlink optical transmission path and a second downlink optical transmission path. The first downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit the downlink optical signals transmitted by the OLT to the first ONU, and the second downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit the downlink optical signals transmitted by the OLT to the second ONU.
[0137] Optionally, the downlink optical signal transmitted by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit and the second optical network unit via the optical transmitting unit is a broadcast signal to m optical network units. This simplifies the downlink optical signal transmission process.
[0138] Optionally, the downlink optical signal includes a first indication field, which indicates the optical network unit corresponding to the downlink optical signal. Thus, after receiving the downlink optical signal, the optical network unit indicated by the first indication field identifies that the downlink optical signal is addressed to it and performs reception processing on the signal. For example, the first indication field may include, but is not limited to, the identity document (ID) of the optical network unit corresponding to the downlink optical signal.
[0139] The transmission of downlink optical signals represents the process by which the optical line terminal (OLT) transmits downlink optical signals to the optical network unit (ONU).
[0140] In some possible embodiments, taking the first optical network unit as an example, the process of an optical line terminal transmitting a downlink optical signal to an optical network unit is described. The optical line terminal 1 transmits a downlink optical signal λ1' to the first optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-1, via the downlink light source, such as LD2, included in the downlink optical transmitting unit 1012 of the optical transmitting module 101, through the first downlink optical transmission path. It should be noted that the identifiers for downlink optical signals transmitted to other optical network units can refer to the aforementioned identifiers for downlink optical signals, and this application does not impose any limitations on this.
[0141] Combination Figure 4 When the downlink optical signal λ1' is transmitted to the first optical network unit, the downlink optical signal is received by the optical receiving unit 201 on the silicon photonics chip A. Then, the downlink optical signal λ1' can be converted by the optical driving chip on the electrical chip B, such as the TIA chip D, thereby converting the photoelectric signal into a downlink electrical signal.
[0142] Optionally, the downlink electrical signal can be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 204 via the MAC chip C on the electrical chip B, such as a sensor or actuator. In some possible embodiments, the vehicle-mounted device 204 can receive the downlink electrical signal via broadcast. For example, the MAC chip C can receive and process the downlink electrical signal according to the indication field of the downlink electrical signal, which can be used to indicate the identity of the sensor or actuator corresponding to the downlink electrical signal.
[0143] In some possible embodiments, multiple downlink optical signals can be sent to the optical line terminal through different downlink optical transmission paths. The optical line terminal sends its modulated downlink optical signal to each optical network unit through independent optical fibers, thereby ensuring the reliability and stability of the transmission of each downlink optical signal and avoiding conflicts between downlink optical signals.
[0144] Optionally, the communication system further includes a first downlink optical transmission path and a second downlink optical transmission path. The first downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit, and the second downlink optical transmission path is used to transmit downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit. In this way, the transmission paths for the first and second downlink optical signals are independent, making the transmission of the first and second downlink optical signals more stable.
[0145] Optionally, the first downlink optical transmission path and the first uplink optical carrier are deployed on the same optical fiber. This allows the first downlink optical signal and the first uplink optical carrier to be transmitted through the same optical fiber, simplifying the communication system.
[0146] Optionally, in this communication system, uplink optical carriers and downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the same optical network unit are transmitted through the same optical fiber.
[0147] For example, the optical transmitter module of the optical line terminal can transmit the uplink optical carrier and downlink optical signal sent to m optical network units to the same main optical fiber, and after passing through a 1:m splitter, send them to m optical network units.
[0148] Optionally, the communication system also includes a wavelength division multiplexer, which is used to combine downlink optical signals and uplink optical carriers transmitted by the optical transmitting module of the communication system into a combined optical wave.
[0149] In some possible embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the communication system also includes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The wavelength division multiplexer 3 is mainly used to combine the downlink optical signal and the uplink optical carrier emitted by the optical transmitting module 101 of the communication system into a combined optical wave, so that the light source can be combined and transmitted in the same optical fiber.
[0150] For example, the downlink optical signal and the uplink optical carrier have different wavelengths. The downlink optical signal and the uplink optical carrier emitted by the optical transmitting module can be combined into a combined optical wave by wavelength division multiplexing unit 3. This allows the uplink optical carrier λ0' with wavelength λ0 emitted by the light source included in the uplink optical transmitting unit 1011, such as LD1, and the downlink optical signal λ1' with wavelength λ1 (λ1≠λ0) emitted by the downlink light source included in the downlink optical transmitting unit 1012, such as LD2, to be combined and transmitted in the same optical fiber. This simplifies the number of optical fibers and splitters and the bundle structure.
[0151] The combined optical wave obtained by wavelength division multiplexer 3 can be transmitted via optical fiber to optical splitter 4, which is connected to m optical network units. Optical splitter 4 can be used to divide the combined optical wave into m sub-waves, which are respectively sent to the m optical network units. The m sub-waves include a first sub-wave and a second sub-wave. The first sub-wave can be used to transmit to the first optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-1, via a first optical transmission path, and the second sub-wave can be used to transmit to the second optical network unit, such as optical network unit 2-2, via a second optical transmission path. This achieves the combined transmission of the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier in the same optical fiber.
[0152] In some possible embodiments, such as Figure 5As shown, the communication system also includes a Wavelength Division Multiplexer Demux (WDM Demux). The WDM Demux can be used to separate a composite optical signal (containing multiple optical signals of different wavelengths) into individual optical signals. The separated individual optical signals have different wavelengths. For example, the combined optical wave can be divided into an uplink optical carrier and a downlink optical signal to realize the transmission of the uplink optical carrier and the downlink optical signal to the optical network unit.
[0153] The number of demultiplexers 5 can be m, such as Figure 5 As shown, m demultiplexers are communicatively connected to m optical network units (ONUs). The splitter divides the combined optical wave output from wavelength division multiplexer 3 into m sub-wavelengths and sends them to the m demultiplexers (5-1, 5-2, ..., 5-m). Each demultiplexer separates the received sub-wavelengths into an optical carrier and a downlink optical signal, sending the optical carrier to the uplink modulator of the corresponding ONU and the downlink optical signal to the optical receiver of the corresponding ONU.
[0154] For example, the communication system may include a first dewavelength division multiplexer 5-1 communicatively connected to a first optical network unit and a second dewavelength division multiplexer 5-2 communicatively connected to a second optical network unit. The first dewavelength division multiplexer can be used to divide a first sub-optical wave into a first optical carrier and a downlink optical signal, and transmit the first optical carrier to the uplink optical modulator of the first optical network unit and transmit the downlink optical signal to the optical receiving unit of the first optical network unit; the second dewavelength division multiplexer is used to divide a second sub-optical wave into a second optical carrier and a downlink optical signal, and transmit the second optical carrier to the uplink optical modulator of the second optical network unit and transmit the downlink optical signal to the optical receiving unit of the second optical network unit.
[0155] Specifically, such as Figure 5 The first demultiplexer 5-1 sends the received sub-wavelength separated optical carrier and downlink optical signal to the corresponding optical network unit 2-1; the second demultiplexer 5-2 sends the received sub-wavelength separated optical carrier and downlink optical signal to the corresponding optical network unit 2-2; and the demultiplexer 5-m sends the received sub-wavelength separated optical carrier and downlink optical signal to the corresponding optical network unit 2-m.
[0156] This application utilizes a dewavelength division multiplexer to transmit multiple optical signals of different wavelengths on the same optical fiber, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the optical fiber and the capacity of the system.
[0157] In some alternative implementations, the communication system includes multiple optical network unit groups, each optical network unit group including a splitter and at least one optical network unit, and at least one optical network unit in the multiple optical network unit groups is communicatively connected to an optical line terminal through the splitter of the optical network unit group.
[0158] like Figures 6-8 As shown, the communication system includes multiple optical splitters, each of which is connected to one or more optical network units in an optical network unit group.
[0159] Multiple optical network unit groups include a first optical network unit group, which includes m optical network units. The optical splitter of the first optical network unit group is communicatively connected to an optical line terminal (OLT). A first optical transmission path is deployed on the optical fiber connecting the OLT and the optical splitter of the first optical network unit group, the optical splitter of the first optical network unit group, and the optical fiber connecting the first optical network unit and the optical splitter of the m optical network units. A second optical transmission path is deployed on the optical fiber connecting the OLT and the optical splitter of the second optical network unit group, the optical splitter of the second optical network unit group, and the optical fiber connecting the second optical network unit and the optical splitter of the m optical network units.
[0160] Optionally, the optical transmission module of the optical line terminal (OLT) includes multiple downlink optical transmission units, including a first downlink optical transmission unit and a second downlink optical transmission unit. Downlink optical signals transmitted by the OLT to a first optical network unit group are transmitted by the first optical transmission unit, and downlink optical signals transmitted by the OLT to a second optical network unit group are transmitted by the second optical transmission unit. Thus, the OLT's optical transmission module can include multiple downlink optical transmission units, and each downlink optical transmission unit can transmit downlink optical signals to at least one optical network unit group. This improves the reliability of the communication system.
[0161] Optionally, the communication system may include at least one main optical fiber 6, with each main optical fiber connected to an optical line terminal 1 at both ends. Multiple optical network unit groups 2's splitters 4 are communicatively connected to the optical line terminal 1 through the main optical fiber, and each main optical fiber is connected to at least one optical network unit group's splitter.
[0162] Optional, such as Figure 6 As shown, the main optical fiber is in a ring shape, and the communication system includes two main optical fibers 6, with multiple optical splitters 4 connected to the two main optical fibers 6. Each optical splitter 4 is connected to one or more optical network units 2 of an optical network unit group 2'.
[0163] Optionally, there can be multiple main optical fibers. In one possible implementation, multiple main optical fibers share the same optical transmitter module. This simplifies the system. In another possible implementation, the optical transmitter modules of the multiple main optical fibers are different. This ensures the independence of communication between the two main optical fibers, improves system reliability, and also helps to increase system bandwidth.
[0164] A backbone communication network based on a ring-shaped main optical fiber can be called a ring optical network. In vehicle applications, there can be at least one ring optical network. A single ring optical network can include at least one optical network unit group 2', with different optical network unit groups connecting to different vehicle-mounted optical communication areas. Each ring optical network consists of n (n≥1) optical network unit groups 2'. A single optical network unit group 2' can be connected to one or more optical network units. Each optical network unit group 2' can have m optical network units (ONUs), where m≥1. The number of optical network units (ONUs) connected to each optical network unit group 2' can be the same or different.
[0165] Optionally, an optical network unit group 2' can be deployed within an optical box.
[0166] In the design of a single ring optical network, such as Figure 7 As shown, the nth optical network unit group and the (n-1th)th optical network unit group in the n optical network unit group can be interconnected. In this design, direct physical or logical connections can be established between the optical network unit groups, that is, each optical network unit group can establish connections with other optical network unit groups to form a network structure.
[0167] Optionally, the optical splitter divides the optical carrier into m parts. The intensity of the optical carrier received by each optical network unit group will be weaker than the original signal. To ensure that each optical network unit in each group can receive a sufficiently strong optical signal for effective communication, the splitting ratio of the optical splitter is usually configured to determine the intensity of the optical carrier received by each optical network unit. The specific splitting ratio configuration depends on the requirements of the actual design.
[0168] In a feasible embodiment, in a single ring optical network, the number of optical network units in each optical network unit group is m. When the passive beam splitter in each optical network unit group divides the light source into different optical network unit groups according to the splitting ratio, the splitting ratio of the passive beam splitter can be 1:m+1, where m≥1. That is, it can be expressed as dividing the light source into the interconnected optical network unit groups according to the ratio of 1:m+1, where the m+1 optical paths can be equally divided or unequally divided, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.
[0169] Optional, such as Figure 8 As shown, the main optical fibers are in a star configuration, and the communication system includes six main optical fibers 6, with multiple optical splitters 4 connected to the six main optical fibers 6. Each optical splitter 4 is connected to one or more optical network units 2 of an optical network unit group 2'.
[0170] Optionally, there can be multiple main optical fibers. In one possible implementation, multiple main optical fibers share the same optical transmitting module. This simplifies the system. In another possible implementation, the optical transmitting modules of the multiple main optical fibers are different. This ensures the independence of communication between the two main optical fibers and improves system reliability.
[0171] A backbone communication network based on a star-shaped main optical fiber can be called a star optical network. In vehicle applications, there can be at least one star optical network. A single star optical network can include at least one optical network unit group 2', with different optical network unit groups connecting to different vehicle-mounted optical communication areas. Each ring optical network consists of n (n≥1) optical network unit groups 2'. A single optical network unit group 2' can be connected to one or more optical network units. Each optical network unit group 2' can have m optical network units (ONUs), where m≥1. The number of optical network units (ONUs) connected to each optical network unit group 2' can be the same or different.
[0172] In the design of a single star-shaped optical network, such as Figure 9 As shown, the n optical network unit groups can operate independently of each other. In this design, each optical network unit group can operate independently, that is, each optical network unit group can independently receive and transmit optical signals and process data without being interfered with or affected by other optical network unit groups.
[0173] In a feasible embodiment, in a single star-shaped optical network, the number of optical network units in each optical network unit group is m. When the passive beam splitter in each optical network unit group divides the light source into different optical network unit groups according to the splitting ratio, the splitting ratio of the passive beam splitter is 1:m, where m≥1. That is, the light source is divided into interconnected optical network unit groups according to a ratio of 1:m, where the m optical paths can be equally or unequally divided, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.
[0174] In some possible embodiments, each optical network unit group can be used to connect to its surrounding optical network units (ONUs), so that each optical network unit group consisting of m optical network units can communicate with the optical line terminal through a splitter, thereby realizing the communication connection between the m optical network units as a whole and the optical line terminal via the main optical fiber.
[0175] In other possible embodiments, without sharing a main optical fiber, the splitters of multiple optical network unit groups can also communicate with optical line terminals through different optical fibers, and this application does not limit this.
[0176] Multiple optical network unit groups include a second optical network unit group. The downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group has a different wavelength than the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit group.
[0177] In some possible embodiments, the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group has a different wavelength than the downlink optical signal sent to the second optical network unit group. This design allows multiple downlink optical signals of different wavelengths to be transmitted simultaneously on the same optical fiber without mutual interference by using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. Furthermore, in the case of sharing a main fiber, the downlink optical signals received by different splitters have different wavelengths, which means that the downlink optical signal received by each optical network unit group can be of a specific wavelength, thereby avoiding conflicts with signals from other optical network unit groups.
[0178] The downlink optical signal sent to each optical network unit group is a broadcast signal. The downlink optical signals sent to different optical network unit groups can be different, or they can be the same.
[0179] In some implementations, the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to each optical network unit group is a broadcast signal for each optical network unit group, thereby ensuring that the downlink optical signal received by each optical network unit group is of a specific wavelength, thus ensuring the correct allocation and reception of the signal.
[0180] In other embodiments, the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to each optical network unit group is a broadcast signal to all optical network unit groups; that is, the downlink optical signal sent to multiple optical network unit groups can be the same. For example, the downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the m optical network units of the first optical network unit group are identical.
[0181] Optionally, the wavelengths of the downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the splitters of multiple optical network unit groups can be the same; or, the wavelengths of the downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the splitters of multiple optical network unit groups can be different.
[0182] In some possible embodiments, the downlink optical signals sent by the optical line terminal to the splitters of multiple optical network unit groups can use the same wavelength or different wavelengths, usually depending on the actual application scenario. Downlink optical signals of the same wavelength can be mainly transmitted to the optical network unit groups by broadcasting, while downlink optical signals of different wavelengths can usually utilize wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology, allowing multiple optical signals of different wavelengths to be transmitted simultaneously on the same optical fiber without mutual interference.
[0183] Optionally, different optical network unit groups 2' can be separated or interconnected by optical fiber using passive splitters.
[0184] For example, an optical network unit group 2' can be deployed in an optical box. Each optical box can also include a splitter connected to the optical network units contained in the optical network unit group 2' within the optical box. The splitter is connected to the main optical fiber. The splitter can be used to split the light source into the optical network units contained in the optical network unit group 2' and the next splitter on the main optical fiber. The light source divided into different optical boxes may be equally or unequally divided. This application embodiment does not limit this.
[0185] In some possible embodiments, the communication system proposed in this application can be applied to a centralized electronic and electrical architecture.
[0186] Specifically, the aforementioned architecture can be an optical network architecture including a central computing platform, an optical transmitting module of an optical line terminal, and an optical receiving module of an optical line terminal. Based on the aforementioned architecture, the vehicle-mounted optical communication devices of different control domains of the vehicle can be integrated via optical boxes to realize signal transmission between the vehicle-mounted optical communication devices and the central computing platform, thereby realizing the transmission of vehicle data and meeting the high network bandwidth requirements. Furthermore, the optical fiber communication transmission based on the optical network architecture can avoid radiation interference caused by the complex electromagnetic environment of electric vehicles during the transmission of vehicle data.
[0187] Optionally, the optical transmitter module (LD) and the optical receiver module (PD) can be deployed around the optical line terminal 1. This can be understood as the distance between the optical transmitter module and the central computing platform 1' where the optical line terminal 1 is located being less than a set distance. This integrates the optical transmitter module (LD) and the optical receiver module (PD) in the area surrounding the central computing platform 1', allowing the optical transmitter module (LD) to share the vehicle's cooling system with the central computing platform 1'. This enables centralized cooling of the optical transmitter module (LD), applying optical communication technology to the high-temperature vehicle environment. This achieves cooling of the optical transmitter module (LD) at high vehicle temperatures, thereby ensuring the optical power of the optical transmitter module and extending the service life of the optical transmitter unit.
[0188] Optionally, considering that the optical receiver module PD is also affected by the high temperature in the vehicle environment to some extent, the optical transmitter module LD and the optical receiver module PD are concentrated around the central computing platform 1', thereby further reducing the impact of temperature on the optical communication network and improving the overall communication quality of the communication system.
[0189] It should be noted that the optical transmitting module LD and the optical receiving module PD are deployed around the optical line terminal 1, which can refer to any position above, below, or around the optical line terminal at a distance less than a set distance; the set distance can be determined according to the type of cooling system and / or the heat exchange method between the cooling system and the central computing platform, which is not limited in this embodiment.
[0190] In some possible implementations, the cooling system may include one or more of the following: a cold plate, an evaporator, a fan, a plate heat exchanger, a heat pipe, and a semiconductor cooler.
[0191] For example, cooling electronic devices, such as thermoelectric coolers (TECs) or water-cooling systems used in automobiles based on a central integrated architecture, can be deployed around the central computing platform to cool the light emitting module at high vehicle temperatures (e.g., 105°C), enabling the light emitting module to meet the high-temperature operating requirements of the vehicle.
[0192] In some possible implementations, the cooling system can be part of the vehicle's thermal management system to cool the central computing platform, optical emitting module, and optical receiving module without adding an additional heat exchange system.
[0193] It should be noted that the transmission rate of the optical transmitting module and the optical receiving module can be greater than or equal to 1Gbps, for example, it can be 5 / 10 / 25 / 50 / 100Gbps, or it can be an intermediate bandwidth value within the aforementioned range. While the optical power and reliability of the optical transmitting module are affected by the highest ambient temperature in the vehicle (up to 125°C) in related technologies, thus impacting the communication quality of the ring optical network, this embodiment integrates the optical transmitting module and the optical receiving module around a central computing platform with deployed optical line terminals. Cooling can be achieved through a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or a water-cooling system used in automobiles based on a centrally integrated architecture, thus avoiding the aforementioned problems.
[0194] In this embodiment, the optical fiber used can be a silicon dioxide transmission medium to meet the high-speed data stream formed by the optical carrier and solve the problem of vehicle bandwidth requirements. The optical network unit can use silicon photonics chips to further make the transmission process unaffected by electromagnetic radiation interference. In addition, by using silicon photonics technology, this embodiment can achieve a high degree of integration of the optical receiving unit, uplink optical modulator and vehicle optical communication device in the optical network unit, thereby improving the reliability of optical communication.
[0195] It should be noted that the transmission methods for ring optical network design and star optical network design can be referenced. Figure 2 The embodiments of this application will not be described in detail here; the topology of the backbone communication network can also be designed using other topologies, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.
[0196] The second aspect of this application also provides a vehicle, which may include the communication system of the first aspect of this application.
[0197] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0198] This application describes embodiments with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus, electronic devices, and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing terminal equipment to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing terminal equipment, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.
[0199] Although preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.
[0200] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.
[0201] The communication system and vehicle provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
Claims
1. A communication system of a vehicle, characterized by, The communication system comprises an optical line terminal and m optical network units, the m optical network units comprise a first optical network unit and a second optical network unit, m is a positive integer, m≥2, The optical line terminal is configured to send a first optical carrier to the first optical network unit through a first optical transmission path and send a second optical carrier to the second optical network unit through a second optical transmission path, the first optical carrier is used for the first optical network unit to modulate a first upstream optical signal, the second optical carrier is used for the second optical network unit to modulate a second upstream optical signal, at least part of the first optical transmission path and at least part of the second optical transmission path are respectively deployed in different optical fibers.
2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein, The optical line terminal comprises an optical transmitting module, The optical transmitting module comprises a first upstream optical transmitting unit, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are sent by the first upstream optical transmitting unit; or The optical transmitting module comprises a first upstream optical transmitting unit and a second upstream optical transmitting unit, the first optical carrier is sent by the first upstream optical transmitting unit, and the second optical carrier is sent by the second upstream optical transmitting unit.
3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein, The optical transmitting module comprises a first upstream optical transmitting unit, the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier are sent by the first upstream optical transmitting unit, the communication system further comprises an optical splitter which is in communication connection with the m optical network units, the optical splitter is in communication connection with the first upstream optical transmitting unit, and the optical splitter is configured to divide the optical carrier transmitted by the first upstream optical transmitting unit into a plurality of optical carriers, the plurality of optical carriers comprise the first optical carrier and the second optical carrier.
4. The communication system of claim 3, wherein, The optical splitter is connected with the first optical network unit through a first optical fiber, the optical splitter is connected with the second optical network unit through a second optical fiber, the first optical transmission path is deployed in the first optical fiber, and the second optical transmission path is deployed in the second optical fiber.
5. The communication system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first optical network unit comprises an optical receiving unit and an upstream optical modulator, the optical receiving unit is configured to receive the first optical carrier, and the upstream optical modulator is configured to modulate the first optical carrier to obtain a first upstream optical signal and send the first upstream optical signal to the optical line terminal.
6. The communication system of claim 5, wherein, The first sending time of the first upstream optical signal is different from the second sending time of the second upstream optical signal.
7. The communication system of claim 6, wherein, The first optical network unit comprises an optical control unit, and the optical control unit is configured to control the sending time of the first upstream optical signal.
8. The communication system of claim 7, wherein, The optical control unit is an optical switch or a VOA.
9. The communication system of any of claims 1-8, wherein, The communication system comprises a first upstream optical transmission path, and the first upstream optical signal and the second upstream optical signal are sent to the optical line terminal through the first upstream optical transmission path.
10. The communication system of any of claims 1-8, wherein, The communication system comprises a first upstream optical transmission path and a second upstream optical transmission path, the first upstream optical signal is sent to the optical line terminal through the first upstream optical transmission path, and the second upstream optical signal is sent to the optical line terminal through the second upstream optical transmission path.
11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein, The first upstream optical transmission path and the second upstream optical transmission path are deployed in different optical fibers.
12. The communication system of any of claims 1-11, wherein, The communication system further comprises a first downlink optical transmission path and a second downlink optical transmission path, the first downlink optical transmission path is used for transmitting a downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit, and the second downlink optical transmission path is used for transmitting a downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit.
13. The communication system of claim 12, wherein, The downlink optical signal is a broadcast signal sent to the m optical network units.
14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein, The downlink optical signal comprises a first indication field, and the first indication field is used for indicating an optical network unit corresponding to the downlink optical signal.
15. The communication system of claim 12, wherein, The first downlink optical transmission path and the first optical transmission path are deployed on the same optical fiber.
16. The communication system of claim 12, wherein, The downlink optical signal is different from the wavelength of the first optical carrier.
17. The communication system of claim 12, wherein, The optical transmitting module comprises a downlink optical transmitting unit, and the downlink optical signal is transmitted by the downlink optical transmitting unit.
18. The communication system of claim 17, wherein, The downlink optical transmitting unit comprises a downlink optical source and a downlink optical modulator, the downlink optical source is used for transmitting a downlink optical carrier, and the downlink optical modulator is used for modulating the downlink optical carrier to obtain the downlink optical signal.
19. The communication system of claim 12, wherein, The communication system further comprises a wavelength division multiplexer, the wavelength division multiplexer is used for combining the downlink optical signal and an uplink optical carrier transmitted by an optical transmitting module of the communication system into a combined optical wave through the wavelength division multiplexer, the combined optical wave is transmitted to an optical splitter connected with the m optical network units through an optical fiber, and the optical splitter is used for dividing the combined optical wave into m sub optical waves transmitted to the m optical network units respectively, the m sub optical waves comprise a first sub optical wave and a second sub optical wave, the first sub optical wave is used for being transmitted to the first optical network unit through the first optical transmission path, and the second sub optical wave is used for being transmitted to the second optical network unit through the second optical transmission path. The communication system further comprises a first wavelength division demultiplexer and a second wavelength division demultiplexer, the first wavelength division demultiplexer is used for dividing the first sub optical wave into the first optical carrier and the downlink optical signal, transmitting the first optical carrier to an uplink optical modulator of the first optical network unit, and transmitting the downlink optical signal to an optical receiving unit of the first optical network unit, and the second wavelength division demultiplexer is used for dividing the second sub optical wave into the second optical carrier and the downlink optical signal, transmitting the second optical carrier to an uplink optical modulator of the second optical network unit, and transmitting the downlink optical signal to an optical receiving unit of the second optical network unit.
20. The communication system of any of claims 1-19, wherein, The communication system comprises a plurality of optical network unit groups, each of the optical network unit groups comprises an optical splitter and at least one optical network unit, and the at least one optical network unit in the plurality of optical network unit groups is connected with the optical line terminal through the optical splitter of the optical network unit group. The multiple optical network unit groups comprise the first optical network unit group, the first optical network unit group comprises the m optical network units, the optical splitter of the first optical network unit group is in communication connection with the optical line terminal, the first optical transmission path is arranged in the optical fiber connecting the optical line terminal and the optical splitter of the first optical network unit group, the optical splitter of the first optical network unit group and the optical fiber connecting the optical splitter of the first optical network unit and the m optical network units, and the second optical transmission path is arranged in the optical fiber connecting the optical line terminal and the optical splitter of the second optical network unit group, the optical splitter of the second optical network unit group and the optical fiber connecting the optical splitter of the second optical network unit and the m optical network units.
21. The communication system of claim 20, wherein, The communication system comprises a main optical fiber, two ends of the main optical fiber are connected with the optical line terminal, and the optical splitters of the multiple optical network unit groups are in communication connection with the optical line terminal through the main optical fiber.
22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein, The multiple optical network unit groups comprise a second optical network unit group, and the wavelength of the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group is different from the wavelength of the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit group.
23. The communication system of any of claims 20-22, wherein, The downlink optical signal of the optical line terminal to the m optical network units of the first optical network unit group is the same.
24. The communication system of claim 22, wherein, The optical emission module of the optical line terminal comprises multiple downlink optical emission units, the multiple downlink optical emission units comprise a first downlink optical emission unit and a second downlink optical emission unit, the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the first optical network unit group is sent by the first optical emission unit, and the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the second optical network unit group is sent by the second optical emission unit.
25. The communication system of claim 20, wherein, The optical splitters of the multiple optical network unit groups are respectively in communication connection with the optical line terminal through different optical fibers.
26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein, The wavelength of the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the optical splitters of the multiple optical network unit groups is the same; or The wavelength of the downlink optical signal sent by the optical line terminal to the optical splitters of the multiple optical network unit groups is different.
27. The communication system of any of claims 1-26, wherein, The optical line terminal is connected with a controller or is arranged in a controller, and the controller is a domain controller or a central controller.
28. The communication system of claim 27, wherein, The optical emission module of the optical line terminal is arranged around the controller.
29. The communication system according to any one of claims 1-28, wherein The first optical network unit is connected with a vehicle device or is arranged in a vehicle device, and the vehicle device comprises a sensor or an actuator.
30. A vehicle characterized by The vehicle comprises the communication system according to any one of claims 1-29.