Multi-channel optical attenuation module and optical attenuator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a multi-channel light attenuation module, which comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of single-channel light attenuation modules arranged on the bottom plate, and each single-channel light attenuation module comprises a through-type screw rod motor, a light attenuation assembly and a position detection assembly. The characteristic that the output shaft of the through-type lead screw motor penetrates through the motor body is utilized, the light attenuation assembly and the position detection assembly are designed at the two ends of the lead screw motor, the width of the light attenuation assembly is larger than that of the position detection assembly, and the motor body of the lead screw motor serves as an inverted shaft. According to the multi-channel optical attenuator, the two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules are arranged in an inverted mode, the side walls of the two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules can be effectively and tightly attached together, the utilization rate of the internal space of the multi-channel optical attenuator is greatly increased, therefore, the size of the multi-channel optical attenuator is effectively reduced, miniaturization of the multi-channel optical attenuator is achieved, and the multi-channel optical attenuator is more compact. Therefore, the optical attenuator is prevented from occupying too much physical space, and the portability and the integration level of the optical attenuator are improved at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical attenuators, in particular to a multi-channel optical attenuation module and an optical attenuator. Background Art

[0002] An optical attenuator is a crucial optical device in an optical communication system, mainly used to control the intensity of an optical signal to ensure that the signal can be demodulated and processed normally at the receiving end. By adjusting the power of the optical signal, it can avoid damage to the receiver caused by excessive optical power or an increase in the bit error rate caused by uneven signal intensity. A multi-channel optical attenuation module can independently or synchronously adjust the attenuation of optical signals of multiple wavelengths or channels. By precisely adjusting the optical power of each channel, the optical attenuation module can significantly improve the signal quality of the system, reduce noise and bit errors, and play an important role in the signal amplification and redirection processes in an optical fiber link. In addition, a multi-channel optical attenuation module is one of the basic components in optical test and measurement equipment. By precisely adjusting the power of multiple optical signals, it can achieve precise evaluation of the performance of an optical fiber link and devices. Existing multi-channel optical attenuators are composed of multiple single-channel optical attenuation modules combined together, but the resulting multi-channel optical attenuator is too large in volume. A large volume of the optical attenuator not only occupies more physical space but also reduces portability and integration. Therefore, a multi-channel optical attenuation module and an optical attenuator are proposed. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a multi-channel optical attenuation module and an optical attenuator to solve the above problems.

[0004] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A multi-channel optical attenuation module includes a bottom plate and a plurality of single-channel optical attenuation modules arranged on the bottom plate; each single-channel optical attenuation module includes:

[0006] A through-type lead screw motor arranged on the bottom plate;

[0007] An optical attenuation component arranged at one end of the lead screw motor, and the optical attenuation component includes an attenuation sheet arranged on a slider of the lead screw motor;

[0008] A position detection component arranged at the other end of the lead screw motor for recording the position information of the attenuation sheet;

[0009] Wherein, the width of the optical attenuation component is greater than the width of the position detection component, and two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules are arranged in an inverted manner with the motor body of the lead screw motor as the inversion axis, so that the optical attenuation component in one single-channel optical attenuation module is arranged side by side with the position detection component in the other single-channel optical attenuation module.

[0010] Optionally, the attenuation sheet is arranged at an angle to the moving direction of the slider;

[0011] The optical attenuation component further includes a first collimator on one side of the attenuation sheet and a second collimator on the other side of the attenuation sheet. The optical path formed by the first collimator and the second collimator passes through the attenuation sheet, and the optical path formed by the first collimator and the second collimator is perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider.

[0012] Optionally, the multi-channel optical attenuation module further includes an input end and an output end. The first collimator is connected to the input end, and the second collimator is connected to the output end.

[0013] Optionally, the multi-channel optical attenuation module further includes an input end, an output end, a beam splitter and a photodetector. The first collimator is connected to the input end, the output end is connected to the beam splitter, one channel of the beam splitter is connected to the second collimator, and the other channel of the beam splitter is connected to the photodetector.

[0014] Optionally, a protective cover is provided at one end of the lead screw motor, and one end of the lead screw motor extends into the inner cavity of the protective cover;

[0015] A U-shaped notch is provided at the top of the protective cover, a U-shaped block is embedded in the U-shaped notch, the first collimator is installed on one side plate of the U-shaped block, and the second collimator is installed on the other side plate of the U-shaped block;

[0016] The photodetector is installed on the protective cover through a first circuit board.

[0017] Optionally, a mounting plate is provided on the slider of the lead screw motor, and the attenuation sheet is arranged on the mounting plate;

[0018] A light-shielding sheet is provided on one side of the mounting plate, and a photoelectric switch corresponding to the light-shielding sheet is provided on the inner side wall of the protective cover.

[0019] Optionally, the position detection component includes an encoder provided at one end of the lead screw motor away from the optical attenuation component, and the encoder is connected to one end of the output shaft of the lead screw motor through a coupling.

[0020] The present invention also discloses an optical attenuator, which includes the above multi-channel optical attenuation module and a housing. The multi-channel optical attenuation module is arranged in the housing, and a plurality of input interfaces and a plurality of output interfaces are provided at one end of the housing.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The utility model uses a through-type lead screw motor to drive an attenuation sheet to move linearly, and adjusts the attenuation optical signal by adjusting the position of the attenuation sheet. At the same time, taking advantage of the characteristic that the output shaft of the through-type lead screw motor penetrates the motor body, the optical attenuation component and the position detection component are designed at both ends of the lead screw motor. Since the optical attenuation component needs to make light pass through the attenuation sheet (i.e., the optical path direction forms an angle with the screw rod of the lead screw motor), and the detection device of the position detection component can be directly set on the output shaft of the lead screw motor, the width of the optical attenuation component is greater than that of the position detection component. At this time, taking the motor body of the lead screw motor as the inversion axis, adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules are arranged in an inverted manner, which can effectively fit the side walls of adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules tightly together, greatly increasing the internal space utilization rate of the multi-channel optical attenuator, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the multi-channel optical attenuator, realizing the miniaturization of the multi-channel optical attenuator, and further avoiding the excessive occupation of physical space by the optical attenuator, while improving the portability and integration degree of the optical attenuator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0024] The structures, ratios, sizes, etc. shown in the drawings of this specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification for those who are familiar with this technology to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limited conditions for the implementation of the present utility model. Therefore, they do not have technical substance significance. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects that the present utility model can produce and the purposes that can be achieved, should still fall within the scope that can be covered by the technical content disclosed in the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 It is an arrangement diagram of multiple single-channel optical attenuation modules of the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the single-channel optical attenuation module of the first perspective of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the single-channel optical attenuation module of the second perspective of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 5It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the single-channel optical attenuation module of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 6 It is an exploded view of the partial structure of the single-channel optical attenuation module of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the single-channel optical attenuation module without monitoring optical power in the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of the single-channel optical attenuation module with monitoring optical power in the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the optical attenuator in the second embodiment of the present utility model.

[0034] Illustration: 10, base plate; 20, single-channel optical attenuation module; 21, lead screw motor; 22, optical attenuation component; 221, attenuation sheet; 222, first collimator; 223, second collimator; 23, position detection component; 231, encoder; 232, coupling; 24, protective cover; 25, U-shaped block; 26, mounting plate; 27, light-shielding sheet; 28, photoelectric switch; 29, second circuit board; 31, input end; 32, output end; 33, optical splitter; 34, photodetector; 35, first circuit board; 40, housing; 41, input interface; 42, output interface. Detailed implementation manners [[ID=XX]]

[0035] To make the invention purposes, features, and advantages of the present utility model more obvious and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0036] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be intermediate components present at the same time.

[0037] The technical solution of the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and through specific embodiments.

[0038] Embodiment 1:

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 The embodiment of the present utility model provides a multi-channel optical attenuation module, which includes a bottom plate 10 and a plurality of single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 arranged on the bottom plate 10. Two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are arranged in an inverted manner. The number of single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 in the embodiment of the present utility model is four. The single-channel optical attenuation module 20 includes a lead screw motor 21, an optical attenuation component 22, and a position detection component 23. The lead screw motor 21 is a through-type lead screw stepping motor, that is, the rotating shaft of the motor penetrates through the motor body and extends outside both ends of the motor body. Among them, the part of the rotating shaft extending outside one end of the motor body is a lead screw, and this end is the first end of the lead screw motor 21. A slider is arranged on the lead screw, and a threaded hole corresponding to the lead screw is arranged on the slider. When the lead screw rotates, the slider moves linearly on the lead screw; the end where the part of the rotating shaft extending outside the other end of the motor body is located is the second end of the lead screw motor 21. The lead screw motor 21 is arranged on the bottom plate 10, the optical attenuation component 22 is arranged at the first end of the lead screw motor 21, and the position detection component 23 is arranged at the second end of the lead screw motor 21. The optical attenuation component 22 includes an attenuation sheet 221 arranged on the slider. When the lead screw rotates to drive the slider to move linearly, the slider drives the attenuation sheet 221 to move linearly. The position detection component 23 obtains and records the position information of the attenuation sheet 221 after movement by detecting the rotation direction and rotation angle of the motor rotating shaft.

[0040] Among them, the width of the optical attenuation component 22 is greater than the width of the position detection component 23. Two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are arranged in an inverted manner with the motor body of the lead screw motor 21 as the inversion axis, so that the optical attenuation component in one single-channel optical attenuation module is arranged side by side with the position detection component in the other single-channel optical attenuation module. Through this setting, the side walls of two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are closely attached together, greatly increasing the internal space utilization rate of the multi-channel optical attenuator, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the multi-channel optical attenuator, realizing the miniaturization of the multi-channel optical attenuator, further avoiding the multi-channel optical attenuator from occupying too much physical space, and at the same time improving the portability and integration of the optical attenuator. It should be noted that two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are arranged in an inverted manner, that is, two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are arranged in a reverse order, so that the optical attenuation component in one single-channel optical attenuation module is arranged side by side with the position detection component in the other single-channel optical attenuation module, so that the widths of both ends of the multi-channel optical attenuation module composed of a plurality of single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 (when the number of single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 is an even number) are equal; in addition, the inversion axis is the central axis of the single-channel optical attenuation module 20.

[0041] Specifically, the cross-section of the attenuation sheet 221 is rectangular and is arranged at an angle to the moving direction of the slider. The optical attenuation component 22 further includes a first collimator 222 located on one side of the attenuation sheet 221 and a second collimator 223 located on the other side of the attenuation sheet 221. The first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 are fixedly arranged, that is, when the attenuation sheet 221 moves in a straight line, the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 remain stationary. The optical path formed by the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 passes through the attenuation sheet 221. When the attenuation sheet 221 moves in a straight line, the optical path formed by the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 passes through different regions of the attenuation sheet 221, thereby realizing the attenuation adjustment of light. Optionally, the optical path formed by the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider. It should be noted that arranging the attenuation sheet 221 at an angle to the moving direction of the slider can increase the adjustment range of optical attenuation, that is, the slider can achieve a large change in optical attenuation within a small moving range, effectively reducing the moving distance required by the slider within the same adjustment range, reducing the moving space required by the optical attenuation component 22, and further reducing the volume of the multi-channel optical attenuator. In addition, the optical path formed by the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 being perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider can reduce the optical path offset caused by the movement of the slider, thereby reducing optical errors and improving the accuracy of optical attenuation.

[0042] Further, the multi-channel optical attenuation module further includes an input end 31 and an output end 32. The first collimator 222 is connected to the input end 31, and the second collimator 223 is connected to the output end 32. As Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a mechanical multi-mode POA without monitoring single-channel optical attenuation module 20. The input end 31 is connected to a light source, and the output end 32 is connected to devices such as a fiber optic network device and a photoreceiver. The light of the light source is transmitted to devices such as a fiber optic network device and a photoreceiver after attenuation. In addition, the output end 32 can also be connected to a power meter to detect the power of the attenuated light through the power meter. As Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a mechanical multi-mode POA with monitoring single-channel optical attenuation module 20. The multi-channel optical attenuation module further includes a splitter 33 and a photodetector 34. The first collimator 222 is connected to the input end 31, the output end 32 is connected to the splitter 33, one channel of the splitter 33 is connected to the second collimator 223, and the other channel of the splitter 33 is connected to the photodetector 34. The multi-channel optical attenuation module of the present invention can realize the functions of optical power with and without monitoring according to customer needs. To realize the function of monitoring optical power, it is necessary to set the photodetector 34 and the splitter 33. A part of the constant light is split by the splitter 33, and this part of the constant light is received by the photodetector 34 to detect the optical power and realize power monitoring.

[0043] Further, a protective cover 24 is provided at one end of the lead screw motor 21, and one end of the lead screw motor 21 extends into the inner cavity of the protective cover 24. A U-shaped notch is provided at the top of the protective cover 24, and a U-shaped block 25 is embedded in the U-shaped notch. The attenuation sheet 221 is located between the two side plates of the U-shaped block 25. The first collimator 222 is installed on one side plate of the U-shaped block 25, and the second collimator 223 is installed on the other side plate of the U-shaped block 25, so that the optical path formed by the first collimator 222 and the second collimator 223 passes through the attenuation sheet 221. A first circuit board 35 is provided on the protective cover 24, and the photodetector 34 is arranged on the first circuit board 35.

[0044] Further, a mounting plate 26 is provided on the slider of the lead screw motor 21, and the attenuation sheet 221 is arranged on the mounting plate 26. A light shielding sheet 27 is arranged on one side of the mounting plate 26, a second circuit board 29 is arranged on the side wall of the protective cover 24, and a photoelectric switch 28 corresponding to the light shielding sheet 27 is arranged on the inner side of the second circuit board 29. The moving distance of the attenuation sheet 221 is limited by the cooperation of the light shielding sheet 27 and the photoelectric switch 28.

[0045] Further, the position detection assembly 23 includes an encoder 231 arranged at the second end of the lead screw motor 21, and the encoder 231 is connected to one end of the output shaft of the lead screw motor 21 through a coupling 232. Specifically, when the lead screw motor 21 works, its output shaft rotates, and the rotational motion is transmitted to the encoder 231 through the coupling 232. The encoder 231 real-time detects the rotation direction and angle of the output shaft, converts them into the linear displacement of the slider, and further records the position change of the attenuation sheet 221. This method utilizes the precise measurement ability of the encoder 231 to achieve high-precision monitoring and recording of the position of the attenuation sheet 221. It should be noted that both the coupling 232 and the encoder 231 are cylindrical, and the axes of the coupling 232, the encoder 231 and the output shaft of the lead screw motor 21 are on the same straight line, so that the width of the second end of the lead screw motor 21 is smaller than the width of the first end.

[0046] An embodiment of the present utility model discloses a multi-channel optical attenuation module. The specific implementation method is as follows: The present utility model uses a through-type lead screw motor 21 to drive the attenuation sheet 221 to perform a linear motion, and adjusts the optical attenuation signal by adjusting the position of the attenuation sheet 221. At the same time, taking advantage of the characteristic that the output shaft of the through-type lead screw motor 21 penetrates the motor body, the optical attenuation component 22 and the position detection component 23 are designed at both ends of the lead screw motor 21. Since the optical attenuation component 22 needs to make light pass through the attenuation sheet 221 (i.e., the optical path direction forms an angle with the screw rod of the lead screw motor 21), and the detection device of the position detection component 23 can be directly arranged on the output shaft of the lead screw motor 21, the width of the optical attenuation component 22 is greater than the width of the position detection component 23. At this time, taking the motor body of the lead screw motor 21 as the inversion axis, adjacent two single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 are arranged in an inverted manner, which can effectively tightly fit the side walls of the adjacent two single-channel optical attenuation modules 20 together, greatly increasing the internal space utilization rate of the multi-channel optical attenuator, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the multi-channel optical attenuator, realizing the miniaturization of the multi-channel optical attenuator, further avoiding the multi-channel optical attenuator from occupying too much physical space, and at the same time improving the portability and integration degree of the optical attenuator.

[0047] Embodiment Two:

[0048] Referring to Figure 8 , the present utility model also discloses an optical attenuator, which includes the above-mentioned multi-channel optical attenuation module and a housing 40. The multi-channel optical attenuation module is arranged in the housing 40, and one end of the housing 40 is provided with a plurality of input interfaces 41 and a plurality of output interfaces 42.

[0049] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present utility model, rather than to limit them; although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A multi-channel optical attenuation module, characterized in that It includes a bottom plate (10) and a plurality of single-channel optical attenuation modules (20) arranged on the bottom plate (10); the single-channel optical attenuation module (20) includes: A through-type lead screw motor (21) arranged on the bottom plate (10); An optical attenuation component (22) arranged at one end of the lead screw motor (21), and the optical attenuation component (22) includes an attenuation sheet (221) arranged on the slider of the lead screw motor (21); A position detection component (23) arranged at the other end of the lead screw motor (21) for recording the position information of the attenuation sheet (221); Wherein, the width of the optical attenuation component (22) is greater than the width of the position detection component (23), and two adjacent single-channel optical attenuation modules (20) are arranged in an inverted manner with the motor body of the lead screw motor (21) as the inversion axis, so that the optical attenuation component (22) in one single-channel optical attenuation module (20) is arranged side by side with the position detection component (23) in another single-channel optical attenuation module (20).

2. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 1, wherein The attenuation sheet (221) is arranged at an angle to the movement direction of the slider; The optical attenuation component (22) further includes a first collimator (222) on one side of the attenuation sheet (221) and a second collimator (223) on the other side of the attenuation sheet (221), and the optical path formed by the first collimator (222) and the second collimator (223) passes through the attenuation sheet (221), and the optical path formed by the first collimator (222) and the second collimator (223) is perpendicular to the movement direction of the slider.

3. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 2, wherein It further includes an input end (31) and an output end (32), the first collimator (222) is connected to the input end (31), and the second collimator (223) is connected to the output end (32).

4. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 2, wherein It further includes an input end (31), an output end (32), a beam splitter (33) and a photodetector (34), the first collimator (222) is connected to the input end (31), the output end (32) is connected to the beam splitter (33), one channel of the beam splitter (33) is connected to the second collimator (223), and the other channel of the beam splitter (33) is connected to the photodetector (34).

5. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 4, wherein A protective cover (24) is arranged at one end of the lead screw motor (21), and one end of the lead screw motor (21) extends into the inner cavity of the protective cover (24); A U-shaped notch is provided at the top of the protective cover (24), a U-shaped block (25) is embedded in the U-shaped notch, the first collimator (222) is installed on one side plate of the U-shaped block (25), and the second collimator (223) is installed on the other side plate of the U-shaped block (25); The photodetector (34) is installed on the protective cover (24) through a first circuit board (35).

6. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 5, wherein An installation plate (26) is arranged on the slider of the lead screw motor (21), and the attenuation sheet (221) is arranged on the installation plate (26); One side of the mounting plate (26) is provided with a light-shielding sheet (27), and a photoelectric switch (28) corresponding to the light-shielding sheet (27) is arranged on the inner side wall of the protective cover (24).

7. The multi-channel optical attenuation module according to claim 1, wherein The position detection assembly (23) includes an encoder (231) arranged at one end of the lead screw motor (21) far away from the optical attenuation assembly (22), and the encoder (231) is connected to one end of the output shaft of the lead screw motor (21) through a coupling (232).

8. An optical attenuator, characterized in that, It includes the multi-channel optical attenuation module according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a housing (40). The multi-channel optical attenuation module is arranged in the housing (40), and a plurality of input interfaces (41) and a plurality of output interfaces (42) are arranged at one end of the housing.

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