A lockable DWDM optical device

Abstract

The utility model relates to optical communication technical field provides a DWDM optical device of lockable wave, including the DWDM laser for emitting laser beam, still including beam splitting subassembly, detection unit, TEC and control unit, the beam splitting subassembly for with laser beam is divided into main light beam and light beam, the detection unit for receiving light beam, the TEC for adjusting the temperature of DWDM laser, the control unit for controlling TEC work, the detection unit with TEC all with control unit electricity is connected. The utility model through the cooperation of beam splitting subassembly and detection subassembly knows the wavelength of DWDM optical device output, and judges DWDM laser wavelength whether stable by the response current of control unit acquisition detection subassembly's feedback, if unstable then regulates and controls TEC to the output wavelength of DWDM laser carries out the regulation and control, to reach the purpose of lock wave, ensures the output wavelength stability of DWDM laser.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical communication technology, specifically to a wave-lockable DWDM optical device. Background Technology

[0002] DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology multiplexes multiple wavelength channels in a single optical fiber, typically with a wavelength spacing of 50 GHz or 100 GHz, supporting 80+ wavelengths. This significantly improves transmission capacity and efficiency, and is widely used in scenarios requiring high bandwidth, high capacity, long distance, and high reliability. It can dynamically adjust wavelength resources to adapt to traffic fluctuations. For long-distance transmission, it can reduce the number of relay stations, lower latency and operating costs, and meet the needs of global Internet traffic.

[0003] Currently, the wavelength of DWDM optical modules is stabilized by controlling the TEC temperature. Due to the small wavelength spacing, in actual use, the wavelength is prone to drift due to the influence of software and hardware control precision, environment, time, etc. In severe cases, it may drift out of the specified wavelength range, which may lead to communication service interruption or failure. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wave-lockable DWDM optical device, which can at least solve some of the defects in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a beam-lockable DWDM optical device, comprising a DWDM laser for emitting a laser beam, characterized in that it further comprises a beam splitting assembly, a detection unit, a TEC (Transducer Electron Device), and a control unit.

[0006] The beam splitting assembly is used to split the laser beam into a main beam and a secondary beam.

[0007] The detection unit is used to receive the split beam.

[0008] The TEC is used to regulate the temperature of the DWDM laser.

[0009] The control unit is used to control the operation of the TEC.

[0010] Both the detection unit and the TEC are electrically connected to the control unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the beam splitting assembly includes a first reflection-transmission filter and a second reflection-transmission filter for splitting the two beams into two separate beams.

[0012] Furthermore, the detection unit includes an optical monitoring detector and a standard for wavelength passage or cutoff, and the split beam is directed to the optical monitoring detector after passing through the standard.

[0013] Furthermore, there are two optical monitoring detectors, and the standard is disposed in the optical path of one of the optical monitoring detectors.

[0014] Furthermore, the beam splitter component reflects the split beam to the detection unit via a reflector.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a thermistor for monitoring the operating temperature of the DWDM laser.

[0016] Furthermore, the thermistor is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a housing for mounting the DWDM laser, the beam splitter assembly, and the detection unit. The housing is provided with signal pins, and the detection unit and the DWDM laser are both electrically connected to the control unit through the signal pins.

[0018] Furthermore, the control unit includes an external control circuit.

[0019] Furthermore, the laser beam is collimated by a collimating lens and then directed onto the beam splitter assembly.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: by cooperating with the beam splitter and the detector, the wavelength output of the DWDM optical device is obtained, and the control unit obtains the feedback response current of the detector to determine whether the wavelength of the DWDM laser is stable. If it is unstable, the TEC is adjusted to regulate the output wavelength of the DWDM laser to achieve the purpose of wave locking and ensure the stability of the output wavelength of the DWDM laser. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a wave-lockable DWDM optical device provided for an embodiment of this utility model (with the housing open).

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the optical path of a wave-lockable DWDM optical device provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the wavelength and etalon transmittance of a wavelength-lockable DWDM optical device provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] In the attached figures: 1-DWDM laser; 2-First reflective-transmittance filter; 3-Second reflective-transmittance filter; 4-First optical monitoring detector; 5-Second optical monitoring detector; 6-First reflector; 7-Second reflector; 8-Electrode; 9-Collimating lens; 10-TEC; 11-Tube shell; 12-Thermistor. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0026] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model provides a wavelength-lockable DWDM optical device, including a DWDM laser 1 for emitting a laser beam. The device further includes a beam splitter assembly, a detection unit, a TEC 10, and a control unit. The beam splitter assembly splits the laser beam into a main beam and a secondary beam; the detection unit receives the secondary beam; the TEC 10 regulates the temperature of the DWDM laser 1; and the control unit controls the operation of the TEC 10. Both the detection unit and the TEC 10 are electrically connected to the control unit. In this embodiment, the wavelength output by the DWDM optical device is determined through the cooperation of the beam splitter assembly and the detection assembly. The control unit receives the feedback response current from the detection assembly to determine whether the wavelength of the DWDM laser 1 is stable. If unstable, the TEC 10 is adjusted to regulate the output wavelength of the DWDM laser 1, thereby stabilizing the wavelength and achieving wavelength locking, ensuring the stability of the output wavelength of the DWDM laser 1. Specifically, the DWDM laser 1 can be a single-wavelength laser or a wavelength-tunable laser. The beam splitter divides the laser beam into a main beam and a secondary beam. The main beam enables the optical devices to function normally, while the secondary beams are received by the detection unit, which outputs a response current—that is, a response current after photoelectric conversion—used to monitor wavelength changes. The control unit includes external circuitry. Since the detection unit is electrically connected to the control unit, the external circuitry of the control unit can receive changes in the response current of the detection unit and make adjustments based on this feedback to ensure the stability of the output wavelength of the DWDM laser 1. This control unit does not involve analysis or processing; it only needs to pre-set a threshold value to compare with the signal fed back by the detection unit to give instructions to adjust the output power of the DWDM laser 1. Adjusting the wavelength of the laser's output light is a conventional technique in the field and will not be described in detail here. TEC10 is a semiconductor cooler, an existing device, capable of adjusting the laser's temperature. Preferably, an alarm circuit can be set in the control unit. When the response current is found to be different from the preset value, or to be much higher or lower than the preset value, an alarm will be activated to facilitate timely detection by staff. The alarm circuit can use existing alarm circuits, so that the optical device has an alarm function in addition to the function of autonomous control.

[0027] For a more detailed description of the beam splitting components described above, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The beam splitting assembly includes a first reflective-transmittance filter 2 and a second reflective-transmittance filter 3 for splitting the laser beam into two beams. In this embodiment, reflective-transmittance filters are used to split the laser beam. The first reflective-transmittance filter 2 and the second reflective-transmittance filter 3 are arranged sequentially along the optical path, which can proportionally split the main beam into two sets of branch beams for wavelength monitoring. Specifically, the first reflective-transmittance filter 2 splits the laser beam into a first main beam and a first branch beam, and the second reflective-transmittance filter 3 splits the first main beam into a second main beam and a second branch beam. The detection unit receives the first branch beam and the second branch beam, and the wavelength can be determined by the ratio of the two response currents formed by the two beams in the detection unit. Preferably, the reflection-transmittance ratio of the first reflective-transmittance filter 2 and the second reflective-transmittance filter 3 is, but not limited to, 5%:95%. Preferably, the wavelength lock interval is 50 GHz or 100 GHz.

[0028] For a more detailed description of the detection units described above, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The detection unit includes an optical monitoring detector and a standard 8 for wavelength passage or cutoff. The split beam passes through the standard 8 and then reaches the optical monitoring detector. In this embodiment, both the optical monitoring detector and the standard 8 can be existing devices. Since the standard 8 only allows a set wavelength to pass through, when the wavelength is unstable or deviates from the set value, some wavelengths of light will not be able to pass through the standard 8. Therefore, the light received by the optical monitoring detector will change, and the output response current will also change. Preferably, there are two optical monitoring detectors. For ease of description, the two optical monitoring detectors are defined as the first optical monitoring detector 4 and the second optical monitoring detector 5, respectively. The standard 8 is located in the optical path of the first optical monitoring detector 4. Only the first optical monitoring detector 4 has a standard etalon 8 in its optical path for detection purposes. The second optical monitoring detector 5 does not have a standard etalon 8. Even if the wavelength shifts, the light received by the second optical monitoring detector 5 will not change, and therefore the output response current will not change. This path serves as a reference. The wavelength of the output light can be determined by the ratio of the two response currents. If wavelength instability is detected, the TEC10 is adjusted via external circuitry to ensure stable output light wavelength. Preferably, the photocurrent generated by the first optical monitoring detector 4 is denoted as I1, and the photocurrent generated by the second optical monitoring detector 5 is denoted as I2.

[0029] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2The beam splitting component reflects the split beam to the detection unit via a reflector. Using a reflector facilitates reflecting the split beam to the detection unit. In conjunction with the above embodiment, when there are two optical monitoring detectors and two reflective / transmittive filters, two reflectors are also correspondingly provided. This allows the first split beam from the first reflective / transmittive filter 2 to be reflected to the etalon 8, and the second split beam from the second reflective / transmittive filter 3 to be reflected to the second optical monitoring detector 5.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The optical device also includes a thermistor 12 for monitoring the operating temperature of the DWDM laser 1. In this embodiment, the thermistor 12 can monitor the operating temperature of the DWDM laser 1, and its output value can be displayed intuitively on a display screen, or an alarm mechanism can be designed to issue an alarm when an abnormality occurs, such as exceeding a set threshold.

[0031] For further optimization of the above solution, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The thermistor 12 is electrically connected to the control unit. In this embodiment, the thermistor 12 can also be electrically connected to the control unit to achieve linkage. For example, the thermistor 12 feeds back the acquired signal to the control unit, and the control unit sets a corresponding threshold. However, exceeding the threshold indicates an abnormal temperature. At this time, the TEC10 is activated to adjust the temperature, which can also contribute to wavelength stability.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The optical device also includes a housing 11 for housing the DWDM laser 1, the beam splitter assembly, and the detection unit. The housing 11 has signal pins, and both the detection unit and the DWDM laser 1 are electrically connected to the control unit via these signal pins. In this embodiment, all the above components are housed within the housing 11, which is an XMD housing. The XMD housing has signal pins at one end near the laser, connected to the DWDM laser 1 and the optical monitoring detector. The XMD housing also has a light outlet at one end near the reflective / transmissive filter.

[0033] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The laser beam is collimated by the collimating lens 9 and then directed to the beam splitter assembly. The collimating lens 9 is used to couple the emitted light with the DWDM laser 1 so that the light wave is output in the form of parallel light. The collimating lens 9 can collimate the emitted light.

[0034] The following specific embodiment illustrates the structure and optical path of the DWDM optical device with wave-locking function in this embodiment. Figure 1As shown, the XMD housing contains a laser (CoC) and a collimating lens 9. In front of the collimating lens 9 are a reflective and transmissive filter, a reflector, an etalon 8, a light monitoring detector, a TEC 10, and a temperature control chip. The laser is a DWDM laser 1. For ease of explanation, this embodiment uses a 1550.12nm DFB laser with a 100GHz wavelength interval as an example. The optical device in this embodiment has DWDM multi-wavelength locking capability, including but not limited to a single DWDM wavelength.

[0035] A collimating lens 9 is provided at the emitting end of the laser (CoC) to couple the light out of the laser so that the light wave is output in the form of parallel light.

[0036] The parallel light wave coupled by the laser (CoC) enters the first reflection and transmission filter 2, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the first reflective-transmission filter 2 has a 45° reflective surface that reflects 5% of the 1550.12nm wavelength light wave downwards; the first reflective-transmission filter 2 transmits 95% of the 1550.12nm wavelength light wave; the transmitted 1550.12nm wavelength light wave further enters the second reflective-transmission filter 3, which also has a 45° reflective surface that reflects 5% of the 1550.12nm wavelength light wave upwards and transmits 95% of the 1550.12nm wavelength light wave. The main light wave is output from the light output terminal of the XMD tube shell.

[0037] The 5% 1550.12nm light wave reflected from the first reflective and transmissive filter 2 enters the first reflective mirror 6 for reflection. The reflective surface of the mirror is at a 45° angle, and the reflected light enters the Etalon perpendicularly. The 1550.12nm light wave transmitted from the Etalon enters the first optical monitoring detector 4 behind it. The first optical monitoring detector 4 generates a response current I1, which is fed back to the external monitoring current through the connected signal pin.

[0038] The 5% 1550.12nm light wave reflected from the second reflective transmission filter 3 enters the second reflector 7 for reflection. The reflector surface is at a 45° angle, and the reflected light directly enters the second optical monitoring detector 5 behind it. The response current I2 generated by the second optical monitoring detector 5 is fed back to the external monitoring current through the connected signal pin.

[0039] Etalon transmittance curve as follows Figure 3As shown, before use, the wavelength of 1550.12nm is calibrated to be in the relatively linear region of the Etalon transmittance curve. When the wavelength of the DWDM device is stable, the response currents I1 and I2 generated by the two optical monitoring detectors are relatively stable, and the value of I1:I2 is a fixed value. When the laser emission wavelength drifts due to changes in the environment or hardware and software conditions, this embodiment shifts it towards a longer wavelength, such as... Figure 3 As shown by the red dashed line area, the transmittance of Etalon decreases, resulting in less light energy passing through Etalon. Consequently, the response current I1 generated by the first optical monitoring detector 4 decreases. Meanwhile, the light energy of the other light wave that did not pass through Etalon and entered the second optical monitoring detector 5 remains unchanged, and its response current I2 remains constant. This leads to a decrease in the I1:I2 ratio. After receiving this change, the external control circuit feeds it back to the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit controls the temperature within the optical device (TEC10). In this embodiment, TEC10 activates cooling, shifting the wavelength towards shorter wavelengths until the I1:I2 ratio reaches the calibrated fixed value, achieving a stable wavelength effect. The reverse is also true.

[0040] Thus, the DWDM optical device with wavelength locking function of this application consists of a DWDM laser 1, a collimating lens 9, a transmission and reflection filter, a reflector, an Etalon, and an optical monitoring detector. The splitting ratio of the reflection and transmission filter is designed to be 5%:95%, enabling real-time and effective monitoring of current changes in both detectors without affecting the main optical path. Internally, a TEC 10 and a thermistor 12 are incorporated, and the temperature is adjusted in real-time via an external feedback circuit to achieve accurate and stable wavelength control. Furthermore, the device is packaged in an XMD housing, making it suitable for miniaturized module packaging requirements, easy to perform wavelength division, and featuring a simple structure and high wavelength locking accuracy, thus making the optical device more convenient to use.

[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lockable DWDM optical device comprising a DWDM laser for emitting a laser beam, characterized in that: It also includes a beam splitter assembly, a detection unit, a TEC (Transformer Electron Device), and a control unit. The beam splitting assembly is used to split the laser beam into a main beam and a secondary beam. The detection unit is used to receive the split beam. The TEC is used to regulate the temperature of the DWDM laser. The control unit is used to control the operation of the TEC. Both the detection unit and the TEC are electrically connected to the control unit.

2. The wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The beam splitting assembly includes a first reflective-transmitting filter and a second reflective-transmitting filter for splitting the beams into two separate beams.

3. The wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The detection unit includes an optical monitoring detector and a standard for wavelength transmission or cutoff. The split beam passes through the standard and then is directed to the optical monitoring detector.

4. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: There are two optical monitoring detectors, and the standard is disposed in the optical path of one of the optical monitoring detectors.

5. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The beam splitter reflects the split beam to the detection unit via a mirror.

6. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes thermistors used to monitor the operating temperature of DWDM lasers.

7. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The thermistor is electrically connected to the control unit.

8. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a housing for mounting the DWDM laser, beam splitter assembly and detection unit. The housing is provided with signal pins, and the detection unit and the DWDM laser are electrically connected to the control unit through the signal pins.

9. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit includes an external control circuit.

10. A wave-lockable DWDM optical device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The laser beam is collimated by a collimating lens and then directed onto the beam splitter assembly.

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