Automatic Variable Tilt Equalization for Multicore Optical Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in optical submarine systems is the limited number of optical fibers that can be mounted due to cross-sectional constraints, leading to increased manufacturing costs and difficulties in enhancing communication capacity, particularly in systems using multicore fibers where tilt level adjustments are necessary to maintain transmission quality.
Innovation Solution
An automatic variable tilt apparatus and method that separates multicore optical signals into single core signals, adjusts tilt levels using variable tilt equalizers, performs feedback control, and multiplexes the signals to maintain a flat tilt profile, utilizing a feedback controller and optical couplers to automate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of optical fibers is increased to enhance communication capacity, then communication capacity is improved, but the cross-sectional constraint of the optical submarine cable prevents further increases and manufacturing cost becomes massive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single multicore optical fiber into multiple single-core optical fibers using a fan-in/fan-out device. This allows the system to process and equalize tilt levels for each core independently, enabling efficient utilization of existing multicore fiber infrastructure without needing to increase the number of optical fibers or incur massive manufacturing costs for new cables.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of tilt levels is performed, then tilt level adjustment is possible, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic feedback control system where tilt level detection units measure the actual tilt levels of optical signals, and a control unit automatically adjusts the variable tilt equalizers based on these measurements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates time-consuming manual adjustments and enables rapid automatic equalization of tilt levels across multiple cores.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of tilt levels through automated detection and control mechanisms. The apparatus monitors its own performance and automatically corrects tilt imbalances without requiring external manual intervention, thereby reducing operational time and costs while maintaining optimal signal transmission quality.
3Reliability
If tilt level equalization is performed for each core independently, then transmission quality is maintained, but the number of optical devices increases and system complexity becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple single-core optical fibers into a single multicore optical fiber using a fan-in device after individual tilt equalization. This merging approach allows independent processing of each core's tilt level while ultimately consolidating the signals, thereby maintaining high transmission quality without proportionally increasing the number of optical devices and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic variable tilt apparatus includes: a first Fi/Fo device configured to separate a multicore optical input signal into two single core optical input signals; two variable tilt equalizers configured to respectively adjust tilt levels of the two single core optical input signals; two optical couplers configured to respectively divide two single core optical output signals from the two variable tilt equalizers into two optical signals in a predetermined proportion; a feedback controller configured to perform feedback control on the associated variable tilt equalizer, based on a tilt level of one of the single core optical output signals being divided by each of the two optical couplers; and a second Fi/Fo device configured to multiplex another of the single core optical output signals being divided by each of the two optical couplers, and output a multiplexed multicore optical output signal.