Multi-Channel Optical Tap Coupler With Azimuthal Waveguide Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical tap couplers fail to achieve tight control of split optical signal proportions, low insertion loss, and minimize modal and polarization variations, leading to performance degradation in multimode fiber networks, and require multiple components for parallel transmission, increasing system cost and size.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel, multi-port optical tap coupler design featuring an alignment base element, sub-assemblies with radially and azimuthally positioned waveguides, GRIN lenses, and an optical filter, allowing for mono-directional and bi-directional signal tapping with reduced component count and size, using a single fiber for bi-directional communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fused biconical tapered optical fibers are used for optical tap couplers, then the device can be manufactured, but spectral and modal dependence causes significant degradation in network performance when installed in optical networks utilizing multimode fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The optical tap coupler is segmented into multiple independent waveguide channels, each with controlled radial and azimuthal positions. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized independently for its specific function (transmission, tapping, receiving) while maintaining overall system performance across multiple wavelengths and modes, eliminating the spectral and modal dependence issues of fused biconical tapered couplers.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical coupler are assigned different functional qualities: transmission waveguides have specific radial offsets for forward signal transmission, tapping waveguides are positioned to extract specific proportions of optical power, and receiving waveguides are arranged to collect signals from opposite directions. This local quality differentiation ensures optimal performance for each function while maintaining low spectral and modal dependence throughout the device.
2Reliability
If multiple optical tap couplers are deployed for channels utilizing parallel optics, then channel reliability can be maintained, but system cost and size significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical tap coupler functions are merged into a single integrated device with multiple waveguide channels. The coupler simultaneously handles multiple transmission lanes, tapping functions, and receiving channels through its array of waveguides with different radial and azimuthal positions, eliminating the need for multiple separate coupler components and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical tap coupler is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple functions simultaneously: forward transmission, backward transmission, signal tapping, and signal reception across multiple parallel channels. This multi-functionality is achieved through the configurable array of waveguides that can be positioned to perform different functions within a single device, reducing the total component count while maintaining channel reliability.
3Productivity
If a larger number of parallel fibers are used for higher data rates, then aggregated data rates increase, but the form factor of optical tap couplers must be reduced to achieve high density
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguides are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration with controlled radial offsets and azimuthal positions, utilizing spatial dimensions efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple waveguide channels to be packed into a compact form factor while maintaining the necessary optical separation and coupling characteristics for high-density parallel transmission channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise signal splitting and combining with reduced insertion loss and size, minimizing network performance degradation and cost, while supporting high-density optical networks with accurate and inexpensive manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter
Implementation Method 2
a pair of focusing elements
Implementation Method 3
The first sub-assembly has an array of waveguides with each waveguide having a radial offset and an azimuthal position with respect to a center axis of the array
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A multi-channel, multi-port bi-directional optical tap coupler with an alignment base element (112), a pair of sub-assemblies (100, 118) located at opposite ends of the alignment base element, focusing elements (114, 115) located next to each sub-assembly, and an optical filter (116) adjacent to, and in-between the focusing elements is described. The first sub-assembly has an array of waveguides (103-106) with each waveguide having a radial offset and an azimuthal position with respect to a center axis of the array. The first array includes transmission waveguides and receiving waveguides and each receiving waveguide has a corresponding transmission wave guide that is separated by an azimuthal angle of 180 degrees. The second sub-assembly has a second array of waveguides (107-110) including a wave guide having the same radial offset and the same azimuthal position for each of the transmission wave and receiving guides of the first array.