Backplane Conversion Device for Optical Fabric Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rack system designs face challenges in maintaining high data transfer rates due to signal attenuation in electrical connections, and optical connections are prone to contamination from air flow, requiring frequent cleaning and card removal for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A backplane with a conversion device that converts electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa, combined with an optical fabric for high-speed connections, and openings for optical fibers to facilitate easy cleaning without card removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical connections are used in the backplane, then the system structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but signal attenuation increases at high data transfer rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical-to-electrical conversion device as an intermediary component between the optical fabric and the electrical bus. This converter mediates the signal transmission by converting optical signals to electrical signals, enabling high-speed optical communication while maintaining compatibility with existing electrical bus infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and signal transmission quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical connection system with an optical connection system for high-speed data transmission. By substituting electrical signals with optical signals through the optical fabric, the system achieves higher data transfer rates without signal attenuation, while the conversion device bridges this new optical system with the existing electrical bus architecture
2Speed
If optical connections are used in the backplane, then data transfer rates increase, but the connections become prone to contamination from air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backplane into distinct functional zones: a sealed optical connection area for high-speed transmission and a separate electrical bus area for control signals. This segmentation isolates the optical connections from harmful air flow while maintaining their high-speed capability, as the optical connections are contained within a protected environment separate from the airflow path
3Reliability
If optical connections are cleaned frequently, then connection reliability is maintained, but card removal is required which interrupts functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-contained optical connection system where the optical-to-electrical conversion device and optical fabric are integrated into the backplane structure. This integration allows the optical connections to be accessed and cleaned through the backplane without requiring card removal, enabling maintenance operations that do not interrupt card functionality and thus maintaining both reliability and productivity
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
This solution enhances data transfer rates by reducing signal attenuation and allows for easy maintenance of optical connections without interrupting card functionality, ensuring reliable and efficient communication within the rack system.
Implementation Method 1
A backplane with a conversion device that converts electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa
Implementation Method 2
an optical fabric for high-speed connections
Data Source
AI summary
A backplane device may include an electrical bus, an optical fabric, and a plurality of card sockets. A particular one of the plurality of card sockets may include a first socket configured to receive a first electrical connector of a card and electrically connect the first electrical connector to the electrical bus; and a conversion device comprising a second socket configured to receive a second electrical connector of the card; and an optical transceiver configured to convert electrical signals received from the second electrical connector to optical signals and provide the optical signals to the optical fabric; and convert optical signals received from the optical fabric to electrical signals and provide the electrical signals to the second electrical connector.