Bidirectional Optical Link With Remote Pumped Amplifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow core fibers used in bidirectional optical communication links suffer from high attenuation losses, making it difficult to supply remote optically pumped amplifiers with pump power over long distances, and existing laser safety mechanisms do not account for power supply fibers.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional optical communication link using hollow core fibers with a remote optically pumped amplifier gain medium doped with bismuth or rare earth ions, where pump light is supplied through a third optical fiber, and an optical detector monitors residual pump power to ensure laser safety and fiber integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hollow core fibers are used for optical transmission, then low latency is achieved, but attenuation losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical communication link is divided into multiple segments with intermediate signal amplification using remote optically pumped amplifiers (ROPAs) placed at network nodes. Each segment can be independently managed and amplified, allowing the system to overcome the high attenuation losses of hollow core fibers while maintaining low latency performance over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
Remote optically pumped amplifiers act as intermediary devices between network nodes, providing signal amplification without requiring traditional electrical power infrastructure at remote locations. The amplifiers are pumped by laser light transmitted through the hollow core fiber, enabling signal regeneration while maintaining the low-latency advantage of hollow core fibers.
2Length of stationary object
If remote optically pumped amplifiers are used for signal amplification, then transmission distance is extended, but pump power supply difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow core fiber serves multiple functions: it transmits both the data signals and the pump light for the remote optically pumped amplifiers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power supply infrastructure at remote network nodes, simplifying the pump power supply while enabling extended transmission distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electrical power transmission and distribution systems with optical pumping. Instead of delivering electrical power to remote amplifiers, the system uses optical fibers to transmit pump light, which then optically pumps the amplifier media. This substitution eliminates complex electrical infrastructure requirements at remote locations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional laser safety mechanisms are used, then laser safety is maintained, but fiber integrity monitoring is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through optical detectors that continuously monitor the pump light transmission and signal quality. When fiber integrity is compromised or abnormal conditions are detected, the system provides feedback to control the pump laser or amplifier operation, enabling real-time safety monitoring and response.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical detectors serve as intermediary sensing devices that monitor fiber integrity and pump power transmission. These detectors provide early warning signals for fiber issues, enabling proactive maintenance and safety responses without requiring direct physical inspection of the fiber infrastructure.
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 enables low-latency, high-speed data communication over long distances while ensuring laser safety by effectively supplying pump power to remote amplifiers and monitoring fiber integrity.
Implementation Method 1
remote optically pumped amplifiers (ROPAs) having a gain medium which is pumped with pump light
Implementation Method 2
Optical communication links use optical fibers which guide light for data transmission
Implementation Method 3
an optical detector monitors residual pump power to ensure laser safety and fiber integrity
Data Source
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AI summary
A bidirectional optical communication link , OCL, (1) comprising a first optical transmission link, OTL1, adapted to transmit an optical signal from a near-end location (NEL) via a first optical fiber (2-1) to a remote-end location (REL); and a second optical transmission link, OTL2, adapted to transmit an optical signal from the remote-end location (REL) via a second optical fiber (2-2) to the near-end location(NEL); wherein at least one of the optical transmission links, OTL1, OTL2, comprises a remote optically pumped amplifier, ROPA, (3-1,3-3) having a gain medium which is pumped with pump light received by that gain medium through a third optical fiber (4) from a pump laser source provided at the near-end location (NEL) or provided at the remote-end location (REL) to supply the gain medium of the remote optical pump amplifier, ROPA, (3-1,3-2) with pump power.