Bidirectional Optical Transceiver Using Binary Tree Wavelength Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CWDM optical transceiver modules face challenges in achieving precise laser alignment and filter passbands, leading to high insertion loss and low manufacturing yield due to the complexity of aligning multiple edge-emitting lasers and narrowband filters.
Innovation Solution
The optical transceiver module employs N light sources and N light detectors, with a bidirectional optical fiber port and an optical network containing 2N−1 wavelength-selective optical elements, where each light source emits a unique transmit wavelength and each detector corresponds to a unique receive wavelength, using a complementary configuration to minimize alignment requirements and reduce the number of wavelength-selective elements in each path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple edge-emitting lasers and narrowband filters are used in a daisy-chain configuration, then the number of communication channels increases, but the alignment precision requirements increase and manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network is segmented into multiple independent wavelength-selective elements (filters) arranged in a binary tree structure, where each filter handles a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows each component to be aligned independently rather than requiring precise alignment of multiple lasers through a complex daisy-chain path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear daisy-chain configuration to a hierarchical binary tree structure, adding a dimensional aspect to the optical path arrangement. This structural transformation enables parallel processing of multiple wavelengths through different branches of the tree, reducing the cumulative alignment errors that occur in sequential daisy-chain configurations.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple edge-emitting lasers and narrowband filters are used in a daisy-chain configuration, then the number of communication channels increases, but the insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical network into a binary tree structure with wavelength-selective filters at each node, the patent minimizes the number of optical components each wavelength must pass through. Each wavelength follows a shortened path through the tree, reducing the cumulative insertion loss compared to a daisy-chain configuration where wavelengths must pass through multiple filters and reflectors in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of multiple optical reflections (which cause insertion loss) into a beneficial structure where wavelengths are selectively routed through minimal reflection points. The binary tree structure with strategic filter placement ensures that each wavelength experiences fewer reflections and less total insertion loss while still enabling multiple communication channels.
3Quantity of substance
If four edge-emitting lasers are precisely aligned with multiple reflectors and filters, then multi-channel communication is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network is divided into modular wavelength-selective filter units arranged in a binary tree, where each unit is a self-contained module handling specific wavelength ranges. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent design, testing, and assembly of each filter unit, rather than requiring precise integration of multiple lasers with multiple reflectors and filters as in the daisy-chain approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reorganizes the optical network from a linear one-dimensional daisy-chain layout to a two-dimensional hierarchical binary tree structure. This structural transformation reduces the number of optical components and interconnections required, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining multi-channel communication capability.
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 configuration enhances manufacturing yield by simplifying alignment and reducing insertion loss, allowing for higher reliability and efficiency in optical data communication systems, particularly in full-duplex data communication systems with multiple channels.
Implementation Method 1
an optical network that includes 2N−1 wavelength-selective optical elements
Implementation Method 2
Each light source corresponds to one transmit channel and is configured to emit an optical transmit signal having a unique transmit wavelength
Implementation Method 3
Each light detector corresponds to one receive channel and is configured to detect an optical receive signal having a unique receive wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver module includes N light sources, N light detectors, a bidirectional fiber port, and an optical network having 2N−1 wavelength-selective elements. The number 2N represents the total number of transmit and receive channels in a bidirectional system in which transmit and receive signals corresponding to the transmit and receive channels. Each light source corresponds to one transmit channel and emits an optical transmit signal having a unique transmit wavelength. Each light detector corresponds to one receive channel and detects an optical receive signal having a unique receive wavelength. The optical network couples each light source to the bidirectional fiber port via a corresponding transmit path through the optical network. The optical network further couples each light detector to the bidirectional fiber port via a corresponding receive path through the optical network. Each transmit and receive path includes some of the wavelength-selective elements.