Optical Communication Module Using Birefringent Crystal for Bidirectional Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-fiber bidirectional optical communication modules have high manufacturing costs and complexity due to numerous optical components, making alignment and fixation difficult.
Innovation Solution
The optical communication module incorporates a light-guide structure with a birefringent crystal and planar optical waveguides, allowing for bidirectional transmission and reception using a single optical fiber, reducing the number of optical components and simplifying manufacturing by using a shared light-guide structure for both transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-fiber bidirectional optical communication module uses multiple optical components, then bidirectional transmission function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission and reception optical paths into a single integrated light-guide structure. The light-guide structure includes a light source, modulator, and detector arranged in sequence, with a beam splitter combining the transmitted and received light paths. This integration reduces the number of separate optical components while maintaining bidirectional transmission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides transmitted light from the light source to the output fiber, guides received light from the input fiber to the detector, and provides structural support for all optical components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical communication module uses multiple optical components, then bidirectional transmission is enabled, but alignment and fixation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all optical components into a single integrated light-guide structure, the patent reduces the number of separate alignment operations required. The components are pre-aligned within the light-guide structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex field alignment and fixation of multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into functional modules within the light-guide structure, with each component (light source, modulator, detector) having a dedicated position and function. This modular segmentation within the integrated structure simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be independently optimized and pre-assembled before final integration.
3Reliability
If conventional optical communication module uses many optical components, then optical signal processing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical processing functions into a single integrated light-guide structure, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested. This integration lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary optical signal processing capabilities through the coordinated arrangement of light source, modulator, and detector.
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 design reduces production costs and physical size while improving communication performance by enabling efficient bidirectional data transfer through a single optical fiber, simplifying the manufacturing process and aligning optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a birefringent crystal, connected to the first planar optical waveguide and to the second planar optical waveguide, and between them... the birefringent crystal separates the output beam and the input beam into different directions according to different polarization directions of the output beam and the input beam
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication module separating the input and output of light signals by birefringence includes first and second planar optical waveguides with a birefringent crystal connected to both. An optical fiber is adjacent to the second planar optical waveguide. An output beam from a transmitter passes through the first planar optical waveguide, the birefringent crystal, and the second planar optical waveguide in sequence, and enters into the optical fiber. An incoming beam from the optical fiber passes through the second planar optical waveguide, the birefringent crystal, and the first planar optical waveguide in sequence, and then falls onto a receiver.