Bulk Optical Power Detection Using Scanning Mirror Multiplexer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fiber-rich applications, the cost of optical power detection is significant due to the need for a power receiver with a fiber-pigtailed photo detector for each fiber, making it expensive for large-scale photonic switches.
Innovation Solution
A bulk optical power detection apparatus using a plurality of optical splitters coupled to fiber-optic lines, an optical time-division multiplexer, and a photodetector array, which includes a scanning mirror, a fiber collimator array, and lenses to share optical power receivers across multiple channels, reducing the number of photodetectors needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fiber pigtailed photo detector is used for each fiber to detect optical signal power, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical signals from different fibers are merged into a single optical path using optical couplers and combined at a focal point, allowing a single photodetector to receive and measure multiple signals sequentially or simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
A movable mirror or scanning mechanism dynamically directs different optical signals to the photodetector at different angles or time slots, enabling one detector to serve multiple channels through temporal or angular multiplexing
Solution Approach 3:
A single photodetector is designed to perform multiple measurement functions across different fiber channels, replacing the need for dedicated detectors for each fiber and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a fiber pigtailed photo detector is used for each fiber, then the reliability of power detection is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical signals are combined into a single detection path, allowing one photodetector to replace multiple detectors while maintaining detection capability through optical signal merging
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic scanning or time-division multiplexing where the single photodetector sequentially measures different fiber channels in repeating cycles, ensuring reliable detection across all channels over time
3Productivity
If multiple photodetectors are used for bulk optical power detection, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A scanning mirror or movable component dynamically routes optical signals from multiple fibers to a single photodetector, enabling high-speed sequential measurement that maintains productivity while reducing detector count
Solution Approach 2:
Optical signals are pre-collimated and organized into specific spatial arrangements before reaching the scanning mechanism, allowing efficient routing to the photodetector without requiring multiple detectors for each channel
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 minimizes the cost of power detection by allowing multiple fiber-optic channels to share a single photodetector or a photodetector array, reducing the number of power receivers required and maintaining efficient optical power measurement across multiple channels.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of optical splitters are coupled to respective fiber-optic lines
Implementation Method 2
A photodetector array is coupled to an output of the optical time-division multiplexer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described to provide multi-channel bulk optical power detection. The apparatus has a plurality of optical splitters coupled to respective fiber-optic lines of a plurality of fiber-optic lines. An optimal time-division multiplexer has an input coupled to the plurality of optical splitters. A photodetector is coupled to an output of the optical time-division multiplexer to provide bulk optical power detection. The optical time-division multiplexer includes a scanning mirror.