Capillary Filter Block Mux Demux for High Port Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher port density and data rate in optical communication systems due to limited space in data centers and rapid data traffic growth requires miniaturization of multiplexer/demultiplexer assemblies, which is challenging due to the need to integrate multiple components onto a single substrate while maintaining efficient signal routing and wavelength selection.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging thin-film filters and a signal-routing block in a back-and-forth progression within a capillary filter block, secured by capillary and index-matching adhesives, to achieve a compact multiplexer/demultiplexer design that allows for wavelength-selective transmission and reflection, enabling efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing of optical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple components are integrated onto a single substrate to miniaturize the assembly, then the device footprint is reduced and port density increases, but the manufacturing complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment features including alignment pins, alignment holes, and alignment marks as intermediary elements between components. These features serve as mediators to ensure precise relative positioning of thin-film filters, filter blocks, and signal-routing blocks during assembly, thereby achieving miniaturization without sacrificing alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The multiplexer/demultiplexer assembly is segmented into modular components including separate filter blocks, signal-routing blocks, and thin-film filters that can be independently manufactured and then precisely assembled using the alignment features. This segmentation allows for controlled manufacturing of individual components while maintaining overall assembly precision through the intermediary alignment mechanisms
2Productivity
If components are closely arranged to reduce space, then port density increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring signal paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wavelength-specific thin-film filters that selectively transmit or reflect different wavelengths of light. This wavelength-based differentiation acts as a form of 'color coding' for signal paths, allowing easy identification and detection of specific signal channels even when components are closely arranged, thereby maintaining signal path detectability while increasing port density
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 reduces the device footprint, increases port density, and enhances data transmission rates by allowing multiplexed and demultiplexed signals to pass through the device in a back-and-forth progression, effectively addressing the need for increased capacity in optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary adhesive resides in the capillary interstices of the capillary filter block to secure the component filter blocks to each other
Implementation Method 2
an index-matching adhesive... forms an optical and mechanical interface between a bonding face of the signal-routing block and the capillary filter block
Data Source
AI summary
A multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided comprising a capillary filter block, a capillary adhesive, a signal-routing block, and an index-matching adhesive. The capillary adhesive resides in the capillary interstices of the capillary filter block and the index-matching adhesive forms an optical and mechanical interface between the signal-routing block and the capillary filter block. The layer thickness of the index-matching adhesive accommodates for extra-planar surface irregularities in the bonding face of the signal routing block and extra-planar variations along the proximal ends of the component filter blocks of the capillary filter block. The capillary filter block can be formed from a plurality of component filter blocks by dicing multiple component filter blocks from a filter block substrate, placing the component filter blocks adjacent to one another, and using capillary force to draw adhesive between adjacent sidewalls of component filter blocks.