Coherent Photonic Integrated Circuit Architecture with Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current data center technologies face limitations in meeting increasing demands for baud rates and link lengths due to physical constraints in direct detection modulation, and coherent optics are hindered by higher costs, larger footprints, and power dissipation, as well as link budget constraints.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) in silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) enables scalable coherent transmission/receive architectures that enhance link performance without external amplification, allow for multi-channel operation in a smaller form factor, and integrate a test laser for improved testability and reduced costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coherent optics are adopted to meet increasing baud rates and link lengths, then transmission performance is improved, but cost, footprint, and power dissipation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidcost and footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the laser source directly onto the photonic integrated circuit chip, merging previously separate components (external laser, PIC, detectors) into a single unified device. This integration reduces the overall system footprint and complexity while maintaining coherent transmission performance, directly addressing the contradiction between improved transmission and increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photonic integrated circuit is designed to support multiple modulation formats (QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM) and multiple wavelengths through a single device architecture. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware platform to adapt to different transmission requirements without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining high transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If coherent optics are adopted to meet increasing baud rates and link lengths, then transmission performance is improved, but power dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the laser source and photonic processing functions onto a single chip, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate high-power components and their associated control electronics. This consolidation reduces overall power dissipation while maintaining the high transmission performance required for increasing baud rates and link lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If direct detection modulation is used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but baud rate and link length capabilities are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost and complexityVSAvoidbaud rate and link length capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional direct detection approach with coherent detection integrated on a photonic chip. This substitution enables the system to achieve higher baud rates and longer link lengths by utilizing phase and amplitude modulation, while the integration keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized photonic processing circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves optical link performance, reduces power consumption, and lowers manufacturing costs by enabling coherent transmission in data centers with increased bandwidth and flexibility across different wavelengths and modulation formats, while maintaining a compact footprint.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) positioned in a signal pathway between the optical port and the one of the transmit module and the receive module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical amplification:

Data Source

PatentUS20230087429A1Scalable coherent photonic integrated circuit (PIC) architecture

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The PIC may include a transmit module and a receive module. An optical port of the PIC may be coupled to the transmit module or the receive module. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) may be positioned in a signal pathway between the optical port and the transmit module or the receive module. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.