Coherent Receiver Module With Slanted Capillary Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current receiver modules for digital coherent optical communications, such as CFP and CFP2 optical transceivers, face challenges in reducing size while maintaining optical beam collimation and minimizing reflection return light, which hinders further miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
The proposed receiver module integrates a capillary to house the distal ends of single mode and polarization maintaining fibers within the package, along with an array lens system where the capillary edges are slanted to suppress reflection and allow for closer lens positioning, enabling a reduction in module size without compromising beam collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If connectors are provided side by side at one end of the housing for introducing signal beam and local beam, then optical connection is achieved, but module size cannot be reduced further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate connectors into a single integrated capillary structure that houses both the signal beam fiber and local beam fiber. This consolidation eliminates the need for two separate connectors while maintaining optical connection functionality, thereby enabling further module size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing both optical fibers inside a single capillary tube. The capillary serves as a container that holds multiple fiber elements, allowing compact arrangement and reducing the overall module footprint while preserving optical connection capabilities.
2Volume of moving object
If distance between optical components is reduced for miniaturization, then module size decreases, but beam collimation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspherical lens surfaces with specifically designed curvature radii (R1, R2, R3, R4) to maintain beam collimation quality despite reduced component distances. By optimizing lens parameters such as focal lengths and surface curvatures, the system achieves effective beam collimation within a compact form factor.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional connector structure is used, then optical connection is established, but reflection return light is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetrical slanted surfaces at the capillary ends instead of conventional symmetrical connector interfaces. The slanted surfaces are designed with specific angles to redirect reflected light away from the optical path, thereby suppressing reflection return light while maintaining effective optical connection.
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 allows for a smaller receiver module size by eliminating protruding connectors and reducing the distance between optical components, while effectively suppressing reflection return light and maintaining collimation of signal and local beams.
Implementation Method 1
The array lens has a first lens, a second lens, and a connection fixing the first lens and the second lens. The first lens converts the signal beam into a first collimating beam and is located on a first optical axis of the first optical fiber, and the second lens converts the local beam into a second collimating beam and is located on a second optical axis of the second optical fiber.
Implementation Method 2
The capillary has an edge opposite to the array lens, and the edge has a first region including the first edge and a second region including the second edge. The first edge is slanted to the first optical axis, and the second edge is slanted to the second optical axis, and a direction of the first edge and a direction of the second edge are different each other.
Data Source
AI summary
The receiver including a package, first and second optical fibers, a capillary, and an array lens is disclosed. The first fiber has a first edge coupling to a MMI device by propagating a signal beam. The second fiber has a second edge coupling to the MMI device by propagating a local beam. The array lens has first and second lenses. The first lens converts the signal beam into a collimating beam, and the second lens converts the local beam into a collimating beam. The capillary has an edge opposite to the array lens, and the edge has a first region including the first edge and a second region including the second edge. The first edge is slanted to a first axis, and the second edge is slanted to a second axis, and a direction of the first edge and a direction of the second edge are different each other.