Dual-Output Coherent Transceiver Link Budget
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pluggable coherent optical technologies face challenges such as link budget limitations, cost-effectiveness issues in point-to-multi-point networks, and tight power dissipation requirements, particularly at high bandwidths like 800 Gbps or higher.
Innovation Solution
The disclosed technology introduces a dual-input receiver and dual-output transmitter configuration, utilizing polarization beam splitters and 90-degree hybrids to enhance output optical power by 3 dB without additional 3 dB couplers, thereby improving link budgets and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional coherent optical transmission is used, then signal transmission is achieved, but link budget is limited due to power loss in optical couplers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the 3 dB optical coupler from the traditional coherent optical transmission system. By eliminating this power-lossy component, the system achieves higher output optical power and improved link budget without the 3 dB penalty that would otherwise be incurred by the coupler.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a 3 dB coupler to combine or split signals (which inherently loses 3 dB), the patent inverts the approach by using polarization beam splitters and 90-degree hybrids in a configuration that achieves signal combination/splitting without the coupler loss. The local oscillator and signal paths are reconfigured to avoid the traditional coupler architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical components are used to achieve dual-output transmission, then transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the polarization beam splitters and 90-degree hybrids serve multiple functions simultaneously. These components not only perform their traditional signal splitting/combining roles but also enable the dual-output functionality and polarization diversity reception, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the dual-output transmission functionality with the existing coherent detection architecture by integrating polarization beam splitters and 90-degree hybrids into a unified structure. This consolidation allows the system to achieve dual-output capability while sharing common components between transmission and reception paths, thereby reducing overall component count.
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 approach effectively doubles the coherent transceiver output power, improves link budgets by up to 6 dB, and reduces the number of optical components required, enhancing cost-effectiveness and performance in high-bandwidth applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization beam splitter configured to receive a first signal; and a second polarization beam splitter configured to receive a second signal
Implementation Method 2
the first and second optical couplers of the first 90-degree hybrid and the second 90-degree hybrid can be coupled to a local oscillator such that the first and second 90-degree hybrids output phase or polarization information associated with the first signal
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology allows for 1+1 optical protection and may improve coherent module output optical power by 3 dB over similar transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) implementation complexity, as well as allow for integration into existing datacenter formats.