Coherent Optical Transceiver Using One Laser for Signal and Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coherent optical transmission systems are complex and costly, requiring a dedicated local oscillator light source, which hinders their widespread adoption due to high manufacturing and maintenance costs, and they face challenges in optical power, space management, and thermal management.
Innovation Solution
The system divides the initial light from a laser emitter into reference and signal lights, using the laser emitter as both a transmitter and a local oscillator, eliminating the need for an additional local oscillator light source, and employs optical splitting, modulation, and mixing to achieve high-speed, high-sensitivity detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated local oscillator light source is used in coherent optical transmission systems, then the system achieves stable coherent detection and mixing, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter laser emitter and local oscillator light source into a single laser emitter. The optical splitting module divides the light from this single laser emitter into reference light (for local oscillator) and signal light (for transmission), eliminating the need for separate laser sources while maintaining coherent detection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser emitter serves dual functions: as the signal light source for transmission and as the local oscillator light source for coherent detection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall system structure while preserving the reliability of coherent detection.
2Measurement precision
If additional local oscillator equipment is added to achieve coherent detection, then the detection sensitivity improves, but the space management and thermal management challenges worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the local oscillator function with the existing transmitter laser emitter, the patent eliminates the need for additional local oscillator equipment. This integration maintains high detection sensitivity through coherent mixing while significantly reducing the space occupied by stationary components.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple separate light sources are used for signal and reference light, then the optical power distribution is flexible, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single laser emitter provides both signal light and reference light, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple laser sources and their associated mounting, alignment, and calibration procedures. The optical splitting module enables flexible power distribution between the two light paths.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single laser emitter is used for both signal and reference light, then the manufacturing cost reduces, but the optical power management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical splitting module segments the single laser emitter's output into separate reference light and signal light paths. This segmentation allows independent power management and optimization for each function while using a single cost-effective laser emitter source.
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 enhances signal transmission stability and distance while reducing costs by utilizing the laser emitter's dual functionality, enabling efficient coherent optical transmission without additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The optical splitting module is optically coupled to the laser emitter and is configured to divide the light emitted by the laser emitter into a reference light and a signal light
Implementation Method 2
The optical modulator is optically coupled to the optical splitting module and is configured to modulate the signal light
Implementation Method 3
The optical mixer of the first optical transceiver is configured to mix the reference light of the first optical transceiver and the signal light of the second optical transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
A coherent optical transmission system includes two optical transceivers, each including a laser emitter, an optical splitting module, an optical modulator, an optical mixer and an optical detector. The laser emitter is configured to emit an initial light. The optical splitting module is configured to divide the light emitted by the laser emitter into a reference light and a signal light. The optical modulator is configured to modulate the signal light. The optical mixer is optically coupled to the optical splitting module. The optical mixer of the first optical transceiver is configured to optically mixing the reference light of the first optical transceiver and the signal light of the second optical transceiver, and the optical mixer of the second optical transceiver is configured to optically mixing the reference light of the second optical transceiver and the signal light of the first optical transceiver.