Collimated Ball Lenses for Optical Triplexer Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current triplexers for bidirectional data transmission in FTTH networks are cost-sensitive and struggle to achieve high output power, high sensitivity, and low dispersion, with aspheric lenses being expensive and ball lenses offering limited coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical triplexer design utilizing multiple ball lenses and wavelength selective filters to optically couple three optical signals between opto-electronic devices and an optical fiber, with each signal being collimated by two ball lenses, allowing for improved coupling efficiency and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If aspheric lenses are used to obtain high coupling efficiency, then coupling efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive aspheric lenses with inexpensive spherical ball lenses. Although ball lenses have simpler manufacturing and lower cost, they traditionally provide lower coupling efficiency. The invention overcomes this limitation through the dual-ball-lens configuration that achieves high coupling efficiency while maintaining the cost advantage of spherical lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two ball lenses in series to achieve the coupling performance of a single aspheric lens. By merging the optical functions of two simple spherical lenses, the system attains the high coupling efficiency typically requiring complex aspheric surfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and optical performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single ball lens is used for optical coupling, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but coupling efficiency deteriorates to 10%-30%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two ball lenses into a single optical coupling system. The first ball lens couples light from the optoelectronic device to an intermediate point, and the second ball lens couples from that intermediate point to the optical fiber. This combination achieves coupling efficiencies exceeding 50%, dramatically improving upon the 10%-30% efficiency of single ball lens systems while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional spatial dimension to the optical coupling path by inserting an intermediate image plane between two ball lenses. This dimensional expansion allows each lens to perform its coupling function independently at different stages, achieving high overall efficiency that neither lens could achieve alone.
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
The design achieves high coupling efficiency, stability, and flexibility, with potential for over 50% coupling efficiency, reduced cost, and improved filter performance, while being less sensitive to angular movements and allowing for longer working distances.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the optical signals are collimated by two ball lenses
Implementation Method 2
a first wavelength selective filter. The optical triplexer further includes a second wavelength selective filter
Data Source
AI summary
Optical triplexers are disclosed. The optical triplexers include an optical fiber, a first ball lens optically coupling a first optical signal between a first opto-electronic device and a first wavelength selective filter, and a second ball lens optically coupling a second optical signal between a second opto-electronic device and the first wavelength selective filter. The optical triplexers further include a second wavelength selective filter optically coupling the first and second optical signals between the first wavelength selective filter and a third ball lens and a fourth ball lens optically coupling a third optical signal between a third optical signal between a third opto-electronic device and the second frequency selective filter. The second wavelength selective filter optical couples the third optical signal between the fourth ball lens and the third ball lens. Thus, each of the optical signals are selectively coupled between one of the opto-electronic devices and the optical fiber.