Comb-Based Wavelength Multiplexing Without Precise Wavelength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern optical communication systems face challenges with high power consumption and complex wavelength control requirements due to the use of wavelength-selective multiplexers, which increase laser costs and energy consumption, hindering dense deployment in data centers.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmitter using an optical frequency comb source splits light into multiple paths with different delays, modulates each path with synchronized signals, and combines them to generate an output signal, enabling wavelength division multiplexing without precise wavelength control, and an optical receiver performs MIMO processing to recover the signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wavelength-selective optical multiplexers are used to multiplex different wavelength channels, then wavelength division multiplexing is achieved, but power consumption increases and precise wavelength control is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal wavelength-selective multiplexer system with an electro-optic modulation system. Instead of using wavelength-selective optical elements that require temperature stabilization and precise mechanical tuning, the invention uses electro-optic modulators to encode multiple data streams onto different frequency components of a single optical carrier. This substitution eliminates the need for wavelength-selective multiplexers and their associated power consumption for temperature control and stabilization.
2Ease of manufacture
If wavelength-selective optical multiplexers are used to multiplex different wavelength channels, then wavelength division multiplexing is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single optical source perform multiple functions that previously required multiple wavelength-specific components. The single optical carrier generated by the optical source is modulated to carry multiple independent data streams simultaneously through different frequency components. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple wavelength-specific lasers and multiplexers, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining wavelength division multiplexing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from selecting different wavelengths to using frequency modulation of a single optical carrier. Instead of controlling the wavelength of multiple lasers, the system modulates the frequency components of a single optical source using electro-optic modulators. This parameter change from wavelength selection to frequency modulation simplifies the control requirements and reduces device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If precise wavelength control is implemented for transmitter lasers, then wavelength division multiplexing is achieved, but laser cost and energy consumption for cooling and temperature-stabilization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical wavelength control system with an electro-optic modulation system. Instead of using temperature-controlled wavelength-selective multiplexers and precisely tuned lasers, the invention uses electro-optic modulators to encode data onto frequency components of a single optical carrier. This substitution eliminates the need for temperature stabilization systems and their associated power consumption.
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 reduces power consumption and eliminates the need for precise wavelength control, allowing for efficient and cost-effective wavelength division multiplexing in optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical frequency comb (OFC) source to provide OFC light comprising a plurality of separate optical frequency tones
Implementation Method 2
Each of the paths comprises an optical modulator to modulate received light with a respective modulating signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmitter capable of colorless WDM includes a source of optical frequency comb (OFC) light having a plurality of separate optical frequency tones, and a plurality of optical modulators connected in parallel to modulate different parts of the OFC light with corresponding modulating signals, each of the parts including the plurality of separate optical frequency tones. An optical combiner combines the different parts of the OFC light to obtain an output optical signal of the optical transmitter. MIMO processing may be used to recover the modulating signals at an optical receiver using, or to configure the modulating signals at the transmitter so that each of the frequency tones is modulated with a corresponding target data signal.