Co-Packaged Optics with Bi-Directional Laser Medium and Fewer Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional co-packaged optics systems face challenges with high RF losses, increased cost, power consumption, and latency due to electronic signal interconnects, and require additional laser fibers that expand device footprint, limit bandwidth density, and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A co-packaged optics system with a bi-directional laser medium that combines laser and transmitter fibers into a single polarization maintaining medium, using polarization splitter rotators to enable bi-directional light propagation, reducing the number of fibers and fiber breakouts, and integrating PSRs and SOAs to manage polarization and power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional electronic signal interconnects are used in co-packaged optics systems, then device functionality is achieved, but RF losses increase, cost increases, power consumption increases, and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic signal interconnects with optical signal transmission through polarization maintaining fibers. The system uses polarization splitter rotators and optical modulators to transmit signals optically instead of electrically, eliminating RF losses, reducing power consumption, and lowering latency while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs polarization maintaining fibers to serve multiple functions: transmitting optical signals bidirectionally, maintaining polarization states, and enabling both laser output and transmitter input through the same fiber medium. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional laser fibers are added to the system, then laser functionality is improved, but device footprint expands, bandwidth density is limited, and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser output fiber and transmitter input fiber into a single polarization maintaining fiber medium. The polarization splitter rotators enable the same fiber to carry both laser light and modulated signals bidirectionally, eliminating the need for separate fibers and reducing device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The single polarization maintaining fiber serves multiple functions: it transmits laser output, receives modulated signals, and maintains polarization states throughout the system. This universal fiber medium enables bidirectional operation without requiring additional dedicated fibers.
3Device complexity
If polarization splitter rotators and integrated components are used, then fiber count is reduced and complexity is decreased, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polarization splitter rotators as intermediary components that manage polarization states between the laser source and transmitter. These rotators act as mediators that align polarizations without requiring direct precision alignment between all components, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts polarization parameters using electro-optic modulators and polarization splitter rotators. By changing polarization states through controlled parameter adjustment rather than fixed mechanical alignment, the system achieves robust operation with relaxed manufacturing precision requirements.
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 the number of fibers needed, decreases cost and complexity, increases shoreline density, and enhances reliability by eliminating non-reciprocal media and using integrated components, while maintaining high bandwidth density and flexibility for multi-wavelength applications.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization maintaining medium on an optical path between the second port of the first PSR and the fifth port of the second PSR
Implementation Method 2
a first polarization splitter rotator (PSR) including a first port, a second port, and a third port; a second PSR including a fourth port, a fifth port, and a sixth port
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system may include a laser source including a laser source output port; an electro-optic (EO) transmitter (Tx) including a Tx input port and a Tx output port; a first polarization splitter rotator (PSR) including a first port, a second port, and a third port; a second PSR including a fourth port, a fifth port, and a sixth port; and a polarization maintaining medium on an optical path between the second port and the fifth port. The laser source output port may be optically terminated at the first port. The second port may be optically terminated at the fifth port. The third port may be optically terminated at an output of the optical system. The Tx output port may be optically terminated at the fourth port. The fifth port may be optically terminated at the second port. The sixth port may be optically terminated at the Tx input port.