Co-Packaged Optics With Asymmetrical Fiber Scaling for Higher Radix
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face spatial constraints and inefficiencies due to the limited number of optical fibers, leading to increased latency, higher costs, and reduced scalability in high-performance computing environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an asymmetrical ratio of transmitter optical fibers to receiver optical fibers, utilizing wavelength division multiplexing to transmit multiple signals on fewer fibers, allowing independent routing to receivers, and integrating optical components in a co-packaged module to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of optical fibers is increased to improve bandwidth and radix, then the spatial constraints worsen due to limited physical space for fiber routing
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical signals are combined onto a single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing, allowing 16 transmitters to share one fiber. This merging approach increases bandwidth capacity without requiring proportional increases in physical fiber count, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and spatial constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength as an additional dimension for signal differentiation. Instead of using separate spatial paths (physical fibers) for each signal, multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously on the same fiber by assigning them different wavelengths. This dimensional transformation allows exponential scaling of bandwidth without linear scaling of physical space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of optical fibers is increased to improve radix, then the system complexity increases due to more routing and infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple logical channels onto a single physical fiber infrastructure. By combining 16 optical signals on one fiber through wavelength multiplexing, the system achieves high radix (number of connectable devices) without proportionally increasing the complexity of fiber routing, connectors, and physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical fiber is made universal by enabling it to carry multiple simultaneous signals at different wavelengths. This multi-functionality allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes and connect multiple devices, effectively increasing radix without increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical transmission architecture is used, then spatial constraints limit scalability, but changing the architecture increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmitter and receiver functions into integrated optical modules that can be co-packaged with switching fabric. This merging of functions into unified modules improves scalability by reducing the number of discrete components and interconnections, while the wavelength multiplexing technique further reduces the optical infrastructure required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements co-packaging of optical transceivers with the switching fabric in an integrated module. This nesting approach places optical components directly within the switch housing, eliminating external fiber connections and reducing overall system complexity while enabling easier scaling of the optical switching system.
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 nearly doubles the radix and aggregate bandwidth without increasing the number of fibers, reducing spatial constraints and improving scalability, energy efficiency, and reliability in high-density optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coupler may be configured to split the portion of the light beam from each transmitter into a plurality of optical signals based on wavelength, polarization, or wavelength-polarization combinations of each optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The optical coupler may be configured to split the portion of the light beam from each transmitter into a plurality of optical signals based on wavelength, polarization, or wavelength-polarization combinations
Implementation Method 3
The power splitter may be configured to split the light beam into multiple portions such that each portion of the light beam from the power splitter is directed to the corresponding transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, assemblies, and methods are provided for transmitting optical signals. An example system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam. An optical module is operably coupled to the light source and configured to produce a plurality of optical signals using the light beam. The optical module comprises a plurality of transmitters, where a portion of the light beam is directed to a corresponding transmitter. An optical coupler is operably coupled to each of the plurality of transmitters via at least one transmitter optical fiber. The optical coupler is configured to split the portion of the light beam from each transmitter into a plurality of optical signals for transmission to a corresponding receiver via a plurality of receiver optical fibers. Each of the plurality of receiver optical fibers is independently routable, with the number of transmitter optical fibers less than the number of receiver optical fibers.