Distributed Optical Transmitter Local Domain Splitting

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional copper data channels face limitations due to signal attenuation and crosstalk, which are only modestly improved by existing techniques requiring significant power, complexity, and bulk, necessitating a more effective solution for high-bandwidth data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A distributed optical transmitter with local domain splitting, utilizing a silicon photonics chip with Mach-Zehnder modulators and CMOS inverters, splits electrical signals into multiple voltage domains to modulate optical signals efficiently, reducing voltage swing and increasing bandwidth while minimizing jitter and supply mismatch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If equalization, coding, and shielding techniques are used to mitigate signal attenuation and crosstalk in copper data channels, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption, device complexity, and cable bulk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through copper channels with optical signal transmission through optical channels. This substitution eliminates the fundamental electromagnetic interference and attenuation problems inherent in copper systems, removing the need for complex equalization, coding, and shielding techniques while achieving superior signal quality and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from electrical conductors (copper) to optical waveguides. This parameter change fundamentally alters the transmission characteristics, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission with minimal attenuation and crosstalk without requiring additional complexity-mitigating techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If equalization, coding, and shielding techniques are used to mitigate signal attenuation and crosstalk in copper data channels, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through copper channels with optical signal transmission through optical channels. This substitution eliminates the fundamental electromagnetic interference and attenuation problems inherent in copper systems, removing the need for complex equalization, coding, and shielding techniques while achieving superior signal quality and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from electrical conductors (copper) to optical waveguides. This parameter change fundamentally alters the transmission characteristics, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission with minimal attenuation and crosstalk without requiring additional complexity-mitigating techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If equalization, coding, and shielding techniques are used to mitigate signal attenuation and crosstalk in copper data channels, then signal quality is improved, but cable bulk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidcable bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal transmission through copper channels with optical signal transmission through optical channels. This substitution eliminates the fundamental electromagnetic interference and attenuation problems inherent in copper systems, removing the need for complex equalization, coding, and shielding techniques while achieving superior signal quality and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If conventional copper data channels are used for data transmission, then existing infrastructure is maintained, but bandwidth and scalability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from electrical conductors (copper) to optical waveguides. This parameter change fundamentally alters the transmission characteristics, enabling high-bandwidth data transmission with minimal attenuation and crosstalk without requiring additional complexity-mitigating techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the optical transmitter into multiple independent modulator sections that can be individually configured and scaled. Each section operates independently, allowing the system to be scaled by adding or removing sections to match bandwidth requirements, providing both high productivity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances data transmission by reducing signal attenuation and crosstalk, achieving higher bandwidth and scalability with lower power consumption and complexity, making optical communication a viable successor to copper links.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a silicon photonics chip with Mach-Zehnder modulators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic modulation: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

generating a modulated output signal through interference of the modulated optical signal in the waveguides of the optical modulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS11855698B2Method and system for a distributed optical transmitter with local domain splitting

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods and systems for a distributed optical transmitter with local domain splitting are disclosed and may include, in an optical modulator integrated in a silicon photonics chip: receiving electrical signals, communicating the electrical signals to domain splitters along a length of waveguides of the optical modulator via one or more delay lines, and generating electrical signals in voltage domains utilizing the domain splitters for modulating the optical signals in the waveguides of the optical modulator by driving diodes with the electrical signals generated in the voltage domains. The delay lines may comprise one delay element per domain splitter, or may comprise a delay element per domain splitter for a first subset of the domain splitters and more than one delay element per domain splitter for a second subset of the domain splitters.