DWDM Passive Circuits for Coherent Ethernet and PON Link Extender
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Solution Overview
Problem
The telecommunications industry faces challenges in meeting the increasing bandwidth demands due to the exponential growth of internet traffic from various devices, leading to optical fiber exhaustion and the need for scalable and economical solutions to manage diverse data types over existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an Optical Communications Module Link (OCML) Extender using DWDM passive circuits that multiplex multiple optical signals onto a single fiber, increasing capacity by assigning signals specific wavelengths and eliminating the need for active devices like optical amplifiers, allowing for cost-effective and efficient transmission of high-speed data over long distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If optical amplifiers are deployed to increase transmission distance and capacity, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for optical amplifiers from the transmission system. By using coherent detection and digital signal processing, the system achieves long-distance transmission without requiring active optical amplification devices, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining bandwidth capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical amplification system with an electronic/digital signal processing system. Coherent detection converts optical signals to electrical signals that can be processed digitally, substituting the need for optical amplifiers with electronic processing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data types are transmitted over separate fibers, then service diversity is improved, but optical fiber exhaustion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple different data types (SONET/SDH, ATM, IP, Ethernet) onto a single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing. This combining approach allows diverse services to coexist on the same physical infrastructure, preventing optical fiber exhaustion while maintaining service diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal transmission platform that can handle multiple protocol types simultaneously. The coherent optical system provides multi-functionality by supporting various data formats and protocols over the same fiber infrastructure, making the system adaptable to diverse service requirements.
3Length of stationary object
If transmission distance is increased, then network coverage is improved, but signal attenuation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical amplification with coherent detection and digital signal processing. This substitution allows signals to be transmitted over long distances by converting them to the electrical domain where they can be processed and regenerated without requiring optical amplifiers at intermediate points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach combining coherent detection, digital signal processing, and wavelength division multiplexing to overcome signal attenuation. This composite system architecture enables long-distance transmission by compensating for losses through electronic processing rather than optical amplification.
4Productivity
If active devices are used to extend optical links, then transmission capability is improved, but system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes active optical amplifiers from the transmission path. By eliminating these failure-prone devices and using passive wavelength division multiplexing combined with coherent detection, the system achieves extended transmission capability while improving reliability through reduced component count.
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 solution enhances the capacity of embedded optical fibers, enabling the transmission of high-speed data (up to 40 Gbps) over long distances without active devices, maintaining system performance and reliability, and supports diverse data types like SONET/SDH, ATM, and IP signals, addressing the issue of optical fiber exhaustion and bandwidth management.
Implementation Method 1
DWDM passive circuits that multiplex multiple optical signals onto a single fiber, increasing capacity by assigning signals specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
transmission of high-speed data (up to 40 Gbps) over long distances without active devices
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes devices and methods related to multiplexing optical data signals. A method may be disclosed for multiplexing one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise receiving, by a dense wave division multiplexer (DWDM), one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise combining, by the DWDM, the one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise outputting, by the DWDM, the combined one or more optical data signals to one or more wave division multiplexer (WDM). The method may comprise combining, by the one or more WDM, the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals, and outputting an egress optical data signal comprising the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals.