Integrated Optical Circuit for EPON and CWDM Signal Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face increased costs and physical size due to the need for duplicating optical equipment and fibers to support both EPON and CWDM technologies, as they often require separate components and jumpers that increase losses and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A novel optical circuit combining optical power splitters and multiplexers in a single housing, allowing for the integration of 1G-EPON, 10G-EPON, and CWDM services, which reduces physical size and improves performance by eliminating the need for jumpers and separate packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical equipment for EPON and CWDM services are kept separate, then each technology can operate independently with dedicated components, but the physical size and cost of the network increase due to duplication of equipment and fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EPON and CWDM optical equipment into a single integrated optical circuit that can handle both technologies simultaneously. The optical circuit includes wavelength division multiplexing components that allow EPON and CWDM signals to coexist on the same fiber infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment for each technology while maintaining independent operation of both services.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate jumpers are used to connect multiple optical components, then each component can be independently packaged and maintained, but optical losses increase and space requirements grow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical components including wavelength division multiplexers, optical splitters, and isolators into a single packaged optical circuit. This integration eliminates the need for external jumpers to connect separate components, thereby reducing optical losses from connector interfaces while maintaining the benefits of independent component design and packaging within the unified circuit architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical equipment is duplicated to support both EPON and CWDM technologies, then each technology has dedicated resources, but the cost and physical footprint of the network increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs an optical circuit that performs multiple functions by supporting both EPON and CWDM technologies within the same hardware infrastructure. The circuit uses wavelength division multiplexing to differentiate between technologies, allowing a single optical path to carry both EPON signals (in the 1480-1500nm and 1575-1580nm bands) and CWDM signals (across multiple wavelength channels) simultaneously, thereby reducing the quantity of equipment needed while maintaining full adaptability to both standards.
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 integrated solution provides efficient combining and separating of optical signals, reduces equipment size, and enhances performance by eliminating the need for jumpers and separate components, while offering return wavelength isolation for EPON systems with separate ports for 1G and 10G services.
Implementation Method 1
Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) refers to a different set of technologies for carrying multiple optical signals on a single fiber. CWDM systems have channels spaced at 20 nanometers.
Implementation Method 2
A first three-port combiner/separator filter is coupled to the first optical interface and is configured to pass optical signals in a first optical channel from the first optical interface to a first intermediate node while diverting optical signals in the remaining optical channels
Implementation Method 3
A three-port optical circulator is coupled between the second and fourth intermediate nodes and an optical load, and is configured to pass optical signals in at least the fourth optical channel from the second intermediate node to the fourth intermediate node
Implementation Method 4
An optical amplifier may be included in the circuit, for example to compensate for losses in the circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Optical equipment for 1G-EPON, 10G-EPON, and CWDM services are joined together using a novel combination of optical power splitters and multiplexers. This combination of splitters and multiplexers can be disposed in a single housing, which reduces the size of the combination and improves performance, since jumpers between multiple, separately packaged, optical components can be avoided. One example of the inventive techniques and circuits disclosed herein is a combiner/separator circuit for combining and separating 1G-EPON and 10G-EPON signals. In the example application detailed herein, where EPON equipment is combined with CWDM equipment, an important advantage of this optical circuit is its ability to provide return wavelength isolation for EPON systems that have separate ports for 1G and 10G services.