Fiber Bragg Grating Nodes for Aircraft Optical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication systems in aircraft require laser sources at each node, which are power-intensive and heavy, negating the benefits of using optical fibers over electrical cables.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) to reflect and transmit data streams without the need for laser sources, allowing nodes to function as receivers or transmitters by controlling the grating structure through mechanical, electrical, or magnetic means to modulate wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser sources are installed at each node in the optical communication network, then data transmission capability is enabled, but weight and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the laser source from the individual nodes and relocates it to a centralized location (the aircraft body). Nodes now only contain passive optical components (FBGs and circulators) that reflect and route light, eliminating the need for heavy laser sources at each node while maintaining full data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized laser source serves multiple nodes simultaneously by transmitting broadband radiation through the optical fiber network. Each node can receive and process different wavelength components of the same broadband signal, allowing one laser to fulfill the function of multiple individual lasers.
2Reliability
If laser sources are installed at each node in the optical communication network, then data transmission capability is enabled, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power-intensive laser source is extracted from each node and consolidated into a single centralized unit. This eliminates redundant power consumption from multiple laser sources while maintaining the same total data transmission capacity through efficient use of broadband radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
A single laser source provides broadband radiation that serves multiple nodes simultaneously through wavelength-division multiplexing. This universal approach allows one power source to replace multiple individual power sources, significantly reducing total power consumption.
3Reliability
If optical add-drop multiplexers with laser sources are used at each node, then data transmission is possible, but the weight benefits of optical fibers over electrical cables are negated
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy laser sources are extracted from the distributed nodes and centralized, transforming nodes from active transmitters to passive optical routers. This extraction eliminates the weight penalty that would otherwise negate the advantages of using lightweight optical fibers instead of electrical cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into active components (centralized laser and modulation equipment located in the aircraft body) and passive components (FBGs and circulators at distributed nodes). This segmentation allows the heavy active components to be concentrated in one location while keeping distributed nodes lightweight.
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
Enables lightweight, low-power nodes capable of transmitting data without lasers, maintaining network functionality even if one node fails, and reducing installation and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A fibre Bragg grating is an optical instrument which can be configured to reflect radiation at a particular wavelength (or in a particular waveband) and to transmit radiation at all other wavelengths
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication apparatus includes an optical fibre along which radiation can be transmitted; an optical fibre grating formed within the optical fibre, the optical fibre grating having a structure, and being configured to reflect radiation at a particular wavelength; and an instrument coupled to the grating and configured to controllably modify the structure of the grating, thereby changing the wavelength at which the grating reflects radiation. A communication system including the communication apparatus is also described, along with a method of communicating a signal.