Optical Transceiver Fiber Array Focusing Portion Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed optical transceivers face limitations in achieving high communication speeds due to the dependence on bandwidth, which is restricted by the spot size of light, and existing designs lack efficient methods to enhance light coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical transceiver incorporates a fiber array with a focusing portion, comprising a lens and an inclined reflecting surface, which reduces the spot size of light by converging it onto the photodiodes, thereby increasing bandwidth and coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fiber array without a focusing portion is used, then the structure is simple, but the coupling efficiency is low and bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber array is segmented into two distinct functional portions: a main body portion for light transmission and a focusing portion for light convergence. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, with the focusing portion containing lens elements that converge light onto the photodiodes to achieve up to 97% coupling efficiency while the main body maintains structural integrity and alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The focusing portion acts as an intermediary element between the main body of the fiber array and the photodiodes of the optical receiver. This intermediary component contains lens elements that mediate the light transmission by converging the light from the fiber array onto the photodiodes, thereby improving coupling efficiency without requiring direct contact or complex integration between the fiber array and photodiodes.
2Productivity
If the spot size of light is large, then the structure is simple, but the bandwidth is limited and communication speed is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The focusing portion incorporates lens elements with curved surfaces that refract and converge light rays. The spherical or aspherical curvature of these lens surfaces enables precise control over light propagation, focusing the light into a smaller spot size on the photodiodes. This curvature-based focusing mechanism increases bandwidth and enables high-speed communication while maintaining manufacturability through standard lens fabrication techniques.
3Reliability
If a focusing portion with lens is added to the fiber array, then the coupling efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The focusing portion is merged with the main body of the fiber array to form a single integrated component. The lens elements are embedded within or attached to the fiber array structure, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms or additional components. This merging approach achieves high coupling efficiency through optical focusing while minimizing device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated unit.
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 design achieves a maximum coupling efficiency of up to 97% with improved tolerance, effectively meeting the demands of high communication speeds and maintaining a compact transceiver structure.
Implementation Method 1
The focusing portion includes a lens, and an inclined reflecting surface of the main body corresponds to the focusing portion
Implementation Method 2
an inclined reflecting surface of the main body corresponds to the focusing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver includes an optical receiver and a fiber array. The fiber array includes a main body and a focusing portion connected to each other, and the focusing portion is located between the main body and the optical receiver.