Optical Transceiver Module With Integrated Fiber Mirror And Dichroic Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceiver modules in the aeronautical field face challenges related to cost, size, and maintenance due to the use of external optical components for coupling and separating light beams in optical fibers, leading to bulky transceivers that are not suitable for integration in small environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver module design that utilizes a glass multimode optical fiber with inclined end surfaces and integrated dichroic filters to internally couple and separate emission and reception beams, eliminating the need for external optical components and minimizing bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external optical components (lenses, filters, mirrors) are used for coupling and separating light beams, then optical coupling efficiency can be improved, but the transceiver size increases and becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple external optical components (lenses, mirrors, filters) into a single integrated optical element. The inclined end surface of the optical fiber combines the functions of a mirror (for beam reflection), a lens (for beam focusing/coupling), and a filter (via the dichroic coating for wavelength separation), thereby reducing the number of separate components and minimizing the overall transceiver size while maintaining optical coupling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber end surface with dichroic coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a reflective surface for the first wavelength, a transmissive surface for the second wavelength, and provides optical coupling for both transmission and reception paths. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing the transceiver footprint.
2Manufacturing precision
If many mechanical parts are used to position optical components, then optical alignment precision can be improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple mechanical positioning parts (mounts, adjusters, alignment mechanisms) by integrating the optical functions directly into the optical fiber structure itself. The inclined end surface and dichroic coating are applied directly to the fiber, removing the intermediary mechanical components that would otherwise be required to position separate lenses, mirrors, and filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber structure itself provides the optical coupling and alignment functions through its geometric configuration (inclined end surface) and optical coatings (dichroic filter). The fiber's physical structure serves as both the waveguide and the optical component, eliminating the need for external mechanical positioning systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a semi-reflecting plate with dichroic filter is used, then wavelength separation can be achieved, but the transceiver becomes bulky and requires precise mechanical positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The dichroic filter function is merged with the optical fiber end surface through direct coating application. The inclined end surface with dichroic coating integrates the wavelength separation function into the fiber structure itself, eliminating the need for a separate semi-reflecting plate and reducing the transceiver size.
4Reliability
If multiple optical components are used for beam coupling, then coupling efficiency can be improved, but the cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical components (lenses, mirrors, filters) are merged into a single integrated structure on the optical fiber end surface. This reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, procured, and assembled, thereby lowering the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the optical coupling efficiency that would otherwise require multiple separate components.
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 configuration results in a compact, cost-effective optical transceiver module that achieves efficient optical coupling and reception without additional mechanical parts, enabling integration of multiple modules in small spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a first end surface, inclined at an angle of 45° relative to the optical axis of the optical fiber, comprising a mirror
Implementation Method 2
a first notch, extending from an outer surface of the optical cladding to the core of the optical fiber, and having a first face comprising a first dichroic filter configured to reflect a light beam of wavelength equal to a second wavelength, distinct from the first wavelength
Implementation Method 3
The optical fiber comprises a core, an optical cladding, an optical axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an optical emitter-receiver module (100) comprising a light source (20), a photodetector (30) and a fibre (10). The light source emits an emitted beam (λ-1). The fibre comprises a core (11), an optical axis (13), and has: - an outer surface (14), inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis (13), comprising a mirror (141), - a notch (15), extending to the core of the fibre and having a face (151) comprising a dichroic filter (152) for reflecting a light beam (λ2 ≠ λ-1), referred to as the received beam. The light source is arranged relative to the mirror so that the emitted beam is reflected by the mirror and transmitted in the fibre. The photodetector and the face of the notch are positioned so that the received beam reflected by the dichroic filter is directed towards the photodetector.