Optical Fiber Power and Data Transmission via Inverse Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transmitting power and communication to devices like sensors and actuators using optical fibers are inefficient, as they either consume excessive energy or require complex signaling protocols, and existing technologies do not effectively enable simultaneous power delivery and communication over optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
The use of an inverse signaling protocol, where light is output for logical zeros and not output for logical ones, allowing for continuous power transmission during non-communication intervals, combined with normal signaling protocol for communication, and the use of multiple optical frequencies or separate fibers for power and communication, to optimize energy delivery and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If normal signaling protocol is used where light is output for logical ones and not output for logical zeros, then communication clarity is improved, but energy transmission efficiency deteriorates because light is not transmitted during logical zero intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional signaling protocol by assigning light transmission to logical zeros and no light to logical ones. This inversion allows continuous light transmission during intervals that would traditionally be dark, thereby enabling simultaneous power delivery through the optical fiber while maintaining communication functionality. The inversion resolves the contradiction by making the previously energy-wasting state (continuous light) into the data-carrying state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical signal serve dual functions: communication and power transmission. By using the inverse signaling protocol where light is always transmitted (either present or absent), the optical fiber becomes a universal medium that can deliver both data and electrical energy to remote devices, eliminating the need for separate power cabling and improving overall system energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If separate optical fibers are used for power and communication, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power transmission and communication into a single optical fiber by employing inverse signaling. The receiver can distinguish between power and data signals by detecting the presence or absence of light according to the inverted protocol. This consolidation reduces the number of required fibers, simplifies installation, and lowers system complexity while maintaining reliable simultaneous delivery of both functions through careful signal differentiation at the receiver end.
3Power
If electrical cabling is used for power delivery to remote devices, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but security and susceptibility to interference worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical cabling with optical fiber transmission for power delivery. By using light instead of electrical conductors, the system eliminates susceptibility to electromagnetic interference, ground loops, and electrical noise that plague traditional electrical power transmission. The optical fiber acts as an immune transmission medium, converting electrical energy to optical form for transmission, then back to electrical at the remote device, thereby achieving both security and interference resistance while maintaining power transmission capability.
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 approach enables efficient simultaneous power delivery and communication to optical devices, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for electrical cabling, while enhancing security and reliability by using fiber optics, which are less susceptible to interference and easier to install.
Implementation Method 1
converting, by the optical device, the first optical signal into an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by an optical device and via an optical fiber, a first optical signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure is directed to delivering power to and communication with optical devices, such as sensors and effectors using only optical fibers. The device may receive optical energy from a fiber optic cable simultaneously with receiving communication in the form of inverse signaling. Inverse signaling means the light is on for longer than the light is off which may allow the device may receive more optical energy than when using normal signaling. Normal signaling means the light is off for longer than the light is on. The device may perform sensing or other functions using the received optical energy. The device may send communications through at least one optical fiber that may be separate from the one or more optical fibers from which the device receives communication and optical energy. The device may send communication using normal signaling, which uses less energy than inverse signaling.