Power-Over-Fiber Wavelength Conversion for Higher Photoelectric Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical power supply systems require further improvement in efficiency, particularly in photoelectric conversion efficiency at both the power supplying and receiving sides.
Innovation Solution
A power over fiber system utilizing semiconductor lasers and photoelectric conversion elements with specific semiconductor materials and wavelength converters to enhance the efficiency of converting optical energy into electric power, where semiconductor materials with short wavelengths improve photoelectric conversion efficiency and wavelength converters ensure optimal alignment of laser wavelengths for maximum efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional optical power supply systems are used, then power transmission is achieved, but photoelectric conversion efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing semiconductor lasers with short wavelengths (e.g., blue or violet lasers around 405 nm) instead of conventional long-wavelength lasers. This wavelength parameter change improves photoelectric conversion efficiency because shorter wavelengths carry higher energy photons that more effectively convert to electrical energy in the photodiode, directly addressing the energy loss issue while maintaining power supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining specific semiconductor materials (e.g., GaN-based materials for short-wavelength lasers) with optimized photodiode structures. This composite approach enables both the short-wavelength laser emission and efficient photoelectric conversion, resolving the contradiction between achieving power transmission and improving conversion efficiency through material science advancements.
2Loss of energy
If short-wavelength semiconductor materials are used, then photoelectric conversion efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to wavelength conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength conversion function into a separate, dedicated converter component rather than integrating it into the laser or photodiode. This extraction simplifies the overall system design by making the wavelength conversion module independent and replaceable, reducing system complexity while still enabling the use of efficient short-wavelength semiconductor materials for improved photoelectric conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength converter as an intermediary component between the semiconductor laser and the photodiode. This intermediary performs the wavelength conversion function, allowing the laser to operate at its optimal short wavelength for efficiency while the converter adapts the wavelength to match the photodiode's peak response, thereby resolving the complexity issue through functional decoupling.
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
The system achieves improved optical power supply efficiency by utilizing semiconductor materials with high photoelectric conversion efficiency and wavelength converters, ensuring efficient energy conversion and transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a power sourcing equipment including a semiconductor laser that oscillates with electric power, thereby outputting feed light
Implementation Method 2
a powered device including a photoelectric conversion element that converts the feed light into electric power
Implementation Method 3
a converter that converts a wavelength of the feed light
Data Source
AI summary
A power over fiber system includes a power sourcing equipment, a powered device, an optical fiber cable and a converter. The power sourcing equipment includes a semiconductor laser that oscillates with electric power, thereby outputting feed light. The powered device includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts the feed light into electric power. The optical fiber cable has one end connectable to the power sourcing equipment and another end connectable to the powered device to transmit the feed light. The converter converts a wavelength of the feed light.