Flexible Substrate for WDM Filter Fiber Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of wave division multiplexing equipment in fiber optic networks is challenging due to the bulkiness of optical filters and complex fiber routing requirements, which increases the risk of equipment damage and signal degradation, especially in limited space environments like fiber optic closures or trays.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, film-like substrate is used to manage and route optical fibers, providing fixed fiber routing paths and splicing functionality, which allows for compact packaging of WDM filters and reduces the need for additional supports, accommodating various splicing types and fiber configurations while respecting minimum bend radii to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical filters are grouped together to form a cascade arrangement for WDM equipment, then signal routing functionality is improved, but the bulk and physical space occupied by the equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical filters into a single integrated cascade arrangement where filters are closely spaced and interconnected through a compact fiber routing system. This merging approach maintains full signal routing functionality while significantly reducing the overall volume occupied compared to separate filter units.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber routing arrangement is nested within a compact substrate structure that holds multiple filters in sequence. The intermediate fibers are routed through a confined space between filters, with splice protectors nested within the same housing structure, creating a nested configuration that minimizes external volume while preserving internal functionality.
2Reliability
If intermediate fibers are spliced together to connect filters in cascade, then signal transmission is improved, but the complexity of fiber routing and splicing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber routing paths are pre-configured and pre-spliced during manufacturing to create a ready-to-use cascade arrangement. Intermediate fibers are pre-routed through the compact structure and pre-spliced to connect filters in the correct sequence, reducing on-site routing complexity while maintaining signal transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Splice protectors serve as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between intermediate fibers. These protectors are integrated into the compact housing structure, providing a standardized interface for fiber splicing that simplifies the routing process while ensuring reliable signal transmission through protected splice points.
3Reliability
If splice protectors are used to protect intermediate fiber splices, then equipment damage risk is reduced, but additional bulk is created
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple splice protectors are combined into a single integrated housing structure that accommodates all intermediate fiber connections. This consolidated approach provides comprehensive protection for all splices while occupying less total volume than multiple separate protector units would require.
Solution Approach 2:
Splice protectors are nested within the compact filter housing structure, with each protector integrated into the sequence of filters and intermediate fibers. This nested configuration ensures protection functionality while minimizing the external volume added by the protectors themselves.
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 flexible substrate facilitates efficient fiber management and splicing, reducing bulk and space requirements, enhancing signal integrity and reducing the risk of equipment damage by providing a compact and organized WDM filter arrangement that adheres to minimum bend radii, thus improving the overall management of wave division multiplexing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible substrate that fixes routing paths of optical fibers that are spliced to or adapted to be spliced to a cascading arrangement of wave division multiplexing (WDM) filters
Implementation Method 2
The first filter transmits one of the wavelengths as a first transmitted or pass-through wavelength and reflects the other wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
splices are needed to splice intermediate fibers together
Data Source
AI summary
Components and arrangements for managing wave division multiplexing (WDM) filters of fiber optic networks. A flexible a substrate is used to fix a fiber routing scheme that corresponds to a cascading arrangement of WDM filters. The WDM filters can be packaged as a standalone unit for easier handling and splicing of fiber pigtails to the pre-arranged fiber routing scheme.