Free-Air Laser Interconnect with Bandpass Filter for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed interconnection technologies face limitations in wireless communication, including bandwidth constraints, signal interference, and high costs associated with traditional optical interfaces, which are not practical for day-to-day free-air interconnects.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based optical interface that transmits signals through free air using a light amplitude modulation docking adapter (LAMDA), eliminating the need for fiber optics and allowing for high data rates up to 10 Gbps or 1 Tbps, with a laser bandpass filter to reduce crosstalk and misalignment issues, and a robust mechanical connector to protect against interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional optical interconnects use fiber-optic cables, then data transmission speed is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical transmission function from the fiber-optic cable medium and implements it directly through free-air laser transmission. The laser emitter transmits optical signals directly through air to the photodiode receiver, eliminating the need for fiber-optic cables, connectors, and alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high data transmission speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber-optic connection system with an optical-free-air transmission system. Instead of using physical fiber cables that require mechanical coupling and alignment, the system uses laser beams transmitted through air, substituting a mechanical system with an optical field-based system that eliminates mechanical contact and associated complexity
2Reliability
If traditional optical interconnects use glass-to-glass connections, then signal transmission is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the glass-to-glass connection requirement entirely by transmitting optical signals through free air. The laser emitter and photodiode receiver communicate directly through the air medium without requiring precision glass alignment or specialized manufacturing processes for glass coupling, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining signal transmission quality through the use of bandpass filters and proper optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from glass-to-glass contact to free-air transmission. This parameter change eliminates the need for precision glass alignment and specialized manufacturing, making the system easier to manufacture while maintaining reliable signal transmission through appropriate laser wavelength selection and bandpass filtering
3Reliability
If RF signals are used for wireless communication, then robustness is improved, but bandwidth and data rate are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes RF electromagnetic waves with optical laser beams for wireless communication. Optical frequencies are approximately 100-1000 times higher than RF frequencies, providing vastly greater bandwidth and data rate capability. The system maintains robustness by using directed laser beams with bandpass filters to eliminate interference, achieving both high data rates (10 Gbps to 1 Tbps) and reliable transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the electromagnetic wave frequency from RF range to optical range. This parameter change increases the available bandwidth by several orders of magnitude, enabling data rates of 10 Gbps to 1 Tbps. The system maintains robustness against interference through the use of narrowband optical filters and directed beam transmission
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 solution provides a cost-effective, high-speed, and low-latency communication interface that is protocol-agnostic, scalable, and compatible with both high-speed and low-speed interfaces, reducing latency and crosstalk while being adaptable to various electronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
laser energy emitted by the laser emitter. The optical receiver receives the laser energy
Implementation Method 2
a laser bandpass filter arranged above the optical receiver, wherein the bandpass filter has a passband that excludes the center frequency of the laser energy
Implementation Method 3
a lens arranged above the substrate, laser emitter, and optical receiver, wherein the lens is configured to focus laser energy received over air toward the optical receiver
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a substrate; a laser emitter arranged on the substrate, wherein laser energy emitted by the laser emitter includes a center frequency; a photodiode arranged on the substrate; and a laser bandpass filter arranged above the photodiode, wherein the bandpass filter has a passband that excludes the center frequency of the laser energy.