Free Air Optical Interconnect Using Laser Emitter and Photodiode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high-speed interconnections in electronic systems face limitations such as bandwidth constraints, signal interference, and high costs associated with traditional optical interconnects, particularly in free-air applications where mechanical alignment and fiber optic cables are required, making them impractical for day-to-day use.

Innovation Solution

A laser-based optical interface, known as Light Amplitude Modulation Docking Adapter (LAMDA), which transmits optical signals through free air without the need for fiber optics, allowing for high-speed data transfer up to 10 Gbps or more, with reduced latency and no protocol overhead, using a transmitter-receiver pair with a laser emitter, photodiode, and trans-impedance amplifier, and employing a laser bandpass filter to minimize crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional optical interconnects with fiber optic cables are used, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to special cables and air-tight glass-to-glass connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment mechanisms and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the optical transmission function from the complex fiber optic cable system and implements it directly through free-air laser transmission between transmitter and receiver components mounted on circuit boards, eliminating the need for special fiber optic cables and glass-to-glass connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical alignment and physical connection system of fiber optic cables with a free-air optical transmission system using laser emitters and photodetectors that communicate through air without mechanical contact or complex alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If traditional optical interconnects with fiber optic cables are used, then data transfer speed is improved, but cost increases due to special fiber optic cables

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive fiber optic cables with inexpensive free-air optical transmission components (laser emitters and photodetectors) that can be directly integrated into standard circuit boards, dramatically reducing material and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If wireless RF connections are used, then robustness is improved by eliminating mechanical contact, but bandwidth is limited compared to optical interconnects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of connectionVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of electromagnetic wave frequency from RF ranges to optical frequencies, enabling bandwidths comparable to wired optical connections while maintaining the wireless advantage of eliminating mechanical contact and associated wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 LAMDA interface provides a robust, high-speed, and cost-effective solution for interconnecting electronic devices with near-zero latency, reduced mechanical wear, and immunity to noise, while eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms and glass-glass connections, suitable for various protocols and devices, including consumer and enterprise-grade systems.

Implementation Method 1

A laser-based optical interface, known as Light Amplitude Modulation Docking Adapter (LAMDA), which transmits optical signals through free air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a transmitter-receiver pair with a laser emitter, photodiode, and trans-impedance amplifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

employing a laser bandpass filter to minimize crosstalk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10756824B2Free air optical backplane interconnect

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A system includes a first free-air optical interconnect of a first electrical component, the first free-air optical interconnect configured to mechanically couple to a second free-air optical interconnect of a second electrical component to communicate optical signals between the first and second electrical components. When coupled, an attach mechanism of the first free-air optical interconnect can retain the second free-air optical interconnect a fixed distance from the communication interface of the first free-air communication interface, including separate electrical connectors configured to communicate power and ground using electrical conductors, the communication interface includes a free-air optical interconnect including at least one of a laser emitter configured to transmit laser energy across an air gap to a separate device, or a photodiode configured to detect laser energy received across the air gap from the separate device.