Free-Space Optical Link Using Multi-Core Fibers for Low Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed optical fiber communication systems face challenges with high propagation delay and high manufacturing costs due to the use of hollow core fibers, which are difficult to produce in large volumes and prone to degradation from bending, making them unsuitable for low latency and cost-effective solutions in high-speed trading applications.
Innovation Solution
A low latency free-space optical communication system using multi-core optical fibers with opposing optical collimators to transmit optical signals through a parallel beam across a free-space channel, minimizing divergence and channel insertion loss, and utilizing optical positioners for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If hollow core fibers are used to reduce propagation delay, then the optical signal speed approaches the speed of light in vacuum, but the manufacturing cost increases dramatically and the fibers become extremely fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-guiding function from the solid glass core and relocates it to free-space air paths. By removing the solid core material and using only reflective cladding structures, the system achieves near-vacuum light propagation speed while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of hollow core fibers. The light is confined to air-filled channels through total internal reflection at the cladding boundaries, eliminating the need for expensive precision-manufactured hollow core structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the hollow core fiber concept by using standard solid-core fibers with reflective cladding instead of actual hollow core structures. This copying approach replicates the low-latency benefit of air-based light propagation while avoiding the manufacturing and fragility problems of true hollow core fibers, using readily available standard fiber components.
2Loss of time
If hollow core fibers are used to reduce propagation delay, then the optical signal speed approaches the speed of light in vacuum, but the fibers are highly susceptible to degradation from bending and require robust cable designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-confinement mechanism from the solid core structure and implements it through reflective cladding in free-space channels. This separation allows the light to propagate through air without being constrained by a fragile hollow core structure, thereby achieving low propagation delay while improving resistance to bending and mechanical degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the light propagation medium from solid glass core to air-filled free-space channels. This parameter change from solid to gas phase eliminates the fragility associated with hollow core structures while maintaining the low refractive index benefit for reduced propagation delay.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard optical fibers are used for communication, then the manufacturing cost is low and the fibers are robust, but the propagation delay increases due to the refractive index of glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber structure into separate functional components: standard solid-core fibers for light generation and detection, and free-space air channels for low-latency light propagation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, using robust standard fibers where needed and air paths where speed is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces free-space air channels as an intermediary medium between standard optical fiber endpoints. This intermediary allows light to travel at near-vacuum speed for critical low-latency paths while using standard robust fibers for connection and interface functions, combining the benefits of both approaches.
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
Achieves low latency and cost-effective optical signal propagation near the speed of light in vacuum, eliminating the need for expensive hollow core fibers and ensuring equivalent optical channel paths for high-speed trading.
Implementation Method 1
optical collimators for transmitting an optical communication signal in the form of a parallel beam across a free-space channel
Implementation Method 2
The optical collimators image the communications signals in each of the cores of the multi-core fibers into the corresponding cores of the opposing multi-core fibers
Implementation Method 3
optical communication signals to propagate through free-space, thereby traveling at the speed of light in air minimizing propagation time
Implementation Method 4
The input of the collimators are multi-core optical fibers. Multiple cores of the multi-core optical fibers are positioned at the focal point of the two opposing optical collimators
Data Source
AI summary
A low latency free-space optical data communication channel has at least two opposing optical collimators for transmitting an optical communication signal in the form of a parallel beam across a free-space channel. The input of the collimators are multi-core optical fibers. Multiple cores of the multi-core optical fibers are positioned at the focal point of the two opposing optical collimators. The optical collimators image the communications signals in each of the cores of the multi-core fibers into the corresponding cores of the opposing multi-core fibers.