Hollow Core Fiber Combining Module for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems using hollow core fiber face challenges in reducing latency, which is critical for applications like remotely operated robotic surgery and asset trading, where strict latency thresholds must be met, and even with hollow core fiber, achieving low latency is not always possible.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hollow core fiber technology in communication networks and devices to route optical signals, process them, and transmit them over transmission media, while identifying and adhering to tolerable end-to-end latency thresholds, thereby reducing latency and enhancing quality of service and experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If hollow core fiber is used as transmission medium, then latency is reduced, but signal loss increases over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fiber types (hollow core fiber and solid core fiber) within a single fiber combining module. The HCF link handles latency-sensitive traffic while the SCF link handles distance-extending traffic, merging the advantages of both fiber types to simultaneously reduce latency and extend transmission distance without excessive loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission path is segmented into multiple sections with different fiber types. The fiber combining module divides the optical signal into separate wavelengths that travel through different fiber media (HCF for low-latency sections, SCF for low-loss sections), allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function.
2Reliability
If multiple fiber types are combined to resolve latency-loss tradeoff, then both latency and distance requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber combining module is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple fiber types (HCF and SCF) and multiple wavelengths simultaneously. It provides multi-functional capabilities including wavelength division multiplexing, signal combining, and routing, all within a single device that adheres to industry standards, thereby managing complexity while delivering reliable QoS.
3Loss of time
If hollow core fiber is used to meet strict latency thresholds, then latency requirements are satisfied, but transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the wavelength dimension to resolve the latency-distance tradeoff. By using wavelength division multiplexing, different optical wavelengths travel through different fiber types (HCF for latency-critical paths, SCF for distance-extending paths), effectively adding a spectral dimension to the transmission architecture that allows simultaneous optimization of both latency and distance.
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 approach results in significant reductions in latency, enabling longer distances between communication sources and destinations without performance degradation, thereby improving the quality of service and experience in latency-sensitive applications.
Implementation Method 1
routing an optical signal from a first component of a device to a second component of the device using a first link incorporating hollow core fiber technology
Implementation Method 2
Relative to SCF, HCF features lower latency at the expense of greater loss over a same/given distance
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, causing, by a processing system including a processor, a first optical signal to be conveyed within a first communication device from a first component of the first communication device to a second component of the first communication device via a first fiber including a first hollow core fiber, and causing, by the processing system, the first optical signal to be transmitted from the first communication device to a second communication device via a second fiber. Other embodiments are disclosed.