Hybrid SOA-Raman Amplifier for Passive Optical Network Reach Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive optical networks face limitations in distance and splitting ratio due to signal attenuation, requiring duplication of enhancement services for each set of 32 customers, which increases network costs and resource inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier in a central office to enable multiple passive optical networks to share enhancement service sources, using a wave division multiplexer and optical splitter to combine and amplify modulated optical signals, thereby extending reach and splitting ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance between OLT and ONT is extended beyond 20 km, then the reach of the passive optical network is improved, but signal attenuation increases causing signal level requirements to be violated
Solution Approach 1:
An optical amplifier is introduced as an intermediary device between the OLT and ONT to compensate for signal attenuation. The amplifier boosts the optical signal strength at intermediate points, enabling the network to extend beyond the traditional 20 km limit while maintaining acceptable signal levels at the ONT.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal power parameter along the transmission path by introducing amplification. Instead of maintaining a constant signal level, the system actively modifies the power parameter to compensate for attenuation, allowing extended reach while meeting minimum signal level requirements at the receiver.
2Productivity
If the splitting ratio is increased beyond 1:32, then more customers can be served by the same network, but signal attenuation increases due to higher splitting loss
Solution Approach 1:
An optical amplifier is introduced as an intermediary to compensate for the increased splitting loss. By placing the amplifier in the network path, it boosts the signal strength to overcome the attenuation caused by higher splitting ratios, enabling service to more customers beyond the traditional 1:32 limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the signal power parameter through amplification to offset the increased splitting loss. This allows the network to operate at higher splitting ratios (serving more customers) while maintaining adequate signal levels at each ONT through active power management.
3Reliability
If enhancement service sources are duplicated for every 32 customers, then each network has sufficient signal strength, but network cost increases due to minimal sharing of resources
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple passive optical networks are merged to share common enhancement service sources. Instead of duplicating video broadcast feeds and other enhancement services for each separate 1:32 network, the patent combines multiple networks to utilize the same sources, significantly reducing the total quantity of enhancement service sources required while maintaining adequate signal distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhancement service sources are designed to serve multiple networks simultaneously through the optical amplifier. A single enhancement service source becomes universal, providing services to multiple customer groups across different networks, thereby eliminating the need for duplication and reducing overall network resource requirements.
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 allows for increased distance between OLT and ONTs up to 60 km and a higher splitting ratio, such as 1:64, while reducing network costs by enabling sharing of enhancement services among multiple customers, thus enhancing the efficiency and reach of passive optical networks.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier, wherein the at least one hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier is coupled to the WDM combiner
Implementation Method 2
at least one hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier, wherein the at least one hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier is coupled to the WDM combiner
Implementation Method 3
a wave division multiplexer (WDM) combiner, coupled to the plurality of light sources, for combining the modulated optical signals received from the plurality of light sources
Implementation Method 4
at least one optical splitter, coupled to the at least one hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier, wherein the at least one optical splitter comprises a plurality of outputs
Implementation Method 5
each of the light sources is for modulating the source information from one of the plurality of enhancement service sources to form a modulated optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for implementing a hybrid SOA-Raman amplifier in a central office in order to enable multiple passive optical networks to share one or more enhancement service sources, e.g., to share a source for a broadcast service are disclosed.