Integrated Optical Pumping for Passive Network Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical network elements and transmission systems face challenges in scalability, cost, transmission capacity, and optical span budget, particularly in passive optical networks, where active amplification and pumping are required across multiple network elements.
Innovation Solution
The optical network element employs primary and secondary optical pumping means to provide optical pump power to optical fiber links and remote nodes without active amplification, using distributed or lumped Raman amplifiers and EDFAs, allowing for broadband amplification across large wavelength ranges and reducing the need for local pumping sources in other network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active amplification and pumping are required across multiple network elements, then signal transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical pumping function and signal amplification function into a single integrated optical network element. The pump light source and gain medium are merged within one device, eliminating the need for separate pumping means at remote nodes while maintaining amplification capability across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical network element is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a signal amplifier and a pump light source for Raman amplification in the optical fiber link. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of active components needed in the network while maintaining transmission capability.
2Productivity
If multiple network elements require active amplification, then transmission capacity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pumping function from remote network elements and concentrates it at the optical line terminal. By taking out the pump light source from distributed locations and centralizing it at one endpoint, the system reduces the total number of expensive active components while maintaining transmission capacity through Raman amplification in the fiber link.
3Reliability
If local pumping sources are installed in remote network elements, then optical span budget is improved, but ease of operation and installation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network element provides self-service by generating its own pump light internally and using it to amplify signals in the optical fiber link. The pump light propagates through the fiber and creates Raman amplification along the transmission path, allowing the system to maintain high optical span budget without requiring external pumping infrastructure at remote nodes.
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 enables scalable and cost-effective optical transmission systems with high optical span budgets, allowing for efficient amplification of CWDM and DWDM signals, reducing equipment costs, and simplifying installation by integrating pumping means within the OLT, while maintaining signal quality and compatibility with standard equipment.
Implementation Method 1
using distributed or lumped Raman amplifiers
Implementation Method 2
and EDFAs, allowing for broadband amplification across large wavelength ranges
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical network element (100; 200), particularly optical line terminal, OLT, for transmitting (540) and receiving (560) signals via at least one optical fiber link (500), wherein said optical network element (100; 200) comprises primary optical pumping means (166; 266) and secondary optical pumping means (146; 246) for providing optical pump power to said at least one optical fiber link (500), wherein said primary optical pumping means (146; 246) and/or said secondary optical pumping means (166; 266) are preferably integrated into said optical network element (100; 200).