Integrated Passive Optical Tap Module for Signal Tapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical tapping solutions, such as active and passive optical tap devices and optical fiber splitters, face issues like power requirements, single-point failures, space inefficiency, complex inventory management, and potential disruptions during maintenance, which affect the transparency and scalability of optical signal transport.
Innovation Solution
An Integrated Pluggable Optical Tap (IPOT) module that combines a passive optical tap and an active optical receiver, integrated into a pluggable module, which splits optical signals without requiring additional transceivers or power, allowing for direct electrical conversion and transmission, and optional smart functionality for signal processing, enabling cost-effective, scalable, and maintenance-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active optical tap devices are used to tap optical signals, then signal copying capability is achieved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active optical components (requiring power) with passive optical components. Specifically, it uses a passive optical splitter to divide the optical signal into multiple paths, eliminating the need for powered optical transceivers and active signal processing, thereby achieving signal copying without power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of signal splitting from the complex active optical tap system. By using a passive optical splitter, it separates the optical signal into tapped and through paths without extracting or processing the signal electronically, thus avoiding power requirements while maintaining signal copying capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive optical tap devices are used to tap optical signals, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the passive optical splitting function with the optical connection structure into an integrated module. The passive optical splitter is combined with optical connectors and mounting structures in a single compact unit, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying installation while maintaining the power-free operation of passive optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive optical tap device is designed to perform multiple functions: signal splitting, optical connection, and physical mounting, all within a single device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If optical fiber splitters are used for signal distribution, then signal copying is achieved, but inventory management and scalability become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical signal distribution function into standardized, modular passive optical splitter units that can be independently deployed. Each module is self-contained with defined input and output interfaces, allowing for easy replication and scaling without requiring complex inventory management of custom-configured systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses passive optical splitters with standardized splitting ratios (e.g., 50:50, 70:30) that can be selected based on specific deployment requirements. These standardized parameters allow for flexible system configuration using the same basic module type, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining adaptability to different signal distribution needs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If active optical components are used in tap devices, then signal processing capability is enhanced, but laser safety hazards and maintenance disruption risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active optical components that generate or process laser signals with passive optical components that merely guide and split existing optical signals. This eliminates laser safety hazards associated with active transceivers and reduces maintenance disruption risks since passive components have no moving parts or electronic circuits that can fail.
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 IPOT module reduces component costs, inventory management, and power usage, enhances scalability, and ensures reliability by eliminating single points of failure and laser safety hazards, while allowing for maintenance without disrupting tapped links and providing customizable signal processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a passive optical tap for splitting a signal received from the first optical interface and transmitting the signal on the second optical interface and a copy of the signal to the active optical receiver
Implementation Method 2
The active optical receiver converts said signal to an electrical signal for transmission to the host interface
Implementation Method 3
a first optical interface coupled to an optical to electrical converter
Implementation Method 4
a second optical interface coupled to an electrical to optical converter
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated pluggable optical tap module configured to be coupled to a host interface of a network equipment for tapping a signal of an optical transport link comprises a first, a second optical interface, and an active optical receiver. The optical pluggable module also includes a passive optical tap for splitting a signal received from the first optical interface and transmitting the signal on the second optical interface and a copy of the signal to the active optical receiver. The active optical receiver converts said signal to an electrical signal for transmission to the host interface.