Laserless Optical Transceiver Using Polarization Splitter-Rotator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceivers face challenges with heat generation and space occupancy due to the presence of optical sources like laser diodes, which can interfere with circuit operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing laserless optical transceivers that use source optical signals from other devices, employing reflective modulators and polarization splitter-rotators to modulate and communicate signals without an internal optical source, reducing heat generation and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an optical source (laser diode) is used in the transceiver, then optical signal generation capability is improved, but heat generation increases and space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical source (laser diode) from the transceiver device entirely. Instead of generating optical signals internally, the transceiver uses reflective modulators to modulate optical signals received from external sources, thereby eliminating the heat-generating optical source while maintaining optical communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reflective modulators as intermediary components that enable the transceiver to function without an internal optical source. These modulators receive optical signals from external sources and modulate them with electrical signals, serving as the functional equivalent of an optical source while avoiding the heat generation issue
2Use of energy by moving object
If an optical source (laser diode) is used in the transceiver, then optical signal generation capability is improved, but device space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical source (laser diode) from the transceiver device entirely. Instead of generating optical signals internally, the transceiver uses reflective modulators to modulate optical signals received from external sources, thereby eliminating the heat-generating optical source while maintaining optical communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the transceiver design universal by allowing it to function with external optical sources rather than requiring an integrated optical source. This multi-functional approach enables the same transceiver hardware to work with different optical signal sources, reducing the need for specialized components and decreasing overall device footprint
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 efficient optical communication without the need for internal optical sources in transceivers, minimizing heat generation and space usage while maintaining data transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first polarization splitter-rotator rotates a polarization of the optical signal to produce a source optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The reflective modulator receives the source optical signal over the first single mode fiber, modulates the source optical signal using the first data signal to produce a first modulated optical signal with a polarization that is orthogonal to a polarization of the source optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first device and a second device. The first device generates a source optical signal using a first optical signal and a polarization splitter-rotator. The second device modulates the source optical signal from the first device using a first data signal to produce a first modulated optical signal. The first modulated optical signal has a polarization that is orthogonal to a polarization of the source optical signal. The first device recovers the first data signal from the first modulated optical signal using at least the polarization splitter-rotator.