Light Multiplexing Device Gain Control for Submarine Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical submarine transmission systems, the need for separate C-band and L-band EDFAs and multiple optical components leads to space constraints and optical power differences between wavelength bands, affecting transmission quality.
Innovation Solution
A light multiplexing/demultiplexing device with a demultiplexing, amplifying, and multiplexing mechanism that sets the gain to minimize optical power differences between C-band and L-band signals, using a WSS to adjust and compensate for losses, thereby reducing the number of required optical components and maintaining transmission quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If separate C-band and L-band EDFAs are mounted to amplify broadband WDM signal light, then transmission capability over long distances is improved, but device complexity and housing space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines C-band and L-band amplification functions into a single EDFA device. The EDFA is configured to amplify both wavelength bands simultaneously through a unified gain control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate C-band and L-band amplifiers. This merging reduces the number of optical components while maintaining the capability to transmit broadband WDM signal light over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The EDFA is designed with universal amplification capability that covers both C-band and L-band wavelength ranges. By implementing a single amplifier that can handle multiple wavelength bands, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring dedicated amplifiers for each band. This universal approach simplifies the overall device structure while preserving long-distance transmission performance.
2Power
If multiple optical components are mounted to amplify C-band and L-band signals, then signal amplification capability is improved, but housing space for components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amplification functions for C-band and L-band signals into a single EDFA unit. This consolidation maintains full signal amplification capability for both wavelength bands while significantly reducing the space required compared to having separate amplifiers. The unified EDFA design allows both bands to be amplified simultaneously within one housing compartment.
3Device complexity
If passive components like WSS are disposed on only one path to reduce component count, then device complexity is reduced, but optical power difference between wavelength bands increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism that monitors the optical power levels of both C-band and L-band signals after they pass through the WSS. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the gain of the EDFA to compensate for any power imbalances. This ensures that even when the WSS is configured on a single path, the optical power output for both wavelength bands remains balanced, preventing transmission quality degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the gain parameter of the EDFA based on the actual optical power levels detected from the signal paths. By adjusting the gain in real-time, the system compensates for power differences introduced by the WSS configuration. This parameter adjustment ensures optimal optical power balance between C-band and L-band signals without requiring the WSS to be mounted on both paths.
4Device complexity
If optical power difference between wavelength bands is not suppressed, then transmission quality is improved (simpler system), but signal quality and transmission performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control system that continuously monitors the optical power levels of C-band and L-band signals and adjusts the EDFA gain accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that optical power differences between the two bands are suppressed, maintaining balanced signal quality. By automatically compensating for power imbalances, the system preserves transmission quality while avoiding the need for complex symmetric WSS configurations.
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 solution effectively suppresses optical power differences between wavelength bands, optimizing transmission quality within the limited space of submarine devices without the need for multiple optical amplifiers, ensuring consistent signal output.
Implementation Method 1
a first amplifying means for amplifying the second signal light being input from the first demultiplexing means
Data Source
AI summary
The light multiplexing/demultiplexing device comprises: a first demultiplexer that demultiplexes an inputted first wavelength-multiplexed signal light into a first signal light of a first wavelength band and a second signal light of a second wavelength band and outputs the first and the second signal light; a first amplifier that amplifies the second signal light from the first demultiplexer; a light processor that, based on the inputted second signal light and an inputted third signal light of the second wavelength band, outputs a fourth signal light; and a first multiplexer that multiplexes the fourth signal light with the first signal light from the first demultiplexer, further, the gain of the first amplifier is set such that the difference between power of the first signal light outputted from the first multiplexer and power of the fourth signal light outputted from the first multiplexer is equal to or less than a predetermined value.