Microring Modulator Group for Simplified Optical Transmit Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystems are complex and costly due to the need for demultiplexers and wavelength division multiplexers when generating optical signals with a small number of channels, as they require splitting and multiplexing of comb-shaped light sources.
Innovation Solution
A multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem that uses a comb-shaped light source and a microring group with multiple microring modulators to filter and modulate polychromatic light, outputting optical signals directly to public waveguides for multiplexing, eliminating the need for additional demultiplexers and wavelength division multiplexers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a comb-shaped light source is used with demultiplexer and wavelength division multiplexer for small number of channels, then optical signals can be generated, but the structure becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the demultiplexer and wavelength division multiplexer from the optical transmit subsystem. By using a microring modulator group that can directly modulate multiple wavelengths simultaneously, the patent eliminates the need for separate demultiplexing and multiplexing components, thereby simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining the ability to handle small numbers of channels efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The microring modulator group is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it filters specific wavelengths from the comb-shaped light source and modulates them with the same modulation signal. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate demultiplexer and multiplexer devices, achieving both wavelength selection and signal modulation in a single integrated component set
2Ease of manufacture
If demultiplexer and wavelength division multiplexer are used, then optical signals can be processed, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the demultiplexer and wavelength division multiplexer into the microring modulator group. By designing the microring modulators to naturally select and modulate specific wavelengths from the comb-shaped light source, the system combines what were previously separate functional blocks into a single integrated subsystem, reducing both component quantity and overall manufacturing cost
3Productivity
If light is split and modulated by demultiplexer then multiplexed, then optical signals with different frequencies are obtained, but the implementation process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The microring modulator group is pre-configured with specific resonance frequencies that correspond to the comb-shaped light source wavelengths. This preliminary configuration allows the modulators to automatically select and modulate the appropriate wavelengths without requiring complex real-time control logic or additional switching components, thereby simplifying the implementation process while maintaining high signal generation efficiency
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 simplifies the structure of the optical transmit subsystem, reduces costs, and enhances the efficiency of generating optical signals by directly multiplexing optical signals with different frequencies in public waveguides, making the system more convenient and flexible for various channel configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a microring group including a plurality of microring modulators, each of the plurality of microring modulators including an input end and an output end, the input end of each of the plurality of microring modulators being connected to the comb-shaped light source apparatus
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of microring modulators being configured to filter and modulate the polychromatic light
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of public waveguides connected to the output ends of the plurality of microring modulators, and configured to multiplex the optical signals with different frequencies
Implementation Method 4
multiple shifting apparatuses connected to the light source, and configured to perform frequency shifting on light emitted by the light source, to obtain polychromatic light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem and a method for generating an optical signal. The multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem includes: a comb-shaped light source apparatus, configured to generate and output polychromatic light; a mirroring group, including multiple microring modulators, where each of the multiple microring modulators includes an input end and a download end, the input end of each of the multiple mirroring modulators is connected to the comb-shaped light source apparatus, and the multiple mirroring modulators each are configured to filter and modulate the polychromatic light, to obtain optical signals with different frequencies, and output the optical signals by using respective download ends of the multiple microring modulators; and a public waveguide, connected to the download ends of the multiple mirroring modulators, and configured to multiplex the optical signals with different frequencies. Optical signals with different frequencies are obtained by filtering and modulating polychromatic light by using a mirroring group, and are output to a public waveguide by using respective download ends of microring modulators. In this way, the polychromatic light can be split, and a modulation signal is loaded to optical carriers obtained by means of filtering, to obtain the optical signals with different frequencies; in addition, by connecting the download ends of the microring modulators in the mirroring group to the public waveguide, the optical signals with different frequencies that are obtained by means of modulation are multiplexed in the public waveguide, so that an extra demultiplexer and wavelength division multiplexer do not need to be disposed in a multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem, and a structure of the multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem is simplified, thereby reducing a cost of the multicarrier-based optical transmit subsystem.