Mode Multiplexing for Single Fiber Capacity Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for increasing the transmission capacity of a single optical fiber in data centers and mobile bearer networks, such as parallel systems, fail to effectively enhance the capacity of individual fibers as network demands grow, leading to a need for innovative solutions to improve bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mode demultiplexer and multiplexer system that converts and multiplexes optical signals into specific mode groups within multimode optical fibers, allowing for increased transmission capacity without replacing existing fibers, thereby enhancing bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parallel system solution is used to increase network capacity, then network transmission rate is improved, but transmission capacity of single optical fiber is not increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional parallel fiber scaling to mode-division multiplexing, utilizing the spatial dimension within a single fiber by exciting and transmitting multiple mode groups (e.g., LP01, LP11, LP21 modes) simultaneously. This dimensional shift from fiber-count scaling to intra-fiber mode multiplexing enables capacity expansion without adding physical fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the optical signal into multiple mode groups that can be independently modulated and transmitted. By dividing the transmission capacity across different mode groups (first mode group, second mode group, etc.), each carrying independent data streams, the system achieves multi-channel transmission through a single fiber.
2Productivity
If multiple optical fibers are combined to implement large-capacity data transmission, then network capacity increases, but bandwidth utilization of single optical fiber is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data streams into a single optical fiber by multiplexing different mode groups. Instead of combining multiple physical fibers, the invention combines multiple logical channels (mode groups) within one fiber, achieving capacity aggregation without physical fiber multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the spatial mode dimension within the fiber core, transitioning from outer-dimensional scaling (more fibers) to inner-dimensional utilization (multiple modes per fiber). This enables bandwidth expansion by utilizing the underexploited mode diversity within existing single-mode or multimode fibers.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing optical fiber is not replaced, then deployment cost is reduced, but transmission capacity expansion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission parameters by introducing mode-group-specific wavelength assignments and modulation schemes. By adjusting wavelength allocation per mode group and using appropriate modulation formats for each mode, the system achieves capacity expansion through parameter optimization rather than physical infrastructure replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing optical fibers multi-functional by enabling them to carry multiple mode groups simultaneously. The same physical fiber infrastructure serves multiple transmission channels, achieving legacy compatibility while enabling advanced capacity expansion through mode-division multiplexing.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention discloses a data transmission method, an apparatus, and a system. The method includes: receiving a first-mode optical signal from a first port corresponding to a first port number; converting, according to a correspondence between the first port number and a first mode group number, the received first-mode optical signal into a second-mode optical signal carried in a first mode group identified by the first mode group number, where the second-mode optical signal carried in the first mode group identified by the first mode group number includes an optical signal in one or more modes; and outputting the second-mode optical signal obtained by means of conversion. This implements big data transmission by increasing a transmission capacity of a single optical fiber, and implements fast expansion of the transmission capacity, thereby improving total bandwidth utilization of a system.