Multi-channel optical coupler with integrated reflective coating and filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical couplers for multi-fiber applications are bulky and costly due to the need for individual components for each fiber, leading to increased crosstalk and inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization.
Innovation Solution
A highly-integrated multi-channel optical coupler design with a molded coupling module, featuring a reflective coating, optical filters, and lens arrays to minimize crosstalk between channels, allowing for efficient coupling of multiple optical fibers with reduced size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If individual optical components are used for each fiber connection, then crosstalk between signals is reduced, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual optical component assemblies into a single integrated optical coupler unit. Multiple fiber receptacles, lens arrays, and optical filters are merged into one consolidated device housing, allowing multiple fiber connections to share common structural elements and reducing overall device size while maintaining low crosstalk performance
Solution Approach 2:
The optical coupler is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can handle multiple fiber connections simultaneously. The single device performs the functions of what would traditionally require separate optical components for each fiber, providing wavelength division multiplexing capabilities across multiple channels within one integrated unit
2Reliability
If individual optical components are used for each fiber connection, then signal separation is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal separation functions into a single integrated device. The optical coupler incorporates multiple optical filters and lens arrays that work together to separate signals across multiple fiber connections, achieving the same reliability as individual components while reducing the cumulative cost of multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides universal signal separation capability for multiple fiber connections simultaneously. Rather than requiring dedicated separation components for each fiber, the integrated optical coupler handles wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing across all connections through its multi-functional optical filter array and lens system
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional optical coupler design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but bandwidth utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from handling single-wavelength signals to multi-wavelength signals across multiple fiber connections. By incorporating wavelength division multiplexing capabilities into the integrated device, the system efficiently utilizes available bandwidth across multiple optical channels while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular optical component integration
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 reduces crosstalk to no more than -10 dB, enhancing bandwidth utilization and performance in multi-fiber applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a particular surface carrying a reflective coating
Implementation Method 2
a further surface opposite the particular surface and carrying a plurality of optical filters, each configured to pass a single wavelength carried by one or more of the fibers
Implementation Method 3
a first lens array arranged with the lens array receptacle such that each lens in the first lens array is optically aligned with the plurality of optical filters
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary multi-channel optical couplers include a molded coupling module comprising a first surface, a second surface, a lens array receptacle, and fiber receptacles for optical fibers; an optical arrangement comprising: a particular surface carrying a reflective coating, and a further surface carrying a plurality of optical filters, each configured to pass a single optical wavelength; a first lens array configured such that each lens is optically aligned with the plurality of optical filters via at least the reflective coating, and with a position, within a particular fiber receptacle, corresponding to the end of a particular optical fiber; a second lens array arranged with the second surface such that each lens is optically aligned with an optical filter. The optical block and lens arrays can be configured such that the optical coupler produces no more than −10 dB of crosstalk on any of the optical wavelengths passed by the optical filters.