Multi-Band WDM Optical Interconnects Beyond SOA Bandwidth Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical data connection architectures face challenges in scaling up to higher bandwidths and accommodating emerging modulation formats like PAM4, due to limitations in semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) gain-width and nonlinear optical phenomena, which affect signal quality and error rates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multi-band WDM transceiver architectures using silicon photonic integrated circuits (SiPh) that divide channel wavelengths into multiple color bands, mitigating SOA bandwidth constraints and improving signal quality through band-specific amplification and polarization management, without relying on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are used to amplify optical signals, then signal power is improved, but bandwidth is limited and nonlinear optical phenomena increase error rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal powerVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical spectrum is segmented into multiple wavelength bands (e.g., C-band and L-band), with each band amplified by dedicated Raman amplification channels. This segmentation avoids the bandwidth limitations and nonlinear effects of single-band SOA amplification while maintaining high signal power through distributed Raman gain across multiple spectral regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the number of wavelengths and fibers is increased to achieve higher bandwidth, then total capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal bandwidth capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple wavelength bands (C-band and L-band) are merged into a single optical transmission path using wavelength division multiplexing. This combining approach achieves high total bandwidth capability (e.g., 32 Tbps) without proportionally increasing fiber count or system complexity, as multiple wavelengths share the same physical infrastructure with unified Raman amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If modulation Baud rate is increased to achieve higher bandwidth, then data rate is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to SOA limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces SOA-based amplification with Raman amplification, which uses stimulated Raman scattering in optical fiber rather than semiconductor gain media. This substitution eliminates the bandwidth constraints and nonlinear distortion of SOAs, enabling high-Baud rate modulation (e.g., 128 GBaud PAM4) to achieve higher data rates while maintaining signal quality through distributed, linear amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 multi-band WDM transceiver architectures effectively address the limitations of existing technologies by providing a scalable and low-cost OCI solution that improves system bit error rate and device performance, enabling better BER requirements and accommodating higher bandwidths.

Implementation Method 1

a first semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) having a first center wavelength... the first SOA is to amplify the first plurality of intensity modulated optical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStimulated emission:

Implementation Method 2

a second semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) having a second center wavelength... the second SOA is to amplify the second plurality of intensity modulated optical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStimulated emission:

Implementation Method 3

an optical multiplexer... the first optical waveguide is to convey a first plurality of intensity modulated wavelength division multiplexed optical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing:

Data Source

PatentUS20260005784A1Scalable multi-band WDM optical compute interconnect architectures

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Scalable multi-band wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transceiver architectures suitable for high-bandwidth optical Compute interconnects (OCI) between computing resources. The WDM wavelength range is divided into two or more color/wavelength bands. Each band of WDM optical signals may be coupled through separate semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) that are tuned to the different bands. The bands may be conveyed through an optical MUX/DeMUX for transmission through an optical fiber. The optical MUX/DeMUX may comprise a band MUX/DeMUX or a polarization MUX/DeMUX.