Multi-Core Optical Amplifier Crosstalk Monitoring via Dither Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in core number of multi-core optical fibers for higher capacity communication leads to a significant increase in the number of monitoring parts, which is not suitable for space-constrained environments like submarine repeaters.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device and method that applies dither to signal light propagating through used cores, monitors power of non-used cores, and separates the monitoring result into power components from the used cores, using a fan-in/fan-out device and optical couplers to reduce the number of monitoring parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical power monitor is provided for each core of a multi-core optical fiber, then crosstalk monitoring capability is improved, but the number of monitoring parts increases in proportion to the number of cores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions into a single optical power monitor. By using a fan-in/fan-out device to guide light from multiple cores to a single monitor, the system achieves crosstalk monitoring capability without requiring one monitor per core, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fan-in/fan-out device as an intermediary component between the multi-core optical fiber and the optical power monitor. This mediator enables a single monitor to access light from multiple cores, resolving the contradiction between monitoring capability and number of parts
2Productivity
If the number of cores in a multi-core optical fiber is increased to achieve larger-capacity communication, then communication capacity is improved, but the number of monitoring parts increases making space saving requirements harder to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple monitoring functions into a single optical power monitor, allowing high-capacity communication with multiple cores to be monitored using minimal space. The fan-in/fan-out device enables one monitor to serve multiple cores, thus maintaining communication capacity improvement while minimizing the area occupied by monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical power monitor is designed to perform multiple monitoring functions for different cores through the fan-in/fan-out configuration. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle increased core numbers and communication capacity without proportionally increasing the number of monitoring parts or required space
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
Enables effective crosstalk monitoring in multi-core optical fiber systems with increased core numbers without the need for individual monitoring parts per core, optimizing space usage and facilitating gain control.
Implementation Method 1
an application means 102 for applying dither to signal light propagating through the used core
Implementation Method 2
an optical coupler 21 that couples pumping light from the pumping light source to signal light propagating through the plurality of used cores
Implementation Method 3
an optical fiber amplifier that amplifies signal intensity of an optical signal by inputting, to a rare-earth additive fiber to which the optical signal is input, pumping light being output from a pumping light source
Implementation Method 4
uses laser transition in a band of 1.55 μm of erbium, and sufficiently amplifies signal light in a band of 1.55 μm
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a monitoring device, a monitoring method, an optical amplifier, and an optical transmission system that are adapted for an increase in the number of cores in a multi-core optical fiber transmission path, and that are suitable for crosstalk monitoring. The monitoring device monitors a multi-core optical fiber transmission path comprising a plurality of use core and at least one or more non-use cores. The monitoring device comprises: an applying means for applying dithering to signal light propagating in the use cores; a monitoring means for monitoring the power of the non-use cores; and a separating means for separating a monitoring result from the monitoring means into power components from the plurality of use cores.