Multicore Optical I/O Connector Layout for Low-Crosstalk Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multicore fibers experience significant crosstalk due to their small core pitch, which adversely affects communication quality.
Innovation Solution
An optical input/output device is designed with a configuration that includes multicore fibers, single-core fibers, a fan-in/fan-out device, and a transmission/reception connector, where adjacent core pairs are configured as transmitting/receiving pairs to minimize crosstalk, and the fibers are arranged to reduce skew and bending losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a small core pitch is used in multicore fiber to increase capacity, then the number of cores that can be accommodated increases, but crosstalk between adjacent cores increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the optical signal transmission into separate paths by using dedicated transmitting cores and receiving cores. Each core pair is segmented into specific functional roles (transmitting or receiving) to prevent interference. The fan-in/fan-out device further segments the optical paths by spatially separating signals from different cores before they enter the single-mode fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by having light propagate in opposite directions in adjacent core pairs. While traditional systems use the same direction for all cores, this invention assigns opposite propagation directions to neighboring cores, which fundamentally changes the crosstalk dynamics and prevents interference from affecting communication.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adjacent core pairs are configured as transmitting/receiving pairs with opposite propagation directions, then crosstalk affecting communication is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the fan-in/fan-out device, which simultaneously performs core-to-fiber coupling, spatial separation of signals, and direction control. The transmission/reception connector also combines multiple connector ports into a single integrated component that handles both transmitting and receiving connections. This consolidation reduces the overall system complexity despite the sophisticated core pairing strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan-in/fan-out device serves multiple functions: it couples light from multiple multicore fiber cores to multiple single-mode fiber cores, separates spatial paths, and manages the opposite propagation directions. The connector system also provides universal functionality by handling both transmission and reception connections through a unified interface design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If single-mode fibers are used instead of multi-mode fibers to reduce crosstalk, then signal quality improves, but the device complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan-in/fan-out device acts as an intermediary component that mediates the connection between multicore fibers and single-mode fibers. It provides a controlled environment for alignment, ensuring that each core is precisely coupled to its corresponding single-mode fiber core. This intermediary structure simplifies the alignment process by providing fixed reference positions and reducing the complexity of direct fiber-to-fiber alignment.
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 device effectively reduces crosstalk and skew, enhancing communication performance by suppressing light interference between core pairs and optimizing fiber lengths and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a fan-in/fan-out device that optically couples each core at one end of each of the first transmitting single-core fibers and each of the transmitting cores, and optically couples each core at one end of each of the first receiving single-core fibers and each of the receiving cores
Implementation Method 2
a transmission/reception connector that includes connector ports whose number is equal to a total number of first transmitting single-core fibers and first receiving single-core fibers, the connector ports being connected to the other ends of the respective first transmitting single-core fibers and configured to optically couple the cores of the respective first transmitting single-core fibers and transmission ports of a transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
An optical input/output device includes: one or more multicore fibers each comprising one or more transmitting cores and one or more receiving cores; first transmitting single-core fibers whose number is equal to a total number of the transmitting cores; first receiving single-core fibers whose number is equal to a total number of the receiving cores in all the multicore fibers; a fan-in/fan-out device that optically couples each core of the first transmitting single-core fibers and each of the transmitting cores at one end of a respective one of the first transmitting single-core fibers, and optically couples each of the first receiving single-core fibers and each of the receiving cores at one end of a respective one of the first receiving single-core fibers; and a transmission/reception connector comprising connector ports whose number is equal to a total number of the first transmitting single-core fibers and the first receiving single-core fibers.