Multicore Fiber Joint Box Stacking for High-Density Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint boxes in submarine cable systems with multicore fibers lack the capability to accommodate devices for high-density processing of optical signals across each core, as they are designed for single-core fibers and do not efficiently separate and equalize signals for each core in multicore fibers.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a multicore transmission apparatus with multiple joint boxes that accommodate multicore fibers and processing means, allowing for individual processing of light beams across different cores within each fiber, effectively increasing the density of device accommodation by using a complex joint box configuration that stacks and connects multiple joint boxes to process light beams from multiple cores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a general joint box is used to accommodate equalizer devices for multicore fibers, then the joint box can accommodate up to 16 equalizer devices, but the density of device accommodation per cross-sectional area is insufficient for high-capacity multicore transmission systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of equalizer devices in a conventional joint box to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple joint boxes are vertically stacked and connected through through-going multicore fibers, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to increase device density. This allows the system to accommodate more equalizer devices (e.g., 32 or more) within a compact footprint by stacking joint boxes in multiple layers rather than arranging them side-by-side in a single plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple joint boxes are stacked within a confined space, with each joint box containing equalizer devices and through-going multicore fibers passing through them. The joint boxes are nested vertically one above another, with the through-going fibers acting as the nesting medium that connects all levels. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of vertical space and enables high-density accommodation of equalizer devices without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint.
2Productivity
If the number of cores per optical cable is increased to boost transmission capacity, then the transmission capability increases, but the complexity of signal processing and device accommodation in joint boxes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function by providing dedicated equalizer devices for each core of the multicore fiber. Each equalizer device independently processes signals from a specific core, allowing parallel processing of multiple wavelengths across multiple cores. This segmentation approach manages the complexity of high-capacity transmission by breaking down the overall processing task into smaller, independent units that can be accommodated in stacked joint boxes, rather than requiring a single complex processing system.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional single-core fibers are replaced with multicore fibers, then the number of transmission channels increases, but the ability to separate and equalize signals for each core in existing joint boxes becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the joint box system universal by designing it to handle both single-core and multicore fiber configurations. The stacked joint box structure with through-going fibers can accommodate equalizer devices for any number of cores, making the system adaptable to different fiber types and transmission capacities. This multi-functional design allows the same basic architecture to serve evolving transmission requirements without requiring complete system redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A multicore transmission apparatus includes: first to fourth multicore fibers each having a plurality of cores; a first multicore device for outputting a plurality of light beams, which have been inputted from the respective cores of the first multicore fiber and which have been individually processed, to mutually different cores of the second multicore fiber; a second multicore device for outputting a plurality of light beams, which have been inputted from the respective cores of the third multicore fiber and which have been individually processed, to mutually different cores of the fourth multicore fiber; a first joint box for accommodating the first multicore fiber, the first multicore device, the second multicore fiber, and the fourth multicore fiber; and a second joint box for accommodating the second multicore fiber, the third multicore fiber, the second multicore device, and the fourth multicore fiber.