Off-Center Fiber TOSA Passive Beam Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceiver modules face challenges in maintaining optical efficiency and manufacturing yield due to beam displacement introduced by optical isolators, which requires costly and error-prone active alignment procedures in small form-factor designs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber position in the optical coupling receptacle provides passive compensation for beam displacement, eliminating the need for full active alignment by offsetting the fiber relative to the focus lens, thereby mitigating beam displacement introduced by optical isolators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an optical isolator is used to prevent backreflection, then backreflection is reduced, but beam displacement occurs causing optical efficiency loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-compensating for the beam displacement effect before it occurs. The fiber is intentionally positioned off-center relative to the focus lens, creating a predetermined offset that counteracts the beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator. This preliminary positioning ensures that the beam, after passing through the isolator, is correctly aligned with the fiber center, thereby preventing optical efficiency loss while maintaining backreflection protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of the fiber position from the conventional centered arrangement to an off-center position. Specifically, the fiber is positioned at a predetermined offset distance from the optical axis of the focus lens, which compensates for the beam displacement caused by the optical isolator. This parameter change optimizes the optical path to maintain efficiency while using the isolator for backreflection prevention.
2Loss of energy
If active alignment procedures are performed to compensate for beam displacement, then optical efficiency is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the fiber at an off-center location during the manufacturing process, rather than requiring post-assembly active alignment. The predetermined offset is built into the mechanical structure of the optical coupling receptacle, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures after assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures optimal optical efficiency is achieved automatically through the design itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing the optical system to self-align through its structural configuration. The off-center fiber position and optical isolator arrangement create a self-compensating system where the beam displacement is automatically corrected by the predetermined geometric relationship between components, eliminating the need for external active alignment procedures or complex control mechanisms.
3Loss of energy
If active alignment procedures are used to compensate for beam displacement, then optical power transmission is optimized, but manufacturing yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the fiber position and optical isolator alignment during manufacturing, creating a predetermined optical path that automatically compensates for beam displacement. This eliminates the need for time-consuming active alignment procedures for each individual device, thereby significantly improving manufacturing yield and productivity while ensuring optimized optical power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from requiring precise active alignment parameters to using a predetermined geometric configuration. By establishing a fixed off-center fiber position and corresponding optical isolator arrangement, the system achieves optimal optical power transmission through design parameters rather than process parameters, thereby improving manufacturing yield.
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
This solution simplifies the attachment process, reduces manufacturing errors, and ensures optimal optical power transmission without the need for extensive active alignment, enhancing the yield and efficiency of small form-factor optical transceivers.
Implementation Method 1
an optical isolator configured to receive the focused light beam and launch the focused light beam in a forward direction into the fiber while reducing backreflection
Implementation Method 2
a focus lens disposed at the second end of the housing configured to receive at least a portion of light emitted by the plurality of lasers via the light path and to output a focused light beam
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with an off-center fiber in an optical coupling is disclosed, and can provide passive compensation for beam displacement introduced by optical isolators. The optical coupling receptacle can include an optical isolator configured to receive a focused light beam from a focus lens within the TOSA. The optical coupling receptacle may be offset such that a center line of the focused light beam entering the optical isolator is offset from a center line of a fiber within optical coupling receptacle. Thus the optical isolator receives the focused light beam from the focus lens and introduces beam displacement such that an optical signal is launched generally along a center line of the fiber. Thus the expected beam displacement introduced by the optical isolator is eliminated or otherwise mitigated by the offset between a center line of the fiber and a center position of the focus lens.