Optical Transmission Adaptive Throughput via Channel Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical signal transmission methods struggle to adapt the useful bit rate effectively over a wide range of disturbances in the propagation channel, particularly failing to maintain satisfactory throughput during significant or prolonged attenuations.

Innovation Solution

The method employs wavelength multiplexing and variable efficiency coding to adapt the useful bit rate by determining the number of transmission channels and coding rate based on real-time optical wave degradation, distributing digital data across multiple channels, and modulating optical signals of distinct wavelengths for optimal signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If variable efficiency coding is used to adapt to propagation disturbances, then transmission reliability is improved for moderate disturbances, but useful throughput deteriorates during significant or prolonged attenuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiduseful throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical signal is segmented into multiple wavelength channels, each carrying a portion of the total data stream. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary number of channels based on propagation conditions, thereby maintaining reliability when needed while optimizing throughput by avoiding unnecessary channel activation during good conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of active wavelength channels and coding efficiency in real-time based on measured propagation disturbances. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to switch between reliability-optimized mode (during disturbances) and throughput-optimized mode (during clear conditions), resolving the contradiction between the two objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the number of transmission channels is reduced to maintain reliability during disturbances, then transmission stability is improved, but useful bit rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoiduseful bit rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each wavelength channel is designed to be universally capable of carrying data, with the system able to activate any number of channels from 1 to N based on conditions. This multi-functionality allows the same physical infrastructure to serve both stability (by activating fewer channels during disturbances) and high bit rate (by activating all channels during clear conditions).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If wavelength multiplexing is implemented to increase transmission capacity, then useful bit rate is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuseful bit rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the wavelength parameter of optical signals to create multiple transmission channels. By utilizing different wavelength parameters, the system increases transmission capacity without requiring physically separate transmission media, thereby achieving higher bit rates while managing complexity through parameter-based differentiation rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for precise adaptation of the useful bit rate over a wide range of disturbances, maintaining signal quality and reducing bit error rates by adjusting the number of transmission channels and coding efficiency in response to varying propagation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

generating the primary optical signal by wavelength division multiplexing of the optical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength division multiplexing:

Data Source

PatentEP2811667B1Method and device for optical transmission with adaptive useful throughput
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 THALES SA
  • EP2811667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2811667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2811667B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transmitting digital data (11) by means of a primary optical signal (S1) between a transmitting terminal (TE) and a receiving terminal (TR), comprising steps consisting of: - determining a characteristic quantity (12) of optical wave degradation between the transmitting terminal (TE) and the receiving terminal (TR), - determining a number (Nλ) of transmission channels (13) by a decreasing function of the characteristic quantity (12) of optical wave degradation, - distributing the digital data (11) over the transmission channels (13), - modulating optical signals (15) of distinct wavelengths, by digital data (11) distributed over the transmission channels (13), - generating the primary optical signal (S1) by wavelength multiplexing of the optical signals (15), - transmitting a transmission configuration (102), comprising at least the number (Nλ) of transmission channels (13).from the sending terminal to the receiving terminal.