Optical Amplifier Core-to-Light-Source Matching for Lower Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multicore optical fibers and light sources, variations in manufacturing lead to differing amplification characteristics among cores and light sources, resulting in high power consumption when attempting to excite cores with low amplification using light sources with low intensity.
Innovation Solution
An optical amplification system that includes multiple optical output means, amplification means, measurement means for power consumption and light intensity, and calculation means to determine radiation and excitation efficiencies, allowing for optimized connection between optical output means and cores based on these efficiencies to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same intensity of excitation light is input to a plurality of cores, then the light sources can operate with uniform specifications, but the amount of amplification differs between the cores due to placement or manufacturing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the amplification characteristics of each core individually and connects cores to light sources based on their specific performance. This local quality approach allows each core to be optimized independently, matching cores with appropriate light sources to compensate for manufacturing variations and placement errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the connection parameters between light sources and cores based on measured amplification characteristics. By measuring and comparing amplification amounts, the system dynamically assigns optimal light sources to each core, transforming a static uniform connection into a dynamic optimized configuration.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a light source with low intensity is used to excite a core with low amplification, then the system can operate with lower power consumption, but high power consumption occurs when attempting to excite low amplification cores with insufficient light source intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of amplification characteristics for each core and light source before making connections. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine the optimal pairings, ensuring that each core is connected to a light source with appropriate intensity characteristics, thereby avoiding excessive power consumption while maintaining reliable amplification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from measured amplification amounts to optimize the connection between light sources and cores. By measuring the actual amplification performance and using this information to make connection decisions, the system ensures optimal matching that minimizes power consumption while achieving the required amplification levels.
3Reliability
If multiple measurement means and calculation means are added to measure power consumption and light intensity, then optimized connection can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the optical signals themselves to carry measurement information. The optical signals are used both for amplification and for measuring amplification characteristics, eliminating the need for separate complex measurement systems. The cores and light sources essentially measure their own performance through the optical signals they handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical signals serve multiple functions: they are used for amplification, for measuring amplification characteristics, and for determining connection optimization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated measurement equipment, simplifying the overall system while maintaining optimization capabilities.
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 system effectively reduces power consumption by matching high radiation efficiency optical output means with low excitation efficiency cores and low radiation efficiency means with high excitation efficiency cores, minimizing the need for large electric power supply.
Implementation Method 1
amplifying an optical signal according to the excitation light by a plurality of optical amplification means
Data Source
AI summary
An optical amplification system includes: optical output circuits to output excitation light; optical amplifiers to amplify an optical signal; a power consumption measurement circuit to measure power consumption consumed by the optical output circuits; an excitation light measurement circuit to measure intensity of the excitation light output from each of the optical output circuits; a first optical signal measurement circuit to measure first intensity of the optical signal before amplification; a second optical signal measurement circuit to measure second intensity of the optical signal after amplification; a first calculator to calculate a radiation efficiency of the optical output circuits; a second calculator to calculate an excitation efficiency of the optical amplifiers; and a connection circuit to connect between each of the optical output circuits and each of the optical amplifiers.