Optical Amplifier Segmentation for Space Communication Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical space communication systems face a decrease in communication capacity due to insufficient output from optical amplifiers, which results in low transmission power and a degraded signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
Innovation Solution
The system divides multiple wavelengths into groups, performs wavelength-multiplexing, amplifies, and transmits these signals in the same direction using multiple optical antennas, increasing transmission power and SNR by allowing each wavelength to be amplified independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical amplifier output is increased to achieve Tbps class communication capacity, then communication capacity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical amplifier function into multiple lower-power amplifier units, each handling a specific wavelength group. Instead of using a single complex high-power amplifier, the system divides the optical signal into multiple wavelength channels and amplifies each channel separately using simpler, lower-power amplifier modules, thereby achieving high total output power without requiring a single complex high-power amplifier
2Reliability
If optical amplifier output is increased to improve transmission power, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but it becomes difficult to realize high-output optical amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical signal into multiple wavelength groups and uses separate optical amplifiers for each group. This segmentation allows each amplifier to operate at lower, more achievable power levels while collectively providing the necessary high transmission power and signal-to-noise ratio for reliable communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple optical amplifiers, each handling a specific wavelength group, to achieve the required total transmission power. By merging the amplified signals from multiple manageable amplifier units, the system achieves high output power and improved signal-to-noise ratio without the manufacturing difficulties of a single high-power amplifier
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 enhances the communication capacity by increasing the optical power and SNR at the reception end, effectively mitigating the capacity decrease caused by insufficient optical amplifier output.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical amplifiers each provided to each of the plurality of groups to amplify the optical signal obtained by wavelength-multiplexing the optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An optical space communication transmitting terminal includes: a plurality of transmitters that form a plurality of groups and transmit optical signals having wavelengths different from each other; multiplexers that are provided to each of the groups and outputs optical signals wavelength-multiplexed by multiplexing the optical signals transmitted from the transmitters belonging to the group; optical amplifiers that are provided to each of the groups and amplifies the wavelength-multiplexed optical signals; and optical antennas that are provided to each of the groups and transmits the amplified optical signals into space, in which the optical antennas of the groups transmit the optical signals in the same direction.