Optical Amplifier Light Surge Prevention Without Dummy Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber amplifiers experience a light surge when signal restoration occurs after an interruption, causing service interruptions due to rapid changes in the population inversion state, and existing solutions like dummy light insertion reduce bandwidth utilization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical amplifying device with an optical propagation path, excitation light source, and control unit that adjusts excitation light power based on input and output light levels detected by multiple optical receivers, eliminating the need for dummy light and preventing light surges by maintaining optimal excitation power during signal interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dummy light is inserted into the amplification band to prevent light surge, then light surge is prevented, but bandwidth utilization efficiency drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the dummy light component from the system. Instead of inserting dummy light into the amplification band, the invention uses a different mechanism (control of excitation light based on input signal detection) to prevent light surge, thereby freeing up the bandwidth that was previously occupied by dummy light and guard bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from dummy light power level to excitation light power level. By detecting the presence or absence of input signal light and adjusting the excitation light accordingly, the system prevents light surge without requiring dummy light insertion, thus changing the fundamental control approach and parameter being adjusted.
2Reliability
If excitation light is shut down to prevent light surge, then light surge is prevented, but service interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of input signal light presence before the light surge can occur. By detecting the absence of input signal and preemptively adjusting excitation light power, the system prevents the population inversion state from building up to dangerous levels, thereby preventing light surge without requiring lengthy shutdown periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the presence or absence of input signal light is detected and used to adjust the excitation light power level. This closed-loop control allows the system to respond dynamically to signal conditions, preventing light surge while minimizing service interruption by only adjusting excitation light when necessary.
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
Prevents light surges and service interruptions while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization by controlling excitation light power, allowing for wider amplification bandwidth usage without dummy light, and maintaining constant ASE power in multistage cascades.
Implementation Method 1
an optical amplifier for amplifying input light
Implementation Method 2
an excitation light source for generating excitation light to excite the optical amplifier
Implementation Method 3
a first optical receiver for detecting the power level of the input light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical amplifying device according to the present invention includes: an optical propagation path including an optical amplifier for amplifying input light; an excitation light source for generating excitation light to excite the optical amplifier; first and second optical receivers detect the power of the input light in the optical propagation path before being amplified by the optical amplifier and the power of the light in the optical propagation path after being amplified by the optical amplifier; a third optical receiver for detecting the power of light having a traveling direction opposite to that of the input light amplified by the optical amplifier, in the optical propagation path; and a control unit for controlling the excitation light source on the basis of the light power detected by the first optical receiver, the light power detected by the second optical receiver, and the light power detected by the third optical receiver. This optical amplifying device can prevent a light surge without providing dummy light and without causing a service interruption.