Optical Backplane Signal Control for Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical signal leakage in optical backplane systems poses a risk of injury to operators, especially to the eyes, when a circuit board is pulled out, and existing solutions fail to effectively manage this issue while also reducing power consumption and system complexity.

Innovation Solution

An optical signal control method and system that detects when a circuit board is pulled out from an optical backplane and transmits a control instruction to adjust the output power of connected transmitting ports to a preset threshold, preventing signal leakage and reducing power consumption by closing non-operational channels, thereby simplifying optical path detection and reducing system costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the circuit board is pulled out from the optical backplane, then the operator can conveniently access and replace the board, but optical signal leakage occurs causing injury risk to the operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of circuit board accessVSAvoidoptical signal leakage causing injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively closes the transmitting port or reduces its output power before the circuit board is completely removed, preventing optical signal leakage from occurring in the first place. This preliminary protective action eliminates the harmful effect while allowing the board removal operation to proceed safely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the insertion state of circuit boards and provides real-time feedback control to the transmitting ports. When a board is detected as being removed, the system immediately responds by adjusting the optical output, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that adapts to the current operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If all transmitting ports remain active at full power, then the system maintains high availability and fast response, but power consumption increases when some slots are empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting ports dynamically adjust their operational state based on real-time detection of circuit board presence. Ports connected to slots with removed boards are closed or reduced to low power state, while ports connected to occupied slots maintain full functionality. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power consumption while preserving system reliability for active channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the output power parameter of transmitting ports based on the insertion state of circuit boards. When a slot is empty, the corresponding transmitting port's output power is reduced to below a preset threshold or completely closed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full power for active channels that require it

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system controls each individual optical path, then precise signal management is achieved, but system complexity and detection requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical path signal management precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the control function from individual optical path level to slot level. A single controlling device on each circuit board manages all transmitting ports connected to that board's slot, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each optical path. This consolidation significantly reduces system complexity while maintaining effective signal management through the unified control approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2590344B1Optical signal control method, optical signal control system and optical backplane system
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2590344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2590344B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2590344B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides an optical signal control method, an optical signal control system and an optical backplane system, which belongs to the field of optical communications technologies. The method includes: detecting whether a circuit board is pulled out from an optical backplane; if the circuit board is pulled out, querying a transmitting port of another circuit board connected to a slot where the pulled out circuit board is located, transmitting a first control instruction to the transmitting port, and notifying of closing the transmitting port or adjusting output power of the transmitting port to make it below a preset threshold. The optical signal control system includes: a detection module and a control module. The optical backplane system includes the optical signal control system. The present invention prevents optical signal leakage of the optical connector on the slot where the pulled out circuit board is located, thereby avoiding injuries to an operator, especially to eyes, and reducing power consumption of the system.