Integrated Optical Circulator for Multi-Fiber Path Isolation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical circulators can only isolate one path of bidirectional light, requiring multiple circulators for multiple fibers, increasing space occupation and complicating their use.

Innovation Solution

An integrated optical circulator with multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fiber interfaces, a refractive element group, and an optical isolation element group, allowing multiple fibers to be isolated using a single circulator, reducing volume and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple optical circulators are arranged on the optical path to isolate multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fibers, then the optical path isolation capability is improved, but the space occupied increases and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path isolation capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical circulator functions into a single integrated device. Multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fiber interfaces share common optical paths and isolation elements, allowing the device to isolate multiple optical fibers simultaneously while occupying minimal space. The refractive element group and optical isolation element group are shared resources that serve multiple interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical circulator is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fibers. The device can isolate optical paths for different fibers using the same isolation elements and optical paths, making a single device universal for multiple isolation tasks rather than requiring dedicated circulators for each fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple optical circulators are arranged on the optical path to isolate multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fibers, then the optical path isolation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path isolation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple optical circulator functions into a single integrated device. Multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fiber interfaces share common optical paths and isolation elements, allowing the device to isolate multiple optical fibers simultaneously while occupying minimal space. The refractive element group and optical isolation element group are shared resources that serve multiple interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical circulator is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple single-fiber bidirectional optical fibers. The device can isolate optical paths for different fibers using the same isolation elements and optical paths, making a single device universal for multiple isolation tasks rather than requiring dedicated circulators for each fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 integrated circulator achieves optical path isolation for multiple fibers within a single device, reducing volume, cost, and improving flexibility and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the refractive element group 2 comprises at least two refractive prisms 21, wherein the signal light input from each single-fiber bidirectional optical fiber interface 1 passes through the corresponding refractive prism 21

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the optical isolation element group 3 comprises a first polarization splitting prism 31, a first half-wave plate 32, a first Faraday rotating plate 33

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization splitting: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a first Faraday rotating plate 33, a second Faraday rotating plate 34

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFaraday effect: Faraday Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12487479B2Integrated optical circulator

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ACCELINK TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD

AI summary

An integrated optical circulator comprising at least two single-fiber bidirectional optical fiber interfaces, a refractive element group, an optical isolation element group, and an optical fiber array, wherein the refractive element group and the optical isolation element group are sequentially arranged on a same optical path; incident signal light from each optical fiber interface sequentially passes through the refractive element group and the optical isolation element group, then is output by a corresponding outgoing optical fiber of the optical fiber array; incident signal light from each incident optical fiber of the optical fiber array sequentially passes through the optical isolation element group and the refractive element group, then is emitted by a corresponding optical fiber interface. Multiple optical circulators are integrated within the volume of a same optical circulator, reducing the volume occupied by optical circulators, lowering overall cost of the device, and improving convenience of optical path integration.