Optical Communication Device Clock Switching for Rapid Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of operation modes in optical communication systems increases, the time required to synchronize transmission rates between optical transceivers becomes longer due to repeated test signal transmissions, making it difficult to establish a connection establishment state efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An optical communication device equipped with a conversion unit, a clock switching unit, and an operation mode control unit that detects the operation mode of another device and switches the clock signal to match the oscillator frequency, allowing for synchronized operation modes without extensive test signal communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If repeated test signal transmissions are used to synchronize transmission rates, then transmission rate synchronization is achieved, but the time required to establish connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rate synchronizationVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having each optical transceiver store multiple oscillator frequencies corresponding to different transmission rates in advance. During connection establishment, the system directly selects and switches to the appropriate pre-stored oscillator frequency based on the detected operation mode, eliminating the need for repeated test signal transmissions to synchronize transmission rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the operation mode of the remote optical transceiver from received optical signals and using this information to control the clock switching unit. The operation mode control unit receives feedback about the remote device's operation mode and accordingly selects the matching local oscillator frequency, enabling rapid synchronization without repeated testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple oscillators are used to support multiple operation modes, then operation mode flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation mode flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of oscillators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a clock switching unit that dynamically selects and switches between multiple oscillators based on the detected operation mode. Instead of having all oscillators active simultaneously, the system dynamically activates only the required oscillator for the current operation mode, maintaining versatility while reducing active complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the clock generation function by separating multiple oscillators into distinct components, each responsible for specific transmission rates. The clock switching unit acts as a controller that selects the appropriate segment (oscillator) based on operation mode requirements, making the system manageable despite having multiple frequency sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3726749B1Optical communication device, control method, and control program
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3726749B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726749B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3726749B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An optical communication device includes a conversion unit (141) that receives an optical signal transmitted from a first optical communication device and converts the optical signal into a digital electric signal based on a clock signal, a clock switching unit (143) that switches an oscillator (144a) generating the clock signal, and an operation mode control unit (160) that detects an operation mode of the first optical communication device in the digital electric signal and commands the clock switching unit (143) to perform switching from the oscillator (144a) generating the clock signal to an oscillator generating a clock signal at a frequency based on the operation mode of the first optical communication device.