Optical Connector Channel Thinning for Reflected Light Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, reflected light from a refracting portion can interfere with adjacent channels, causing transmission errors due to conditions such as material, angle, and surface treatment of the refracting portion, especially in high-capacity transmission scenarios like internet communication.
Innovation Solution
The optical communication connector includes a collimating lens that collimates light from multiple optical transmission lines, with refracting portions that refract and emit light, where at least some transmission and reception channels are thinned out, arranged with a shifted pitch, or offset from the center, or configured such that only specific channels are adjacent, to prevent reflected light from entering incorrect channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a refracting portion is provided in the collimating lens to refract and emit collimated light, then light can be directed to the correct reception channel, but reflected light may be generated on the refraction surface and mixed into adjacent reception channels causing transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful refracting portion is extracted and separated from the collimating lens, forming an independent component. This separation allows the collimating lens to focus on collimation while the refracting portion handles light direction, reducing reflected light generation at the interface and preventing interference with adjacent channels.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-shielding portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the refracting portion and adjacent channels. This shielding structure blocks reflected light from entering adjacent reception channels, effectively preventing transmission errors caused by light interference.
2Productivity
If multiple transmission channels and reception channels are arranged in the collimating lens, then high-capacity optical transmission can be achieved, but reflected light from one channel may interfere with adjacent channels
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into independent transmission channels and reception channels with distinct spatial arrangements. By separating the functional zones and introducing light-shielding portions between adjacent channels, the system maintains high transmission capacity while preventing cross-channel interference through reflected light.
Solution Approach 2:
Light-shielding portions are positioned as intermediary elements between adjacent transmission and reception channels. These shielding structures selectively block reflected light paths while maintaining the optical throughput of each channel, thereby preserving high transmission capacity without compromising reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the collimating lens is positioned at the center of the fitting surface, then alignment is simplified, but reflected light may easily enter adjacent channels
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating lens is deliberately positioned asymmetrically, offset from the center of the fitting surface toward one end. This asymmetric arrangement, combined with light-shielding portions, creates asymmetric light paths that prevent reflected light from entering adjacent channels while maintaining effective optical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
Light-shielding portions are strategically positioned as intermediary elements to block reflected light paths that would otherwise enter adjacent channels due to the offset collimating lens position. This maintains channel isolation while preserving the alignment simplicity of the offset configuration.
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 configuration effectively reduces the occurrence of transmission errors by minimizing interference from reflected light, ensuring stable optical transmission even in high-capacity scenarios like real-time video and audio transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens that collimates light from multiple optical transmission lines transmitting optical signals
Implementation Method 2
a refracting portion that refracts and emits light emitted from the collimating lens
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical communication connector, an optical communication cable, and an electronic device that can curb occurrence of a transmission error. The optical communication connector includes a collimating lens that collimates light from multiple optical transmission lines transmitting optical signals, and a refracting portion that refracts and emits light emitted from the collimating lens, in which in the collimating lens, at least some of transmission channels and reception channels corresponding to the multiple optical transmission lines are thinned out. The optical communication connector can be applied to an optical communication system, for example.