Optical Connector Supplemental Voltage for Long Cable Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active optical cables face limitations in providing sufficient electrical power to connected devices due to ohmic losses and power draw of active optical circuits, resulting in voltage drops that may fall outside specifications, especially over longer lengths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a supplemental voltage source, combined with an increased input voltage through voltage converters and clamping devices, reduces ohmic losses and ensures electrical power is within specifications at the distal end of the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the cable length is increased to extend transmission distance, then the bandwidth and low noise operation benefits are improved, but the voltage drop due to ohmic losses increases causing power delivery to fall outside specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter by converting input voltage to a higher output voltage using voltage converters. This voltage transformation reduces the impact of ohmic losses over long cable lengths, enabling reliable power delivery while maintaining extended transmission distance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voltage converters and supplemental voltage sources as intermediary devices between the power source and the load. These intermediaries compensate for voltage drops caused by ohmic losses in long cables, ensuring specification compliance while maintaining extended cable length benefits.
2Length of moving object
If the cable length is increased to extend transmission distance, then the optical transmission benefits are improved, but the power draw of active optical circuits combined with ohmic losses causes voltage drop outside specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the power delivery parameter by converting voltage to a higher level. This parameter change compensates for both ohmic losses and the power consumption of active optical circuits, enabling long cable lengths to maintain adequate power delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary voltage conversion and supplemental voltage injection at the source end before power transmission through the cable. This preliminary action pre-compensates for anticipated ohmic losses and circuit power draw, ensuring sufficient power reaches the distal end despite long cable length.
3Device complexity
If a single voltage source is used to simplify the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the electrical power at the distal end falls outside specifications due to ohmic losses and power draw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple voltage sources (input voltage and supplemental voltage) through voltage converters and clamping devices. This combination of multiple sources ensures specification compliance while the integrated design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses voltage conversion to transform the power delivery parameter, enabling the system to meet specifications despite the added complexity of multiple voltage sources. The parameter transformation justifies the increased complexity by achieving reliable power delivery.
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 solution effectively increases the electrical power provided over long active optical cables, ensuring it meets predetermined specifications by combining input and supplemental voltages, thereby overcoming voltage drop issues and power draw challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage converter operable to convert the input voltage to an output voltage at a converter output
Implementation Method 2
a voltage clamping device electrically coupled to the converter output
Implementation Method 3
due to ohmic losses in the one or more electrical conductors, the length of the cable is limited. The greater the length of the cable, the greater the voltage drop from one end of the cable to the other
Data Source
AI summary
Optical connector assemblies and optical cable assemblies incorporating a supplemental input voltage are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly includes housing and an electrical connector at a face of the housing. The electrical connector includes an input voltage contact for receiving an input voltage. The optical connector assembly further includes voltage converter operable to convert the input voltage to an output voltage at a converter output, a voltage clamping device electrically coupled to the converter output, and a supplemental voltage conductor. The output voltage is greater than the input voltage. The supplemental voltage conductor is electrically coupled to an output of the voltage clamping device and provides a supplemental output voltage at an output of the voltage clamping device. The optical connector assembly further includes an active optical circuit that converts electrical data signals into optical signals.