Optical Control Sensor System for Fiber Optic Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic networks face challenges in signal switching and self-testing due to electromagnetic interference and increased complexity, which affects operational performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An optical control sensor system utilizing an orthogonal signal generator, light sources emitting different wavelengths, a terminal sensor, and a decoder for continuous self-testing, which includes a driver for modulating light intensity and frequency, and a detector for converting optical signals into electrical signals to analyze system states and diagnose failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical systems are used for signal switching and control, then operational performance can be maintained, but electromagnetic interference increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical control systems with an optical control system using light sources, optical fibers, and photodetectors. The driver modulates light intensity to encode orthogonal signals, and the terminal sensor detects these optical signals to control signal switching, eliminating electromagnetic interference while maintaining operational performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to transmit control signals between the driver and terminal sensor. This optical intermediary isolates the control system from electromagnetic interference affecting the power and signal lines, enabling reliable operation in electrically noisy environments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical control systems are implemented, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical control architecture where the driver can generate multiple orthogonal signals through frequency modulation of light intensity, and the terminal sensor can detect and decode these signals. This multi-functional design allows a single optical control system to replace multiple electrical control circuits, reducing overall system complexity despite the introduction of optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses frequency modulation as a parameter change technique, where the driver varies the frequency of light intensity modulation to encode different orthogonal signals. This parameter-based control method simplifies the system by using a single light source and detector pair to handle multiple control channels, avoiding the need for multiple separate electrical control systems.
3Reliability
If self-testing functionality is added to detect system failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal sensor not only detects control signals but also monitors the optical signal quality and system state. The detected signals are fed back to the driver and control system, enabling continuous self-testing and failure detection without requiring separate diagnostic equipment, thus improving reliability with minimal additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical control system performs self-testing through its own operational components. The driver and terminal sensor use the same optical signal path for both control and diagnostics, allowing the system to monitor its own health status, detect failures, and report system states without external testing equipment, achieving self-service 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 system provides high signal-to-noise ratio, reduces the risk of optical connection failures, and enables continuous self-testing and diagnosis of system states, enhancing reliability and operational performance in fiber optic networks.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for emitting light, an orthogonal signal generator, generating a set of different orthogonal signals, and a driver for switching frequencies of the set of different orthogonal signals and modulating an intensity of the light
Implementation Method 2
a detector converting the output signals into a plurality of electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A optical control sensor system includes a driver controlling an operation of a light source coupled to an end of an optical fiber, an orthogonal signal generator, generating a set of different orthogonal signals controlling the driver, a terminal sensor coupled to another end of the optical fiber selecting a predetermined set of input orthogonal signals for converting them into component combinations, constituting output signals, and directing the output signals back to the optical fiber, a device coupled to the light sources and to the first end of the optical fiber for extracting output signals that have passed through a return path in the optical fiber, a detector converting optical output signals into electrical signals, and a selector and a decoder connected to the orthogonal signal generator indicating a current state of the optical control sensor system based on an analysis of the selected combinations of components in the output signals.