Optical Coupler Layout for Redundant Light Supply Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light supply apparatuses for seabed communication networks with high redundancy in excitation laser modules result in complex structures and increased manufacturing complexity due to the number of optical couplers and splice points, leading to higher production costs and time.
Innovation Solution
A light supply apparatus configuration using two first optical couplers with M input and output ports and a second optical coupler with N input and output ports, where N/2 ports of each first coupler are connected to N/2 ports of the second coupler, reducing the overall number of couplers and splice points while maintaining redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of excitation laser modules is increased to achieve higher redundancy, then reliability is improved, but the number of optical couplers and splice portions increases making the structure more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical coupling functions into a single integrated optical coupler that handles light from multiple excitation laser modules. Instead of using separate couplers for each laser module, one optical coupler is designed to receive light from N excitation laser modules and distribute it to M optical fiber amplifiers, thereby reducing the total number of optical couplers and splice portions while maintaining the redundancy provided by multiple laser modules.
2Reliability
If the number of excitation laser modules is increased to achieve higher redundancy, then reliability is improved, but the number of splice portions increases making manufacturing more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing complexity by consolidating splice portions into the integrated optical coupler design. Instead of requiring multiple separate splice operations for each laser module and coupler combination, the single optical coupler requires fewer total splice connections, thereby reducing both the number of man-hours needed and the overall manufacturing complexity while preserving the redundant configuration of multiple excitation laser modules.
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 proposed configuration simplifies the light supply apparatus structure, reduces the number of couplers and splice points, and maintains reliability by ensuring continuous light supply to optical fiber amplifiers even if one excitation laser module fails, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a 2×2 optical coupler divides (demultiplexer) light being acquired by combining (multiplexing) light being output from the two excitation laser modules
Data Source
AI summary
A light supply apparatus includes a second optical coupler, two first optical couplers, and excitation laser modules (light output units). Each of the first optical couplers is configured to have four input ports and four output ports. The second optical coupler is configured to have two input ports and two output ports. One of the input ports of the one first optical coupler is connected to one of the output ports of the second optical coupler. One of the input ports of the other first optical coupler is connected to another one of the output ports of the second optical coupler.