Optical Demultiplexing Device Using Dynamic Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical demultiplexers using asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZs) with varying arm lengths face challenges in determining arbitrary output ports for wavelength lights, leading to random allocation and difficulty in executing appropriate signal processing for each wavelength.
Innovation Solution
An optical demultiplexing device is configured with a light source, demultiplexer, converters, detectors, switches, and controllers, where asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers are connected in a tree-like shape to demultiplex wavelength lights and a cross-connect switch allocates electrical signals to appropriate output destinations based on detected wavelengths, allowing controlled phase adjustments to guide wavelength lights to specific ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers with varying arm lengths are used for demultiplexing, then wavelength lights can be separated into different output ports, but the output port allocation becomes random and arbitrary wavelengths cannot be directed to specific ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phase shifters in each arm of the AMZ interferometers that can dynamically adjust the optical path difference. By controlling the phase shifters, the system can dynamically change which wavelength light exits from which output port, transforming the static random allocation into a dynamically controllable system. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining precise wavelength separation while enabling controlled port allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical phase parameter in the AMZ interferometers using phase shifters. By adjusting the phase difference between the two arms, the system can control which wavelength constructively interferes at which output port. This parameter change enables deterministic wavelength-to-port mapping while preserving the wavelength separation capability.
2Productivity
If all wavelength lights are input to the demultiplexer simultaneously, then all wavelengths can be processed in parallel, but power consumption increases and signal processing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs time-division multiplexing where wavelength lights are input to the demultiplexer sequentially rather than simultaneously. The control unit activates specific wavelength lights at different time slots, allowing the system to process multiple wavelengths over time while keeping the power consumption and processing complexity at any given moment equivalent to handling a single wavelength. This periodic activation resolves the contradiction between throughput and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit pre-configures the phase shifters and switch settings before each wavelength light is input to the demultiplexer. This preliminary configuration ensures that when a wavelength light arrives, the system is already prepared to direct it to the correct output port, enabling efficient sequential processing without requiring complex real-time decision-making or simultaneous processing of multiple wavelengths.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sequential wavelength light input is used, then power consumption is reduced and signal processing is simplified, but processing time for all wavelengths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-configures the phase shifters and switch settings before each wavelength light is input to the demultiplexer. This preliminary configuration ensures that when a wavelength light arrives, the system is already prepared to direct it to the correct output port, enabling efficient sequential processing without requiring complex real-time decision-making or simultaneous processing of multiple wavelengths.
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 enables precise allocation of wavelength lights to desired output ports, facilitating appropriate signal processing for each wavelength, improving signal processing capabilities and reducing power consumption compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the demultiplexer includes a plurality of asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers each of which lengths of a pair of arms are different from each other
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of converters configured to respectively convert the plurality of wavelength lights into a plurality of electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An optical demultiplexing device includes a light source, a demultiplexer, a plurality of converters, a detector, a switch, and a controller, wherein the demultiplexer includes a plurality of asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers (AMZ) each of which lengths of a pair of arms are different from each other, the plurality of AMZs are coupled to each other so that a plurality of wavelength lights input from the light source is demultiplexed and respectively output to the converters different from each other, and the controller controls the light source so that the plurality of wavelength lights is sequentially input to the demultiplexer one by one, and controls the switch so that an electrical signal detected by the detector is output to an output destination according to a wavelength light of a conversion source of the electrical signal.