Optical-Electrical Converter for LAN Signal Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber network systems face challenges in efficiently managing and broadcasting data across multiple ports, particularly in adapting signals to OSI layer-2 and layer-3 protocols, which limits their performance and scalability in wide-area networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus that includes a passive optical coupler, optical-electrical converters, and a control module to schedule slots for incoming and outgoing signals, allowing for the conversion of electrical signals to broadcast optical signals and processing according to OSI layer-2 and layer-3 protocols, enabling efficient data transmission across multiple ports in an optical local area network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple optical transceivers and switching elements are used to manage data across multiple ports, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical transceiver functions into a single integrated optical-electrical converter that serves multiple ports simultaneously. This single device performs the functions of what would traditionally require multiple separate transceivers and switching elements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-electrical converter is designed as a universal device that can handle data transmission for multiple ports through a single interface. It provides multi-port connectivity and protocol conversion capabilities without requiring dedicated hardware for each port, thus improving productivity while minimizing the number of components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical signals are converted to electrical signals for processing according to OSI layer-2 and layer-3 protocols, then protocol compatibility is improved, but signal processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary protocol adaptation by converting optical signals to electrical signals and processing them according to OSI layer-2 and layer-3 protocols at the source. This preliminary processing ensures that data is properly formatted and prepared before transmission, reducing the need for reprocessing at intermediate nodes and minimizing overall signal processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-electrical converter acts as an intermediary device that bridges the optical transmission medium and the electrical protocol processing domain. It performs the necessary signal conversion and protocol adaptation in a single integrated step, avoiding multiple separate processing stages that would increase time loss.
3Device complexity
If a passive optical coupler is used to distribute signals to multiple ports, then device complexity is reduced, but signal strength and bandwidth are diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional passive optical couplers with an active optical-electrical converter that uses electrical signal processing to distribute signals to multiple ports. This substitution maintains low device complexity while avoiding the signal strength degradation inherent in passive splitting, as the active converter can regenerate and amplify signals as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical-electrical converter serves as an active intermediary that receives optical signals, converts them to electrical signals for processing, and then redistributes them to multiple ports. This active mediation allows for signal regeneration and maintains signal strength across multiple outputs without requiring complex amplification hardware at each port.
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 enhances network performance by reducing the need for multiple optical transceivers and switching elements, supporting high-bandwidth connections with minimal equipment upgrades, and allowing for dynamic slot allocation, thus improving data transmission efficiency and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
converting the received incoming optical signal to an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
converting the processed electrical signal to a broadcast optical signal
Implementation Method 3
coupling the broadcast optical signal to each of the plurality of ports
Data Source
AI summary
An optical local area network includes a passive optical distribution fabric interconnecting a plurality of nodes including a first node and a plurality of remaining nodes, a hub that includes the first node and a control module, and a client network adapter coupled to each of the remaining nodes for responding to the control module. The control module controls timing for each of the client network adapters to transmit signals over the passive optical distribution fabric and distribution of signals to each of the nodes.