Optical Element Integrated Module Direct Optical Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical element integrated modules for modulating optical short pulse trains require complex system configurations and increased costs due to the need for optical/electrical converters and electrical circuits to handle high frequency electrical signals.

Innovation Solution

An optical element integrated module that uses optical circulators, optical/optical converters with cross absorption modulation, and an optical time division multiplexing section to modulate optical short pulse trains directly with optical data signals, eliminating the need for electrical circuits and simplifying the system structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If optical/electrical converters and electrical circuits are used to modulate optical short pulse trains with high frequency electrical signals, then modulation capability is achieved, but system complexity increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidmodulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical/electrical conversion system with a direct optical/optical modulation system using EA modulators that accept optical control signals. This substitution eliminates the need for optical/electrical converters and high frequency electrical circuits, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining modulation capability through direct optical signal control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary optical/electrical conversion stage from the system. By directly coupling the optical data signal to control the EA modulator's absorption characteristics, the system eliminates intermediate electrical conversion components, simplifying the overall configuration while preserving the essential modulation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If optical/electrical converters are used for high frequency signal conversion, then modulation is achieved, but apparatus cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus costVSAvoidmodulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive optical/electrical converter components with a more economical direct optical modulation approach. The EA modulator is controlled directly by optical signals, eliminating the need for costly high frequency electrical circuitry and converters, thereby reducing apparatus cost while maintaining modulation performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If multiple optical signals are multiplexed through electrical conversion, then signal combination is achieved, but power loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower lossVSAvoidsignal multiplexing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical signal processing and multiplexing systems with direct optical domain processing. By keeping all signals in the optical domain and using optical circulators for multiplexing, the system avoids power loss associated with optical/electrical conversion and electrical signal handling, thereby reducing power loss while maintaining signal multiplexing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simplifies the system structure, reduces costs, and improves signal-to-noise ratio by directly modulating optical short pulse trains with optical data signals, thereby eliminating the need for high frequency electrical signal conversion and reducing power loss during signal multiplexing.

Implementation Method 1

first through n-th optical/optical converters for outputting first through n-th modulated optical data signals by respectively modulating the first through n-th optical short pulse trains in accordance with respective first through n-th optical data signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross absorption modulation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7903976B2Optical element integrated module

Publication Date: 2011.03.08 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

In an optical element integrated module, first through n-th optical data signals are externally input to first ports of first through n-th optical circulators and are input to first through n-th optical/optical converters via second ports. The first through n-th optical/optical converters modulate first through n-th optical short pulse trains in accordance with the first through n-th optical data signals. First through n-th modulated optical data signals are input to the second ports of the first through n-th optical circulators and are input to an optical time division multiplexing section. The optical time division multiplexing section generates optical time division multiplexed signals by time division multiplexing the first through n-th modulated optical data signals.