Optical Error Correction via Laser Power and Retransmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, achieving low target error probabilities, such as a bit error rate (BER) of 1e-12, is challenging due to the noise floor limit, where further increases in laser power do not significantly decrease error probabilities. Standard high latency error correction mechanisms consume significant computational resources and add latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low latency error correction mechanism, such as low latency FEC, in combination with error detection and retransmission of data with detected errors, allows optical communication systems to achieve target error probabilities like 1e-12 while reducing laser power consumption and computational resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard forward error correction FEC mechanisms are used to achieve low target error probabilities, then error correction capability is improved, but latency increases by up to 100 nanoseconds and computational resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error correction task into two parts: (1) low latency FEC that quickly corrects common errors, and (2) iterative error detection and retransmission for remaining errors. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability without the full latency penalty of traditional FEC, as the majority of errors are corrected rapidly in the first stage while problematic cases are handled through targeted retransmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying full-strength high-latency FEC to all data, the patent applies partial error correction through low latency FEC only when needed, combined with selective retransmission. This partial action approach achieves the required error probability targets while avoiding the excessive computational resources and latency of comprehensive FEC schemes.
2Reliability
If laser power setting is increased to achieve low target error probabilities, then error probability decreases, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the laser by identifying and implementing the optimal power setting that achieves the required error probability target. Through iterative testing and analysis, the system determines that a specific laser power level (e.g., 9.5 dBm) provides the necessary reliability without the excessive power consumption associated with higher settings, thus optimizing the power-error probability tradeoff.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors actual error rates and adjusts laser power settings accordingly. By measuring performance and comparing it against targets, the system can optimize power consumption while maintaining reliability, avoiding both over-powering (waste) and under-powering (errors).
3Reliability
If laser power setting is increased beyond the noise floor, then error probability marginally improves or plateaus, but additional power consumption occurs without significant benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial error correction through low latency FEC only when needed, combined with selective retransmission. This partial action approach achieves the required error probability targets while avoiding the excessive computational resources and latency of comprehensive FEC schemes.
4Reliability
If standard high latency error correction is used to meet target error probabilities, then reliability is improved, but computational resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error correction task into two parts: (1) low latency FEC that quickly corrects common errors, and (2) iterative error detection and retransmission for remaining errors. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability without the full latency penalty of traditional FEC, as the majority of errors are corrected rapidly in the first stage while problematic cases are handled through targeted retransmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cheap and efficient error correction codes such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) and lightweight FEC schemes that can be implemented with minimal computational overhead. These simpler, faster codes replace complex high-latency FEC mechanisms, providing sufficient error protection for most cases while enabling rapid processing with reduced device complexity.
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 approach enables optical communication systems to achieve target error probabilities below the noise floor limit, reducing laser power usage and computational overhead, while maintaining system reliability with lower latency.
Implementation Method 1
lasers are typically an important component of optical communication links
Implementation Method 2
optical communication links
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor, a laser, and a modulator. The processor is to generate a first electrical signal including first data and a second electrical signal including second data. The laser is to generate a multiplexed carrier signal comprising a first carrier signal and a second carrier signal, the laser to operate at a first laser power setting. The modulator is to generate a multiplexed optical signal including a first optical signal based in part on the first electrical signal and the first carrier signal and a second optical signal based in part on the second electrical signal and the second carrier signal. The apparatus is to transmit the multiplexed optical signal to a device and to retransmit the first data from the apparatus to the device based on a detection of error in a received version of the first data at the device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.