Optical Line Card Superchannel Coherent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data center interconnection systems face high costs and redundancy due to the need for multiple pluggable interfaces for each wavelength channel, limited chromatic dispersion tolerance, and challenges in engineering and operating systems with direct detection modulation schemes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical line cards with coherent receivers and modulators, along with a software-defined network (SDN) control plane, allows for efficient and flexible optical communication by receiving and transmitting optical superchannels with overlapping transmission bands, reducing hardware duplication and leveraging spatial parallelism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pluggable interfaces are used for each wavelength channel, then channel signal fidelity is improved, but hardware redundancy and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pluggable interface functions into a single coherent optical line card. Instead of using separate pluggable interfaces for each wavelength channel, the invention integrates coherent receivers, modulators, and multiple wavelength handling capabilities into one unified device, eliminating hardware redundancy while maintaining signal fidelity
Solution Approach 2:
The coherent optical line card is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple wavelength channels simultaneously. The device can receive and transmit optical superchannels with overlapping transmission bands, providing universal functionality that replaces multiple specialized pluggable interfaces
2Device complexity
If direct detection modulation schemes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but chromatic dispersion tolerance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the detection parameter from direct detection to coherent detection. This parameter change enables the system to compensate for chromatic dispersion effects through digital signal processing, significantly improving chromatic dispersion tolerance while maintaining manageable device complexity
3Productivity
If optical superchannels with overlapping transmission bands are used, then data capacity is increased, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coherent detection system incorporates digital signal processing with feedback mechanisms that can dynamically adjust and compensate for transmission band variations. This feedback capability allows the system to tolerate manufacturing tolerances in the overlapping transmission bands while still achieving high data capacity
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 results in compact, efficient, and cost-effective optical transport nodes with improved channel signal fidelity and increased capacity, reducing the need for redundant hardware and simplifying system engineering and operation.
Implementation Method 1
Each of a plurality of optical splitters is configured to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of unmodulated optical signals from an optical source external to the line card. Each splitter directs a first portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of the coherent receivers, and a second portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of the optical modulators.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical line card includes a plurality of coherent receivers and a plurality of optical modulators. The coherent receivers are each configured to receive a corresponding channel of a received optical superchannel. The optical modulators are each configured transmit a corresponding channel of a transmitted optical superchannel. Each of a plurality of optical splitters is configured to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of unmodulated optical signals from an optical source external to the line card. Each splitter directs a first portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of the coherent receivers, and a second portion of light received by that splitter to a corresponding one of said optical modulators.