Optical Link Protection via Common Modulation of Combined Wavelengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical networks face challenges in maintaining continuous data transmission due to potential link failures, as existing solutions either result in signal weakening or require redundant transmitters, increasing equipment size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a single optical transmitter to modulate combined carrier signals with different wavelengths, allowing the same data to be transmitted over primary and secondary links without power loss, using a modulator and optical filter to separate and route signals based on wavelength, enabling seamless link protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive splitter is used to transmit signals over multiple links, then link protection is provided, but the signal becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple carrier signals with different wavelengths into a single modulated signal using a modulator. This merged signal is then transmitted over a single optical link without power loss, and subsequently separated at the receiver端 to provide link protection while maintaining signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a modulator as an intermediary device that combines multiple carrier signals and modulates them with data. This mediator enables the transmission of protected signals over a single link without the signal weakening that occurs with passive splitters.
2Loss of energy
If separate transmitters are provided for each link, then signal strength is maintained, but equipment size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single transmitter multi-functional by enabling it to generate multiple carrier signals with different wavelengths and modulate them with the same data signal. This universal transmitter can protect multiple links simultaneously without requiring separate transmitters for each link.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transmitters into a single device by combining multiple carrier signals and modulating them together. This consolidation maintains signal strength while reducing equipment size and eliminating redundancy.
3Loss of energy
If separate transmitters are provided for each link, then signal strength is maintained, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal transmitter that can serve multiple links simultaneously by generating and modulating multiple carrier signals. This single multi-functional device replaces multiple separate transmitters, reducing cost while maintaining signal strength.
4Ease of operation
If a passive filter is used, then signals are separated by wavelength, but the network operator is limited to links with common available channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic wavelength assignment where the system can select different wavelength combinations based on the availability of channels on different links. This dynamic approach allows the network operator to adapt to various link configurations and availability scenarios, enhancing versatility while maintaining ease of operation.
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 ensures continuous data transmission over diverse optical links without signal weakening and eliminates the need for redundant transmitters, reducing equipment size and cost while maintaining link redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator configured to receive, from the one or more lasers, the primary optical signal via a first modulator input and the secondary optical signal via a second modulator input, combine the primary optical signal and the secondary optical signal into a combined optical signal, modulate, with an electrical signal, the combined optical signal to form a modulated optical signal
Implementation Method 2
an optical filter configured to receive, from the modulator, the modulated optical signal, separate, from the modulated optical signal, a modulated primary optical signal having the primary wavelength and a modulated secondary optical signal having the secondary wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmitter may include one or more lasers configured to provide a primary optical signal having a primary wavelength and a secondary optical signal having a secondary wavelength to a modulator via corresponding first and second modulator inputs. The modulator may combine the primary and secondary optical signals into a combined optical signal and modulate, with an electrical signal, the combined optical signal to provide a modulated optical signal to an optical filter. The optical filter may be configured to separate, from the modulated optical signal, a modulated primary optical signal having the primary wavelength and a modulated secondary optical signal having the secondary wavelength and provide the modulated primary optical signal to a primary optical link and the modulated secondary optical signal to a secondary optical link.