Optical Signal Processing Device with Matrix Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical switch devices, such as multicast switches, face challenges with increased chip size due to extensive electric wirings and bonding pads, which become more pronounced as the device scale grows, leading to inefficiencies in accessing phase shifters and occupying significant chip area.
Innovation Solution
The optical signal processing device employs a two-dimensional matrix configuration for electric wirings to connect phase shifters, utilizing row and column wirings that are driven in a time-division manner, reducing the number of required electric pads and wirings, and sharing driving units across multiple phase shifters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wire bonding method is used to access phase shifters, then each phase shifter can be individually controlled, but the chip area occupied by electric wirings and bonding pads increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple phase shifters share common electric wirings through a matrix configuration where row and column wirings intersect at phase shifter locations. This merging of wiring resources allows individual control of each phase shifter while dramatically reducing the total number of wirings and bonding pads required on the chip.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiring architecture transitions from a one-dimensional approach (individual wirings for each phase shifter) to a two-dimensional matrix configuration. By introducing row and column dimensions, the system achieves efficient access to all phase shifters with fewer total wirings, reducing chip area occupation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of phase shifters is increased to achieve higher device scale, then the switching capability is improved, but the number of electric wirings and bonding pads increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix wiring configuration merges row and column wiring resources to control multiple phase shifters. Each phase shifter is controlled by the intersection of one row wiring and one column wiring, allowing the system to scale to higher device complexity with a quadratic reduction in wiring requirements compared to linear scaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The row and column wirings serve multiple functions simultaneously. Each row wiring controls multiple phase shifters along its row, and each column wiring controls multiple phase shifters along its column. This multi-functionality allows the wiring infrastructure to support higher device scale without proportional increases in wiring complexity.
3Measurement precision
If individual driving units are provided for each phase shifter, then precise control is achieved, but the number of parts and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple phase shifters share common driving units through the matrix wiring configuration. A single driving unit can control multiple phase shifters by selectively activating specific row and column wiring intersections, reducing the total number of driving units required while maintaining precise individual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs time-division multiplexing where driving units sequentially control different groups of phase shifters. This periodic action allows a reduced number of driving units to achieve precise control of all phase shifters by cycling through them in organized sequences, maintaining control precision while reducing part quantity.
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 reduces the chip size, improves mass productivity, and decreases the number of parts, resulting in cost savings by minimizing electric wirings and the number of driving units needed.
Implementation Method 1
phase shifters of the respective MZIs are driven with an electric signal to change a phase by the thermo-optical effect
Data Source
AI summary
An optical signal processing device is described herein for reducing electric wirings in an optical switch or an optical filter realized using an optical waveguide. The optical signal processing device includes an optical waveguide formed on a substrate. In the optical signal processing device, the optical waveguide includes at least one input port and at least one output port, a plurality of driven elements are provided including a phase shifter that produces a phase shift to an optical signal from the input port, each of the driven elements includes at least two control terminals, control wirings are provided to have control signals being time-division synchronized applied between the two control terminals, and the control wiring for accessing the driven element is shared by the plurality of driven elements.