Optical Modulator Control Method for Transceiver Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical transceiver devices with Mach-Zehnder type optical modulators require a long time for feedback control due to the need for multiple step size changes in control signals across different error signal ranges, leading to inefficient and imprecise control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a two-stage control method where a preliminary search is performed at startup to find the optimal control signal, followed by periodic feedback proportional control that adjusts the control signal based on error signals to minimize errors, allowing for faster and more precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feedback control is performed by dividing error signals into four ranges and sequentially applying control signals with different step sizes, then control precision is improved, but control time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary search before feedback control to determine an appropriate initial control signal value. This preliminary search estimates the optimal control signal range, allowing the subsequent feedback control to start from a more accurate baseline rather than a fixed reference value, thereby reducing the number of iterations needed to achieve precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control signal step size variable rather than fixed. The step size is dynamically adjusted based on the error signal magnitude and the preliminary search results, allowing larger steps when far from the target and smaller steps when approaching the optimal value, thus balancing speed and precision
2Ease of operation
If the first control signal value is set to a fixed reference value, then the control process is simplified, but control precision and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary search before the main feedback control process to estimate the optimal control signal value. This preliminary action provides a better starting point for the feedback control, reducing the time needed to converge to the optimal value and improving overall control speed while maintaining process simplicity
3Measurement precision
If multiple sequential operations are performed to find the optimal control signal, then control accuracy is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the preliminary search function with the feedback control process. The preliminary search results are integrated into the feedback control algorithm, allowing the system to use the estimated optimal value as a starting point for iterative refinement. This combination reduces the total number of separate operations while maintaining high control accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A feedback proportional control repeats the following processing of starting control of an optical modulator by a control signal that corresponds to a reference value set in the preliminary search or in the previous cycle, calculating a new reference value based on an error signal obtained from the optical modulator, and controlling the optical modulator by the control signal that corresponds to the new reference value, thereby acquiring the control signal in which the error signal is minimized as an optimal control signal, setting the acquired control signal as a signal for controlling the optical modulator, and storing the optimal control signal as the reference value to be used at a time of starting the feedback proportional control in the next cycle.