Optical Modulator Electrode Segmentation for Low-Voltage Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical modulators face challenges in achieving simultaneous enhancement of energy efficiency and speed, with existing solutions either prioritizing speed at the cost of energy efficiency or vice versa, and requiring complex designs with high voltage drivers and large form factors.
Innovation Solution
The optical modulator apparatus is designed with a configuration that divides the electrode into sections and subsections, minimizing the delay between electrical signals driving optical modulating elements, allowing for high-speed operation while reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for high voltage drivers, thus enabling a compact, low-cost solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the electrode is divided into sections and subsections to reduce capacitance and improve energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple sections, and each section is further divided into subsections. This segmentation reduces the capacitance of individual driving elements, thereby improving energy efficiency. The patent applies this by creating a hierarchical structure where the total electrode length is split into manageable segments that can be driven independently with lower voltage and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by applying time delays between the driving signals of different sections. This allows the system to maintain high energy efficiency while managing the complexity of multiple electrode segments through phased activation, effectively distributing the power consumption over time rather than simultaneously across all segments.
2Speed
If time delays are applied between electrical signals driving different sections to emulate traveling wave modulator, then speed (bandwidth) is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and applying specific time delays to the driving signals of each section before they reach the modulating elements. This preliminary timing adjustment ensures that the electrical signals arrive at the optical signal path in a coordinated manner, emulating the traveling wave effect and thereby improving bandwidth without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic signal timing where the phase relationships between driving signals of different sections are actively managed. By dynamically adjusting the time delays between sections, the system can optimize bandwidth performance while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic phase control rather than requiring complex adaptive algorithms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electrode is divided into multiple sections with minimal delay between sub-sections, then energy efficiency is improved, but the form factor may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode sections into a single integrated modulator structure where the sections work cooperatively. By combining the functional elements into a unified device architecture, the system achieves high energy efficiency through segmented driving while avoiding excessive form factor increase through compact integration of the sections and their interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure employs a nested organization where subsections are contained within sections, and multiple sections are integrated into the overall modulator assembly. This nested arrangement allows for systematic scaling of the electrode complexity while maintaining a compact form factor, as each level of nesting efficiently packs the structural elements into a hierarchical configuration that minimizes overall device dimensions.
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 a highly energy-efficient, compact, and cost-effective optical modulator with improved bandwidth and reduced power consumption, capable of using low-voltage silicon drivers, addressing the limitations of prior art in both speed and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The controllable optical property can be at least one of the following: effective index, absorption coefficient, group index, birefringence, index ellipsoid, and spatial distribution of refractive index. The apparatus through which, a propagation property of an optical signal is controlled using an input signal that adjusts the controllable optical property of an element is called an 'optical modulator'.
Data Source
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AI summary
We disclose herein an optical apparatus comprising an optical signal path which is driven by a plurality of electrical drivers. The electrical drivers are configured to optimise delays between two adjacent electrical drivers. The delays are optimised such that power loss in the optical apparatus is reduced.