Optical Modulator Feedback Wavelength Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical data modulators, such as optical loop resonators, are affected by temperature fluctuations and fabrication errors, leading to performance issues in optical communications, particularly in wavelength division multiplexed systems where individual modulators' performance is compromised.
Innovation Solution
An array of optical data modulators is wavelength-locked by monitoring the intensity of combined wavelength division multiplexed light, using its alternating current components to adjust operating properties, with an optical combiner, electrical tuners, and an electronic feedback controller to stabilize and optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate monitoring of data-modulated optical signals from individual optical data modulators is used for wavelength locking, then compensation for fabrication errors and temperature fluctuations is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple separate optical monitoring devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wavelength locking functions into a single monitoring device by detecting the composite optical signal containing multiple wavelength channels. The single photodetector receives and processes the combined signal from all optical data modulators, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices for each modulator while maintaining wavelength locking capability across all channels
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple wavelength channels simultaneously. The photodetector and subsequent signal processing circuitry can extract wavelength locking information from a composite signal containing multiple WDM channels, making the single device capable of performing what previously required multiple specialized devices
2Use of energy by moving object
If optical loop resonators are used as optical data modulators, then power consumption is reduced due to low drive voltage and small capacitances, but performance is adversely affected by temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the monitoring device detects wavelength shifts in the optical signal from optical loop resonators and generates error signals. These error signals are fed back to control heaters or tuners that adjust the resonator wavelengths back to their optimal values, automatically compensating for temperature-induced drift while maintaining the low power consumption benefits of optical loop resonators
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (wavelength) of the optical loop resonators in response to temperature fluctuations. By using controllable heaters or electrical tuners adjusted via feedback control, the resonator wavelengths are continuously tuned to maintain optimal performance despite temperature variations, preserving the energy efficiency of the optical loop resonator design
3Productivity
If a cascade of optical loop resonators is used to modulate multiple wavelength channels, then wavelength division multiplexed optical signal is produced, but performance of individual resonators is affected by fabrication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control to each optical loop resonator in the cascade, using the single monitoring device to detect wavelength shifts and generate individual error signals for each resonator. These feedback signals drive controllable heaters or tuners that adjust each resonator's wavelength to compensate for fabrication errors, enabling precise wavelength division multiplexing despite manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating wavelengths of individual optical loop resonators in the cascade through controllable heaters or electrical tuners. By changing the wavelength parameter of each resonator based on feedback from the monitoring device, the system compensates for fabrication-induced wavelength deviations and achieves accurate wavelength division multiplexing across multiple channels
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 method simplifies monitoring and control, reducing the need for separate optical devices and improving the stability and efficiency of optical data modulation by maintaining optimal alternating current components in the combined optical signal, enhancing the performance of optical data modulators across varying temperatures and fabrication errors.
Implementation Method 1
the light's combination. Said combined light typically includes modulated optical carriers in different wavelength channels, i.e., wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light
Implementation Method 2
The optical intensity detector is connected to receive light from the optical output of the optical combiner and is configured to output an electrical signal representative of a measured intensity of said received light
Implementation Method 3
the performance of such optical components may be adversely affected by temperature fluctuations, which change optical path lengths
Implementation Method 4
Many such optical components data modulate an optical carrier by modulating an optical path length in the optical component
Implementation Method 5
the output signal of an optical loop resonator may be monitored to control performance of the optical loop resonator in the presence of environmental temperature fluctuations, i.e., by wavelength-locking the optical loop resonator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an optical data modulator, an electrical tuner located to control an operating wavelength of the optical data modulator, a photo-sensitive diode or photo-sensitive transistor, and an electronic feedback controller. The photo-sensitive diode or photo-sensitive transistor is connected to receive light from an optical output of the optical data modulator and is configured to output an electrical signal representative of a measured intensity of said received light. The electronic feedback controller is connected to receive the electrical signal from the optical intensity detector and to operate said electrical tuner based on an alternating current component of said measured intensity.