Optical Module Equalization Partitioning for Host Gain Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems suffer from redundancy in equalization and retiming processes in both host ASICs and optical modules, leading to increased costs, size, and power consumption due to duplication of non-linear processing in both domains.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a linear processing path in optical modules and reserving non-linear processing for host ASICs, eliminating duplication of equalization and retiming functions in the optical module, and using linear amplifiers to maintain signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-linear equalization and retiming are implemented in both host ASICs and optical modules, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase due to redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the equalization and retiming functions by implementing non-linear equalization and retiming exclusively in the host ASIC, while the optical module performs only linear equalization. This segmentation eliminates redundant processing in the optical module while maintaining signal quality through host-based non-linear processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the non-linear equalization and retiming functions from the optical module and relocates them to the host ASIC. The optical module is left with only linear equalization capabilities, removing the complexity and power consumption associated with redundant non-linear processing while preserving signal quality through host-based processing.
2Reliability
If non-linear equalization and retiming are implemented in both host ASICs and optical modules, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases due to duplication of processing functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power consumption by assigning non-linear equalization and retiming operations exclusively to the host ASIC, while the optical module performs only energy-efficient linear equalization. This segmentation eliminates the power consumption associated with redundant non-linear processing in the optical module while maintaining signal quality through host-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power-intensive non-linear equalization and retiming functions from the optical module and consolidates them in the host ASIC. This extraction eliminates duplication of power-consuming operations in the optical module while preserving signal quality through centralized host-based processing.
3Device complexity
If linear processing is used in optical modules without non-linear equalization, then device complexity and power consumption are reduced, but signal quality may deteriorate due to lack of signal integrity restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the host ASIC as an intermediary that performs non-linear equalization and retiming on the signal received from the optical module. The optical module performs only linear equalization and passes the signal to the host, which then restores signal integrity through non-linear processing. This intermediary approach maintains signal quality while keeping the optical module simple.
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
Reduces costs, size, and power consumption by eliminating redundant processing in optical modules, while maintaining signal quality and enabling end-to-end link optimization through host-based non-linear processing.
Implementation Method 1
a linear equalizer configured to perform linear equalization on the outgoing signal to create an equalized signal
Implementation Method 2
a linear amplifier configured to perform linear amplification on the received electrical signal to create amplified received signal
Implementation Method 3
an electrical to optical device configured to convert the equalized signal from the driver to an optical signal and transmit the optical signal over a fiber optic cable
Implementation Method 4
a photodetector configured to receive a received optic signal and convert the received optic signal to a received electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module configured to electrically connect to a host. A linear equalizer performs equalization on a host equalized signal to create a module equalized signal, and a driver configured to present the module equalized signal from the linear equalizer to an optical conversion device at a magnitude suitable for the optical conversion device. An optical conversion device receives the module equalized signal from the driver, converts the module equalized signal to an optical signal, and transmit the optical signal over an optical channel. Also part of the optical module is an interface which communicates supplemental equalizer settings to the host. A memory stores the supplemental equalizer settings which reflect the optical modules effect on a signal passing through the optical module. A controller oversees communication of the supplemental equalizer settings to the host such that the host uses the supplemental equalizer settings to modify host equalizer settings.