Optical Module Testing via Pre-calculated Loss Regions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional SFP+ optical modules require laborious and time-consuming testing at multiple signal frequencies to determine qualification, especially when testing many modules, due to varying signal transmission channels and insertion/return loss specifications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that construct target insertion and return loss regions based on signal frequencies, using pre-constructed models with microstripline length, stripline length, via number, and connector number to determine if the optical module's loss curves fall within specified ranges, thereby quickly identifying unqualified modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If direct testing is performed at multiple signal frequencies to determine qualification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequalification determination accuracyVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores insertion loss and return loss data for optical modules at multiple signal frequencies before actual testing. When testing is needed, the pre-calculated data is directly retrieved and compared against specifications, eliminating the need for time-consuming multi-frequency measurements while maintaining qualification determination accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the optical module's performance characteristics by storing measured insertion loss and return loss data at multiple frequencies. This digital copy replaces physical re-testing, allowing rapid qualification checks without actual multi-frequency testing, thus reducing testing time while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If direct testing is performed at multiple signal frequencies to determine qualification, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequalification determination accuracyVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores insertion loss and return loss data for optical modules at multiple signal frequencies before actual testing. When testing is needed, the pre-calculated data is directly retrieved and compared against specifications, eliminating the need for time-consuming multi-frequency measurements while maintaining qualification determination accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the optical module's performance characteristics by storing measured insertion loss and return loss data at multiple frequencies. This digital copy replaces physical re-testing, allowing rapid qualification checks without actual multi-frequency testing, thus reducing testing time while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If manual testing of each optical module is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the optical module's performance characteristics by storing measured insertion loss and return loss data at multiple frequencies. This digital copy replaces physical re-testing, allowing rapid qualification checks without actual multi-frequency testing, thus reducing testing time while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual physical testing with an automated computer-based system that retrieves pre-calculated data and performs automated comparisons against specifications. This substitution eliminates manual operations while maintaining detection accuracy, improving efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11356175B2Optical module testing method, apparatus and device, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 ZHENGZHOU YUNHAI INFORMATION TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method, an apparatus and a device for detecting an optical module, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: constructing insertion loss ranges meeting an insertion loss specification that respectively correspond to different signal frequencies in a predetermined signal frequency range, to construct a target insertion loss region; acquiring a microstripline length, a stripline length, a via number and a connector number of a to-be-detected optical module; inputting the microstripline length, the stripline length, the via number and the connector number to a pre-constructed first model, to determine an insertion loss curve of the to-be-detected optical module in the signal frequency range; and determining that the to-be-detected optical module is unqualified if a part of the insertion loss curve is outside the target insertion loss region.