Optical Module Power Control via MCU Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power consumption in optical modules leads to overloading or burning of the power supply in main-unit devices, especially as bit rates increase, posing a significant impact on the power supply during operation.
Innovation Solution
An optical module with a microcontroller unit (MCU) and power supply control unit that receives control signals from the main-unit device to manage power supply, stopping power when a high electrical load is detected to prevent overloading, thereby minimizing the impact on the power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the optical module operates at high bit rates (100G, 200G, 400G), then the communication performance is improved, but the power consumption increases causing overloading or burning of the power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by making the power supply state changeable based on operational conditions. The power supply control unit dynamically adjusts between powered and unpowered states according to the control signal received from the main-unit device, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual communication needs while maintaining high bit rate capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter (powered/unpowered state) based on the control signal. By modifying the power supply state parameter dynamically, the system can operate at high communication bit rates when needed while avoiding excessive power consumption that would cause overloading, thus resolving the contradiction between communication performance and power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical module is inserted into the main-unit device, then the communication functionality is enabled, but the power supply may be overloaded or burned due to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the main-unit device detect the electrical load before the optical module is fully powered up. Based on this pre-detection, the main-unit device sends an appropriate control signal to the optical module's power supply control unit, which then preemptively adjusts the power supply state to prevent overloading before it occurs, ensuring both functionality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the main-unit device detects the electrical load of the optical module and sends a control signal back to the optical module's power supply control unit. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust power supply based on actual load conditions, preventing overloading while maintaining communication functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
3Reliability
If the power supply control unit stops supplying power to prevent overloading, then the power supply stability is improved, but the communication operation may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic power management where the power supply state is not fixed but changes based on operational requirements. The power supply control unit dynamically switches between powered and unpowered states according to control signals, allowing the system to maintain power supply stability when needed while ensuring communication operation can resume when power is restored, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relate to power control of an optical module. In one implementation, an optical module is disclosed. The optical module comprises a first edge connector pin, a microcontroller unit (MCU), and a power supply control unit disposed on a circuit board, wherein the first edge connector pin is configured to receive a control signal sent by a main-unit device during power up of the optical module; the MCU is electrically connected to the first edge connector pin and the power supply control unit, and is configured to read the control signal using the first edge connector pin, and when the control signal is a first-type control signal, send a corresponding type indication information to the power supply control unit; and the power supply control unit is configured to receive the type indication information sent by the MCU, and stop, according to the type indication information, supplying power.