Optical Module Pilot Tone Loading for Remote Supervision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 4G base station optical modules are inadequate for 5G transmission-reception requirements, leading to increased power consumption and maintenance complexity in 5G networks, particularly in remote modules like 100Gbps QSFP28 LR4 optical modules, which lack supervision capabilities and incur high costs.
Innovation Solution
An optical module with a Pilot Tone modulation function that synchronously transmits a low-frequency Pilot Tone modulation signal with the main service signal using a loading circuit and sampling/amplifying circuit, enabling remote module supervision without additional monitoring units, thus reducing power consumption and maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring unit is configured on the remote module to monitor status and transmit information, then the supervision capability is improved, but the power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring function with the existing optical module by loading the Pilot Tone modulation signal onto the main service signal through a loading circuit. This allows the monitoring unit to be integrated into the optical module's existing signal transmission path, eliminating the need for separate monitoring units and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining supervision capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical module is designed to perform multiple functions: it transmits the main service signal while simultaneously embedding the Pilot Tone modulation signal for monitoring purposes. The loading circuit enables the optical module to serve both as a data transmission device and a monitoring device, reducing the need for additional dedicated monitoring components
2Reliability
If a monitoring unit is configured on the remote module, then the supervision capability is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is merged into the existing optical module structure by using the loading circuit to combine the Pilot Tone modulation signal with the main service signal. This integration eliminates the need for separate monitoring units and reduces the overall number of components, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The loading circuit acts as an intermediary that combines the monitoring signal with the service signal, allowing the monitoring function to be achieved without adding separate monitoring hardware. This intermediary approach simplifies the system architecture by using existing signal paths for dual purposes
3Reliability
If a Pilot Tone modulation signal is loaded into the main service signal, then the supervision capability is achieved without additional units, but the signal integrity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The loading circuit applies local quality by selectively embedding the Pilot Tone modulation signal at specific locations within the signal spectrum. The circuit loads the monitoring signal onto the main service signal in a controlled manner, ensuring that the monitoring function is achieved without significantly degrading the overall signal integrity through localized signal modification
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
Facilitates efficient network operation and maintenance by allowing remote module supervision through local network management, reducing costs and power consumption while maintaining main service signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The loading circuit is configured to load the first Pilot Tone modulation signal into the main service signal, so that the first Pilot Tone modulation signal is transmitted along with the first main service signal
Implementation Method 2
The sampling and amplifying circuit is configured to extract the second Pilot Tone modulation signal, filter and amplify the second Pilot Tone modulation signal to obtain a third Pilot Tone modulation signal
Implementation Method 3
The laser array is configured to convert the first main service signal and the first Pilot Tone modulation signal from electrical signal to optical signal
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An optical module with an overhead-modulation function, and a data transmission system. The optical module comprises: a processing unit (10), an emitting unit (20), and a receiving unit (30), wherein the processing unit (10) is used for generating a first overhead-modulation signal; the emitting unit (20) is used for sending the first overhead-modulation signal and a first primary service signal to the next optical module; and the receiving unit (30) is used for receiving from the previous optical module a second primary service signal and a second overhead-modulation signal generated by the previous optical module. The emitting unit (20) comprises a loading circuit (21), and the receiving unit (30) comprises a sampling amplification circuit (31). An output end of the processing unit (10) is connected to an input end of the loading circuit (21), and an input end of the processing unit (10) is connected to an output end of the sampling amplification circuit (31); the loading circuit (21) is used for loading the first overhead-modulation signal into the primary service signal, so that the first overhead-modulation signal is transmitted along with the first primary service signal; and the sampling amplification circuit (31) is used for extracting the second overhead-modulation signal, filtering and amplifying the second overhead-modulation signal and then transmitting same to the processing unit (10). Thus, the present application facilitates the supervision over a remote module.