Optical Module Single-Fiber Bidirectional Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modules in data centers require dual-fiber bidirectional packaging, leading to excessive use of optical fiber resources and high cabling and maintenance costs, especially in ultra-large data centers, where a cost-effective and reliable multi-channel single-fiber multi-directional design is challenging to achieve.
Innovation Solution
The optical module incorporates a housing with a main board, optical circulators, and adapters, allowing for single-fiber bidirectional transmission through a reflective optical path structure, reducing the number of required optical fibers by using a single fiber for both transmission and reception, and optimizing the layout to save space and resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual-fiber bidirectional packaging is adopted, then transmission and reception can be independently implemented, but optical fiber resources are excessively consumed and cabling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges transmit and receive functions into a single optical fiber by using an optical circulator to combine bidirectional optical paths. The optical circulator enables one optical fiber to carry both transmitted and received signals by directing them through different ports, thereby reducing optical fiber consumption while maintaining transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical circulator serves multiple functions: it directs transmitted signals from the transmitter to the optical fiber, guides received signals from the optical fiber to the receiver, and enables bidirectional communication through a single fiber. This multi-functionality allows one optical fiber to replace what would traditionally require two separate fibers.
2Productivity
If optical packaging density is increased to accommodate multiple transmitters and receivers, then more channels can be integrated, but manufacturing precision requirements and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical circulator acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the optical path structure. By introducing this mediator, the patent reduces the complexity of direct multi-channel packaging and enables more transmitters and receivers to be integrated without proportionally increasing packaging precision requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If single-fiber multi-directional design is implemented, then optical fiber resources are conserved, but the optical path structure becomes more complex and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical paths into a single optical fiber using an optical circulator. The circulator combines bidirectional transmission and reception paths, allowing one optical fiber to carry multiple directional signals while actually simplifying rather than complicating the overall optical path structure.
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 solution enables a low-cost, high-reliability single-fiber bidirectional optical module that conserves optical fiber resources and simplifies the optical path structure, improving equipment reliability and flexibility in data center applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical signal output by the output end of the first transmitting unit is transmitted along the first port of the first optical circulator to the second port of the first optical circulator
Implementation Method 2
the first optical fiber adapter receives an optical signal input from outside, and transmits the same to the third port of the first optical circulator along the second port of the first optical circulator
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an optical module, an optical communication device and an optical transmission system. The optical module includes a housing; a main board where are arrange a first transmitting unit and a first receiving unit; a first optical circulator, a first port of which is connected to an output end of the first transmitting unit, and a third port of which is connected to an input end of the first receiving unit; and a first optical fiber adapter connected to a second port of the first optical circulator, wherein an optical signal from the output end of the first transmitting unit is transmitted to the second port along the first port of the first optical circulator; and the first optical fiber adapter receives an optical signal input from outside, and transmits it to the third port along the second port of the first optical circulator.