Optical Transmitter-Receiver Module With Switch-Based Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of multiple devices in an optical communication module increases inspection complexity and time, leading to higher costs and inefficiencies in identifying connection failures between signal processing LSIs and analog ICs.
Innovation Solution
An optical transmission/reception module with a level conversion circuit and switches to connect intensity monitor and gain control terminals, allowing for simplified inspection of connections between signal processing LSIs and analog ICs without full system inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple devices are integrated into one package to increase communication capacity, then communication capacity increases and power consumption decreases, but inspection complexity and inspection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection process is segmented into two distinct stages: conduction inspection (checking electrical connectivity) and system inspection (checking functional operation). This segmentation allows the inspection process to be divided into manageable parts, where conduction inspection can be performed first on individual terminals without requiring the entire system to be operational, thereby reducing overall inspection time while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
Conduction inspection is performed as a preliminary action before system inspection. By first verifying that all terminals have correct electrical connectivity through conduction inspection, the system can identify and isolate connection failures early, avoiding the need to perform time-consuming system inspection on modules with obvious conduction failures. This preliminary screening significantly reduces total inspection time.
2Reliability
If conduction inspection is performed on all terminals to ensure correct connection, then connection reliability improves, but inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial inspection by focusing conduction inspection on specific terminals (102, 104, 105) that are connected to external packages, rather than inspecting all internal terminals. This partial action approach maintains sufficient reliability for shipping inspection while significantly reducing inspection time by excluding terminals that are not externally accessible or critical for connection verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection process extracts and separates the conduction inspection function from the system inspection function. By taking out conduction inspection as a distinct, standalone process that can be performed independently, the system can verify connection reliability without being constrained by the time requirements of full system inspection, thereby reducing overall inspection time while maintaining connection reliability.
3Loss of time
If system inspection is skipped for modules with conduction failure to reduce inspection time, then inspection time decreases, but defective modules may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system uses feedback from conduction inspection results to determine whether system inspection is required. If conduction inspection reveals a failure, the system provides feedback that triggers a more detailed system inspection to investigate the specific nature of the failure. This feedback mechanism ensures that defective modules are not simply dismissed but are instead subjected to targeted investigation, maintaining defect detection reliability while avoiding unnecessary inspections on clearly defective modules.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transmission/reception module includes an optical chip including a light transmission device and a light receiving device, a transmission analog IC, a reception analog IC, a signal processing LSI, a level conversion circuit that converts an intensity monitor signal output from a driver circuit into a level compatible with a gain control signal of a transimpedance amplifier, a switch provided between an intensity monitor terminal of the driver circuit and an input terminal of the level conversion circuit, and a switch provided between an output terminal of the level conversion circuit and a gain control terminal of the transimpedance amplifier.