Optical Multiplexer Using Multi-Level Light Combiners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical multiplexers for 40 G Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (QSFP+) and 100 G/400 G optical modules face challenges with large package size, high packaging loss, and complex manufacturing processes, particularly due to the difficulties in combining multiple light beams efficiently and balancing optical paths.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical multiplexer employs at least two levels of light-combining parts with different types of light combiners, such as polarization beam combiners and light-splitting prism combiners, along with collimation lenses and a focusing lens, to combine multiple beams of light into a single beam, reducing package size and packaging loss while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ZigZag Filter optical multiplexer is used to combine multiple light beams, then light combination is achieved, but package size becomes large and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions (collimation, light combination, focusing) into a compact integrated optical component. By merging the collimation lens, light combiner, and focusing lens into a single integrated structure, the package size is significantly reduced while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mounting and alignment of multiple discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a folded optical path design where light travels through the component in a non-linear trajectory. By utilizing multiple reflections and changing the spatial arrangement of optical elements, the effective optical path length is extended without proportionally increasing the physical package dimensions. This dimensional optimization allows compact packaging while maintaining sufficient optical interaction length.
2Reliability
If multiple WDM thin-film filters are connected in series for light combination, then wavelength division multiplexing is achieved, but optical path balance deteriorates and light power uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength separation function from multiple sequential thin-film filters and implements it through a single integrated light combiner structure. By removing the need for multiple WDM filters connected in series, the optical path is simplified and balanced, ensuring uniform light power distribution across all channels while maintaining wavelength division multiplexing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated light combiner is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it combines multiple wavelengths, balances optical paths, and ensures uniform power distribution across all light channels. This universal component replaces the need for multiple specialized filters, reducing device complexity while improving optical performance consistency.
3Ease of manufacture
If Arrayed Waveguide Grating is used for light combination, then multiple light beams are combined into one, but packaging loss increases and temperature control requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical component is designed with self-aligning features where the collimation lens, light combiner, and focusing lens are positioned to automatically optimize light paths without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms. The structure itself provides the necessary optical path balancing and power uniformity, eliminating the need for temperature control systems and reducing packaging loss through optimized light coupling.
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 configuration effectively reduces the package size and packaging loss, enhances the light combination process, and simplifies the manufacturing complexity, making it suitable for high-density optical modules like 100 G CFP2/CFP4 and 400 G modules.
Implementation Method 1
collimation lenses, where the number of the collimation lenses is the same as the number of light sources and which are disposed between a light source and the first level of light-combining parts
Implementation Method 2
each light combiner is configured to combine two beams of light into one beam, and the optical multiplexer includes at least two different types of light combiners
Implementation Method 3
a focusing lens, disposed behind a light outlet of the last level of light-combining parts
Data Source
AI summary
An optical multiplexer and a transmitter optical subassembly are provided that relate to the field of optics communications. A light-combining part is formed by using at least one light combiner that can combine two beams of light into one beam of light, and at least two levels of light-combining parts are used to constitute an optical multiplexer, so that 2N beams of light are combined into one beam by using N level of light-combining parts, thereby reducing a package size and packaging loss, and reducing the complexity of a manufacturing process.