Cascaded Optical Node Power Feeding With Passive Branching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face complexities in controlling optical switches, managing optical power distribution, and handling failures in optical nodes, particularly in systems with multiple nodes connected in cascade.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication system utilizing an optical branching unit to distribute power to multiple nodes, equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit to charge storage batteries, and a control unit to manage power status and communicate with a controller using modulated light beams, eliminating the need for complex switch control and enabling stable power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical switches are used for optical path switching in optical nodes, then optical path routing flexibility is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching function from active optical switches and replaces it with passive optical branching units. The optical branching unit physically divides the optical path without requiring active control, thereby eliminating control complexity while maintaining optical path routing capability through passive splitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic optical switch with a passive optical branching unit that operates based on optical physics principles rather than active control mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for control signals and complex timing coordination while achieving optical path division.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical switches are used for optical path switching, then optical path routing capability is improved, but communication reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the active switching component that is prone to failure and replaces it with a passive optical branching unit. This extraction of the unreliable switching function and its replacement with a passive structure significantly improves communication reliability by eliminating switch failures and control-related issues.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical switches are used in optical nodes, then optical path switching capability is improved, but system management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active switching capability and replaces it with passive optical branching. This eliminates the need for complex switch control management, timing coordination, and failure handling, thereby dramatically simplifying system management while retaining optical path division capability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If one laser is used for optical power feed to multiple optical nodes, then energy efficiency is improved, but power distribution management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical fiber that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides optical power feed to multiple optical nodes, carries communication signals bidirectionally, and enables monitoring. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive optical branching units automatically distribute optical power to multiple nodes without requiring active control or management. Each node receives appropriate power through the passive splitting ratio, eliminating the need for complex power distribution management while maintaining energy efficiency.
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
The system allows for simple and stable management of optical nodes with simultaneous power feed and communication, reducing failures and enabling efficient power distribution based on node-specific needs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical branching unit configured to branch a light beam from an upstream side and output one light beam to a downstream side
Implementation Method 2
a photoelectric conversion unit configured to charge a storage battery with the other light beam branched by the optical branching unit
Implementation Method 3
a modulation unit configured to modulate the other light beam and transmit the power storage status to the controller at time indicated by the power storage answer timing code
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication system, an optical node, and an optical power feeding method capable of managing all of optical nodes by a simple control method.In an optical communication system 301, a plurality of optical nodes (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, . . . ) is connected in series by optical fibers 16 in a downstream direction from an upstream controller 17, and the controller 17 performs optical power feed to each of the optical nodes (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, . . . ). The optical node 1 includes an optical branching unit 2 that branches a light beam from an upstream side and branches one light beam to a downstream side, a photoelectric conversion element 5 that charges a storage battery 8 with the other light beam branched by the optical branching unit 2, a control unit (microcontroller) 11 that grasps a power storage status of the storage battery 8 when an inquiry signal including an identification code and a power storage answer timing code is included in the other light beam and the identification code is the identification code of the optical node 1, and a modulator 10 that modulates the other light beam and transmits the power storage status to the controller 17 at the time indicated by the power storage answer timing code.