Optical Signal Power Decoding for Repeated-Bit Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical communication systems face challenges in efficiently encoding and transmitting data over long distances without physical alterations to the communication path, as the demand for bandwidth increases with the number of devices, and existing encoding methods do not effectively manage repeated binary characters.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using power-based compression algorithms to map binary characters to varying transmission power levels, where repeated instances of a binary character are transmitted at higher power outputs, allowing for efficient partitioning of binary characters into transmission packets without altering the optical communication path, and utilizing machine-learning techniques to recognize transmission packets at the receiver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional optical encoding schemes are used to transmit data over optical communication paths, then the existing infrastructure can be maintained without physical alterations, but the bandwidth capacity is limited and cannot meet increasing demand from additional devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth capacityVSAvoidencoding scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the power parameter of optical signals to encode multiple binary characters. Instead of using only presence/absence of light pulses, the system varies the power levels of optical pulses to represent different numbers of repeated binary characters, thereby increasing bandwidth capacity without requiring physical infrastructure changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple binary characters into a single optical pulse by encoding them together based on their repetition pattern. Repeated binary characters are combined and represented by one pulse with a power level indicating the count, reducing the number of pulses needed and increasing effective bandwidth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of devices on the optical communication path increases, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but the demand for optical communication bandwidth increases beyond current encoding capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidoptical communication bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system adapts to increased bandwidth demand by changing the encoding parameter from simple pulse presence to power level variation. This allows the existing optical infrastructure to handle more devices by efficiently compressing repeated binary characters into fewer, higher-information-content pulses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If repeated binary characters are transmitted using traditional encoding methods, then each character requires a separate pulse, but this results in inefficient use of optical communication resources and reduced transmission rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rateVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges repeated binary characters into a single encoded representation. Instead of transmitting each '1' as a separate pulse, the system combines multiple identical characters and transmits them as one pulse with power level indicating the repetition count, significantly reducing transmission time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary compression of repeated binary characters before transmission. By identifying and grouping repeated characters in advance, the encoder can optimize the transmission sequence and reduce the total number of pulses required, improving transmission rate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enhances transmission rate and throughput without requiring additional hardware, allowing traditional equipment to handle increased bandwidth demands by effectively encoding and decoding data using power-based compression and decompression algorithms.

Implementation Method 1

Optical communication uses light to communicate between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an optical receiver (e.g., a photodetector)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3935759B1Power-based decoding of data received over an optical communication path
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3935759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for transmitting data over an optical communication path is configured to receive data to be encoded in a bitstream for transmission using an optical communication path and encodes the received data to obtain a bitstream. The system is further configured to determine that the bitstream includes a sequence of consecutive bits, and obtain a power level at which to transmit a portion of the bitstream based on a count of the consecutive bits in the sequence. The system may be configured to selectively activate a light source at a power level according to a modulation scheme to optically transmit the portion of the bitstream at the power level.