Optical Power Estimation Using Iterative Deconvolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical channel monitors have limited computing capacity, making them unsuitable for computationally intensive tasks like estimating the power of broadband signals, and often require expensive equipment with narrow optical bandwidths, which is not cost-effective for many applications.
Innovation Solution
A method using a tunable optical filter and a digital signal processor to perform an iterative deconvolution algorithm, which estimates the full channel power and identifies individual signals and bit rates with high accuracy using relatively simple measurements and broadband tunable optical filters, reducing the requirements on the tunable optical filter and enabling quick convergence to stability criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive equipment with narrow optical bandwidths is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical measurement systems with a digital signal processing approach. Instead of using expensive equipment with narrow optical bandwidths, the invention uses a tunable optical filter combined with iterative deconvolution algorithms in a digital signal processor to achieve accurate optical power estimation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixed narrow bandwidth filtering to dynamic broadband filtering with iterative processing. By using a tunable optical filter that can scan across the spectrum and combining this with iterative deconvolution, the system achieves accurate measurements using simpler, broader bandwidth components rather than complex narrow bandwidth equipment
2Measurement precision
If computationally intensive tasks are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-characterizing the optical filter response and preparing the deconvolution algorithm. The iterative deconvolution process uses pre-computed filter characteristics, which reduces the computational burden during actual measurements. This preliminary preparation enables accurate optical power estimation without requiring excessive computing capacity during the measurement process itself
3Adaptability or versatility
If broadband tunable optical filters are used, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through iterative deconvolution, where the system continuously refines its estimate by comparing the filtered signal with the original and adjusting the deconvolved result accordingly. This iterative feedback process allows the system to compensate for noise and artifacts introduced by broadband filtering, maintaining measurement precision while using adaptable broadband components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes direct optical measurement with a digital signal processing approach. Instead of relying on the physical characteristics of narrow bandwidth filters, the system uses computational deconvolution to recover the original signal characteristics, thereby achieving accurate measurements with broadband filters that would otherwise introduce noise and artifacts
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 allows for accurate estimation of optical power and identification of signals and bit rates with minimal sensitivity to noise and artifacts, achieving high accuracy with reduced computational complexity and cost-effective monitoring solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable optical filter to perform an iterative deconvolution algorithm
Implementation Method 2
estimating the full channel power and identifying individual signals and bit rates
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring optical power in an optical channel includes directing a portion of a broadband optical signal propagating through an optical channel to an optical input of an electrically controllable tunable optical filter. The portion of the broadband optical signal is filtered with the electrically controllable tunable filter to select an optical channel for optical power monitoring. The selected optical channel is detected and an electrical signal that represents the selected optical channel is generated. An optical power of the selected optical channel is estimated from the electrical signal that represents the selected optical channel by performing an iterative deconvolution of the selected optical channel signal with a predetermined response function of the electrically controllable tunable optical filter.