Optical Power-Level Encoding for Higher Bandwidth Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical communication systems face challenges in efficiently encoding and transmitting data over optical communication paths, particularly in managing increased bandwidth demands without physical alterations to the communication infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

The use of power-based encoding schemes that map binary characters to varying transmission power outputs, allowing for efficient partitioning of binary characters into transmission packets, thereby optimizing data transmission without requiring physical changes to the optical communication path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional optical encoding schemes are used, then the optical communication path can transmit data, but the bandwidth capacity is limited and cannot meet increasing demand without physical alterations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical communication bandwidthVSAvoidencoding scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the power level of optical pulses as an additional encoding dimension. Instead of only using pulse presence/absence to represent binary data, the system varies the power levels of repeated pulses to encode multiple binary characters. This transforms a single-parameter encoding system into a multi-parameter system, increasing bandwidth capacity without requiring physical infrastructure changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If more devices are added to increase demand for optical communication bandwidth, then network capacity is utilized, but the existing optical path cannot handle the increased load without physical modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure modification requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system increases data transmission capacity by changing the encoding parameters - specifically using power level variations of optical pulses to represent multiple binary characters. This allows the existing optical infrastructure to handle increased data loads without physical modifications, effectively virtualizing additional capacity through smarter encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite encoding scheme that combines traditional pulse position encoding with power level encoding. By layering multiple encoding dimensions (pulse presence, power levels, repetition patterns), the system achieves higher capacity transmission through the same physical medium, analogous to using composite materials to achieve superior properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If repeated binary characters are encoded using traditional methods, then each character requires a separate transmission pulse, but this results in inefficient use of transmission resources

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple binary character transmissions into a single optical pulse sequence by encoding repeated binary characters through power level variations within one transmission window. Instead of sending separate pulses for each repeated character, the system combines them into one pulse train where power levels indicate the pattern of repeated characters, significantly improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encoding scheme uses periodic pulse patterns where repeated binary characters are represented by periodic repetitions of the optical pulse at different power levels. This periodic structure allows the receiver to decode multiple characters from a rhythmic pattern, reducing transmission time while maintaining data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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 efficiency by compressing data using power-based algorithms, allowing for increased throughput without adding or modifying existing hardware, thus improving the performance of optical communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

A light source is configured to emit a light pulse corresponding to a transmitted value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3935754B1Power-based encoding of data to be transmitted over an optical communication path
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3935754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935754B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935754B1 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.