Optical Power-Level Decoding for Higher-Bandwidth Data 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 increasing bandwidth without physical alterations to the communication infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

The use of power-based encoding schemes, where repeated binary characters are mapped to higher transmission power outputs, allowing for efficient partitioning of binary characters into transmission packets, thereby enhancing transmission throughput 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 is limited and cannot be increased without physical alterations to the communication infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidencoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing multiple power levels of the optical signal to encode multiple bits per symbol. Instead of using only binary presence/absence of light, the system varies the power level parameter to represent different data values, thereby increasing bandwidth capacity without physical infrastructure changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an additional dimension for data encoding by using power level amplitude alongside traditional temporal encoding. This dimensional expansion allows multiple bits to be encoded in each optical symbol, effectively increasing bandwidth without adding physical communication paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple power levels are used to encode repeated binary characters, then transmission throughput is enhanced, but the decoding complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission throughputVSAvoiddecoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing run-length encoding and power level mapping at the transmitter before optical transmission. This pre-processing organizes repeated binary characters into encoded sequences with associated power levels, simplifying the receiver's decoding task by providing structured input data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex sequential decoding operations with parallel power level comparison and lookup operations at the receiver. By substituting mechanical/sequential processing with optical/electrical parallel comparison, the system achieves high throughput while maintaining manageable decoding complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If power output is used to encode binary characters, then additional data can be transmitted without hardware modification, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using power level variations only for encoding repeated binary characters (runs) rather than every individual bit. This selective application of high-power encoding reduces overall energy consumption compared to transmitting every bit at maximum power, while still achieving increased data capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges multiple binary characters into single encoded symbols represented by power levels. By combining repeated bits into compact power-level-encoded representations, the system transmits more data per energy unit, improving energy efficiency while increasing transmission capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 improves transmission rate and efficiency by allowing additional data to be transmitted without modifying existing hardware, leveraging the power output of the light source to encode and decode binary characters, thus optimizing bandwidth utilization.

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 detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3935757B1Power-based decoding of data received over an optical communication path
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3935757B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935757B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935757B1 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.