Optical Link Bandwidth via Power-Level Multiplexing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing available bandwidth, particularly in WDM systems where increasing bandwidth requires installing additional fibers, which is difficult and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The system employs different light sources transmitting at various power levels on the same wavelength over the same optical communication path, using detection models like Poisson probability distributions to differentiate between data streams and increase bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional fibers are installed to increase bandwidth, then transmission capacity is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial multiplexing (adding more fibers) to power-level multiplexing (adding another dimension of differentiation within the same fiber). By encoding data streams at different power levels on the same wavelength, the system increases bandwidth without adding physical infrastructure, thus avoiding increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the power level parameter of light sources to differentiate between multiple data streams transmitted over the same optical path. This parameter-based differentiation allows multiple channels to coexist on a single fiber without requiring additional fibers or complex multiplexing hardware.
2Productivity
If multiple data streams are transmitted on the same wavelength, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but signal differentiation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different local qualities (power levels) to different data streams transmitted on the same wavelength. Each data stream is characterized by a unique power level, allowing the receiver to differentiate between streams based on their distinct power characteristics rather than requiring different wavelengths or complex coding schemes.
3Productivity
If WDM systems use up to 80 channels per fiber, then transmission capacity is improved, but network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single optical channel multi-functional by enabling it to carry multiple data streams simultaneously through power-level differentiation. Instead of requiring 80 separate wavelength channels, the system can transmit multiple streams on a single wavelength using different power levels, reducing the quantity of network infrastructure needed while maintaining high transmission capacity.
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 multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously over a single optical link, potentially doubling or tripling the bandwidth of a single channel, without the need for additional fibers and with simpler hardware compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver which employs a photon detection module to detect the light signals
Implementation Method 2
a glass fiber with internally reflective surfaces (a fiber optic fiber) to a receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed in some examples, are optical devices, systems, and machine-readable mediums that send and receive multiple streams of data across a same optical communication path (e.g., a same fiber optic fiber) with a same wavelength using different light sources transmitting at different power levels - thereby increasing the bandwidth of each optical communication path. Each light source corresponding to each stream transmits at a same frequency and on the same optical communication path using a different power level. The receiver differentiates the data for each stream by applying one or more detection models to the photon counts observed at the receiver to determine likely bit assignments for each stream.