Optical Transmission Device Prism Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical transmission devices face challenges in reducing device size while preventing damage to optical components, as increasing the width of the substrate to accommodate multiple optical modulators leads to signal degradation and increased risk of optical path changing prisms contacting each other.
Innovation Solution
The optical transmission device arranges first and second optical modulators in parallel on a substrate, with optical path changing prisms positioned to increase the distance between output light paths, allowing for reduced substrate width without risking prism contact by placing one prism in the longitudinal direction and away from the other, thus minimizing size and signal degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the width of the substrate is increased to accommodate multiple optical modulators, then the device size is reduced, but the electrical signal transmission distance becomes long causing signal attenuation and quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging optical modulators in the width direction (horizontal arrangement) to arranging them in the longitudinal direction (vertical arrangement) of the substrate. This dimensional change allows multiple optical modulators to be integrated without increasing substrate width, thereby maintaining short electrical signal transmission distances and preventing signal attenuation while achieving compact device size.
2Volume of moving object
If the width of the substrate is decreased to reduce device size, then the overall device becomes more compact, but the risk of optical path changing prisms contacting each other increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges optical path changing prisms in the longitudinal direction of the substrate rather than in the width direction. This dimensional arrangement allows the prisms to be positioned away from each other along the length of the substrate, preventing contact and damage while enabling substrate width reduction for compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the optical paths of different wavelengths into separate spatial regions by positioning optical path changing prisms at different locations along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation isolates the optical paths, preventing interference and contact between prisms while maintaining compact overall device dimensions.
3Area of stationary object
If optical path changing prisms are arranged downstream of each modulator to increase optical path distance, then space for downstream components is secured, but the substrate width must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal direction of the substrate to arrange optical path changing prisms downstream of modulators, rather than expanding in the width direction. This allows sufficient optical path distance and space for downstream components to be achieved while maintaining a compact substrate width for overall device miniaturization.
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 configuration prevents damage to optical components, reduces signal degradation, and allows for a smaller device size by maintaining the necessary space for downstream components, while minimizing the risk of prism contact and optimizing signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an optical path changing prism are arranged downstream of each of the modulators and the distance of an optical path of the signal light that is output from each of the modulators is increased in the width direction
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate is a substrate on which a first optical modulator and a second optical modulator are arranged in parallel along a width direction. A first prism moves, to a side opposite to the second optical modulator along the width direction of the substrate, an optical path of the first output light and the second output light that are obtained by light of the first wavelength being modulated by the first optical modulator. A second prism is arranged at a position away from the first prism along a longitudinal direction of the substrate and moves, to a side opposite to the first modulator along the width direction of the substrate, an optical path of the third output light and the fourth output light that are obtained by the light of the second wavelength being modulated by the second optical modulator.