Optical Pump Distribution Layout for Redundant EDF Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical amplification devices with a redundant configuration of excitation LDs face challenges in efficiently exciting more than four EDFs without increasing the number of excitation LDs, leading to inefficiencies and higher component requirements.
Innovation Solution
The optical amplification device employs a configuration with an excitation unit, a first distribution unit, and multiple second distribution units to split and couple excitation light, allowing more EDFs to be excited using fewer excitation LDs, maintaining a redundant configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of EDFs is increased to support more optical fiber transmission lines, then the amplification capacity is improved, but the number of excitation LDs required increases proportionally, leading to increased device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the excitation light distribution into multiple stages: a first distribution unit that splits light from excitation LDs into multiple first distribution light beams, and multiple second distribution units that further split each first distribution light beam into multiple second distribution light beams. This multi-stage segmentation allows one excitation LD to effectively excite multiple EDFs, reducing the total number of excitation LDs needed while maintaining high amplification capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Each excitation LD serves multiple functions by its light being distributed to multiple EDFs through the first and second distribution units. The same excitation light source supports multiple optical fiber transmission lines simultaneously, making the excitation LD universal rather than dedicated to a single EDF, thereby reducing the overall number of excitation LDs required
2Reliability
If a redundant configuration of excitation LDs is implemented to ensure high reliability, then the system reliability is improved, but the number of excitation LDs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant configuration is implemented efficiently by segmenting the distribution function: the first distribution unit handles the initial split including redundant paths, while second distribution units handle further splitting. This allows redundant excitation LDs to support multiple EDFs through the distribution network, achieving reliability without proportionally increasing the total component count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple excitation LDs and multiple EDFs through a unified distribution system. The first distribution unit and multiple second distribution units create a merged network where excitation light from redundant LDs is efficiently routed to multiple EDFs, reducing overall device complexity compared to separate dedicated configurations
3Productivity
If multiple excitation LDs are used to excite multiple EDFs, then the amplification coverage is improved, but the optical coupler configuration becomes more complex with more input ports required
Solution Approach 1:
The optical coupling function is segmented across multiple units: the first distribution unit performs initial light splitting, and multiple second distribution units perform further splitting closer to the EDFs. This segmentation distributes the coupling complexity across multiple simpler components rather than requiring one complex coupler with many ports, making the overall configuration more manageable and scalable
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 enables the excitation of a greater number of EDFs while reducing the number of excitation LDs, enhancing reliability and flexibility in optical amplification devices.
Implementation Method 1
The optical coupler 905 couples beams of excitation light generated by the excitation LDs 901 to 904
Implementation Method 2
the optical coupler 906 splits the beams of excitation light into a plurality of beams of second distribution light
Implementation Method 3
erbium-doped fibers (EDFs) 909 and 910 arranged in a middle of each of optical fibers 907 and 908
Implementation Method 4
The EDFs 909 and 910 are gain media to be generally used in an optical amplification device of 1550 nm band
Data Source
AI summary
To limit the number of excitation laser diodes (LDs) in an optical amplification device provided with a redundant excitation LD configuration, the optical amplification device is provided with: an excitation unit which outputs a plurality of excitation lights generated by a plurality of excitation light sources; a first distributing unit of which inputs are connected to the plurality of excitation light sources and which branches input lights and then outputs branched lights as a plurality of first distributed lights; a plurality of second distributing units of which inputs are connected to the first distributing unit and which combines and branches input lights and then outputs branched lights as a plurality of second distributed lights; and a plurality of gain mediums which are respectively excited by the plurality of second distributed lights.