Optical Reception Device Phase Intersection Counting for Low SNR

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in high-speed PON systems is lower, leading to increased Signal Detect (SD) false detection frequency due to the need to reduce offset voltage, which in turn affects the ability to accurately detect optical signals within a predetermined power range.

Innovation Solution

A reception device with a measurement unit that counts the intersections of signal phases, an oscillator to reset the count, and a comparison unit to output an SD signal only when a predetermined reference value is met, effectively increasing the false detection time and reducing the SD false detection frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If offset voltage is reduced to improve SNR in high-speed transmission, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but SD false detection frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidSD false detection frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement unit performs preliminary counting of intersection points before the SD circuit makes a detection decision. By pre-processing the signal and counting intersections in advance, the system can distinguish true signals from noise more reliably, reducing false detections while maintaining low offset voltage for high-speed transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement unit acts as an intermediary between the SD circuit and the intersection detection mechanism. It introduces a counting function that mediates between the raw intersection points and the final SD decision, adding a layer of verification that reduces false detections without requiring higher offset voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If offset voltage is increased to reduce SD false detection frequency, then false detection frequency is reduced, but intersection of normal and reverse phases cannot occur for low-power signals

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSD false detection frequencyVSAvoidsignal detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement unit performs preliminary counting of intersection points before the SD circuit makes a detection decision. By pre-processing the signal and counting intersections in advance, the system can distinguish true signals from noise more reliably, reducing false detections while maintaining low offset voltage for high-speed transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement unit provides feedback to the SD circuit about the number of intersection points detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust its detection threshold based on the actual signal characteristics, ensuring that low-power signals can still be detected while reducing false detections from noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If counter circuit is used to reduce SD false detection frequency, then false detection frequency is reduced, but detection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSD false detection frequencyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement unit counts a predetermined number of intersection points (excessive action) to ensure reliable detection, but only for a limited time period (partial action). This approach reduces false detections by requiring multiple intersections while limiting the total detection time through the use of a frame structure and timing control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The proposed solution significantly lowers the SD false detection frequency while ensuring accurate detection of optical signals within a predetermined power range, even at low SNR conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The photodiode transduces an optical signal transmitted via an optical fiber into an electric signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4024731B1Reception device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4024731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4024731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4024731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reception device (1) includes a measurement unit (150) that measures a first number of times for which a first phase and a first reverse phase based on a differential signal obtained by amplifying a signal based on noise intersect with each other, the first reverse phase being a reverse phase of the first phase, an oscillator (160) that transmits a first signal, a comparison unit (170) that compares the first number of times with a predetermined first reference value, and a signal output unit (180) that outputs a second signal indicating that an optical signal has been received when the first number of times and the first reference value coincide with each other. The measurement unit (150) resets the first number of times when the first signal is received.