Optical Routing Device With Non-Uniform Port Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical routing devices experience undesirable optical crosstalk between adjacent output ports due to beam misalignment during variable attenuation, which increases light leakage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multiport optical routing device with non-uniformly spaced output ports, where the distance between consecutive ports differs by at least 10%, allowing for controllable beam offset to achieve variable attenuation without inducing crosstalk by directing the beam towards a port farther away, thereby reducing light leakage into adjacent ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the beam is offset from optimal alignment with a target output optical port to achieve variable attenuation, then the attenuation capability is improved, but optical crosstalk between adjacent ports increases due to partial alignment with neighboring ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by implementing non-uniform spacing between adjacent output optical ports. Specifically, the spacing pattern alternates between a first distance and a second distance (where the distances differ by at least 10%), creating an asymmetric port arrangement. This asymmetric geometry allows the beam to be offset toward a farther adjacent port for attenuation while minimizing coupling to the nearer adjacent port, thereby reducing optical crosstalk while maintaining variable attenuation capability.
2Device complexity
If equally spaced output ports are used to simplify device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but beam offset for attenuation causes light leakage into adjacent ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements asymmetry in the port array structure by using non-uniform spacing between adjacent ports. This asymmetric arrangement maintains relative structural simplicity while fundamentally improving optical signal isolation. The alternating first and second distances create geometric conditions where beam offset for attenuation directs light away from adjacent ports rather than toward them, thereby enhancing reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different spacing conditions at different locations in the port array. Each adjacent pair of ports has a specific spacing relationship (first distance or second distance) that is optimized for its local position. This local optimization allows each port to achieve effective isolation from its neighbors while maintaining overall system simplicity, as each location has the specific spacing quality needed for its function.
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 solution effectively reduces optical crosstalk and maintains device simplicity by ensuring that the beam is directed away from optimal alignment with the center port, providing variable optical coupling without light leakage into adjacent ports, thus enhancing the overall performance and reducing the size of the port array.
Implementation Method 1
directing said at least a portion of the optical signal as a light beam at a controllable angle for coupling into one of the output optical ports
Implementation Method 2
the first, second and third consecutive optical ports are non-uniformly spaced with a first distance d1 between the first and second output optical ports that differs from a second distance d2 between the second and third output optical ports
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to multiport routing devices for routing optical signals which also provide beam attenuation by imparting a controllable offset between an optical beam and a selected optical port. A multiport optical routing device of the present invention has a plurality of non-equally spaced optical ports disposed in a row to enable beam offset for attenuation without substantially increasing optical crosstalk between adjacent ports in a compact port arrangement.