Optical Super-Channel Modulation for High Data Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fibre-optical networks face challenges in achieving higher data transmission rates efficiently and cost-effectively without requiring significant investments in new infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method involve generating a spectrum of carrier signals using a coherent light source, separating and modulating these signals into upper and lower sidebands, and combining them into an optical super-channel using an optical interleaver, which is then transmitted and received to increase data capacity, employing a micro-comb spectrum and optical filtering to enhance spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If coherent optical transmission is used to achieve high data rates, then data transmission rate is improved, but infrastructure investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical spectrum into multiple wavelength channels (WDM) and further segments each channel into multiple sub-channels using electro-optic modulation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high aggregate data rates by combining multiple lower-rate channels rather than requiring a single high-rate coherent transmission link, thereby reducing infrastructure investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-carrier transmission to multi-carrier WDM transmission, adding the spectral dimension to increase capacity. By utilizing multiple wavelength channels simultaneously and modulating each with multiple sub-channels, the system achieves higher data rates without requiring additional fiber infrastructure.
2Productivity
If multiple WDM carriers are used to achieve 1 terabyte per second and beyond, then data transmission rate is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic electro-optic modulation to generate multiple sub-channels within each WDM carrier wavelength. This dynamic modulation approach allows flexible allocation of spectral resources, achieving high data rates while maintaining efficient spectral utilization through adaptive modulation schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the modulation parameters by using electro-optic modulators to create upper and lower sidebands for each sub-channel. This parameter change in the frequency domain allows multiple sub-channels to be packed efficiently within each WDM carrier, improving spectral efficiency while achieving terabit per second aggregate rates.
3Productivity
If electro-optic modulation is used to generate upper and lower sidebands, then data capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal electro-optic modulator components that can generate both upper and lower sidebands for multiple sub-channels simultaneously. These modulators serve multiple functions: frequency shifting, spectral expansion, and data modulation, thereby increasing data capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 significantly increases data transmission rates while maintaining spectral efficiency, achieving higher data rates with less spectral usage and compatibility with existing infrastructure, and reducing noise, thereby improving overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a micro-ring resonator that receives the laser beam from the single laser, the single laser being tuned to the micro-ring resonator to generate a micro-comb spectrum of carrier signals at different carrier frequencies
Implementation Method 2
a pair of optical modulators respectively located in each of the separate optical paths to respectively modulate each different carrier signal with a data signal and produce an upper and lower sideband pair
Implementation Method 3
an optical interleaver to combine the upper and lower sideband pairs into an optical super-channel of interleaved sub-bands
Implementation Method 4
an optical filter between the data transmission path and the demodulator to selectively filter the upper sideband or the lower sideband of each carrier signal
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus including an optical signal generator, a data transmission path, and an optical signal receiver. Optical signal generator includes a coherent light source for generating a spectrum of carrier signals at different carrier frequencies, an optical demultiplexer that receives and separates the different carrier signals into separate optical paths, a pair of optical modulators located in each of the separate optical paths to modulate each different carrier signal with a data signal and produce an upper and lower sideband pair at each of the different carrier frequencies, and an optical interleaver to combine the upper and lower sideband pairs into an optical super-channel of interleaved sub-bands. Optical signal receiver includes a demodulator for extracting the data signals. Optical modulators are configured to reuse each carrier signal to transmit different data in each of the upper sideband and the lower sideband and increase the capacity of the super-channel. Also a method.