Optical Switch Array Wiring Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The redundancy of electric wiring in optical switch arrays for multi-connection and multi-port applications leads to increased manufacturing complexity and yield loss due to the need for extensive electric wiring to supply drive energy, which is prone to dust adhesion and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
Optimizing the arrangement of optical switch circuits to shorten electric wires by staggering the positions of optical switch circuits and using common ground electrodes to reduce wire length and improve reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical switch circuits are arranged in parallel with extensive electric wiring to supply drive energy to each optical modulation unit, then multi-connection and multi-port functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and yield loss occurs due to dust adhesion and disconnection risks
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical switch circuits share common ground electrodes and power supply lines. Specifically, multiple optical modulation units within adjacent optical switch circuits share common ground electrodes, and optical switch circuits in the same column share common power supply lines, significantly reducing the total number of electric wires required while maintaining individual control capability
Solution Approach 2:
Common ground electrodes and power supply lines serve multiple optical switch circuits simultaneously. The ground electrodes function as both electrical ground references and structural support elements, while power supply lines provide energy to multiple optical modulation units across different optical switch circuits
2Ease of operation
If extensive electric wiring is used to supply drive energy to each optical modulation unit, then individual voltage control is achieved, but the risk of dust adhesion and disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical modulation units share common ground electrodes and power supply lines, reducing the total number of electric wires exposed to dust. The sharing arrangement minimizes the surface area and number of connection points where dust could accumulate while preserving individual voltage control through selective activation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses replicated patterns of optical switch circuits arranged in rows and columns, where each replication follows the same wire-sharing topology. This standardized copying approach ensures consistent reduction of wire exposure across the entire array while maintaining uniform control capabilities
3Area of stationary object
If optical switch circuits are densely arranged to compact the optical switch array, then device footprint is reduced, but electric wire length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent optical switch circuits share common ground electrodes and power supply lines, reducing the number of electric wires required as the device is compacted. The sharing scheme scales efficiently with device size, allowing dense packing without proportional increases in wiring complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent organizes optical switch circuits in a two-dimensional array with systematic row and column patterns. Optical switch circuits in the same column share power supply lines, while adjacent circuits share ground electrodes, creating a hierarchical wiring structure that manages complexity through spatial organization
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 reduces the length of electric wires, enhancing manufacturing yield and reliability by minimizing the risk of dust adhesion and disconnection, while maintaining the optical switch array's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical switch circuit 303 which changes the traveling direction of an optical signal by applying voltage to each optical modulation unit via electric wires 306
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical switch array on which optical switches that require individual electric wires are integrated, the present invention provides an optical switch array and a multi-cast switch in which the electric wires are shortened by optimizing the arrangement of the optical circuit portion. In the optical switch array in which three arrays of 1×4 switch circuits are disposed in parallel, the position where each optical switch is disposed is sequentially shifted by Dy in the y axis direction. That is, in the case where an adjacent 1×4 optical switch circuit exists on both sides, the 1×4 optical switch located there between is located at the center of the two 1×4 optical switch circuits, which are adjacent in the y axis direction. Each of the three 1×4 optical switch circuits that are arrayed are disposed at a position shifted from the adjacent 1×4 optical switch circuit by Dy in the y axis direction, in accordance with the positional coordinate in the x axis direction, and the electric wires at the ground side are shared such that each optical switch circuit is located sequentially shifted by Dy in the −y axis direction.