Multi-Channel Optical Tap Coupler With Azimuthal Waveguide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical tap couplers face challenges in achieving tight control of split optical signal proportions, low insertion loss, and minimizing modal and polarization variations, especially in multimode fiber networks, leading to performance degradation and increased cost and size due to the need for multiple components in parallel optics configurations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel, multi-port optical tap coupler design featuring an alignment base element, sub-assemblies with radially and azimuthally positioned waveguides, GRIN lenses, and an optical filter, allowing for passive alignment and efficient signal splitting with reduced component count, enabling high-density optical networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fused biconical tapered optical fibers are used for optical tap couplers, then the device structure is simple, but spectral and modal dependence causes significant network performance degradation in multimode fiber systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical tap couplers into a single integrated device that handles multiple wavelengths and modes simultaneously. The unified structure integrates the functions of multiple separate tap couplers, eliminating the need for multiple discrete components while maintaining performance across all channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical tap coupler is designed to universally handle multiple wavelengths and modes through a single device structure. The waveguide array and positioning mechanisms enable the device to perform tapping functions across different spectral and modal channels without requiring separate specialized components for each channel type.
2Reliability
If multiple optical tap couplers are deployed for parallel optics channels, then channel reliability is improved, but system cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical tap coupler functions into a single integrated device. The waveguide array structure allows multiple wavelengths and modes to be processed simultaneously within one device, eliminating the need for deploying multiple separate tap couplers for parallel optics channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical tap coupler provides universal functionality across multiple channels by using a single device to handle tapping for various wavelengths and modes. This multi-functional approach maintains channel reliability while significantly reducing system cost and size compared to using multiple separate devices.
3Reliability
If lensing and filtering technology is used for optical taps, then network performance degradation is reduced, but multiple components are required increasing system cost and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple optical tap couplers into a single integrated device with a unified waveguide array structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple discrete lensing and filtering components while maintaining low network performance degradation across all channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device provides universal tapping functionality across multiple wavelengths and modes without requiring separate lensing and filtering components for each channel. The single device structure performs all necessary optical functions simultaneously, reducing component count while maintaining performance.
4Productivity
If full duplex optical tap couplers are used for 100 Gbps Ethernet over 10 parallel lanes, then data transmission capability is achieved, but more than 40 lenses, 20 filters, and other multiple components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of multiple optical tap couplers into a single integrated device that can handle 100 Gbps Ethernet over 10 parallel lanes. The waveguide array structure enables simultaneous processing of multiple wavelengths and modes, eliminating the need for more than 40 lenses, 20 filters, and other multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical tap coupler provides universal functionality for high-speed data transmission across multiple parallel lanes. The single device structure performs all necessary optical functions for 100 Gbps Ethernet over 10 lanes, including wavelength separation, mode management, and signal tapping, without requiring numerous discrete components.
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 solution provides accurate, cost-effective, and compact optical signal splitting with minimal performance degradation, supporting a large number of channels while maintaining reliability and reducing system size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second focusing elements are adjacent to the first and second sub-assemblies, respectively and an optical filter is located adjacent to, and in between, the first and second focusing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel, multi-port optical tap coupler with an alignment base element, a pair of sub-assemblies located at opposite ends of the alignment base element, focusing elements located next to each sub-assembly, and an optical filter adjacent to, and in-between the focusing elements is described. The first sub-assembly has an array of waveguides with each waveguide having a radial offset and an azimuthal position with respect to a center axis of the array. The first array includes transmission waveguides and receiving waveguides and each receiving waveguide has a corresponding transmission wave guide that is separated by an azimuthal angle of 180 degrees. The second sub-assembly has a second array of waveguides including a wave guide having the same radial offset and the same azimuthal position for each of the transmission wave guides of the first array.