Optical Network TAP Device with Integrated Multiplexer and Post Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network test access point (TAP) devices have inefficiencies due to unused components, such as redundant transceivers and printed circuit boards, leading to increased cost and complexity, as they often require more optical receivers than transmitters and include unnecessary components that are not utilized during monitoring and analysis.
Innovation Solution
The optical network TAP device design includes a printed circuit board with integrated post amplifiers and a multiplexer, allowing for a configuration with more optical receivers than transmitters, and eliminating redundant components by moving post amplifiers onto a single host board, enabling flexible control and integration of multiple receivers and transmitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional TAP devices use transceivers with both optical receiver and transmitter ports, then the device can transmit and receive optical data, but the transmitter port remains unused when only monitoring is required, leading to increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unused transmitter component from the transceiver module, retaining only the optical receiver functionality. This is achieved by using receiver-only modules instead of full transceivers, thereby eliminating the cost and complexity of unused transmitter hardware while maintaining the core monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal receiver module design that can be configured in different arrangements (e.g., parallel receivers, hierarchical structures) to handle various monitoring requirements. This multi-functional approach allows the same receiver module to serve different monitoring scenarios without requiring separate transmitter components.
2Reliability
If each transceiver includes a printed circuit board with microprocessor and control circuits, then the transceiver can operate independently, but redundant printed circuit boards and microcontrollers increase cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions previously distributed across multiple separate printed circuit boards into a single centralized control architecture. The microprocessor and control circuits are consolidated on one main board that manages multiple receiver modules, eliminating redundant control hardware while maintaining reliable operation through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The single printed circuit board in the patent is designed with universal functionality to control multiple receiver modules and perform various monitoring tasks. This multi-functional board replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized boards, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining operational reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If TAP devices include redundant components for flexibility in configuration, then the device can adapt to different monitoring scenarios, but the redundancy increases cost without providing proportional benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration capabilities through software-controlled switching and routing mechanisms that allow the system to adapt to different monitoring scenarios without requiring redundant physical hardware. The receiver modules can be dynamically assigned and reconfigured based on实际需求, providing flexibility without the cost of redundant components.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical network test access point (“TAP”) device. In one example embodiment, an optical network TAP device includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of optical receiver modules. The printed circuit board includes a microprocessor, a multiplexer connected to the microprocessor, and a plurality of post amplifiers connected to the multiplexer. Each optical receiver module includes one or more ROSAs. Each ROSA is connected to the multiplexer through one of the plurality of post amplifiers.