Optical Component Temperature Feedback via Time-Multiplexed Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature monitoring systems for optical components in optical communications are complex and consume significant power, especially when handling multi-channel signals, leading to increased system dimensions and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A temperature feedback control apparatus and method utilizing multi-channel electric switches, a feedback control unit, and synchronization mechanisms to simplify temperature monitoring by selectively conducting channels for optical signal feedback and control signal transmission, reducing the complexity and power requirements of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate temperature monitoring system is used for each optical channel, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature monitoring functions into a single shared temperature monitoring system that serves all optical channels. The system uses a single temperature sensor, one ADC, and one temperature controller that time-division multiplexes across multiple channels through coordinated switching, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems per channel while maintaining temperature control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature monitoring system is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions and multiple channels. The temperature sensor, ADC, and controller are shared resources that can monitor and control temperature for any of the N optical channels, making the system multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single channel.
2Measurement precision
If separate temperature monitoring systems are used for each optical channel, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power-consuming components (temperature sensor, ADC, temperature controller) are merged into a single shared system that serves all channels. By time-division multiplexing, the same hardware resources are reused across channels, dramatically reducing total power consumption compared to having parallel dedicated systems for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared temperature monitoring system operates using periodic time-division multiplexing, where the temperature sensor, ADC, and controller are sequentially activated for each channel in a cyclic manner. This periodic operation allows a single system to serve multiple channels over time, reducing power consumption while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If separate temperature monitoring systems are used for each optical channel, then temperature control precision is improved, but system dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all temperature monitoring and control components into a single integrated system rather than having separate systems for each channel. This consolidation significantly reduces the physical footprint and system dimensions while maintaining the ability to precisely control temperature across all optical channels through shared resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a nested hierarchical structure where multiple optical channels are logically organized under a single temperature monitoring system. The shared temperature sensor, ADC, and controller form an outer layer that manages multiple inner channel-specific optical components, creating a compact nested architecture that reduces overall system dimensions.
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 simplifies the temperature monitoring system, reduces dimensions and power consumption, and enables precise temperature control of optical components by synchronizing electric switches and using feedback control units to convert optical signals into control signals for adjusting the temperature of optical components.
Implementation Method 1
The feedback control unit is configured to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal, and calculate a temperature of the corresponding optical component based on the electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a temperature feedback control apparatus, method. The method includes two electric switches, a feedback control unit and an optical component. A first electric switch is configured to control that only a first channel of at least two channels that correspond to the first electric switch is conducted at a moment, to feed back an optical signal of a target optical component connected to the first channel to the feedback control unit. The feedback control unit is configured to calculate temperature of the corresponding optical component based on an electrical signal converted from the optical signal, to obtain a control signal. The second electric switch is configured to control, when the first channel is conducted, that only the second channel is conducted, to transmit the control signal to the target optical component to adjust its temperature. The optical component connects to both the first and second channels.