Optical Transceiver Off-Host Logging Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceivers lack a conventional mechanism for logging operational parameters, making it difficult to diagnose malfunctions and understand the conditions under which they occurred, especially due to temperature variations and other environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver system that logs operational information, such as laser wavelength, temperature, and TEC current, to the memory of a host computing system, allowing for periodic or event-driven logging, with user-controlled selection of parameters and the option for remote storage and evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If operational information is logged to internal transceiver memory, then diagnostic capability is improved, but internal memory capacity is consumed and may lead to memory failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the logging function from the transceiver's internal memory system and relocates it to the host system's memory. The transceiver controller captures operational information and transmits it to the host, where a logging application stores the data externally. This extraction resolves the contradiction by preserving internal memory capacity while maintaining full diagnostic capability through external storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication interface between the transceiver and host system. The controller transmits operational information through this interface to the host's logging application, which acts as a mediator that receives, stores, and manages the data externally. This intermediary mechanism enables information logging without consuming transceiver internal memory resources.
2Reliability
If comprehensive operational parameters are monitored and logged, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service logging mechanism where the transceiver controller automatically captures operational information without requiring complex external logging hardware. The controller itself performs the logging function by transmitting data to the host system's existing memory and processing resources. This self-service approach improves reliability through comprehensive monitoring while avoiding additional device complexity by utilizing existing host system capabilities.
3Loss of information
If internal memory is used for logging, then data availability is improved, but data protection against memory failure is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by preparing an external storage environment in the host system before logging begins. The host system's memory and file system are ready to receive and store operational information, providing a backup cushion that protects against internal memory failures. This prior preparation ensures data availability while protecting against transceiver memory failures through external redundancy.
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 solution provides enhanced logging capacity, saves internal memory, enables direct user control, and allows for remote evaluation, creating a redundant backup to ensure data protection in case of memory failure, thereby improving diagnostic capabilities and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
data transmission in such networks is implemented by way of an optical transmitter (also referred to as an electro-optic transducer), such as a laser or Light Emitting Diode (LED). The electro-optic transducer emits light when current is passed there through, the intensity of the emitted light being a function of the current magnitude.
Implementation Method 2
data reception is generally implemented by way of an optical receiver (also referred to as an optoelectronic transducer), an example of which is a photodiode. The optoelectronic transducer receives light and generates a current, the magnitude of the generated current being a function of the intensity of the received light.
Implementation Method 3
In order to provide proper cooling or heating to the optical transceiver and/or laser, Thermo Electric Coolers (TECs) are often employed, particularly in optical transceivers whose performance is highly temperature-dependent. Such TEC coolers heat or cool depending on the direction and magnitude of current applied to the TEC coolers.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for an optical transceiver to log information about its operational parameters to an off transceiver host computing system (hereinafter referred to simply as a “host”). The optical transceiver may be communicatively coupled to the host. The optical transceiver is configured to identify operational information regarding itself. The operational information may include statistical data about operation, or may include measured parameters. The optical transceiver may log the information to the memory of the host in an off transceiver logging operation.