Optical Transceiver PCB Layout for Lower-Power Receiver Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Optical transceivers face significant power consumption due to the use of processing components for both transmitter and receiver functionalities, leading to increased complexity and energy usage.

Innovation Solution

The optical transceiver design eliminates the processing component associated with the receiver functionality, utilizing a linear TIA for signal handling, and integrates a processing and driver component for transmitter functionality, reducing overall power consumption by optimizing component placement and electrical trace lengths to minimize channel loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a processing component is used for both transmitter and receiver functionalities, then signal processing capability is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing functionality by separating the transmitter processing component from the receiver signal path. The receiver uses a linear TIA without an associated processing component, while the transmitter has its own processing component. This segmentation allows the system to maintain necessary signal processing capability for transmission while reducing power consumption during reception operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the processing component from the receiver functionality, removing it from the signal path entirely. The receiver operates with a simple linear TIA that does not include a processing component, thereby eliminating the power consumption and complexity associated with processing components in the receive path while maintaining adequate signal processing capability in the transmitter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a processing component is used for both transmitter and receiver functionalities, then signal processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing functionality by separating the transmitter processing component from the receiver signal path. The receiver uses a linear TIA without an associated processing component, while the transmitter has its own processing component. This segmentation allows the system to maintain necessary signal processing capability for transmission while reducing power consumption during reception operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the processing component from the receiver functionality, removing it from the signal path entirely. The receiver operates with a simple linear TIA that does not include a processing component, thereby eliminating the power consumption and complexity associated with processing components in the receive path while maintaining adequate signal processing capability in the transmitter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If electrical trace length is reduced to minimize channel loss, then signal consistency is improved, but component placement flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal consistencyVSAvoidcomponent placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the third dimension (vertical layering) by placing components on different sides of the PCB. The light emission component is positioned on the first side while the light reception component is on the second side, allowing electrical traces to connect through vias and internal layers. This dimensional approach enables shorter effective trace lengths for high-speed signals while maintaining reasonable component placement flexibility on the board surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 reduces power consumption while maintaining signal consistency, enabling efficient data transmission and reception with lower complexity and energy usage, making it suitable for high-data-rate applications.

Implementation Method 1

a light emission component associated with a transmitter functionality of the optical transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a light reception component associated with a receiver functionality of the optical transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reception: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240297716A1Optical transceiver

Publication Date: 2024.09.05 WELLS FARGO BANK NA

AI summary

An optical transceiver includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with an edge; one or more first components associated with a transmitter functionality of the optical transceiver, the one or more first components including a linear driver component and a processing component; one or more second components associated with a receiver functionality of the optical transceiver, the one or more second components including a linear transimpedance amplifier (TIA) component; electrical contacts arranged at the edge of the PCB; first electrical traces, connected between the one or more first components and the electrical contacts; and second electrical traces, connected between the one or more second components and the electrical contacts. The one or more first components are closer to the electrical contacts than the one or more second components.