Optical Transceiver Peltier Layout for Lower-Power Laser Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceivers face challenges in reducing power consumption, size, and member costs, with insufficient focus on cooling configurations.

Innovation Solution

The optical transceiver employs a Peltier element with a single-layer aluminum nitride substrate and a support substrate that includes metal vias and insulator layers, eliminating unnecessary substrates and optimizing the layout to reduce thermal resistance and cooling requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a conventional multi-layer substrate structure with separate cooling components is used, then thermal management is achieved, but power consumption, size, and member costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser chip temperature controlVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the substrate and cooling plate into a single integrated aluminum nitride substrate that serves both mechanical support and thermal management functions. The Peltier element is directly mounted on the back surface of this integrated substrate, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing thermal resistance while lowering power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses aluminum nitride, a composite material with exceptional thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties, to create a substrate that simultaneously provides structural support and efficient heat dissipation. This material choice enables effective thermal management without requiring additional active cooling components, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If a conventional multi-layer substrate structure is used, then thermal management is achieved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser chip temperature controlVSAvoidoptical transceiver size
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the substrate and cooling plate into a single integrated aluminum nitride substrate that serves both mechanical support and thermal management functions. The Peltier element is directly mounted on the back surface of this integrated substrate, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing thermal resistance while lowering power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If a conventional multi-layer substrate structure is used, then thermal management is achieved, but member costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser chip temperature controlVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the substrate and cooling plate into a single integrated aluminum nitride substrate that serves both mechanical support and thermal management functions. The Peltier element is directly mounted on the back surface of this integrated substrate, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing thermal resistance while lowering power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate layers and separate cooling components from the conventional multi-layer structure. By removing these redundant elements and retaining only the essential aluminum nitride substrate with integrated Peltier mounting, the design reduces component count and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration reduces power consumption, size, and member costs associated with cooling, while maintaining effective temperature management.

Implementation Method 1

a Peltier element including: a first aluminum nitride substrate having a single layer structure and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second aluminum nitride substrate having a single layer structure, disposed away from the first aluminum nitride substrate in one direction, and facing the second surface; and a body supported between the first aluminum nitride substrate and the second aluminum nitride substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4693769A1Optical transceiver
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 NGK INSULATORS LTD
  • EP4693769A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4693769A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4693769A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A Peltier element (PD) includes a first aluminum nitride substrate (211), a second aluminum nitride substrate (212), and a body (301) supported between them. The body (301) includes at least one semiconductor member (30), at least one first metal member (35), and at least one second metal member (35), the at least one first metal member and the at least one second metal member sandwiching the at least one semiconductor member. A laser chip (101) is mounted to a first surface of the first aluminum nitride substrate (211). A lens (110) is disposed off the first aluminum nitride substrate (211) in a planar layout to intersect an imaginary plane (IP) including the first surface. A wiring pattern (280) is electrically connected to the laser chip (101) and is disposed directly on the first surface.