Connectionless Optical Transceiver Self-Test via Internal Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional copper data channels face signal attenuation and crosstalk due to radiated electromagnetic energy, which are difficult to mitigate effectively with existing techniques, limiting scalability and requiring significant power and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A connectionless integrated optical receiver and transmitter system using photonically-enabled integrated circuits with optoelectronic transceivers and normally off optical switches, allowing for self-test capabilities without external optical connections, enabling efficient testing of receiver paths and reducing the need for physical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If copper data channels are used to meet bandwidth requirements, then data transmission capability is improved, but signal attenuation and crosstalk increase due to radiated electromagnetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper electrical channels with optical channels for data transmission. Optical signals use light instead of electrical currents, eliminating electromagnetic radiation and its associated problems of signal attenuation and crosstalk while maintaining high bandwidth capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission medium from electrical (copper) to optical (light). This parameter change transforms the transmission mechanism, allowing data to be transmitted through optical fibers or free-space optical links, which do not suffer from electromagnetic interference and provide superior signal integrity over long distances.
2Reliability
If equalization, coding, and shielding techniques are applied to copper channels, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex equalization, coding, and shielding techniques by substituting optical transmission for electrical transmission. Optical systems inherently provide immunity to electromagnetic interference, removing the requirement for these additional complexity-inducing components and techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the fundamental difference between optical and electrical transmission into a benefit. While electrical channels suffer from electromagnetic radiation causing interference, optical channels use light which does not radiate electromagnetic energy, thereby eliminating crosstalk and signal degradation without requiring additional mitigation techniques.
3Measurement precision
If conventional optical receiver testing is performed with external optical connections, then receiver performance can be measured, but physical connections are required which complicates the testing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-test capability within the optical receiver module. The receiver can test its own performance internally without requiring external optical connections or test equipment. This is achieved through integrated test circuits and self-diagnostic functions that allow the receiver to measure and report its performance parameters autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the testing function from the external test environment and integrates it into the receiver module itself. By removing the requirement for external optical connections and incorporating internal self-test mechanisms, the testing capability is embedded within the device, simplifying the overall testing process.
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 improves receiver test coverage, eliminates the need for dummy photodiodes and high-speed circuitry, and enhances crosstalk isolation, enabling effective testing of optical performance without physical connections, thus overcoming the limitations of copper data channels.
Implementation Method 1
communicate the second modulated optical signal to a photodetector in the Rx path
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a connectionless integrated optical receiver and transmitter test are disclosed and may include an optoelectronic transceiver comprising a transmit (Tx) path and a receive (Rx) path, with each path comprising optical switches. The transceiver may be operable to: generate a first modulated optical signal utilizing a modulator in the Tx path, couple the first modulated optical signal to a first optical switch in the Rx path via a second optical switch in the Tx path when the optoelectronic transceiver is configured in a self-test mode, receive a second modulated optical signal via a grating coupler in the Rx path when the optoelectronics transceiver is configured in an operational mode, and communicate the second modulated optical signal to a photodetector in the Rx path via the first optical switch. The first modulated optical signal may be communicated to a grating coupler in the Tx path via the second optical switch.