Optical Transceiver Module Staggered Start-Up Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceiver modules generate excessive inrush current during start-up, leading to protection shutdowns in connected instruments or computers due to peak current values exceeding threshold limits.

Innovation Solution

The optical transceiver module incorporates a microcontroller that manages a staggered start-up sequence, delaying the activation of the light receiving-side circuit relative to the light transmitting-side circuit to mitigate inrush current peaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all components are started simultaneously in the conventional sequence, then the start-up process is fast, but excessive inrush current is generated causing connected devices to shut down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up speedVSAvoidinrush current

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The start-up process is segmented into distinct phases: light transmitting-side circuit components are started first (laser diode driver, then laser diode), followed by light receiving-side circuit components (preamplifier, then photodiode) after a delay. This segmentation prevents simultaneous activation of all components, thereby reducing peak inrush current while maintaining acceptable start-up speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light transmitting-side circuit is activated in advance before the light receiving-side circuit. The microcontroller first starts the laser diode driver and laser diode, waits for a predetermined delay period to allow current to stabilize, and then activates the preamplifier and photodiode. This preliminary action ensures that high-current components are started first, preventing excessive current peaks when all components activate simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the light receiving-side circuit is started before the light transmitting-side circuit, then the conventional sequence is maintained, but the peak inrush current exceeds the threshold value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconventional start-up sequenceVSAvoidpeak inrush current

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional start-up sequence is inverted: instead of starting the light receiving-side circuit first followed by the light transmitting-side circuit, the invention starts the light transmitting-side circuit first (laser diode driver and laser diode), then after a delay, starts the light receiving-side circuit (preamplifier and photodiode). This inversion resolves the inrush current issue by ensuring high-current components are activated before lower-current components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The start-up process uses periodic action with a predetermined delay interval between activating the light transmitting-side circuit and the light receiving-side circuit. The microcontroller activates components in sequences separated by timing intervals, allowing current to stabilize between phases and preventing excessive peak current while maintaining systematic control over the start-up process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 the peak inrush current values below the protective threshold, preventing shutdowns and ensuring stable operation of connected devices during module start-up.

Implementation Method 1

the photodiode converts the received light signals into the electrical signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250184005A1Optical transceiver module and optical transceiver module start-up method

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 JESS-LINK PRODUCTS

AI summary

An optical transceiver module (10) includes a light transmitting-side circuit (102), a light receiving-side circuit (104), and a microcontroller (106). The microcontroller (106) transmits a light transmitting-side start-up signal (S1) to the light transmitting-side circuit (102) to start the light transmitting-side circuit (102), and after the microcontroller (106) transmits the light transmitting-side start-up signal (S1) to the light transmitting-side circuit (102), the microcontroller (106) transmits a light receiving-side start-up signal (S3) to the light receiving-side circuit (104) after a first delay duration to start the light receiving-side circuit (104).