Optical Transceiver Wavelength Separation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical communication systems using a single optical fiber, noise and inter-wavelength interference occur when uplink and downlink signal wavelengths are close, leading to performance degradation and increased transmission errors due to external factors.

Innovation Solution

An optical transceiver system that exchanges wavelength information between remote transceivers to control the wavelength separation interval, using a processing unit to compare and adjust the center wavelengths of optical signals to maintain a minimum separation, thereby reducing interference and ensuring reliable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the same wavelength band is used for both uplink and downlink optical signals to increase channel capacity, then the number of channels over the optical fiber increases, but noise and inter-wavelength interference occur leading to performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidinter-wavelength interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wavelength band is divided into multiple sub-bands, and each optical transceiver is assigned to a specific sub-band. This segmentation allows multiple transceivers to operate simultaneously in the same overall wavelength band without interfering with each other, as each transceiver only transmits and receives within its designated sub-band range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver determines the sub-band of the counterpart transceiver before actual communication begins. Based on this preliminary determination, the transceiver configures its transmission and reception wavelength bands to avoid overlap with the counterpart's wavelengths. This preliminary configuration prevents inter-wavelength interference from occurring in the first place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If transmission and reception wavelengths are arranged close to each other to reduce wavelength spacing, then the number of available wavelength channels increases, but the system becomes more sensitive to external factors causing transmission errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength channel densityVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the wavelength band (sub-bands) are assigned to different transceivers with distinct transmission and reception characteristics. Each transceiver operates with optimized wavelength spacing within its local sub-band, maintaining reliability while allowing dense overall channel packing across the entire band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If wavelength information is exchanged and wavelength separation is controlled to reduce interference, then signal quality improves, but system complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal interferenceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each optical transceiver autonomously determines the sub-band of its counterpart and configures its own transmission and reception wavelengths accordingly. The wavelength information exchange and separation control are performed automatically by the transceivers themselves without requiring external control equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still achieving interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system effectively minimizes signal interferences by actively controlling the wavelength separation interval, enhancing the performance and reliability of optical communication systems by maintaining a predetermined wavelength spacing between uplink and downlink signals.

Implementation Method 1

an optical transmitter configured to convert a first electrical signal into a first optical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

an optical receiver configured to convert a second optical signal into a second electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3078129B1Optical transceiver and optical communication system
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 OE SOLUTIONS AMERICA
  • EP3078129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3078129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3078129B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an optical transceiver which includes an optical transmitter converting a first electrical signal into a first optical signal, an optical receiver converting a second optical signal into a second electrical signal, and a processing unit operatively coupled to the optical transmitter and the optical receiver. The processing unit is configured to obtain first wavelength information of the first optical signal and second wavelength information of the second optical signal and compare the first wavelength information and the second wavelength information to control a wavelength separation interval between the first optical signal and the second optical signal.