Optical Transmitter Power Reduction via Polarization Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical communication networks face challenges in reducing energy consumption without deteriorating neighboring channel performance, as lowering the symbol rate in the optical domain can significantly impact adjacent channels, potentially leading to unsuccessful signal transmission.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the data rate of transmitters and receivers by switching off or putting unnecessary components into standby mode, particularly by adjusting polarization, allowing for reduced power consumption without affecting neighboring channels, applicable to all polarization multiplexed modulation formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the symbol rate of the optical signal is reduced to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the performance of adjacent channels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidperformance of adjacent channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical signal is segmented into multiple polarization components (e.g., horizontal and vertical polarizations). By selectively de-multiplexing and processing only the required polarization component(s), the system reduces the effective symbol rate impacting adjacent channels while maintaining energy efficiency. This segmentation allows independent control of each polarization's contribution to adjacent channel interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the data rate is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but the transmission performance and reach are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission reach
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the data rate and processing configuration based on actual traffic requirements and channel conditions. By using polarization division multiplexing with selective de-multiplexing, the system can operate at higher effective data rates when needed while consuming less power during low-traffic periods, optimizing both productivity and energy efficiency adaptively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different polarization configurations and processing modes. This allows the transmission system to maintain optimal performance across varying conditions, adjusting the effective symbol rate and processing complexity to balance transmission reach requirements with power consumption constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If parallel data paths are used in digital signal processors for high bit-rate coherent detection, then data processing capability is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the necessary polarization component(s) from the multiplexed optical signal, rather than processing all components in parallel. By taking out and independently processing only the required polarization data paths, the system reduces the number of parallel processing operations needed, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining adequate data processing capability for the required traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2873182B1Method and device for signal processing in an optical communication network
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 XIEON NETWORKS SARL
  • EP2873182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2873182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2873182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device for data processing in an optical communication network are provided, wherein in an energy saving mode of a polarization multiplexing system data signals are transmitted or received via one polarization plane; and wherein components of the transmitter or receiver of the other polarization plane are at least partially operated in a reduced power mode. Furthermore, a communication system is suggested comprising said device.