Optical Waveguide Tapered Cores Opposite Paths Crosstalk

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for high-speed information transmission in signal processing boards and electronic devices leads to issues such as crosstalk and noise due to the limitations of electrical wiring, which cannot be effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

An optical waveguide structure with tapered core sections and offset end sections, where the optical paths of adjacent core portions are in opposite directions, and a cladding portion with a lower refractive index is used to minimize crosstalk, allowing for closer packing and higher integration while maintaining signal reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the packing density is increased and the board is reduced in size, then miniaturization is achieved, but crosstalk occurs between adjacent core portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboard sizeVSAvoidcrosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional parallel optical path arrangement by configuring adjacent core portions to have optical paths in opposite directions. This inversion causes leaked signals from adjacent core portions to travel in opposite directions, preventing them from entering each other and thus eliminating crosstalk even when core portions are closely spaced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cladding portion as an intermediary element between adjacent core portions. This cladding portion acts as a mediator that further isolates the core portions optically, preventing leaked signals from one core portion from entering adjacent core portions, thereby suppressing crosstalk while enabling close packing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If electrical wiring is used for high-speed information transmission, then existing technology is simple, but crosstalk and high-frequency noise are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring structureVSAvoidcrosstalk and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical wiring system with an optical waveguide system. This substitution eliminates the fundamental limitations of electrical wiring by using optical signals instead of electrical signals, thereby eliminating crosstalk and high-frequency noise while enabling higher transmission speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal transmission from electrical to optical domain. By using optical carrier waves instead of electrical signals, the system achieves higher bandwidth and speed while avoiding the harmful effects of electrical wiring such as crosstalk and noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively suppresses crosstalk between adjacent core portions, enabling higher throughput and miniaturization of optical waveguides, thus improving the reliability and performance of signal processing in electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

the light introduced from one end of the core portion is transmitted (transported) to the other end of the core portion while reflecting off the interface with the cladding portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

each core portion has a tapered section in which the area of the cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis decreases gradually in the direction of the optical path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS9081160B2Optical waveguide structure and electronic device

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO LTD

AI summary

An optical waveguide structure containing a plurality of core portions for transmitting light (L), in which adjacent core portions are arranged with substantially parallel central axes, and the optical paths of the light (L) that is transmitted through the adjacent core portions are in opposite directions, wherein each core portion has a tapered section in which the area of the cross-section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis decreases gradually in the direction of the optical path of the light (L). A highly reliable electronic device containing the optical waveguide structure is also provided.