Reconfigurable Passive Optical Terminal With Swappable Filter Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber filter devices require specialized skills and tooling for modifications, making it difficult to adapt to changing communication needs and technologies.
Innovation Solution
A deployable housing with removable and replaceable filter modules that allow for easy swapping of optical filter configurations without disrupting the optical fiber link, enabling flexible spectral performance adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical fiber filter devices are modified to adapt to changing communication needs, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to requiring specialized skills and tooling
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter device is divided into modular filter modules that can be independently removed and replaced. Each module contains a specific filter configuration, allowing users to swap modules rather than modify the entire device, thus improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with a universal interface that accepts different filter modules with various spectral configurations. This multi-functional design allows a single housing unit to support multiple communication needs by simply changing the filter module, eliminating the need for specialized modification skills
2Adaptability or versatility
If filter configurations are changed to adapt to evolving technologies, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to disruption of optical fiber link
Solution Approach 1:
The filter functionality is extracted into removable modules that can be swapped without affecting the optical fiber link connection. The housing maintains continuous optical connectivity while the filter module is changed, allowing configuration updates without service interruption
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple filter modules with different spectral configurations can be prepared in advance. When a configuration change is needed, a pre-prepared module can be quickly swapped in, reducing the time required for adaptation to evolving technologies
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
Facilitates easy modification of optical filter arrangements by swapping modules, allowing adaptation to evolving communication technologies and applications without specialized skills or tools, enhancing flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one passive, optical processing module configured to filter an optical signal received from an optical source external to the housing to obtain a filtered optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a housing that includes a first waveguide port and a second waveguide port, wherein the first waveguide port is configured for receiving an optical signal via a first optical waveguide optically coupled to the first waveguide port. The housing may include a passive optical processing module that is removably coupled to the housing and optically coupled to the first waveguide port. The passive optical processing module is configured to perform a prescribed function, e.g., filtering, upon the optical signal to obtain a processed optical signal without utilizing an electronic circuit. The second waveguide port is configured to transfer the processed optical signal to an optical waveguide external to the housing. Other embodiments are disclosed.