Passive RF Filter on PCB Interconnect for Opto-Electronic Bandwidth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for bandwidth control in optical networks face challenges such as multichannel cross-talk due to parasitic side lobes, with methods like filtering in the optical path being incompatible with colorless networks, digital filtering increasing cost and power consumption, and insufficient filtering capability in optical subassemblies.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a passive RF filter on the RF interconnect, specifically on a printed circuit board, to provide spectrum control and suppress parasitic lobes, allowing a single broad-bandwidth optical assembly to be used across different networks and data transmission formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If filtering is performed in the optical path, then bandwidth control is achieved, but compatibility with colorless networks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary RF filter component that mediates between the optical path and the electrical domain. The filter is coupled to the RF interconnect, allowing it to control optical bandwidth indirectly through RF signal filtering without interfering with the optical path, thus maintaining colorless network compatibility while achieving precise bandwidth control.
2Measurement precision
If digital filtering is used for bandwidth control, then spectrum control is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the digital (electronic) filtering system with a passive RF filter that operates on electromagnetic principles. This substitution eliminates the need for active digital signal processing, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining effective spectrum control through the passive filter's frequency-selective properties.
3Measurement precision
If digital filtering is implemented, then bandwidth control precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex digital filtering hardware with a simpler passive RF filter structure. The passive filter achieves the required bandwidth control precision through its inherent frequency-selective characteristics without requiring expensive digital signal processors or complex electronic control circuits, thereby reducing overall device cost while maintaining control precision.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If optical subassembly filtering is enhanced, then cross-talk suppression is improved, but optical subassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering function from the optical subassembly and places it in the RF domain. Instead of making the optical subassembly more complex with integrated filtering elements, the solution separates the filtering function into a distinct passive RF filter component coupled to the RF interconnect, thereby suppressing cross-talk without increasing optical subassembly complexity.
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 passive RF filter effectively reduces cross-talk and improves network performance by accurately tuning the RF bandwidth, enabling reliable and cost-effective bandwidth control for opto-electronic modules.
Implementation Method 1
a passive RF filter on one or more transmission lines of the RF interconnect
Implementation Method 2
passive RF filter on one or more transmission lines of the RF interconnect to provide spectrum control
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include an optical subassembly and a digital signal processor (DSP). The optical device may include a radio frequency (RF) interconnect that electrically connects the optical subassembly and the DSP. The optical device may include a passive RF filter on one or more transmission lines of the RF interconnect.