Optical-Electronic PCB Waveguide Core Steering Without Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional printed circuit boards fail to meet the requirements of long-distance, low-loss data transmission, leading to the development of optical-electronic printed circuit boards, where ensuring the waveguide core remains straight and functional is a technical challenge.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining the parameters of a waveguide core in optical-electronic printed circuit boards, including the number and angles of sidewalls, to ensure light propagation without exiting the core, achieved by calculating critical angles of total reflection and adjusting sidewall rotations, allowing for steering of the waveguide core without introducing curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the waveguide core is bent to change transmission direction, then the transmission direction can be changed, but light may leak out of the waveguide core
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide core is divided into multiple straight segments (first waveguide segment, second waveguide segment, etc.) connected by sidewalls. Each segment maintains light confinement through total reflection, while the segmented structure enables direction changes at connection points without curving the core continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the waveguide core, specifically the angles of sidewalls relative to the propagation direction. By adjusting these angles to satisfy specific mathematical relationships with the critical angle, the waveguide can change direction while maintaining total internal reflection and preventing light leakage.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional printed circuit boards are used for long distance transmission, then manufacturing is simple, but transmission loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through copper traces with optical signal transmission through a waveguide core. This substitution enables long-distance, low-loss transmission while maintaining compatibility with printed circuit board manufacturing processes, as the waveguide core is integrated into the PCB structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the waveguide core uses curved surfaces to change direction, then direction change is smooth, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using continuous curved surfaces, the waveguide core is segmented into straight sections connected at discrete points. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing while achieving the same directional change function, as straight segments are easier to fabricate and align than curved structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than curving the waveguide core to change direction, the patent inverts the approach by using straight segments with angled sidewalls that redirect light through total reflection. This inversion simplifies the core geometry while achieving direction change through optical rather than geometric means.
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 approach enhances light transmission efficiency by ensuring total reflection within the waveguide core, preventing light leakage and improving data transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
determining the parameters of the waveguide core according to a relative positional relationship between one end port of the waveguide core and the other end port of the waveguide core in the optical-electronic printed circuit board, a condition of a region through which the waveguide core passes, and the critical angle, so that an incident angle of light transmitted through the first waveguide segment and impinging on the third sidewall of the waveguide core is not less than the critical angle, and an incident angle of light impinging on the fourth sidewall of the waveguide core is not less than the critical angle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for determining parameters of a waveguide core in an optical-electronic printed circuit board, an optical-electronic printed circuit board, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The method includes: determining, according to a refractive index of a material from which the waveguide core is made and a refractive index of a material from which a base layer is made, a critical angle of total reflection at an interface between the waveguide core and the base layer; and determining the parameters of the waveguide core according to a relative positional relationship between one end port of the waveguide core and the other end port of the waveguide core in the optical-electronic printed circuit board, a condition of a region through which the waveguide core passes, and the critical angle, so that steering of the waveguide core is achieved without introducing a curved surface to the waveguide core.