Photonic Circuits with Selectable Input Ports for Laser Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photonic integrated circuits (PICs) require separate configurations for different laser input scenarios, leading to increased development costs and complexity when switching between single or multiple laser configurations for various communication use cases.
Innovation Solution
A photonic circuit design that includes multiple optical paths and optical elements such as splitters and circulators, allowing for a selectable number of input ports to be connected to varying numbers of lasers, enabling the same circuit to support different laser configurations and output channels, with the ability to modulate signals using schemes like pulse amplitude modulation (PAM).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate photonic circuit configurations are used for different laser input scenarios, then each configuration can be optimized for its specific use case, but development costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The photonic circuit is designed with multiple input ports (first input port, second input port, third input port) that can be selectively connected to different numbers of lasers (one, two, or four) through configurable optical paths. This universal design allows a single circuit to serve multiple communication scenarios without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each laser configuration, thereby reducing development costs and complexity while maintaining optimization for each use case.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit incorporates dynamic configurability through switchable optical paths that can be reconfigured based on the number of lasers connected. The optical network includes controllable connections between input ports and output channels, allowing the system to adapt its topology dynamically. This enables the same physical circuit to support different operational modes (single-laser, dual-laser, or four-laser configurations) by changing the active optical paths, thus eliminating the need for multiple static circuit designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a photonic circuit is designed to support variable numbers of lasers, then flexibility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the circuit design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network is segmented into modular components including multiple optical paths, switchable connections, and distinct input ports that can be independently configured. The circuit is divided into functional blocks (first optical path, second optical path, third optical path) that can be selectively activated based on the laser configuration required. This segmentation allows the complex functionality of supporting variable laser numbers to be achieved through combinations of simpler, standardized modules, making the overall design more manageable despite the increased versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical paths are implemented to support different laser configurations, then adaptability to various communication scenarios is improved, but the number of optical elements and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical paths are merged into a unified optical network that shares common components. The first, second, and third optical paths are integrated within a single circuit architecture, sharing output channels and optical elements. Rather than having separate dedicated paths for each laser configuration, the paths are combined and made switchable, allowing any configuration to use the same physical infrastructure. This merging reduces the total quantity of optical elements required compared to having completely separate circuits for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the disclosure relates to an apparatus including a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) including an optical network including V optical output channels and U optical input ports, wherein a selectable subset of the U optical input ports can be connected to L lasers, wherein L is less than or equal to U, and wherein the PIC is operable to output light on some or all of the V optical output channels in response to different number of active lasers connected to the U optical input ports.