Photonic Integrated Transceiver With SOA Power Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceivers with shared lasers face challenges in optimizing both transmit and local oscillator power, leading to suboptimal performance due to differing optimal power levels for signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity, resulting in tradeoffs that compromise either transmit power or receiver sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A photonic integrated circuit with semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) in both the transmitter and receiver portions, allowing for independent optimization of transmit and local oscillator power levels, enabling enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity through dynamic control of SOA gains and power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a shared laser is used to supply both transmitter and receiver portions, then the size of the transceiver is reduced and electrical power is reduced, but the optimal transmit power and local oscillator power cannot be simultaneously achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser output path by introducing separate optical amplification paths for the transmitter and receiver portions. Each path has its own semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) that can be independently controlled, allowing the transmit signal and local oscillator signal to be optimized independently while still sharing the same laser source and integrated circuit substrate.
2Reliability
If semiconductor optical amplifiers are added to independently control transmit and local oscillator power, then signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the semiconductor optical amplifiers. The SOAs serve dual purposes: they amplify the optical signals and simultaneously provide the necessary power level adjustment for both transmitter and receiver portions. This integration of amplification and power control functions reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall circuit architecture despite the added functionality.
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 solution optimizes both transmit and local oscillator power levels, improving signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity, and allows for better control over receiver performance, reducing noise and maintaining high optical power throughout the circuit, thus overcoming previous limitations in transceiver design.
Implementation Method 1
A first semiconductor optical amplifier is provided in the transmitter portion, such that an output of the transmitter portion is greater than an output of the transmitter portion in an absence of the first semiconductor optical amplifier
Implementation Method 2
A second semiconductor optical amplifier or variable optical attenuator is provided in the receiver portion to adjust a power of an optical input to the photodiode circuit
Implementation Method 3
the receiver portion includes a photodiode circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Consistent with the present disclosure, a transceiver is implemented as a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that includes a transmitter and a receiver. A laser is also provided that provides light to a splitter, which supplies a first portion of the light to the transmitter and a second power of the light to the receiver. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are provided at one or more locations on the PIC. In one example, at least one SOA is provided in the transmitter so that the transmitted optical signal has a desired power, and at least another SOA is provided in the receiver so that the local oscillator signal has a desired power. In a further example, an SOA is provided in the receiver to boost the power of the received optical signal. Preferably, the transceiver, including the SOAs, is monolithically integrated on a substrate, such as a substrate including indium phosphide (InP). Moreover, the SOA can be readily controlled via a low voltage current source consuming minimal electrical power.