Multi-Channel Photonics Transmitter with Variable Power Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated photonics transmitter chips face challenges in achieving uniform power output and flexibility in optical signal transmission due to the sharing of laser sources, leading to non-uniform power distribution and lack of mechanisms for compensating for defects or path length variations, as well as complexity in combining optical signals efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The integration of cascaded variable power dividers and wavelength division multiplexers allows for independent adjustment of optical signal powers and compensation for defects, enabling uniform power distribution and efficient signal combination, reducing operational costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple laser sources are used for each channel, then independent power adjustment is achieved, but assembly complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser sources into a single shared laser source that serves multiple optical channels. Instead of having separate laser sources for each channel, one laser source is shared across multiple channels with power distribution controlled by variable power dividers, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining independent power adjustment capability through the dividers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces variable power dividers as intermediary components between the shared laser source and the optical channels. These dividers act as mediators that enable independent power control for each channel without requiring separate laser sources, thus resolving the contradiction between power independence and assembly simplicity.
2Device complexity
If a single laser source is shared among channels, then assembly complexity is reduced, but power uniformity and flexibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs variable power dividers with adjustable splitting ratios instead of fixed 50/50 splitters. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt power distribution to compensate for path length variations and channel defects, achieving power uniformity across all channels while maintaining a simple single-laser architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the splitting ratio parameter of the power dividers to optimize power distribution. By adjusting the splitting ratios of variable power dividers, the system compensates for differences in optical path lengths and channel characteristics, thereby achieving uniform power output across all channels despite using a single shared laser source.
3Device complexity
If fixed 50/50 splitters are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but ability to compensate for path length variations and defects is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static fixed 50/50 splitters with dynamic variable power dividers whose splitting ratios can be adjusted. This transformation from static to dynamic components provides the adaptability needed to compensate for path length variations and channel defects while maintaining relative device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes adjustable splitting ratio parameters in the variable power dividers to provide compensation capability. By changing the splitting ratio parameter, the system can adapt to different channel conditions and compensate for losses, thereby achieving both simplicity and versatility.
4Manufacturing precision
If more optical components are added for power control, then power uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power control functions into a single integrated chip structure. Instead of adding separate external components for power control, the variable power dividers are integrated directly onto the optical chip, achieving power uniformity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated transmitter chip comprising: at least one input port disposed at a first end of the integrated transmitter chip; a first variable power divider optically connected to each input port of the at least one input port; a second and a third variable power dividers optically branched from each first variable power divider; a first and a second optical channel optically branched from the second variable power divider, a third and a fourth optical channel optically branched from the third variable power divider; and at least one WDM optically attached to corresponding optical channels and configured to selectively modify the polarization of and multiplex corresponding optical signals into a output optical signal, wherein a laser beam is launched into an input port, split by corresponding variable power dividers based upon each dividers corresponding splitting ratio, then multiplexed and combined into an output optical signal having dual polarization modes.