Plastic Optical Fiber Transceiver Wavelength and Detector Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of glass optical fibers in long-distance communication networks is limited by their fragility and high cost, while plastic optical fibers suffer from significant signal loss and require components with higher sensitivity to maintain error-free transmission over distances greater than 30 meters.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver apparatus comprising an optical transmitter, optical detector, optical splitter, and two-stage amplifier system, where the optical detector's input surface matches the fiber core diameter to reduce capacitance and signal distortion, and the two-stage amplifier system enhances sensitivity to -32 decibel milliwatts, facilitating error-free transmission over plastic optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic optical fibers are used, then cost and fragility are improved, but signal loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational wavelength parameter from the conventional 650nm to 850nm, where plastic optical fiber exhibits lower attenuation. This parameter change reduces signal loss while maintaining the cost advantages of plastic fiber, resolving the contradiction between cost and signal loss.
2Loss of energy
If glass optical fibers are used, then signal loss is reduced, but cost and fragility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to 850nm, enabling plastic optical fiber to achieve signal loss characteristics comparable to glass fiber at lower costs. This eliminates the need for expensive glass fiber while maintaining acceptable signal loss performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic optical fibers are used for distances greater than 30 meters, then cost is reduced, but transmission reliability decreases due to signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the wavelength parameter to 850nm where plastic fiber has lower attenuation, the patent extends the reliable transmission distance beyond 30 meters while maintaining cost advantages and transmission reliability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the optical detector input surface diameter is increased, then more light is captured, but capacitance and signal distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the optical detector input surface diameter parameter to match the 850nm wavelength characteristics and fiber core size, achieving optimal light capture while minimizing capacitance and signal distortion through precise parameter matching.
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 solution reduces signal distortion and capacitance, increases sensitivity, and enables reliable transmission over longer distances with reduced costs by using a transceiver system optimized for plastic optical fibers, addressing the limitations of both glass and plastic fiber networks.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detector configured to receive optical signals from a plastic optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a two stage amplifier system connected to an output of the optical detector to form an optical receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises an optical transmitter; an optical detector configured to receive optical signals from an optical fiber; an optical splitter having a first port, a second port coupled to the optical detector by the optical fiber, and a third port coupled to the optical transmitter; and a two stage amplifier system connected to an output of the optical detector. An input surface of the optical detector may have a diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of a core in the optical fiber. The diameter of the input surface of the optical detector reduces capacitance and reduces signal distortion. The optical splitter may be configured to receive a first optical signal at the first port. The optical splitter may be configured to send the first optical signal to the second port and send a second optical signal received at the third port to the first port.