Programmable Optical Chip With Optical IP Cores for Reconfigurable Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical chips are customized for specific applications, leading to low production efficiency, high production costs, and limited flexibility due to inability to change functions after completion.
Innovation Solution
A programmable optical chip with optical IP cores and programmable basic devices that allow control over path and phase of optical signals, enabling flexible function and performance adjustments through array arrangements of second and third programmable basic devices in optical soft and firm cores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical chips are customized for specific applications, then the chip can achieve optimized performance for that specific function, but the production efficiency is reduced, production costs increase, and flexibility is limited due to inability to change functions after completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable optical chip with a standardized array of basic devices (switches, phase shifters, power amplifiers) that can be configured through software to perform multiple different functions. This universal architecture allows a single chip design to replace multiple customized chips, improving production efficiency while maintaining function flexibility through reconfigurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical chip employs dynamically reconfigurable components including programmable switches and phase shifters that can change their state and connectivity in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the chip to adapt its function after manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between fixed production processes and flexible functionality by allowing post-manufacturing reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If optical chips are customized for specific applications, then the chip can achieve optimized performance for that specific function, but production costs increase due to low production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal programmable optical chip platform with standardized building blocks, the patent enables mass production of identical chip designs that can then be programmed for different applications. This approach reduces manufacturing costs through economies of scale while maintaining performance optimization through software-based configuration and the inclusion of specialized functional units.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical chip is divided into modular basic devices (switches, phase shifters, power amplifiers) arranged in arrays, with separate functional units that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of modular components while enabling flexible combination and configuration to achieve application-specific performance optimization.
3Reliability
If optical chips are customized for specific applications, then the chip can achieve optimized performance for that specific function, but flexibility is limited due to inability to change functions after completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically reconfigurable optical paths using programmable switches and phase shifters that can be controlled to route optical signals through different configurations. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the chip to change its function after manufacturing while maintaining optimized performance through careful design of the underlying optical infrastructure and control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip includes additional programmable basic devices and functional units beyond what any single application might strictly require. This excessive capability provides headroom for reconfiguration to different functions while ensuring that the chip can achieve optimized performance for its intended application through selective activation and configuration of the available resources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a programmable optical chip with multiple functions is implemented, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex programmable optical chip is segmented into standardized basic devices (switches, phase shifters, power amplifiers) arranged in regular arrays, with clear functional units. This segmentation reduces design complexity by providing a modular building block approach while enabling flexibility through different configuration patterns of the same modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the configuration of basic devices (switch states, phase shift values, power levels) to achieve functional diversity without changing the physical structure. This allows the chip to implement multiple functions by varying operational parameters rather than requiring complex structural variations, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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
Enables the optical chip to implement multiple functions and complex programming, reducing production costs and power consumption while enhancing integration and control flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the first programmable basic devices are configured to control a path and a phase of the optical signal transmitted in the first transmission paths
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable optical chip and a terminal is provided, wherein the optical chip includes: one or more first transmission paths for transmitting an optical signal in the programmable optical chip; first programmable basic devices arranged in an array; and optical IP cores, wherein the optical IP cores and the first programmable basic devices are optically coupled, and the optical IP cores are optically coupled. The optical IP cores include optical soft cores and/or optical firm cores. Each type of optical soft core includes second programmable basic devices and one or more second transmission paths for transmitting the optical signal in the optical soft core. Each type of optical firm core includes third programmable basic devices, one or more third transmission paths for transmitting the optical signal in the optical firm core, and first optical devices used to process the optical signal. In the solution of the present disclosure, operations such as programming are performed on the optical chip such that the optical chip can implement a plurality of different functions.