Pump Light Source Mode Conversion for Shared Optical Amplifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical communication systems face challenges in maintaining and replacing single-mode pump lasers within optical amplifiers, as they are difficult to access and have limited output power, which cannot meet the requirements of optical amplifiers.

Innovation Solution

A pump light source system is developed, comprising a light emitting unit, mode converter, and optical interface unit, which outputs multi-mode pump light converted into multiple channels of single-mode pump light, allowing centralized management and sharing among multiple optical amplifiers, with backup capabilities and adjustable power levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single-mode pump lasers are integrated into optical amplifiers, then the pump light source is compact and integrated, but maintenance and replacement become difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of pump light sourceVSAvoidmaintenance and replacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the pump light source into independent channel units, where each channel can be independently managed and replaced. The mode converter is separated from the optical amplifiers, allowing centralized maintenance while maintaining integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A mode converter is introduced as an intermediary device that converts multi-mode pump light into single-mode pump light. This mediator allows the use of multi-mode lasers (easier to maintain) while providing single-mode light (needed by amplifiers), resolving the contradiction between integration and maintainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If single-mode pump lasers are used in each optical amplifier, then each amplifier has dedicated pump light, but output power is limited and cannot meet amplifier requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated pump light per amplifierVSAvoidoutput power of pump laser

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple multi-mode pump lasers are combined to provide pump light for a single optical amplifier, achieving higher total output power than a single single-mode laser could provide. The mode converter then converts this combined multi-mode light into single-mode light suitable for the amplifier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mode converter serves multiple optical amplifiers simultaneously, converting pump light from multiple multi-mode lasers into single-mode light that can be distributed to various amplifiers. This universal device enables high-power pumping while maintaining compatibility with amplifier requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If multiple single-mode pump lasers are used to increase output power, then power requirements are met, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput power of pump lightVSAvoidnumber of pump lasers

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mode converter acts as a mediator that allows the use of simpler multi-mode lasers instead of multiple complex single-mode lasers. By converting multi-mode light to single-mode light, it achieves the desired output power with less complex and more cost-effective laser sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the mode parameter of the pump light from multi-mode to single-mode using the mode converter. This parameter transformation allows the use of higher-power multi-mode lasers while still providing the single-mode light required by optical amplifiers, thereby increasing output power without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 facilitates easier maintenance, reduces costs by sharing pump light sources among multiple amplifiers, and ensures stable output power meeting the requirements of optical amplifiers, while preventing damage from excessive light exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The mode converter is configured to convert the multi-mode pump light output by the light emitting unit into a plurality of channels of single-mode pump light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical mode conversion: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentUS20230402812A1Pump light source, optical amplification system, roadm, and method for providing pump light

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A pump light source includes a light emitting unit, a mode converter, and an optical interface unit. The light emitting unit is configured to output multi-mode pump light. The mode converter is configured to convert the multi-mode pump light output by the light emitting unit into a plurality of channels of single-mode pump light and output the plurality of channels of single-mode pump light. The optical interface unit is connected to an optical amplifier via an optical transmission medium to provide at least one channel of single-mode pump light in the plurality of channels of single-mode pump light for a corresponding optical amplifier via the optical transmission medium.