Reconfigurable RF Signal Array for Scalable Fan-In and Fan-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF over fibre systems face limitations in scalability, complexity, and unidirectionality, particularly when handling a large number of input and output devices, leading to increased splitting losses and the need for optical amplification, which complicates the implementation.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable array comprising input and output devices, an optical switch matrix, and splitters/combiners that enable dynamic combination and distribution of RF/analogue signals, with features like automatic gain control and wavelength-division multiplexing, allowing for bidirectional, scalable, and non-blocking signal routing without bandwidth limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional RF over fibre systems use optical amplification to handle large numbers of input and output devices, then signal transmission capability is improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch matrix is divided into multiple smaller switching stages or modules, where each stage handles a subset of the input/output devices. This segmentation allows the system to scale to large numbers of devices without requiring a single complex switching element, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to handle many devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-stage optical switching architecture that adds spatial dimensions to the switching process. Instead of using a single large-scale optical amplifier, the system distributes switching functions across multiple stages arranged in a hierarchical structure, transforming the problem from a single-dimension scaling issue into a multi-dimensional architectural solution that reduces complexity at each stage.
2Quantity of substance
If optical amplification is used to distribute signals to many devices, then signal coverage is improved, but splitting losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch matrix performs preliminary routing and concentration of optical signals before they reach the final distribution stage. By pre-organizing signal paths and concentrating signals that need to be combined, the system reduces the number of splitting operations required, thereby minimizing cumulative splitting losses while still achieving wide signal coverage across many output devices.
3Device complexity
If fixed unidirectional signal routing is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical switch matrix implements dynamic, reconfigurable signal routing where connection paths can be programmatically adjusted based on operational requirements. The switching elements can be controlled to establish different routing configurations in real-time, allowing the system to adapt between various input-output mappings without physical reconfiguration, thus achieving high versatility while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical switch matrix serves multiple functions within a single device structure, including signal routing, signal combining, signal distribution, and configuration management. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components or systems, achieving adaptability to different configurations while actually reducing overall system complexity through consolidation of functions.
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 provides a flexible and efficient system for dynamic signal distribution, supporting unconstrained or constrained fan-in/fan-out options, reducing complexity and maintaining signal quality across various configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Each input device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix by means of a respective electrical-to-optical (E/O) converter configured to convert the respective RF/analogue signal into a corresponding optical signal
Implementation Method 2
Each output device is coupled to the respective port of the optical switch matrix by means of a respective optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter configured to convert an optical signal received from the optical switch matrix into an RF/analogue signal
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of splitters/combiners that each have multiple uncommon ports which couple to a single common port... Each splitter/combiner enables either fan-in of optical signals from the uncommon ports to the common port or fan-out of optical signals from the common port to the uncommon ports
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
There is described a reconfigurable array for facilitating dynamic combination and distribution of RF signals. The reconfigurable array comprises: (a) a number, N i , of input devices for generating or supplying RF input signals; (b) a number, N o , of output devices for analysing or forwarding RF output signals; (c) an optical switch matrix comprising a number, N p , of ports, wherein each of the ports is an optical input or an optical output, wherein each input device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix at an optical input, wherein each output device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix at an optical output, and wherein the optical switch matrix is configurable to enable optical connection of any optical input to any optical output; and (d) a plurality of multi-port devices that each have multiple uncommon ports which couple to a single common port, wherein each port of each multi-port device is coupled to a respective port of the optical switch matrix, and wherein each multi-port device enables either fan-in of optical signals from the uncommon ports to the common port or fan-out of optical signals from the common port to the uncommon ports depending on the configuration of the reconfigurable array. The plurality of multi-port devices include at least one M:1 multi-port device, where M is a predetermined maximum number of RF signals for the reconfigurable array to fan-in or fan-out, where M ≤ N i and M ≤ N o .