Remote Laser Optical Interface for QSFP28 Power Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current QSFP28 optical transceivers are limited in power due to size constraints, restricting data transmission distance and bandwidth, especially when using Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) for high-speed data centers, which requires higher laser power exceeding the thermal capabilities of existing transceivers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical interface device that receives an input optical signal, demultiplexes modulated and unmodulated signals, and modulates the unmodulated signal based on a data signal for transmission, using an external laser source to reduce power dissipation and extend transmission range without increasing the transceiver's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If an internal laser source is used within the QSFP28 transceiver, then the device can transmit data over optical fiber, but the transmission distance is limited to approximately 1 km due to power dissipation constraints imposed by the compact form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The laser source is extracted from the transceiver and placed remotely. The transceiver no longer contains the laser internally, but instead receives unmodulated laser light through an optical fiber from an external source, modulates it, and transmits the modulated signal. This extraction allows the transceiver to operate within its power dissipation constraints while achieving extended transmission distances.
Solution Approach 2:
An unmodulated optical fiber serves as an intermediary to deliver laser light from the remote source to the transceiver. This intermediary component enables the separation of the laser source from the transceiver, allowing the transceiver to function without containing the high-power laser internally, thus resolving the power dissipation issue while maintaining transmission capability.
2Area of stationary object
If the transceiver size is reduced to fit multiple units in a router panel, then bandwidth density increases, but the laser power capability and heat dissipation capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The laser source is taken out of the transceiver and placed remotely, eliminating the need for the transceiver to contain high-power laser components. This allows the transceiver to be designed with a compact form factor optimized for panel installation, while the remote laser provides the necessary power capability that would be impossible to achieve within the small transceiver envelope.
3Productivity
If Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is used to increase bandwidth capacity, then more data channels can be transmitted, but the required laser power and thermal management capabilities exceed the transceiver's thermal capability
Solution Approach 1:
The DWDM laser source is extracted and placed remotely, allowing the transceiver to handle multiple wavelength channels without containing the high-power laser generation components. This enables the system to achieve high bandwidth capacity through DWDM while the transceiver's thermal management only needs to handle the modulation and detection functions, not the intense heat of laser generation.
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 approach allows for increased data transmission range and reduced power dissipation within the transceiver, enabling higher bandwidth capabilities while maintaining the compact form factor, thus addressing the limitations of existing QSFP28 transceivers.
Implementation Method 1
demultiplexing a modulated optical signal and an unmodulated optical signal from the input optical signal
Implementation Method 2
modulating the unmodulated optical signal based on a data signal to generate an output optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for implementing optical interface and multiplexing devices. An input optical signal is received over an input fiber by an optical interface device. A modulated optical signal and an unmodulated optical signal are demultiplexed from the input optical signal, the unmodulated optical signal is modulated based on a data signal to generate an output optical signal; and the output optical signal is transmitted over an output fiber. A modulated optical signal is received over a network connection from an optical network by an optical multiplexing device. An unmodulated optical signal is generated using a generator device; the unmodulated optical signal and a signal that includes the modulated optical signal are multiplexed using an optical multiplexer to generate an output signal; and the output signal is transmitted over an output fiber to the optical interface device.