Silicon Optical WDM Component Phase Control Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Silicon integrated optical circuits face challenges in implementing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) units due to phase variations in signals caused by fluctuations in the core of the waveguide, leading to deviations in multiplexing characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication component comprising multiple couplers, waveguides, a phase shifter, and a controller that adjusts the phase of optical signals and controls the phase shifters based on detected power levels to improve multiplexing characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a silicon waveguide with high refractive index contrast is used to reduce device size, then integration density is improved, but phase variations are generated in optical signals due to core fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detectors monitor the optical signal characteristics and the controller adjusts the phase shifters accordingly. This closed-loop system compensates for phase variations caused by core fluctuations in the high refractive index contrast silicon waveguide, maintaining signal stability while preserving the compact device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the phase parameter of optical signals using controllable phase shifters. By adjusting the phase amount in response to detected signal variations, the system compensates for core fluctuations and maintains multiplexing characteristics in the compact silicon waveguide structure.
2Reliability
If phase shifters are added to adjust optical signal phase, then multiplexing characteristics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase adjustment locally at specific points in the optical path where phase variations affect multiplexing characteristics. Rather than uniformly adjusting all signals, the controller selectively modifies phase parameters in affected waveguides, improving multiplexing performance while minimizing the number of active phase shifters required.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detectors are used to monitor optical power, then phase control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a minimal number of detectors positioned at critical output points to monitor optical power sufficient for phase control. Rather than placing detectors at every possible measurement point, the system uses partial monitoring at key locations to achieve adequate control precision while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 effectively reduces phase variations in signals, enhancing the multiplexing performance of WDM units by optimizing the phase adjustment process, thereby improving the output power and stability of optical signals.
Implementation Method 1
The phase shifter adjusts a phase amount of each of the optical signals passing through the waveguides
Implementation Method 2
In the silicon waveguide, because the contrast of refractive index between the core and the clad is large, a change in equivalent refractive index that is average refractive index of light propagated in the waveguide greatly affects fluctuations in core in the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
The detector detects an amount of power of the optical signal that has been subjected to phase adjustment
Implementation Method 4
The three or more couplers multiplex two input optical signals and two-branch output the multiplexed optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication component includes three or more couplers, a pair of waveguides, a phase shifter, a detector, and a controller. Each of the couplers multiplexes two input optical signals and two-branch outputs the multiplexed optical signals. Each of the pair of waveguides connects between the couplers and outputs each of the optical signals two-branch output from one of the couplers to another one of the couplers. The phase shifter, included in each of the waveguides, adjusts a phase amount of each of the optical signals passing through the waveguides. The detector detects an amount of power of the optical signal that has been subjected to phase adjustment and that is two-branch output from a most downstream coupler, from among the couplers, located in the traveling direction of the optical signal. The controller controls, based on the detected amount of power, each of the phase shifters.