Single-Fiber PIC Transceiver Layout for Low-Loss Optical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of optical components into electronic integrated circuits is challenging due to limited data transmission bandwidth in traditional electronic integrated circuits, necessitating a solution to convert electrical signals into optical signals for increased data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver module incorporating a boss structure, optical fiber, and photonic integrated circuit chip with a laser emitter, edge coupler, and photodetector, enabling bidirectional signal transmission and reducing optical signal loss by integrating signal output and reception functions onto a single photonic integrated circuit chip with a single transceiver port coupled to a single optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electronic integrated circuits are used for data transmission, then the circuit integration is simpler, but the data transmission bandwidth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical components (laser emitter, photodetector, edge coupler) with electronic circuit components onto a single photonic integrated circuit chip. This integration enables the chip to simultaneously perform optical signal generation, detection, and electrical signal processing, thereby achieving high-bandwidth optical data transmission while maintaining compact form factor and reduced system complexity at the system level
Solution Approach 2:
The photonic integrated circuit chip is designed as a universal component that can convert between electrical and optical signals bidirectionally. The same chip structure supports both transmitting electrical signals as optical signals and receiving optical signals and converting them to electrical signals, providing multi-functional capability that increases adaptability for different data transmission scenarios
2Reliability
If separate transceiver ports are used for signal output and reception, then the functions are clearly separated, but the number of optical fiber connection points increases leading to mechanical instability and alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the signal output function (laser emitter) and signal reception function (photodetector) onto the same photonic integrated circuit chip, which is then connected to the optical fiber through a single edge coupler. This merging eliminates the need for separate transceiver ports and multiple optical fiber connections, thereby reducing mechanical instability and alignment errors while maintaining clear functional separation through wavelength division multiplexing
Solution Approach 2:
The single edge coupler serves as a universal interface that handles both outgoing optical signals (from laser emitter) and incoming optical signals (to photodetector). By designing the edge coupler to support bidirectional optical signal transmission, the system reduces the number of connection points from two to one, improving mechanical reliability and alignment stability
3Loss of energy
If multiple optical fiber connection points are used for bidirectional transmission, then signal transmission paths are well-defined, but optical signal loss during coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical signal coupling function into a single edge coupler that handles both transmission directions. By using wavelength division multiplexing (different wavelengths for outgoing and incoming signals), the system achieves bidirectional transmission through one coupling interface, minimizing the number of coupling events and thereby reducing total optical signal loss compared to multiple separate coupling points
Solution Approach 2:
The edge coupler acts as an intermediary component that efficiently couples optical signals between the optical fiber and the photonic integrated circuit chip. Its strategic placement and design optimize the coupling efficiency for both outgoing and incoming signals, serving as a single mediation point that reduces cumulative coupling losses that would occur with multiple separate coupling interfaces
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 configuration reduces mechanical instability and alignment errors, simplifies packaging, and improves system efficiency and performance by minimizing optical signal loss and fiber connection points.
Implementation Method 1
The laser emitter is configured to generate the first optical signal
Implementation Method 2
The first photodetector is configured to receive at least part of the second optical signal
Implementation Method 3
The optical fiber has a transceiver port facing the boss structure and is configured to receive a first optical signal and output a second optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver module includes a boss structure, an optical fiber, and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip. The optical fiber has a transceiver port facing the boss structure and is configured to receive a first optical signal and output a second optical signal. The PIC chip is on a vertical surface of the boss structure, coupled to the optical fiber, and configured to output the first optical signal and receive the second optical signal. The PIC chip has a side surface opposite to the transceiver port. The PIC chip includes an edge coupler and a first photodetector. The edge coupler is adjacent to the side surface and configured to couple the first optical signal to the optical fiber and to receive the second optical signal from the optical fiber. The first photodetector is configured to receive at least part of the second optical signal.