Single-Fiber Bidirectional Transceiver Subassembly with Polarization Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-fiber bidirectional transmission systems are unable to effectively implement communications with small channel spacing due to insufficient optical splitting effects, limiting their ability to maintain stable communications.
Innovation Solution
A single-fiber bidirectional optical transceiver subassembly is developed, incorporating an improved optical splitting and filtering unit that includes a splitter and a filter, utilizing a combination of polarization splitting prisms, Faraday rotators, and wave plates, as well as a comb filter with a Michelson Gires-Tournois Interferometer structure, to achieve efficient separation and filtering of uplink and downlink optical signals with small channel spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a WDM filter is used for light splitting in single-fiber bidirectional transmission, then wavelength division multiplexing is achieved, but the optical splitting effect is insufficient for maintaining stable communications with small channel spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal path is segmented into multiple functional modules: optical transmitter, optical receiver, WDM filter, and isolator. Each module performs a specific function, allowing independent optimization of wavelength filtering and isolation characteristics to achieve both stable communication and small channel spacing compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
An isolator is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical transmitter/receiver and the WDM filter. This intermediary element provides optical isolation to prevent feedback and interference, enabling stable communication while maintaining the wavelength division multiplexing function for small channel spacing
2Volume of moving object
If polarization beam splitting prism is used as both beam splitter and beam combiner, then device size reduction is achieved, but the internal structure compactness is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitting and beam combining functions are separated into distinct optical paths and components. The polarization beam splitting prism is used only for beam splitting in the uplink path, while a separate beam combining structure handles the downlink path, simplifying the internal structure despite increasing component count
Solution Approach 2:
The optical paths are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The uplink and downlink light paths are separated in space through strategic placement of optical components at different angles and positions, achieving compact integration without structural interference
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 enables single-fiber bidirectional transmission with low channel spacing, enhancing communication stability and miniaturization of the device by effectively separating and filtering optical signals, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical rotator unit, which includes a magnetic optical rotator and a half wave plate
Implementation Method 2
a polarization beam-splitting element, a polarization beam-splitting prism
Data Source
AI summary
A single-fiber bidirectional optical transceiver subassembly, related to technology of optical communications, including an optical transmitting subassembly, an optical receiving subassembly and an optical splitting and filtering unit. The optical transmitting subassembly is coupled with an optical input port of the optical splitting and filtering unit. The optical receiving subassembly is coupled with an optical output port of the optical splitting and filtering unit. A bidirectional port of the optical splitting and filtering unit is coupled with a single-mode fiber. Each optical element in the optical transmitting subassembly, the optical receiving subassembly, and the optical splitting and filtering unit is a spatial optical element. Single-fiber bidirectional transmission is implemented with small channel spacing, by improving the optical splitting and filtering unit.