Single-LD Optical Splitting for Multi-Channel Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face challenges with increased complexity and cost due to the use of multiple laser diodes (LDs) per channel, which also require thermoelectric coolers for temperature stability, complicating connections and increasing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel light source device splits a single laser diode's light signal into multiple channels using an optical splitter, eliminating the need for separate LDs per channel and reducing the number of required thermoelectric coolers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate laser diode is used for each channel, then each channel can transmit high-power high-quality light, but the number of laser diodes and thermoelectric coolers increases, complicating connections and increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light signal from a single laser diode into multiple channels using an optical splitter. Instead of using one laser diode per channel, the system uses one laser diode that outputs a light signal which is then divided into N channels through optical splitting, reducing the number of laser diodes from N to 1 while maintaining per-channel light signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple laser diode functions into a single laser diode by using optical splitting. The single laser diode generates a light signal that is subsequently divided into multiple channels, combining what would traditionally require N separate laser diodes into one unified light source with N output channels
2Reliability
If multiple laser diodes are used per channel, then high-power high-quality light can be output, but temperature control requirements increase, requiring more thermoelectric coolers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light signal path into multiple channels while keeping a single laser diode and thermoelectric cooler. The optical splitter divides the light signal from one laser diode into N channels, so instead of requiring N separate thermoelectric coolers for N laser diodes, only one thermoelectric cooler is needed for the single laser diode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple temperature control functions into a single thermoelectric cooler. By using one laser diode that feeds into an optical splitter, the system consolidates what would traditionally be N separate temperature control requirements into a single thermoelectric cooler, reducing cooling complexity while maintaining light signal stability
3Productivity
If the number of ports increases to handle more channels, then communication capacity increases, but the connection complexity between ASIC chipset and ports through PCB increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light signal generation function by using a single laser diode with optical splitting rather than N separate laser diodes. This reduces the number of optical components that need to be connected to N ports, thereby reducing PCB connection complexity while still supporting N-channel communication capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single laser diode multi-functional by using optical splitting to provide N different output channels from one input. This universal approach allows one laser diode to serve N ports simultaneously, reducing the overall number of optical connections needed between the ASIC chipset and external devices
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate laser diodes are used for each channel, then each channel operates independently, but power consumption increases due to multiple thermoelectric coolers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light signal into N channels while maintaining a single power consumption profile. Instead of powering N separate laser diodes and N thermoelectric coolers, the system powers one laser diode and one thermoelectric cooler, then distributes the light signal into N channels through optical splitting, significantly reducing power consumption while preserving channel independence for data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges N separate power consumption requirements into a single power consumption profile. By consolidating N laser diodes and N thermoelectric coolers into one laser diode and one thermoelectric cooler, the system reduces total power consumption while the optical splitter maintains the functional independence of N channels for parallel data transmission
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 simplifies connections and reduces power consumption and heat generation, while maintaining high-quality light signal transmission, by using a single LD to generate multiple channels.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-channel light source device that splits a light signal with a carrier wavelength output by a laser diode (LD) into multiple channels
Implementation Method 2
a laser diode (LD) is used as an optical source for an optical communication network. LDs can output high-power high-quality light
Implementation Method 3
an optical source and light modulator
Implementation Method 4
an optical communication system employs an optical transceiver... transmitted to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chipset through a printed circuit board (PCB)
Implementation Method 5
a data signal which is photoelectrically converted at the optical transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical communication system including a multi-channel light source device configured to provide light source signals of N channels by splitting a non-modulated light signal with a first carrier wavelength of one laser diode (LD) into N channels and an optical communication device including a light signal receiver configured to photoelectrically convert a reception light signal received from an external light signal interface device through an optical fiber and transmit the converted signal to a communication signal processor and a light signal transmitter configured to modulate a data signal received from the communication signal processor into transmission light signals of N channels using the light source signals of N channels received from the external multi-channel light source device and transmit the modulated transmission light signals of N channels to the external light signal interface device through optical fibers.