Soliton Micro-Resonator Comb Generation for Coherent Parallel Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical communication systems face limitations in achieving high data rates and scalability due to challenges in maintaining shape-preserving propagation of solitons in real transmission systems, and the complexity of integrating frequency comb sources into compact transmitter and receiver systems for coherent detection.
Innovation Solution
The use of single soliton micro-resonators to generate broadband optical frequency combs with equidistant carriers, combined with coherent receivers and local oscillators, enables efficient transmission and reception of coherent parallel optical signals, increasing data rates and simplifying receiver complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional frequency comb sources are used to generate multiple optical carriers, then data rate can be increased, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate frequency comb sources into a single micro-resonator device. One micro-resonator generates both the optical carriers for data transmission and the reference signals for coherent detection, eliminating the need for separate local oscillator devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high data rates
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-resonator is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating the frequency comb for data carriers, providing reference signals for coherent reception, and enabling both transmission and reception operations. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate devices are used for carrier generation and reference signal generation, then functional separation is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines carrier generation and reference signal generation functions into a single micro-resonator device, reducing the device footprint while maintaining functional separation through wavelength division. The same physical device operates at different wavelengths to provide both data carriers and reference signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wavelength as an additional dimension to separate functions. The micro-resonator generates combs at different central wavelengths - one for data transmission and another for coherent detection - allowing functional separation without requiring physically separate devices
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 achieves data rates exceeding 50 Tbit/s with improved spectral efficiency and reduced complexity, leveraging the scalability of photonic chip-based micro-resonator soliton comb sources for both transmitter and receiver sides.
Implementation Method 1
a first single soliton micro-resonator device (100; 100') adapted for creating a single soliton (1000; 1000') providing a first frequency comb
Implementation Method 2
broadband optical frequency combs with equidistant carriers, combined with coherent receivers and local oscillators
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing apparatus, being configured for transmitting and receiving coherent parallel optical signals, comprises a transmitter apparatus including a first single soliton micro-resonator device and a modulator device, wherein the first single soliton micro-resonator device is adapted for creating a single soliton providing a first frequency comb, wherein the first frequency comb provides a plurality of equidistant optical carriers with a frequency spacing corresponding to a free spectral range of the first single soliton micro-resonator device, and the modulator device is adapted for modulating the optical carriers according to data to be transmitted, and a receiver apparatus including a coherent receiver device with a plurality of coherent receivers and a local oscillator device providing a plurality of reference optical signals, wherein the coherent receiver device and the local oscillator device are arranged for coherently detecting the transmitted modulated optical carriers, wherein the signal processing apparatus further includes at least one second single soliton micro-resonator device having a free spectral range being equal or approximated to the free spectral range of the first single soliton micro-resonator device and being adapted for creating at least one single soliton providing at least one second frequency comb, wherein the at least one second frequency comb provides at least one of additional optical carriers and the reference optical signals. Furthermore, a signal processing method, including transmitting and receiving coherent parallel optical signals via a communication channel is described.