Switched RF Driver for Tunable Laser Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable lasers are costly and inefficient for WDM-PON applications, requiring significant temperature changes to cover a wide range of channel wavelengths, making them unsuitable for lower-cost, lower-performance networks.
Innovation Solution
A switched driven tunable laser with multiple in-line sections, where each section can be independently tuned by temperature changes to generate laser light at different wavelengths, using a single laser driver and a switching circuit to select the appropriate section for desired wavelength generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single laser driver is used with multiple in-line sections, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser device is divided into multiple in-line sections, each capable of independent wavelength tuning. This segmentation allows a single laser driver to control multiple sections, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise wavelength control through individual section adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
Each laser section is designed with specific local characteristics to cover different wavelength ranges. The first section covers a first wavelength range while the second section covers a second wavelength range, allowing precise wavelength selection without requiring a single complex driver
2Use of energy by moving object
If temperature range is reduced for laser tuning, then energy consumption decreases, but wavelength coverage range becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength coverage is segmented across multiple laser sections, each optimized for a specific wavelength range. This allows the system to achieve wide overall wavelength coverage while each section operates within a limited temperature range, reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-section laser device provides universal wavelength coverage by combining multiple sections, each capable of independent tuning. The system can cover both first and second wavelength ranges using a single device with reduced temperature swing requirements compared to a single-section laser
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 solution allows for a wider range of channel wavelength tuning with a smaller temperature range, reducing the size and cost of the laser system while maintaining precision, enabling efficient use in WDM-PONs with multiple channel wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of in-line laser sections each configured to be driven independently to generate laser light at a wavelength within a different respective wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
The wavelength of the light generated in each of the laser sections may be tuned, in response to a temperature change, to a channel wavelength within the respective wavelength range
Implementation Method 3
A switching circuit may be configured to couple a laser driver, which provides a modulating signal, to a selected one of the multiple in-line sections
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable laser with multiple in-line sections generally includes a semiconductor laser body with a plurality of in-line laser sections each configured to be driven independently to generate laser light at a wavelength within a different respective wavelength range. The wavelength of the light generated in each of the laser sections may be tuned, in response to a temperature change, to a channel wavelength within the respective wavelength range. A switch module may be configured to couple a signal from a laser driver to a selected one of the plurality of in-line laser sections, wherein the signal modulates the laser light generated by the in-line laser section. The selected in-line section may be DC biased to a lasing state and the non-selected in-line sections may be DC biased to a non-lasing or transparent state.