Textured Reflector Optical Block for Channel Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems face challenges in attenuating light to prevent detector saturation and signal distortion, particularly in high-transfer-rate data transmission, as current methods require additional components and mechanical complexity, and cannot adjust attenuation on a channel-by-channel basis.
Innovation Solution
An optical block with a textured reflector surface that scatters or absorbs light, allowing for active attenuation and transmitter power monitoring, enabling customized attenuation for each channel without adding components or mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical attenuator is used to reduce light transmission, then detector saturation and signal distortion are prevented, but device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attenuation function with the existing optical block structure by texturing the reflector surface. The optical block that already redirects light to the optical fiber is modified with a textured surface that provides attenuation, merging two functions (light redirection and attenuation) into a single component rather than adding a separate attenuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the reflector surface from smooth to textured. This parameter change in surface morphology enables the optical block to attenuate light through scattering and absorption mechanisms inherent in the textured surface, eliminating the need for additional attenuator components.
2Reliability
If a thin-film or bulk absorptive attenuator is used, then light transmission is reduced, but the attenuation cannot be adjusted on a channel-by-channel basis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical block into multiple independent optical paths, each with its own textured reflector surface. This segmentation allows each channel to have independent attenuation control through laser processing, enabling channel-by-channel adjustment while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality changes by selectively texturing specific regions of the reflector surface corresponding to different optical paths. Each localized textured region provides independent attenuation control for its associated channel, allowing different attenuation levels for different channels without affecting other channels.
3Reliability
If defocusing is used to decrease coupling into optical fiber, then light transmission is reduced, but mechanical adjustment range and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical defocusing mechanisms with a static textured surface structure. Instead of using movable lenses or mirrors to defocus light, the textured reflector surface provides passive optical attenuation through scattering and absorption, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment components and reducing device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attenuation blocks with different attenuation levels are used for multi-channel devices, then each channel can have customized attenuation, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple attenuation functions into a single optical block by creating multiple textured regions on the reflector surface. Each textured region corresponds to a different optical path and provides independent attenuation control, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate attenuation blocks into one integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects light from LEDs to optical fibers and provides independent attenuation control for each channel through its textured reflector surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attenuation blocks for each channel.
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 effectively reduces light transmission to a predetermined level, allowing for precise channel-by-channel attenuation, improving signal quality and reducing mechanical complexity while enabling transmitter power monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface
Implementation Method 2
The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical block includes a first surface that receives light entering the optical block, a second surface through which the light exits the optical block, and a reflector that reflects light from the first surface towards the second surface. The reflector includes a textured surface that scatters or absorbs some of the light received from the first surface to attenuate the light exiting the optical block through the second surface.