Optical Transceiver Fiber Routing Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, high signal rates such as 100 Gbps are limited by distortion in optical fibers, and existing technologies face challenges in maintaining optimal fiber bending radii to prevent signal attenuation and physical damage, especially in coherent optical transceivers using dual polarization quadrature phase shift keying (DP-QPSK) modulation.
Innovation Solution
The optical transceiver design incorporates a first guide with an arc-shaped convex surface and a housing with an inner wall forming an arc-shaped path to ensure a bending radius of internal fibers greater than the minimum limit, along with a tray and heat dissipating member to manage thermal and mechanical stress, while maintaining compliance with industrial standards like CFP MSA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If internal fibers are routed through a compact housing for high-density integration, then device integration is improved, but fiber bending radius becomes smaller than the lower limit causing signal attenuation and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the guide structure with a convex surface that forms an arc-shaped path. This curved geometry ensures that internal fibers bend along a path with a radius larger than the lower limit, preventing signal attenuation and physical damage while maintaining compact housing integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary element between the housing and the internal fibers. It mediates the spatial relationship by providing a predetermined arc-shaped path that constraints fiber routing, ensuring adequate bending radius without requiring additional external components.
2Volume of moving object
If the housing dimensions are reduced to meet form factor requirements, then compactness is improved, but the available space for fiber routing with adequate bending radius is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by forming an arc-shaped path within the housing volume. The convex surface of the guide creates a curved routing path that optimizes the use of available spatial dimensions, allowing adequate fiber bending radius to be achieved within compact housing constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing curvature through the arc-shaped path formed by the convex surface, the design allows fibers to follow a optimized route that maintains adequate bending radius while fitting within the constrained housing volume, effectively resolving the dimensional conflict.
3Ease of manufacture
If internal fibers are allowed to move freely for ease of assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but fiber positioning precision and bending radius control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure functions as a flexible constraint system that provides predetermined routing paths without rigidly fixing the fibers. The convex surface guides fiber placement during assembly while maintaining the ability to accommodate natural fiber flexibility, balancing assembly ease with positioning precision.
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 design effectively reduces signal distortion and physical stress on internal fibers, enhancing transmission capacity and reliability by ensuring a safe bending radius and efficient heat dissipation within the constrained dimensions of the optical transceiver.
Implementation Method 1
an arc-shaped path that houses a portion of the internal fiber and bends the portion of the internal fiber with a bending radius larger than the lower limit
Implementation Method 2
a heat dissipating member; and a housing that houses the optical component, the internal fiber, the second guide, the integrated circuit component, the printed board, and the heat dissipating member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver includes an internal fiber that optically connects an optical modulator and a VOA, the internal fiber having a lower limit of bending radius, a guide that includes an arc-shaped convex surface, and a lower housing having an internal space and includes the optical modulator, the VOA, the internal fiber, and the guide. The arc-shaped convex surface of the guide and the inner wall of the lower housing forms an arc-shaped path that houses a portion of the internal fiber and bent the portion of the internal fiber with a bending radius larger than the minimum bending radius.