Optical Transceiver Terminal Reduction via Wavelength Table Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical transceiver modules for TWDM-PON systems require a large number of terminals for wavelength control, which limits miniaturization and increases size, particularly in SFP+ form factor, and there is a need to reduce the number of terminals for controlling transmission and reception wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
An optical transceiver module with a wavelength-tunable transmission and reception unit, a wavelength table, and a control unit that selects a combination of transmission and reception wavelengths based on a wavelength selection signal, reducing the number of terminals needed for control by using input terminals for multiple functions such as control pulses or voltage values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminals are provided for wavelength setting (2-pin for 4 wavelengths, 3-pin for 8 wavelengths, 4-pin or 6-pin for individual transmission/reception wavelength setting), then the number of selectable wavelengths increases, but the number of terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single terminal to perform multiple functions: it can input control pulses for wavelength selection, input control voltages for fine-tuning, and serve as a common control interface for both transmission and reception wavelength settings. This eliminates the need for separate terminals for each function, thereby reducing the total terminal count while maintaining full wavelength selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a unified terminal interface. Instead of having separate terminals for coarse wavelength selection (control pulses) and fine wavelength adjustment (control voltages), both control mechanisms share a common terminal. This consolidation reduces the terminal count while preserving all wavelength selection capabilities.
2Volume of moving object
If the number of terminals for wavelength control is reduced to enable miniaturization, then the form factor decreases, but the control functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed signals for wavelength selection. Control pulses are applied periodically to select from discrete wavelength channels, while control voltages provide continuous fine-tuning. This periodic pulse mechanism enables comprehensive wavelength control functionality within a compact terminal interface, maintaining adaptability while reducing size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by combining discrete pulse-based wavelength selection with continuous voltage-based fine-tuning through a single terminal. This dynamic multi-mode control approach ensures full wavelength adjustment capability is maintained despite the reduced terminal count, preserving system versatility in a compact form.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver includes a wavelength-tunable transmission unit configured to transmit an optical transmission signal, a wavelength-tunable reception unit configured to receive an optical reception signal, a wavelength table configured to store a plurality of combinations of a transmission wavelength and a reception wavelength, an input terminal configured to input a wavelength selection signal, and a control unit configured to select one combination of the transmission wavelength and the reception wavelength from the wavelength table based on the wavelength selection signal, and perform transmission wavelength control for setting the selected transmission wavelength in the wavelength-tunable transmission unit as a wavelength of the optical transmission signal and reception wavelength control for setting the selected reception wavelength in the wavelength-tunable reception unit as a wavelength of the optical reception signal.