Tunable Laser PIC with AWG for WDM Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing WDM optical communication systems require separate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for different network implementations due to fixed wavelengths, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with tunable lasers and an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) that allows for selective supply of optical signals across a range of wavelengths, enabling a single PIC to cover multiple network implementations by adjusting wavelengths in multiples of the free spectral range (FSR), thereby reducing the need for multiple PICs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed wavelength optical sources are used in PICs, then the optical signals have stable and reliable wavelengths, but different network implementations require separate PICs leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the optical sources tunable rather than fixed. Each optical source can be dynamically adjusted to output different wavelengths within a range, allowing a single PIC to adapt to different network implementations. The control circuit enables dynamic wavelength selection based on network requirements, resolving the contradiction between wavelength stability and implementation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the optical sources from fixed values to tunable ranges. By allowing the wavelength parameter to vary within specific ranges for each source, the system can support multiple network implementations (e.g., different channel spacing requirements) while maintaining reliable optical signal generation, thus eliminating the need for separate PICs for different networks.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate PICs are fabricated for different network implementations, then each PIC is optimized for its specific wavelength requirements, but manufacturing costs increase due to producing multiple variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single PIC that can serve multiple network implementations. The tunable optical sources allow the same PIC to be configured for different wavelength requirements, making the device multi-functional. This eliminates the need to fabricate separate PICs for different networks, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the precision required for each specific application through software-controlled wavelength selection.
3Reliability
If multiple discrete components are used for transmitters and combiners, then each component can be independently optimized, but system complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter components (optical sources and modulators) and the optical combiner into a single integrated photonic circuit. This integration eliminates the need for separate discrete components and their associated interconnections, reducing system complexity and assembly requirements. The unified PIC structure maintains component performance through careful design of the integrated elements, resolving the contradiction between component optimization and system simplicity.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs by allowing a single PIC to support various network implementations, improving flexibility and reliability in optical communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
An arrayed waveguide grating is provided that has input waveguides, a first dielectric slab, a second dielectric slab, intermediate waveguides extending between the first and second dielectric slabs, and an output waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The light from each transmitter, which may include a semiconductor laser, may be separately modulated to carry a corresponding data stream and combined by the optical combiner to provide the wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal
Implementation Method 3
Each of the optical sources is connected to a corresponding one of the input waveguides of the arrayed waveguide grating, and each of the optical sources supplies a corresponding selectable one of a number of optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Consistent with one example of the disclosed implementations, a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) may be provided that includes s group of lasers and an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) disposed on a substrate. Each laser in the group may supply an optical signal, such that each optical signal has a different wavelength. Each laser may be tunable to at least two designated wavelengths, which are separated from one another by a free spectral range (FSR) of the AWG. As a result, the optical signals provided from each laser may be combined by the AWG, regardless of which designated wavelength the optical signals have. Accordingly, a PIC may be provided that has a relatively simple construction but can supply optical signals having tunable wavelengths.