Tunable Laser Array Routing for Reconfigurable Optical Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transmitters have static output configurations, requiring separate design for each application and network location, and necessitate additional switching elements for signal routing, leading to increased power consumption, circuit size, and system loss.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable optical transmitter with a tunable laser array and optical router, allowing dynamic routing of laser signals by tuning wavelengths, and determining output ports based on tuned wavelengths, enabling use across multiple applications and network configurations without physical reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate switching elements are added for signal routing, then signal routing capability is improved, but power consumption and circuit size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the routing function with the laser array by making each laser element independently controllable and positionable. This integration eliminates the need for separate switching elements, as the lasers themselves perform the routing function by directing signals to different wavelengths and ports, thereby reducing power consumption and circuit size while maintaining routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The laser array is designed to perform multiple functions: generating optical signals, routing signals to different destinations, and performing wavelength division multiplexing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated switching elements, reducing overall system complexity and power consumption while maintaining full routing capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate switching elements are added for signal routing, then signal routing capability is improved, but circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing functionality is merged into the laser array structure itself, where each laser element can be independently controlled to direct signals to specific output ports. This integration eliminates the need for separate switching circuitry, thereby reducing circuit size while maintaining full routing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The laser array serves multiple purposes: signal generation, wavelength modulation, and routing to different output ports. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require separate components into a single integrated structure, reducing overall circuit size
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate switching elements are added for signal routing, then signal routing capability is improved, but system loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the routing function directly into the laser array, the patent eliminates additional optical interfaces and switching elements that would introduce insertion loss. The direct coupling between laser elements and output ports minimizes optical path losses while maintaining routing flexibility
4Reliability
If optical transmitters are designed specifically for each application, then performance for specific application is optimized, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal optical transmitter platform with a reconfigurable laser array that can be programmed to perform different routing configurations for various applications. This single platform replaces multiple application-specific designs, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining optimized performance through software-controlled configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The laser array incorporates dynamically controllable elements that can be reconfigured in real-time to adapt to different application requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability allows a single device to replace multiple static designs, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining application-specific optimization through software control
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 reconfigurable optical transmitter reduces design and manufacturing costs, allows for reallocation of bandwidth in optical networks, and eliminates the need for separate switching elements, thereby reducing power consumption and system loss.
Implementation Method 1
tuning the wavelengths of the plurality of laser signals output by the laser array
Implementation Method 2
the optical router to output the plurality of received modulated laser signals to one or more of the output ports in the generated output configuration based on the tuned wavelength of each of the plurality of received modulated laser signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention describe apparatuses, optical systems, and methods for utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable optical transmitter. A laser array outputs a plurality of laser signals (which may further be modulated based on electrical signals), each of the plurality of laser signals having a wavelength, wherein the wavelength of each of the plurality of laser signals is tunable based on other electrical signals. An optical router receives the plurality of (modulated) laser signals at input ports and outputs the plurality of received (modulated) laser signals to one or more output ports based on the tuned wavelength of each of the plurality of received laser signals. This reconfigurable transmitter enables dynamic bandwidth allocation for multiple destinations via the tuning of the laser wavelengths.