Tunable Laser Wavelength Calibration via Network Alive Messages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tunable lasers in passive optical networks require costly pre-characterization and additional components for wavelength calibration, leading to increased production costs and latency due to electronic processing in upstream data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method using tunable lasers that dynamically adjust their wavelength based on alive messages and confirmation messages between optical components, eliminating the need for prior characterization and allowing for efficient data transmission without precise wavelength selection, and enabling compensation for wavelength drifts due to temperature changes or aging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If tunable lasers use pre-determined wavelength selection with individual characterization tables, then wavelength accuracy is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The laser device autonomously determines its operational wavelength by transmitting alive messages and receiving confirmation messages from the network, eliminating the need for external characterization and manual configuration during production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The laser dynamically adjusts its wavelength parameter based on real-time network conditions and temperature changes, transitioning from a fixed pre-characterized wavelength to an adaptive wavelength that self-optimizes during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If tunable lasers include wavelength selective elements like etalon filters for calibration, then wavelength precision is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wavelength calibration function is extracted from the laser device itself and transferred to the network infrastructure, removing the need for etalon filters and monitor diodes within the laser unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network acts as an intermediary that provides wavelength calibration information through confirmation messages, replacing the need for internal wavelength selective elements in the laser device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional PONs use electronic processing for upstream data transmission, then data routing is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata routing capabilityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic processing with optical wavelength-based routing, where data transmission occurs directly at the optical layer without electronic conversion, eliminating buffering and scheduling delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from time-division multiplexing with electronic switching to wavelength-division multiplexing with optical routing, changing the fundamental parameter from temporal to spectral domain for data transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9173013B2Method and device for adjusting a laser in an optical network

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 XIEON NETWORKS SARL

AI summary

A method and a device for adjusting a laser in an optical network. At least one alive message is transmitted from a first optical component towards a second optical component. A confirmation message is transmitted from the second optical component to the first optical component determining the wavelength of the laser to be used based on the alive message received by the second optical component. Furthermore, an optical communication system is provided with an optical element.