Tunable Optical Filter with Beam Translator for Compact Spectrometer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical channel monitors (OCM) are limited by high cost, size, and slow measurement times, particularly in optical communication systems, due to the need for multiple devices to monitor multiple channels and signals, which also suffer from reduced reliability and limited spectral resolution.
Innovation Solution
A tunable optical filter with a beam translator and reflective wavelength dispersive unit allows for synchronous scanning of input and output optical beams across multiple paths, reducing the scanning range and improving light collection efficiency, speed, and reliability, enabling scalable and compact multi-path monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional laboratory spectrometers are used for optical channel monitoring, then wavelength accuracy and spectral resolution can be achieved, but the devices become bulky, costly, and require periodic calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical paths into a single integrated spectrometer device. By using a wavelength selective switch to route signals from multiple monitoring points through a shared optical path to a single detector, the system achieves laboratory-grade spectral resolution without requiring multiple separate spectrometer units, thereby reducing overall device size and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrometer is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple monitoring points simultaneously. The wavelength selective switch enables a single spectrometer to analyze optical signals from N different monitoring locations by dynamically routing each signal through the same optical path, eliminating the need for dedicated spectrometers at each location and reducing calibration requirements
2Measurement precision
If N independent OCMs are deployed to monitor N monitoring points, then measurement precision is maintained, but cost, space, and power dissipation increase by factor N
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges N separate monitoring functions into a single spectrometer system. The wavelength selective switch acts as a router that directs optical signals from N different monitoring points through a shared optical path to a single detector, maintaining measurement precision while reducing the number of devices from N to 1
Solution Approach 2:
The single spectrometer is designed with universal capability to monitor all N points. The wavelength selective switch enables the spectrometer to sequentially or simultaneously analyze signals from different monitoring locations, providing multi-functionality that eliminates the need for multiple dedicated devices
3Device complexity
If a selector switch is used to route N monitoring points to a single OCM, then device size and cost are reduced, but measurement response time increases due to sequential scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength selective switch employs dynamic routing capability to optimize signal paths. Rather than fixed sequential scanning, the switch can dynamically route signals to enable parallel measurement paths, allowing the single spectrometer to maintain fast response times while monitoring multiple points simultaneously
4Measurement precision
If multiple OCMs are synchronized to monitor input and output ports simultaneously, then wavelength accuracy is improved, but cost and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple synchronized OCMs into a single spectrometer system. The wavelength selective switch routes both input and output port signals to the same spectrometer, which can analyze them simultaneously or in rapid succession, maintaining wavelength accuracy without requiring multiple independent devices
Solution Approach 2:
The wavelength selective switch acts as an intermediary that enables a single spectrometer to access multiple monitoring points. By routing signals from different ports through the switch to the shared spectrometer, the system achieves synchronized measurement capability without the complexity of multiple independent OCM units
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 enables high-precision, fast spectral measurements across multiple channels and signals, improving the reliability and reducing the size and cost of OCMs while maintaining high spectral resolution and scanning range, thus addressing the limitations of existing OCMs.
Implementation Method 1
a beam translator coupled to the first input port, for translating the first input optical beam in a first plane in response to a control signal applied to the beam translator
Implementation Method 2
an element having optical power, for collimating the translated first optical beam
Implementation Method 3
a reflective wavelength dispersive unit coupled to the element having optical power, for angularly dispersing the collimated first optical beam in a plane parallel to the first plane
Implementation Method 4
reflective wavelength dispersive unit
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable optical filter is disclosed having an input port, a beam translator for translating input and output optical beams, an element having optical power for collimating the translated beam, a reflective wavelength dispersive element, and an output port. The beam translator can include a tiltable MEMS mirror coupled to an angle-to-offset optical element. An output port can be extended into a plurality of egress ports, each receiving a fraction of the scanned optical spectrum. A multi-path scanning optical spectrometer can be used as an optical channel monitor for monitoring performance of a wavelength selective switch, or for other tasks.