Two-Stage SBS Optical Pulse Delay System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical pulse delay methods using stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) suffer from significant pulse broadening and distortion, limiting their application in high-speed data networks due to fixed delay times and energy inefficiencies associated with electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage system is implemented, where the first stage uses conventional SBS for pulse delay and the second stage has opposite amplitude and phase transfer behavior, creating a linear overall system that counteracts spectral limitations and non-linear phase effects, allowing for distortion-free pulse delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stimulated Brillouin scattering is used for optical pulse delay, then delay time can be continuously adjusted, but pulse broadening and distortion occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable delay timeVSAvoidpulse shape preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two distinct stages: a first SBS-based delay stage and a second compensation stage. Each stage performs a specific function - the first stage provides the delay with spectral limitation and phase distortion, while the second stage compensates for these effects with opposite transfer characteristics, together achieving distortion-free delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second stage is designed with opposite amplitude and phase transfer behavior to counteract the effects of the first stage. The amplitude response compensates for spectral limitations and the phase response corrects non-linear phase effects, effectively canceling out the distortion introduced by the first stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Loss of time

If higher pump powers are used to compensate for increased delay bandwidth, then delay time increases, but saturation effects limit the maximum delay time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay timeVSAvoidpump power
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The delay function is segmented between two stages, allowing the system to achieve extended delay times without requiring excessive pump power in a single stage. The first stage operates within its linear range while the second stage provides compensation, avoiding saturation effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters by using two stages with different pump power levels and transfer characteristics. This allows achieving longer delay times through the combined effect rather than pushing a single stage into saturation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical components are used for optical storage, then storage functionality is achieved, but optical-electrical-optical conversion increases energy consumption and limits data rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage functionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical storage mechanisms with an all-optical delay system based on stimulated Brillouin scattering. This substitution eliminates the need for optical-electrical-optical conversion, reducing energy consumption and enabling higher data rates while maintaining storage functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The SBS-based delay system provides universal optical buffering functionality that can handle various data rates without conversion. The system works entirely in the optical domain, making it adaptable to different communication protocols and data rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enables adjustable, distortion-free optical pulse delay, preserving pulse shape and width, thus enhancing the performance and energy efficiency of data and communication networks by eliminating pulse broadening and maintaining high data rates.

Implementation Method 1

a first pump radiation being coupled into the waveguide in the opposite direction, which causes stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the wavelength range of the pulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStimulated Brillouin scattering: Brillouin Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2299611B1Optically monitored and distortion-free delay of optical pulses
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2299611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299611B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2299611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves operating a wave guide in successive level by coupling of pumping radiation, and adjusting the pumping radiation according to characteristics. Stimulated brillouin scattering is originated in wavelength range of optical pulse. The pumping radiation is coupled with the wave guide opposite to propagation direction of optical pulse that is modified by another pumping radiation. Overall linear characteristic of a complete system is resulted from sequence of two levels to maintain the optical pulse to be delayed. An independent claim is also included for an optical signal delaying system including a source.