Unequal Decision Regions for Optical Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems face limitations in bandwidth utilization, particularly when using Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), as they do not efficiently utilize the available bandwidth, leading to bottlenecks in data transmission with existing techniques like Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Digital Domain Power Division Multiplexing (DDPDM), which require complex processing and cannot support multiple transmitters with different power levels simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple light sources transmitting at different power levels on the same wavelength, using detection models based on Poisson probability distributions to differentiate between data streams, allowing for simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams on a single optical link, thereby increasing bandwidth without requiring complex interference cancellation or remodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is used to create multiple channels, then the data transmission capacity increases, but the bandwidth utilization remains inefficient and bottlenecks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of photon count decision regions from equal to unequal, allowing different channels to have different decision region sizes based on their power levels. This enables more efficient bandwidth utilization by optimizing the detection process for each channel's specific characteristics, resolving the bottleneck in data transmission capacity.
2Productivity
If Amplitude Modulation (AM) or Digital Domain Power Division Multiplexing (DDPDM) is used to transmit multiple data streams, then the bandwidth increases, but the processing complexity and hardware requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the interference cancellation and remodulation processes from the system, replacing them with a simpler photon count-based detection approach. By using unequal decision regions that directly account for different power levels, the system achieves multiple data stream transmission without the complex processing required by AM or DDPDM.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/electronic processing systems (interference cancellation, remodulation) with an optical detection approach based on photon counting. This replacement simplifies the hardware and software requirements while maintaining the ability to transmit multiple data streams simultaneously.
3Productivity
If multiple transmitters with different power levels are used simultaneously, then the bandwidth utilization improves, but the detection and measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating unequal decision regions tailored to each channel's specific power level characteristics. Instead of using a uniform detection approach, each channel receives customized decision boundaries that optimize detection for its power level, simplifying the overall detection process while improving bandwidth utilization.
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 significantly increases the bandwidth of each optical communication path, allowing for multiple data streams to be transmitted on a single link, doubling or tripling the bandwidth, while simplifying the hardware and software requirements for demultiplexing, and adapting to variations in transmitter power levels and aging circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver which employs a photon detection module to detect the light signals
Implementation Method 2
a light source at one end that transmits one or more data streams by modulating the data stream into light signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed in some examples, are optical devices, systems, and machine-readable mediums that send and receive multiple streams of data across a same optical communication path (e.g., a same fiber optic fiber) with a same wavelength using different light sources transmitting at different power levels - thereby increasing the bandwidth of each optical communication path. Each light source corresponding to each stream transmits at a same frequency and on the same optical communication path using a different power level. The receiver differentiates the data for each stream by applying one or more detection models to the photon counts observed at the receiver to determine likely bit assignments for each stream.