Variable Optical Branching for Control Signal Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In point-to-point wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network systems, the superimposition of auxiliary management and control channel signals on main signals leads to attenuation of optical power, reducing the transmission distance and deteriorating signal quality due to noise interference, limiting the effective power budget for main signals.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and system that employs a variable branching device to optimize the superimposition ratio and branching ratio of control and main signals based on minimum reception sensitivity, minimizing combined signal loss through a control unit that adjusts these parameters dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control signal is superimposed on a main signal, then control information can be transmitted without using a dedicated wavelength range, but the optical power of the main signal is attenuated and signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical branching device is introduced as an intermediary component to separate the control signal from the main signal path. The device branches the optical signal containing the superimposed control signal, allowing the control signal to be extracted and processed separately while the main signal continues through the transmission path, thus preventing the control signal from interfering with main signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The optical signal is segmented into separate control signal and main signal components using the optical branching device. This segmentation allows independent processing and optimization of each signal type, enabling control signal extraction without compromising main signal integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a control signal is superimposed on a main signal, then control information can be transmitted using the same wavelength range, but the transmission distance of the main signal is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The optical branching device acts as a mediator that separates the control signal path from the main signal path at an early stage, preventing cumulative attenuation effects. This allows the main signal to maintain its full transmission distance capability while still enabling control signal transmission through the branched path
3Reliability
If the optical power of the control signal is increased to improve reception sensitivity, then control signal can be received more reliably, but the available power budget for the main signal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical branching device enables independent power allocation by separating the control and main signal paths. This allows the system to allocate sufficient optical power to the control signal for reliable reception while simultaneously preserving adequate power budget for the main signal, as each signal type can be optimized independently without competing for the same power resources
Solution Approach 2:
The power budget is segmented into separate allocations for control signal and main signal through the branching mechanism. This segmentation enables independent optimization of power distribution, allowing enhanced control signal power for improved reception sensitivity without reducing the main signal's available power
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 maximizes the power budget available for main signals while ensuring control signal reception, thereby enhancing transmission distance and signal quality by optimizing the superimposition and branching ratios.
Implementation Method 1
intensity modulation is executed on an envelope of optical power of a main signal with the control signal superimposed thereon
Implementation Method 2
branches the main signal into a first branched signal and a second branched signal in accordance with a designated branching ratio
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes: a variable branching device that acquires, from a different communication device, an optical signal in accordance with a main signal with a control signal superimposed thereon at a superimposition ratio provided through a notification and branches the main signal into a first branched signal and a second branched signal in accordance with a designated branching ratio; an intensity measurement unit that measures optical power of the control signal in the second branched signal; and a control unit that selects a combination of the superimposition ratio and the branching ratio that minimizes a sum of main signal loss due to superimposition and branching from among combination candidates on the basis of minimum reception sensitivity of the optical power of the control signal and a result of measuring the optical power of the control signal, notifies the different communication device of the superimposition ratio in the selected combination, and designates the branching ratio in the selected combination for the variable branching device.