VCSEL Free-Space Optical Transceiver for Fiberless 10 Gbps Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems rely on optical fibers, which are prone to breakage and complex wiring, making them unsuitable for short/medium-distance applications, and there is a need for a cost-effective, high-speed signal transmission solution for devices like high-definition TVs and VR/AR devices.
Innovation Solution
A VCSEL-based free space active optical transceiver component comprising a transmitter and receiver with VCSELs, photodiodes, and focusing lens arrays on printed circuit boards, enabling high-speed signal transmission through free space using collimated and focused light signals, with WDM filters and band-pass filters for wavelength management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber connection is used, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to complex wiring and easy breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical transmission function from the optical fiber medium and implements it through free space optical transmission. The optical transceiver component transmits optical signals directly through air or vacuum without requiring physical fiber connections, thereby eliminating the complexity of fiber wiring while maintaining transmission reliability through controlled optical paths and focusing lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces focusing lenses and optical transmission paths as intermediaries between the transmitter and receiver. These optical elements mediate the signal transmission through free space, enabling reliable optical communication without direct physical fiber connections, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and wiring complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If optical fiber connection is used, then transmission stability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to affected appearance and installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical fiber from the transmission path and replaces it with free space optical transmission. This extraction eliminates the need for complex fiber installation and connection operations, making the system easier to install and operate while maintaining transmission stability through controlled optical paths and focusing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber connection system with an optical free space transmission system. Instead of physically connecting fibers, the system uses optical beams transmitted through air, controlled by lenses and alignment mechanisms, thereby simplifying installation and operation while maintaining stable transmission.
3Device complexity
If VCSEL-based free space optical transmission is used, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission rate may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses arrays of VCSELs and photodiodes segmented into multiple elements. This segmentation enables parallel transmission of multiple optical channels through free space, increasing the overall transmission rate while keeping each individual VCSEL element simple and low-cost, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and transmission rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-channel to multi-channel transmission by arranging VCSELs and photodiodes in arrays. This dimensional expansion from one to many channels enables higher aggregate transmission rates while maintaining simplicity at the component level, effectively resolving the contradiction between complexity and speed.
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
Enables high-speed signal transmission up to 10 Gbps with low cost, small size, and easy assembly, suitable for short/medium-range HDMI devices, offering a promising alternative to fiber optics with reduced environmental interference and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter that includes a plurality of VCSELs... configured to emit light signals
Implementation Method 2
the first focusing lens array being opposite to the plurality of VCSELs... and being configured to collimate transmitted signal light
Implementation Method 3
the second focusing lens array... being configured to focus received signal light... and then correspondingly focused and input to the plurality of photodiodes
Implementation Method 4
the plurality of photodiodes... being arranged in an array on the second printed circuit board... configured to receive the light signals
Implementation Method 5
The VCSEL on the receiver is configured to transmit feedback signal light
Implementation Method 6
the feedback signal light is reversely input to the second focusing lens array, collimated, and transmitted to the first focusing lens array
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)-based free space active optical transceiver component includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes first VCSELs, at least one first photodiode, a first focusing lens array or optical system (14), and a first printed circuit board. The receiver includes second photodiodes, at least one second VCSEL, a second focusing lens array or optical system, and a second printed circuit board. The transmission and reception of a short/medium-distance free space (wireless) high-speed optical communication signal can be implemented, and a single-channel transceiving rate may reach 10 Gbps or higher. The component may be used for implementing a free space high-speed signal transmission function in a short/medium-range high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) device.