VSB Optical Transmitter with Lensed Thin Film Filter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication technologies face limitations in indoor 6G networks due to shorter radio wave arrival distances and reduced transmittance, particularly in environments where chromatic dispersion affects transmission speed and distance, especially with C-band optical signals.
Innovation Solution
A photonic integrated chip (PIC)-based vestigial sideband (VSB) optical transmitter structure is proposed, incorporating a modulator, an optical fiber block, and a lensed thin film filter, where the angle of the optical signal from the grating or edge coupler coincides with the lensed thin film filter's angle of incidence, enabling efficient generation and optimization of VSB signals by controlling the wavelength of the light source based on measurements from multiple photodetectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional optical communication technologies are used for indoor 6G networks, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but transmission speed and distance are limited due to chromatic dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional optical communication to vestigial sideband (VSB) modulation, which modifies the spectral parameters of the optical signal. The VSB filter is designed with specific transmission characteristics that compensate for chromatic dispersion, allowing the signal to maintain its integrity over longer distances at higher speeds without the harmful effects of dispersion limiting performance.
2Length of stationary object
If VSB modulation is implemented with a lensed thin film filter, then transmission distance is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated VSB filter structure. The lensed thin film filter combines the functions of wavelength selection, sideband filtering, and chromatic dispersion compensation in one component. This integration approach extends transmission distance while minimizing the increase in device complexity by eliminating the need for separate filtering and compensation stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The lensed thin film filter acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the optical fiber. It mediates the optical signal by selectively transmitting the vestigial sideband while blocking other spectral components, thereby enabling extended transmission distance without requiring complex multi-stage processing systems.
3Productivity
If the angle of the optical signal from the grating coupler is designed to coincide with the angle of incident of the lensed thin film filter, then filtering efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-designing the grating coupler and lensed thin film filter with complementary angular characteristics during the manufacturing stage. The grating coupler is designed to emit light at a specific angle that matches the optimal incident angle of the lensed thin film filter. This preliminary angular matching ensures maximum filtering efficiency while reducing the need for post-manufacturing alignment adjustments.
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 configuration stabilizes and enhances the quality of VSB optical signals, reducing environmental dependencies and optical losses, thereby improving transmission efficiency and capacity in indoor 6G networks.
Implementation Method 1
a part of a modulated optical signal output from the first grating coupler is reflected through the lensed thin film filter when the modulated optical signal is filtered through the lensed thin film filter
Implementation Method 2
The PIC comprises at least one grating coupler, and the lensed thin film filter is disposed so that an angle of an optical signal emitted from a first grating coupler of the PIC coincides with an angle of incident (AOI) of the lensed thin film filter
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an optical transmitter for generating a vestigial sideband (VSB) optical signal. The optical transmitter includes: a modulator configured based on a photonic integrated chip (PIC); an optical fiber block; and a lensed thin film filter implemented between the modulator configured based on the PIC and the optical fiber block. The PIC includes at least one grating coupler, and the lensed thin film filter is disposed so that an angle of an optical signal emitted from a first grating coupler of the PIC coincides with an angle of incident (AOI) of the lensed thin film filter to design the first grating coupler and the lensed thin film filter.