Optical Waveguide Bend Measurement Using Higher-Order Mode Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical waveguides in electronic devices face challenges in accurately measuring bending amounts, which can affect communication quality due to sharp bends and optical axis misalignments, leading to increased coupling losses.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device that utilizes a light receiving unit to process optical signals at a second wavelength, allowing propagation in both basic and primary modes, to determine the bending amount of optical waveguides based on the ratio of primary and basic mode components, using electric conversion units and a determination unit to assess appropriateness of routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical fiber is routed with high design flexibility, then routing adaptability is improved, but bending amount increases causing coupling losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the bending amount of the optical waveguide before final routing is confirmed. By measuring the bending amount in advance and comparing it against predetermined thresholds, the system can identify problematic routes beforehand and adjust the routing to avoid excessive coupling losses while maintaining design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the optical fiber is routed with high design flexibility, then routing adaptability is improved, but communication quality deteriorates due to sharp bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the measured bending amount is fed back to the routing design process. By comparing the actual bending amount against predetermined thresholds and using this feedback information, the system can adjust routing decisions to maintain communication quality while preserving routing adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If the optical waveguide allows propagation only in basic mode at first wavelength, then mode purity is improved, but measurement capability at second wavelength is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical waveguide multi-functional by enabling it to operate in basic mode at the first wavelength for high-mode-purity communications, and in multimode (basic and primary modes) at the second wavelength for bending amount measurement. This universality allows the same waveguide to serve both communication and measurement purposes without requiring separate systems.
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
Accurately measures bending amounts of optical waveguides, reducing coupling losses and ensuring appropriate routing by determining if there is a sufficient margin for bends, thus maintaining communication quality.
Implementation Method 1
the optical waveguide allows propagation only in a basic mode at a first wavelength, and the second wavelength is a wavelength where the optical waveguide allows propagation at least in a primary mode in addition to the basic mode
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving unit that receives an optical signal outputted with a second wavelength from an optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus to properly measure the bending amount of an optical waveguide routed in an electronic device or the like. An optical signal outputted with a second wavelength from the optical waveguide is received by a light receiving unit. In this case, the optical waveguide allows propagation only in a basic mode at a first wavelength and the second wavelength is a wavelength where the optical waveguide allows propagation at least in a primary mode in addition to a basic mode. The bending amount of the optical waveguide is obtained by a processing unit on the basis of the amount of a primary mode component included in the optical signal with the second wavelength.