Wavelength Checker Using Optical Conversion for PON Signal Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wavelength checkers for PON systems, such as optical spectrum analyzers, are large, heavy, and require a 100 V power supply, making them impractical for portable confirmation of signal light and failure isolation in PON systems.
Innovation Solution
A compact wavelength checker with an optical waveguide chip and an optical conversion unit that converts near-infrared light to visible light, featuring an arrayed waveguide grating and a reflection surface inclined to face the main substrate, allowing for easy identification of signal light through visible light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical spectrum analyzer is used to measure wavelength, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase, making it non-portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core wavelength measurement function from the complex optical spectrum analyzer by using only a diffraction grating and detector without the movable parts, power supply, and control systems. This extraction enables portable wavelength checking while maintaining measurement precision through the simplified optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the optical spectrum analyzer's measurement principle using a diffraction grating and detector array that replicates the wavelength detection capability without requiring the full functionality of the original instrument, including power supply and complex control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If an optical spectrum analyzer is used to measure wavelength, then measurement precision is improved, but weight increases, reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential wavelength detection components (diffraction grating and detector) from the heavy optical spectrum analyzer, eliminating the power supply, movable parts, and control systems that contribute to weight, thereby achieving portable wavelength measurement with maintained precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, lightweight components such as a simple diffraction grating and detector instead of the expensive, heavy optical spectrum analyzer, creating a disposable or temporary measurement solution that is sufficient for field deployment and failure isolation tasks.
3Measurement precision
If an optical spectrum analyzer is used to measure wavelength, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases, requiring 100V power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the passive wavelength detection function from the power-consuming optical spectrum analyzer by using a diffraction grating and detector that require no power supply, enabling battery-operated or portable operation while maintaining wavelength measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs passive optical components (diffraction grating and detector) that perform wavelength measurement without requiring external power, allowing the device to be self-sufficient and portable without needing a 100V power supply or complex power management systems.
4Ease of operation
If a reflection surface is added to the optical waveguide chip, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflection surface function with the optical waveguide chip structure by forming the reflection surface directly on the chip's light-emitting end face, eliminating the need for separate external reflection components and simplifying the overall device structure while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical waveguide chip multi-functional by integrating both light emission and reflection functions into a single component, allowing the chip to serve as both the light source and the reflection element, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed.
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 efficient and portable confirmation of signal light and failure isolation in PON systems by converting near-infrared light to visible light, improving work efficiency and portability without the need for a high power supply.
Implementation Method 1
an optical conversion unit 102 composed of a conversion material that converts near-infrared light to visible light
Implementation Method 2
the light emitting-side end surface of the optical waveguide chip on the side from which light is output to an external space is a reflection surface inclined to face the main substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A wavelength checker includes an optical converter composed of a conversion material that converts infrared light into visible light. The optical converter is disposed, on an output side (side from which light is output to an external space) of a plurality of first output waveguides of an optical waveguide chip, to receive emitted light that is guided through the first output waveguides and reflected on and emitted from the light emitting-side end surface. The light emitting-side end surface is a reflection surface that is inclined to face a main substrate.