Wavelength Converter Frequency Alignment for Optical Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wavelength conversion devices in optical networks face high possibilities of abnormality, particularly with excitation light, leading to frequency deviations that cause reception errors due to misalignment of excitation light frequencies during switching, which existing technologies struggle to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength conversion device equipped with a first and second excitation light source, a wavelength converter, and a measurer that adjusts the frequency of the second excitation light to match the first excitation light's frequency in case of abnormality, ensuring continuous operation by aligning frequencies and preventing reception errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a redundancy is provided to excitation light by having multiple excitation light sources, then the reliability of the wavelength conversion device is improved, but frequency deviation occurs during switching between excitation light sources causing reception errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and storing the frequency of each excitation light source before switching occurs. When switching between excitation light sources, the system retrieves the stored frequency information and performs frequency adjustment in advance, preventing frequency deviation that would cause reception errors. This ensures that the second excitation light source's frequency matches the first excitation light source's frequency before the switch is completed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the frequency of excitation light sources using a frequency measurement unit. The measured frequency information is fed back to a frequency adjustment unit, which automatically adjusts the excitation light source's frequency to match the reference frequency. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures frequency alignment during switching between redundant excitation light sources, preventing reception errors while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequency adjustment is performed during excitation light switching, then reception errors are prevented, but the complexity of the wavelength conversion device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components (frequency measurement unit and frequency adjustment unit) that mediate between the excitation light sources and the wavelength conversion process. These intermediaries handle the complex frequency measurement and adjustment tasks, allowing the main wavelength conversion device to maintain its primary function while achieving frequency alignment. The intermediaries encapsulate the complexity, making the overall system manageable despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the excitation light sources to automatically measure and adjust their own frequencies without requiring external intervention. The frequency measurement unit measures the frequency of each excitation light source, and the frequency adjustment unit automatically adjusts the frequency based on the measured values, making the system self-regulating and reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
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
The solution effectively suppresses frequency deviations during excitation light switching, ensuring uninterrupted communication by aligning frequencies and preventing reception errors in wavelength conversion devices.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength converter that converts signal light of a first wavelength into signal light of a second wavelength according to the first excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first excitation light source that emits first excitation light, a second excitation light source that emits second excitation light, a wavelength converter that converts signal light of a first wavelength into signal light of a second wavelength according to the first excitation light, and a measurer that measures a frequency difference between the first excitation light and the second excitation light, wherein when an abnormality of the first excitation light is detected, the second excitation light source is adjusted so that a frequency of the second excitation light is aligned with a frequency of the first excitation light before the abnormality detection, based on the frequency difference before the abnormality detection, and the wavelength converter converts the signal light of the first wavelength into the signal light of the second wavelength according to the second excitation light, after adjusting the frequency of the second excitation light.