Wavelength-Based Optical Power Positioning for ICT Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ICT systems face challenges in minimizing power consumption and cost due to the need for high power optical links for longer reach connections, which increases with the number of interconnected modules and linecards, and require a reach-adaptive power provision solution using standard integrated laser arrays.
Innovation Solution
A WDM-based light source distribution scheme that adjusts individual channel power provision based on interconnect range and scale, utilizing multi-wavelength laser arrays and silicon photonic devices, with a photonic unit including a demultiplexer and power splitters to supply optical power according to the required link budget, and wavelength-dependent routing using an AWGR for efficient and cost-effective power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high power optical links are used for longer reach connections, then the link budget requirement is met, but the power consumption and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different optical power levels to different wavelengths based on their specific link budget requirements. Instead of using uniform high power for all channels, the system assigns higher power to wavelengths needed for long reach connections and lower power to wavelengths for short reach connections, thereby optimizing power consumption while meeting reliability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power parameter dynamically based on wavelength and link requirements. By adjusting the optical power level as a variable parameter rather than using a fixed high power setting, the system can meet link budget requirements for longer reach connections when necessary while reducing power consumption for shorter reach connections.
2Reliability
If high power optical links are used for longer reach connections, then the link budget requirement is met, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different optical power levels to different wavelengths based on their specific link budget requirements. Instead of using uniform high power for all channels, the system assigns higher power to wavelengths needed for long reach connections and lower power to wavelengths for short reach connections, thereby optimizing power consumption while meeting reliability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power parameter dynamically based on wavelength and link requirements. By adjusting the optical power level as a variable parameter rather than using a fixed high power setting, the system can meet link budget requirements for longer reach connections when necessary while reducing power consumption for shorter reach connections.
3Device complexity
If standard integrated laser arrays with the same wavelength are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the number of optical fibers and connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wavelength as an additional dimension for multiplexing optical channels. Instead of using separate physical fibers for each channel, the system multiplexes multiple wavelengths onto a single fiber, effectively adding a spectral dimension to the communication system. This reduces the quantity of physical fibers and connectors while maintaining the functionality of multiple parallel channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple optical channels with different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing. This combining approach allows multiple data streams to share the same physical medium, reducing the total number of fibers and connectors required while maintaining the capability for high-capacity communication.
4Device complexity
If homogenous laser arrays with the same wavelength are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the component count and power consumption scale with the number of interconnected modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wavelength as an additional dimension for multiplexing optical channels. Instead of using separate physical fibers for each channel, the system multiplexes multiple wavelengths onto a single fiber, effectively adding a spectral dimension to the communication system. This reduces the quantity of physical fibers and connectors while maintaining the functionality of multiple parallel channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple optical channels with different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing. This combining approach allows multiple data streams to share the same physical medium, reducing the total number of fibers and connectors while maintaining the capability for high-capacity communication.
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 solution enhances system connectivity, increases channel capacity, and reduces system cost by allowing multiple channels with different wavelengths on a single fiber, providing power-efficient and cost-effective light distribution for various interconnect scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) based light source distribution scheme that adjusts the individual channel power provision based on interconnect range and scale. WDM significantly improves system connectivity since one fiber/waveguide can carry multiple channels with different wavelengths simultaneously.
Implementation Method 2
Each optical power splitter is operable to input one of the recovered continuous wave light beams from the optical demultiplexer and output one or more light beams at the same wavelength and at the same or lower power as the light beam input to that optical splitter
Implementation Method 3
WDM also enables wavelength-dependent routing by using passive devices such an arrayed-waveguide-grating-router (AWGR).
Data Source
AI summary
Wavelength-based optical power provisioning is provided by multiplexing a plurality of continuous wave light beams at different wavelengths onto a single optical fiber as a multiplexed light source and demultiplexing the multiplexed light source based on wavelength at a photonic unit coupled to the optical fiber to recover the continuous wave light beams. The recovered continuous wave light beams are split into a plurality of light beams by the photonic unit, each light beam having the same wavelength and the same or lower power as one of the recovered continuous wave light beams so that at least one of the light beams generated by the photonic unit has a higher power than the other light beams generated by the photonic unit.