Wavelength Selection Block with Optical Gating for Compact Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical distribution blocks in optical data networks are bulky, difficult to manufacture, and costly, limiting their efficiency and adaptability to varying network demands.
Innovation Solution
A wavelength selection block with four consecutive stages: a wavelength splitter, optical splitters, optical gates, and optical combiners, replacing arrayed waveguide gratings with semiconductor optical amplifiers for improved manufacturability and cost-effectiveness, allowing individual wavelength control and amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If arrayed waveguide gratings are used for wavelength splitting in optical distribution blocks, then wavelength routing capability is achieved, but device size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical distribution block is divided into multiple wavelength selection blocks, each handling a subset of wavelengths. Each wavelength selection block contains independent wavelength splitters, optical gates, and combiners, allowing modular manufacturing and assembly while maintaining full wavelength routing capability across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces controllable optical gates (such as semiconductor optical amplifiers or Mach-Zehnder modulators) that dynamically select which wavelengths are passed to which outputs. This dynamic control replaces static waveguide gratings with reconfigurable components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If arrayed waveguide gratings are used for wavelength splitting, then wavelength separation is achieved, but physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large arrayed waveguide grating to handle all wavelengths, the system segments the wavelength spectrum and uses multiple smaller wavelength splitters in parallel. Each splitter handles a subset of wavelengths, reducing the physical size of individual components while maintaining overall wavelength separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar waveguide gratings to a three-dimensional arrangement of optical components including vertical couplers, layered splitter structures, and stacked combiners. This vertical integration reduces the footprint area while maintaining wavelength separation functionality.
3Ease of operation
If traditional optical distribution blocks are used, then signal distribution is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple copies of simplified wavelength selection blocks to achieve the required signal distribution capacity. Each block is a standardized, low-cost unit containing splitters, gates, and combiners that can be mass-produced and assembled, replacing expensive custom-designed traditional optical distribution blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses relatively simple, inexpensive optical components such as standard optical splitters, combiners, and controllable gates that can be manufactured at low cost. These components are easier to produce than complex waveguide gratings, reducing overall system manufacturing cost even though they require more units to achieve the same functionality.
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
Reduces the physical size and manufacturing complexity of optical distribution blocks, enabling more efficient and adaptable optical data networks with granular control over wavelength routing and amplification.
Implementation Method 1
wavelength splitter being configured for splitting the multi-wavelength optical signal on the optical input into consecutive individual wavelength optical signals distributed over the wavelength outputs
Implementation Method 2
each optical splitter having a splitter input and a plurality of splitter outputs, each consecutive splitter creating a consecutive group of copies of each respective individual wavelength optical signal on its respective plurality of splitter outputs
Implementation Method 3
each copy of each consecutive group of copies is individually gated by a respective optical gate that is configured for selectively passing or blocking the respective individual wavelength optical signal
Implementation Method 4
each consecutive optical combiner input of each consecutive optical combiner receives a consecutive gated individual wavelength optical signal from each consecutive group so as to obtain a respective gated multi-wavelength optical signal on each optical combiner output
Implementation Method 5
This gated multi-wavelength optical signal may also be amplified in embodiments of the invention
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wavelength selection block (WSB-2) for a multi-port optical distribution block (PDB-2). The wavelength selection block (WSB-2) comprises: i) an optical input (INP) for receiving an optical fibre (1) carrying a multi-wavelength optical signal (λA) comprising a first number (K) of individual wavelength optical signals (λ1..λK); and ii) a second number (Y) of optical outputs (OUTP-1..OUTP-Y). The wavelength selection block (WSB-2) comprises four consecutive stages (S1..S4). In a first stage the multi-wavelength optical signal (λA) is split into consecutive individual wavelength optical signals (λ1..λK). In a second stage (S2) each individual wavelength optical signal (λ1..λK) is split into a respective group (GR-1..GR-K) of copies of the respective individual wave-length optical signal (λ1..λK), the number of copies equalling the multiplication factor (Y). In a third stage (S3) each copy of each consecutive group (GR-1..GR-K) of copies is individually gated for selectively passing or blocking the respective individual wavelength optical signal (λ1..λK) so as to obtain a respective gated individual wavelength optical signal (λ1g..λKg). In a fourth stage (S4) each consecutive gated individual wavelength optical signal (λ1g..λg) from each consecutive group (GR-1..GR-K) is combined so as to obtain a respective gated multi-wavelength optical signal (λAg), wherein each respective gated multi-wave-length optical signal (λAg) is coupled with a respective optical output (OUTP-1..OUTP-Y). The invention also relates to an optical distribution block (PDB-2) comprising a further number (N) of such wavelength selection blocks (WSB-2).