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WO2003017548A1 - Systeme optique modulaire - Google Patents

Systeme optique modulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003017548A1
WO2003017548A1 PCT/GB2002/003725 GB0203725W WO03017548A1 WO 2003017548 A1 WO2003017548 A1 WO 2003017548A1 GB 0203725 W GB0203725 W GB 0203725W WO 03017548 A1 WO03017548 A1 WO 03017548A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optical
channels
optic
wavelength
channel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/003725
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Etienne Edouard Louis Friedrich
Original Assignee
Bookham Technology Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bookham Technology Plc filed Critical Bookham Technology Plc
Priority to US10/487,125 priority Critical patent/US20040231268A1/en
Publication of WO2003017548A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003017548A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/07—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems
    • H04B10/075—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal
    • H04B10/077—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using a supervisory or additional signal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04J—MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
    • H04J14/00—Optical multiplex systems
    • H04J14/02—Wavelength-division multiplex systems
    • H04J14/0221—Power control, e.g. to keep the total optical power constant
    • H04J14/02216—Power control, e.g. to keep the total optical power constant by gain equalization
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/07—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems
    • H04B10/075—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal
    • H04B10/079—Arrangements for monitoring or testing transmission systems; Arrangements for fault measurement of transmission systems using an in-service signal using measurements of the data signal
    • H04B10/0795—Performance monitoring; Measurement of transmission parameters
    • H04B10/07955—Monitoring or measuring power

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical system comprising an optics device configured to handle a number of optical channels at different frequencies.
  • the invention also relates to an optical device per se and to a method of configuring the same.
  • WDM wavelength division multiplex
  • the requirements of a WDM system may differ between different users and over time.
  • different users may have different capacity requirements (i.e. number of optical channels), and for any single user these capacity requirements can increase over time.
  • THF thin film filter
  • a multichannel optic system including an optic device physically configured so as to potentially provide a predetermined function in relation to a maximum number of optical channels at different frequencies; and a control device which is adapted to reversibly disable the optic device in relation to a selected number of the optical channels and thereby limit the number of optical channels for which the predetermined function is provided to a number less than the maximum number, and which is upgradeable so as to provide the predetermined function for an increased number of optical channels.
  • the control device reversibly disables the optic device in relation to one or more of the optical channels by disabling the option of dropping or further propagating those channels, but is upgradeable so as to increase the number of optical channels for which the option is provided.
  • the control device reversibly disables the optic device in relation to one or more optical channels by disabling the option of controlling the optical power level of those channels prior to multiplexing, but is upgradeable so as to increase the number of optical channels for which the power level can be controlled to within the required range prior to multiplexing.
  • the control device reversibly disables the optic device in relation to one or more of the optical channels by disabling the monitoring function for those channels, and which is upgradeable to increase the number of optic channels for which the monitoring function is provided.
  • optical system refers to the combination of the "optic device” and the “control device”, and may optionally include, for example, other optical structures, modules, components and assemblies.
  • control device may, for example, include hardware and/ or software for reversibly disabling the optic device in relation to a selected number of the optical channels. In one emtbodiment, it includes a software key that is upgradeable to allow access to the function of the optic device for a greater number of the optical channels for which the optic device is physically configured.
  • the optic device includes a wavelength-dispersive component and an array of waveguides for inputting .to or receiving from the wavelength-dispersive component respective optical channels, each waveguide of the array being provided with a variable attenuator for selectively adjusting the level of optic power for the respective optical channel, the optic device being provided to perform a predetermined function in relation to each optical channel; and wherein the variable attenuators controlled by the control device such that the number of useable channels is limited to a selected number less than the maximum number by operating one or more of the variable attenuators so as to disable the predetermined function of the optic device with respect to the one or more optic channels associated therewith.
  • variable attenuators may, for example, be ones that can have their attenuation changed in a continuously variable manner, or in steps of any height or number, according to the role of the attenuators in limiting the number of useable channels and any other additional role that the attenuators may have in the optic system.
  • an optical system comprising: an optical device with a dispersive optical component configured to handle a plurality of optical channels at different frequencies and having at least one input for receiving an optical input and at least one output for providing an optical output, wherein each optical channel provides an optical function; selection means for selectively reversibly disabling at least some of said optical channels such that the optical function on a disabled channel is no longer implemented; and a controller configured to control the selection means in accordance with a key to determine which of the optical channels are disabled.
  • the optical function is that of guiding the optical signal along an optical waveguide. That function can be inhibited by the provision of a controllable attenuator which can attenuate the level of an optical signal on the optical waveguide to such a level that it no longer contributes to the useful optical output. In such a manner, the optical channel is effectively disabled. However, the disabling is reversible, because the attenuation can simply be turned off at a later stage.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of configuring an optical device comprising a dispersive optical component arranged to handle a number of optical channels at different frequencies and having at least one input for receiving an optical input and at least one output for providing an optical output, the method comprising: disabling a set of said plurality of optical channels using a first key to determine which of said optical channels are disabled; providing said optical device to a user; and subsequently enabling at least some of said set of disabled channels using a second key.
  • a user can initially pay for an optics chip or module in which some of the optical channels which are physically available have been disabled electronically.
  • he can purchase a subsequent (second) key from the vendor and that key will allow the optical channels which were disabled to be re-enabled or activated.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides an optical device comprising a dispersive optical component configured to handle a number of optical channels at different frequencies and having at least one input for receiving an optical input and at least one output for providing an optical output wherein each optical channel is provided with a controllable attenuator for selectively attenuating the optical signal on that optical channel to a level at which it no longer contributes to the optical output, wherein at least some of the attenuators are set to attenuate the optical signal to said level whereby their associated channels are disabled.
  • the technique of the present invention allows the different requirements of users to be met by an optic device having the same physical configuration. This is advantageous in the case of, for example, AWG devices, because it is easier on a particular production run to make optic devices that have the same physical configuration.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of an arrayed waveguide grating implemented as a demultiplexer
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-chip module
  • Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating replacement of a processor chip in a multi-chip module
  • Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an arrayed waveguide grating implemented as a demultiplexer in an alternative embodiment
  • Figure 5 illustrates an optic system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an integrated optics chip 2 defining a multiplexer/ demultiplexer wherein the chip boundary is denoted by reference numeral 4.
  • a dispersive waveguide array 11 consists of a plurality of curved waveguides 12.
  • the optic chip may be a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) chip and the waveguides may be silicon ridge waveguides ' of the type shown in US Patent No. 5,757,986.
  • the array 11 is a dispersive array of ridge waveguides formed on the chip 2.
  • Each of the waveguides has a straight input section 15 and a straight output section 19. Line 13 indicates the junction between the straight input sections 15 and the curved sections 12.
  • the line 14 indicates the junction between the curved sections and the straight output sections 19.
  • the input and output ends of the array 11 are symmetrical.
  • the straight input sections 15 incline inwards towards each other so as to point to the focus position 17 at the end of an input waveguide 16.
  • the straight output sections 19 are inclined towards each other so as to form a focus in region 20 adjacent the entrance to an array of N output waveguides 21.
  • the individual output waveguides are labelled respectively 21 a ... 21 N -
  • the geometry of the input and output ends of the array each form part of a similar Rowland circle arrangement as indicated by the unlabelled dotted circles in Figure 1. Due to the dispersion within the array 11 being dependent on wavelength, the demultiplexed output channels are focussed on an arc of a circle at the focal line 20 adjacent the input to the output waveguides 21.
  • An array of output waveguides 21 detect the output channel images formed at the focal line 20 and transmit the optical signals off chip.
  • the waveguides 21 a ... 21N are used as the multiple channel inputs and the waveguide 16 acts as the output.
  • the chip 2 is operating as a demultiplexer.
  • Each output waveguide 21 a ... 21N is provided with an optical attenuator 30 a ... 30N- These attenuators are controlled by respective tracks 32a ... 32N provided on the chip 2 and to which are supplied control signals 34 a ... 34N as explained later.
  • the attenuators 30 a to 30 N are used to effectively select the number of "useful" channels.
  • the attenuators are set to a "high" level, that is to a level at which they attenuate beyond the practical and acceptable insertion loss level (typically an extra 5-10 dB of loss). Of course, they can be set to full attenuation (e.g. around 40 dB of loss) but that uses more power and may not be necessary.
  • the "useful" channels are those with no attenuation, that is with the attenuators on those waveguides effectively enabled, that is the state they are in for the normal and functional mode of operation.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a multi-chip module 1 comprising an optics chip 2 and a processing chip 6.
  • the chip 2 receives an optical input which is labelled 3 in Figure 2.
  • this input comprises a plurality of optical channels being conveyed along the single input waveguide 16.
  • the separated channels are output on respective waveguides 21 ... 21N on the chip 2 to provide the chips optical output 7.
  • the processing chip 6 includes a selector 36 which selects the useful channels. For example, consider the case where a non-zero number, n of the N channels are useful, the selector 36 would turn on the attenuators for (N-n) of the channels such that there was no useful output on those channels.
  • the selector 36 might comprise, for example, a plurality of current or voltage sources for supplying the drive signals 34 a ... 34N to the attenuators 30 a ... 30N according to the required state of attenuation on each channel.
  • a key 38 controls the selector 36. The key 38 is responsible for identifying which current/ voltage sources are active. Although shown in schematic block form, the key 38 can be implemented as a software key executable by a processor running a program 9 on the processing chip 6.
  • variable attenuation on useful channels is provided, in addition to the possibility of completely or substantially attenuating channels to disable them.
  • an optics chip or module 2 can be supplied to a customer physically incorporating the maximum number N of likely possible channels to be utilised.
  • a customer first purchases the module he may not have need for use of all those channels and therefore he may be permitted to purchase the module at a cheaper price.
  • a first key 38 is set to render some of the channels not useful by significantly attenuating them as described above. If, sometime after purchase, the customer decides that he wishes to upgrade the capability of the chip 2 to allow for a greater number of channels, he may purchase a new key from the vendor, for example in the form of a code or software file.
  • a link to a program interface is illustrated in Figure 2 to exemplify how the key 38 might be altered. As an example, a chip may initially be sold with 16 working channels, and subsequently upgraded to 32 or 64 working channels by subsequent purchases of different keys.
  • an optics device where an optics chip is sold with a certain number of possible optical elements physically configured, but with an ability to reversibly disable some of the optical elements prior to sale in such a manner that they can later be made useful.
  • an optics device could be sold with a plurality of optical waveguides, each having a switch. The function of the switch may initially be required on a small number of the optical guides, in which case the switches on the other guides can be deactivated prior to sale using a software key.
  • the principle can also be applied to optical channel monitors, where the optical outputs from the waveguides 21 a ... 21 N are picked up by photo-detectors and processed by the processor chip 6. In that case, it may be desirable, in addition to controlling the number of optical channels which are active at the outputs, to be able to provide a more sophisticated processing chip when the number of useful optical channels is increased.
  • Figure 3 shows how an initial processing chip 6 may be replaced by an upgraded processing chip 6' in a multi-chip module 1.
  • Optical channel monitors are not discussed further herein because they are known per e.
  • the attenuators can be any suitable attenuators, such as pin diodes or Mach-Zehnder interferometer-type attenuating elements. Once again these are not described further herein because they are known in the art. It would also be possible to implement the invention using mechanical attenuators.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a system 50 for optical channel monitoring comprising an optics chip 52 and a processing module 54.
  • the integrated silicon-on-insulator optics chip 52 defines an arrayed waveguide grating 56 of the kind described above coupled at one end to an input waveguide 58 via a first free space region 60 and at the other end to an array of photodiodes 62 via a second free space region 64.
  • a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optic signal is introduced into the input waveguide 58 and the wavelength-dispersed output is detected by the photodiode array 62.
  • the intensity-wavelength characteristic of the light received at each photodiode of the array is different from the others by virtue of the unique position that each photodiode occupies at the edge of the second free space region 64 in relation to the output end of the array waveguide grating 56.
  • the power of one or more channels of the " WDM signal can be determined by subjecting the electrical outputs of the photodiodes as a whole to digital signal processing, as described in co-pending US application no. 09/964,509, whose entire content is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the processing chip 66 is detachably connected to the processing module to receive the electrical outputs from the photodiodes via an array of tracks 68 provided on the processing module 54.
  • the digital signal processing is carried out by the processing chip 66 according to digital signal processing software 68 embedded within the processing chip 66.
  • the output of the processing chip 66 can be displayed on a monitor and/ or used to control a device for, for example, controlling other optic elements defined in the same or another optic chip.
  • the number of optical channels for which a useful output is available to the user from the processing chip 66 is controlled by the digital signal processing software 68. Accordingly, as with the embodiment described earlier, the number of channels for which a useful output is available to a user can be limited to a nonzero number less than the maximum that the hardware, i.e. the optic chip, photodiodes and processing unit, is physically configured to handle by providing the system with a processing chip embedded with digital signal processing software that is adapted accordingly.
  • customers may not have need for use of all those channels and therefore they may be permitted to purchase the module at a cheaper price with a processing chip embedded with digital processing software adapted to limit the number of channels for which a useful output is produced to a relatively small number. If, sometime after the original purchase, the customers decide that they wish to use the system to monitor a greater number of channels, they can purchase a new processing chip embedded with appropriately upgraded software and replace the existing processing chip with the new processing chip.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Optical Communication System (AREA)
  • Optical Modulation, Optical Deflection, Nonlinear Optics, Optical Demodulation, Optical Logic Elements (AREA)

Abstract

Ce système optique multicanal est constitué d'un bloc optique et d'un contrôleur. La configuration physique du bloc optique est prévue pour un potentiel de fonctionnement correspondant à un nombre maximum de canaux optiques mis en oeuvre à des fréquences différentes. Le contrôleur est prévu pour mettre hors fonction de façon réversible le bloc optique en fonction d'un nombre choisi de canaux optiques, et par conséquent limiter à un nombre inférieur au maximum le nombre des canaux optiques pour lequel le fonctionnement est prévu. En outre, on a la possibilité de revoir à la hausse le nombre de canaux optiques pour lesquels la fonction prévue est disponible.
PCT/GB2002/003725 2001-08-17 2002-08-13 Systeme optique modulaire WO2003017548A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/487,125 US20040231268A1 (en) 2001-08-23 2002-08-13 Suspending equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0120141.7 2001-08-17
GBGB0120141.7A GB0120141D0 (en) 2001-08-17 2001-08-17 Modular optical system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003017548A1 true WO2003017548A1 (fr) 2003-02-27

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ID=9920615

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/003725 WO2003017548A1 (fr) 2001-08-17 2002-08-13 Systeme optique modulaire

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB0120141D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003017548A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000180803A (ja) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-30 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 多チャネル光可変減衰器
EP1076434A2 (fr) * 1999-08-12 2001-02-14 Fujitsu Limited Dispositif et procédé d'amplification optique pour l'amplification de lumière d'une BANDE DE LONGUEUR D'ONDE ETENDUE
EP1089479A2 (fr) * 1999-09-30 2001-04-04 Lucent Technologies Inc. Multiplexeur d'insertion/extraction pour multiplexage en longueurs d'ondes

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000180803A (ja) * 1998-12-15 2000-06-30 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 多チャネル光可変減衰器
US6282361B1 (en) * 1998-12-15 2001-08-28 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Multi-channel variable optical attenuator
EP1076434A2 (fr) * 1999-08-12 2001-02-14 Fujitsu Limited Dispositif et procédé d'amplification optique pour l'amplification de lumière d'une BANDE DE LONGUEUR D'ONDE ETENDUE
EP1089479A2 (fr) * 1999-09-30 2001-04-04 Lucent Technologies Inc. Multiplexeur d'insertion/extraction pour multiplexage en longueurs d'ondes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0120141D0 (en) 2001-10-10

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