Methods and apparatus for improving reliability of an optical device using auxiliary lasers in a photonic integrated circuit
US10277327B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0043
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical device having a self-repair component capable of curing a defective component(s) is disclosed. To improve reliability as well as manufacturing yield, a photonic integrated circuit (“PIC”) for as a multi-channel optical line terminal (“OLT”) contains spare lasers or standby lasers configured to replace a failed laser(s). In one aspect, PIC includes a set of fixed-wavelength lasers (“FWLs”), a tunable-wavelength auxiliary laser (“TWAL”), a photonic detector, and a tuner. FWLs, for example, generate optical wavelengths representing optical signals. TWAL generates an optical signal with a spectrum of wavelengths based on a setting generated by the tuner. The photonic detector detects a defective wavelength. The tuner adjusts output wavelength of TWAL in response to the defective wavelength. Alternatively, PIC includes a working laser array, standby laser array, and spare laser array capable of providing two layer laser defective protections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.