Abstract:
The temperature at different locations along a multiplexed laser array may be monitored by sensing temperature at two locations within a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) package housing the laser array. The temperature at the two locations is used to determine a temperature tilt across the laser array. Estimated temperatures may then be determined at one or more other locations along the laser array from the temperature tilt. The estimated temperature(s) may then be used to adjust the temperature proximate the other locations, for example, for purposes of tuning lasers at those locations along the laser array to emit a desired channel wavelength. The TOSA package may be used in an optical transceiver in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).
Abstract:
A tunable laser with multiple in-line sections generally includes a semiconductor laser body with a plurality of in-line laser sections each configured to be driven independently to generate laser light at a wavelength within a different respective wavelength range. The wavelength of the light generated in each of the laser sections may be tuned, in response to a temperature change, to a channel wavelength within the respective wavelength range. The laser light generated in each selected one of the laser sections is emitted from a front facet of the laser body. By selectively generating light in one or more of the laser sections, one or more channel wavelengths may be selected for lasing and transmission. The tunable laser with multiple in-line sections may be used, for example, in a tunable transmitter in an optical networking unit (ONU) in a WDM passive optical network (PON) to select a transmission channel wavelength.
Abstract:
A compact multi-channel optical may include a multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA), a multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) and a circuit board configured and arranged to fit within a relatively small space. The multi-channel ROSA is spaced from the circuit board to allow circuit components to be mounted between the circuit board and the ROSA. The multi-channel ROSA may also be inverted and mounted proximate a transceiver top housing portion, for example, using an L-shaped ROSA support, to transfer heat from the ROSA to the transceiver housing portion. The optical transceiver may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).
Abstract:
A temperature controlled multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) may be used in a multi-channel optical transceiver. The temperature controlled multi-channel TOSA generally includes an array of lasers optically coupled to an optical multiplexer, such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), to combine multiple optical signals at different channel wavelengths. The lasers may be thermally tuned to the channel wavelengths by establishing a global temperature for the array of lasers and separately raising local temperatures of individual lasers in response to monitored wavelengths associated with the lasers. A temperature control device, such as a TEC cooler coupled to the laser array, may provide the global temperature and individual heaters, such as resistors adjacent respective lasers, may provide the local temperatures. The optical transceiver may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).
Abstract:
A multi-channel optical transceiver includes a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA) with a thermal arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) for multiplexing optical signals and a receiver optical subassembly (ROSA) with an athermal AWG for demultiplexing optical signals. The TOSA may also include a laser array optically coupled to the thermal AWG and a temperature control system thermally coupled to the laser array and the thermal AWG to control temperature for wavelength tuning. The temperature control system in the TOSA may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) that cools both the laser array and the thermal AWG. Because the athermal AWG in the ROSA is temperature independent, the ROSA does not include a TEC, thereby reducing power consumption and conserving space. The optical transceiver may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).
Abstract:
Individual channels of a multiplexed laser array in a multi-channel optical transmitter are monitored at an output of an optical multiplexer. The monitoring may be used to confirm proper operation of each of the channels in the multiplexed laser array and/or to perform wavelength locking on each of the channels. Monitoring at the output of the optical multiplexer avoids the use of multiple photodetectors coupled directly to multiple lasers in the multiplexed laser array. The multiplexed laser array generally includes a plurality of laser emitters optically coupled to an optical multiplexer such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). An optical transmitter with a monitored multiplexed laser array may be used, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) passive optical network (PON) or in any other type of WDM optical communication system capable of transmitting optical signals on multiple channel wavelengths.