This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-184508, filed on Sep. 28, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The embodiment discussed herein is related to a transmission device and an optical amplifier.
In recent years, demands for larger capacity and higher speed of optical communication systems are increasing along with the growth of the field of information communication due to, for example, the worldwide spread of the Internet. Generally, WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) communication is employed in such optical communication systems.
In an optical communication system employing WDM communication, an optical amplifier that amplifies signals with different wavelengths all at once is used in a transmission device that transmits optical signals. An example of such an optical amplifier is an erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The EDFA can amplify light in a wavelength band (around 1550 nm) in which transmission loss in an optical fiber is the minimum, and assumes an important role. That is, in the optical communication system, it is possible to perform high-speed and large-capacity communication with the EDFA.
The property of an erbium doped fiber (EDF) used in the EDFA is deteriorated depending on temperature. Therefore, in a case of amplifying an optical signal with the EDFA, the temperature of the EDF is usually kept constant. By keeping the temperature of the EDF constant, it is possible to stable optical amplification, and to maintain the quality of high-speed and large-capacity communication. Retaining the temperature of the EDF is made by accommodating a fiber bundle formed by winding the EDF in a reel, for example, and heating the reel by a heater.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-142487
Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-210141
As described above, retaining the temperature of an EDF is sometimes performed while a fiber bundle is accommodated in a reel. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in
However, depending on the relation between the size of the reel 10 and the number of the fiber bundles 20, there is a problem that contact between the reel 10 and the fiber bundles 20 is unstable, and some fiber bundles are not sufficiently heated. That is, for example, if an internal space of the reel 10 that accommodates the fiber bundles 20 therein is too large, the positions of the fiber bundles 20 may be displaced in the internal space of the reel 10, resulting in change of the state of contact between the reel 10 and the fiber bundles 20. As a result, the temperature rise of the fiber bundles 20 becomes irregular and it becomes difficult to uniformly retain the temperature of the fiber bundles 20.
Further, even if the positions of the fiber bundles 20 are fixed, there is a case where some fiber bundles 20 not in direct contact with the reel 10 are not sufficiently heated, so that optical amplification may be unstable. Specifically, for example, in a cross section of the reel 10 illustrated in
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a transmission device includes: an input/output unit that inputs or outputs an optical signal; and an optical amplifier that amplifies the optical signal passing through an optical fiber by excitation light. The optical amplifier includes a fiber-bundle set that includes a plurality of fiber bundles each formed by winding the optical fiber, and a plate-shaped heating member that has one surface along which the fiber bundles are arranged, and the fiber bundles have mutually different winding radii and are concentrically arranged on the surface of the plate-shaped heating member.
The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.
The transmission device 100 illustrated in
The beam splitter 110 splits an optical signal input from the input terminal of the transmission device 100 (hereinafter, “input light”) and outputs one of the obtained optical signals to the PD 120 and the other optical signal to the isolator 130. The beam splitter 111 splits an optical signal to be output from the transmission device 100 (hereinafter, “output light”), outputs one of the obtained optical signals to the PD 121, and outputs the other optical signal from the output terminal.
The PD 120 is a photodetector that detects the intensity of the optical signal output from the beam splitter 110. That is, the PD 120 detects the intensity of the input light. The PD 120 then notifies the control circuit 170 of the detected intensity of the input light. The PD 121 is a photodetector that detects the intensity of the optical signal output from the beam splitter 111. That is, the PD 121 detects the intensity of the output light. The PD 121 then notifies the control circuit 170 of the detected intensity of the output light.
The isolators 130 and 131 block returning light that returns due to, for example, reflection of an optical signal. That is, the isolator 130 prevents the input light that is output from the beam splitter 110 and is to be input to the WDM coupler 150 from returning to the beam splitter 110. The isolator 131 prevents the output light that is output from the temperature retaining structure 160 and is to be input to the beam splitter 111 from returning to the temperature retaining structure 160.
The LD 140 is a light source that emits excitation light with a wavelength for exciting an RDF provided in the temperature retaining structure 160. Specifically, the LD 140 emits excitation light with a wavelength of 980 nm, for example. While the excitation light is light with a wavelength of 980 nm, an optical signal is light in a 1550-nm band with little transmission loss in an EDF.
The WDM coupler 150 couples the input light output from the isolator 130 and the excitation light output from the LD 140 to each other, and inputs obtained coupled light to the temperature retaining structure 160. That is, the WDM coupler 150 inputs both the optical signal and the excitation light that are different in wavelength from each other to the temperature retaining structure 160.
The temperature retaining structure 160 includes a fiber-bundle set 164 including a plurality of fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) having different diameters from each other. Each of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) is a bundle of an optical fiber that is wound multiple times. Specifically, each of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) is formed by, for example, winding an erbium doped fiber (EDF) to form a bundle. The fiber-bundle set 164 includes the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) for different routes, for example. Further, the fiber-bundle set 164 may include a plurality of fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) for one route mutually connected in series. In any case, diameters (ring diameters) around which the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) included in the fiber-bundle set 164 are respectively wound are different from each other, and it is possible to arrange these fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) in a plane in such a manner that they do not overlap on each other.
The optical amplifier 101 excites an EDF in the temperature retaining structure 160 by excitation light to optically amplify an optical signal. Further, the temperature retaining structure 160 heats the fiber-bundle set 164 by a heater to be described later, thereby making the property of the fiber-bundle set 164 close to a desired property. That is, the temperature retaining structure 160 optically amplifies an optical signal by allowing the optical signal and the excitation light to pass through the EDF while the fiber-bundle set 164 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater. At this time, while the fiber-bundle set 164 includes the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n), the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are arranged concentrically on a plate-shaped heating member. With this configuration, a plurality of fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are uniformly heated, so that stable optical amplification is realized. A specific configuration of the temperature retaining structure 160 will be described later in detail.
The control circuit 170 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and controls the whole optical amplifier 101 in an integrated manner. Further, the control circuit 170 is connected to the control unit 180 of the transmission device 100, and sends and receives information or the like thereto and therefrom. Specifically, the control circuit 170 monitors whether an optical signal is normally input or output based on the intensity of the optical signal detected by the PD 120 or 121. Further, at the start of amplification of the optical signal by the temperature retaining structure 160, the control circuit 170 controls the heater included in the temperature retaining structure 160 to heat the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) and causes the LD 140 to start emission of the excitation light.
Next, a specific example of an optical amplification method in the transmission device 100 configured as described above is described with reference to
When an optical signal is input to the transmission device 100, input light is split by the beam splitter (“BS” in
The optical signal output to the isolator 130 is coupled to excitation light emitted from the LD 140 in the WDM coupler (“WDM” in
The optically-amplified optical signal passes through the isolator 131 and is then output to the beam splitter 111. Thereafter, the output light is split by the beam splitter 111, and one of the optical signals is output to the PD 121 and the other optical signal is output from the transmission device 100. When the optical signal is input to the PD 121, the intensity of the optical signal is detected, and it is determined by the control circuit 170 whether output light with a normal intensity has been obtained.
In this manner, the transmission device 100 amplifies input light by the temperature retaining structure 160 that uses an EDF, and outputs an amplified optical signal. The fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) (EDF) included in the temperature retaining structure 160 are respectively provided for routes corresponding to, for example, a source of the input light and a destination of the output light. That is, the temperature retaining structure 160 includes the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) (EDF) for different routes and amplifies optical signals for the respective routes.
Next,
Further,
The configuration of the temperature retaining structure 160 is specifically described below with reference to
The case member 161 is a case that can accommodate therein the first heat insulating member 162, the plate-shaped heating member 163, the fiber-bundle set 164, and the second heat insulating member 165. As described later, it suffices that the depth of the case member 161 corresponds to the height of one fiber bundle, because the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are arranged concentrically without overlapping on each other in the present embodiment. Further, the case member 161 that accommodates the fiber-bundle set 164 therein has an accommodating portion that is substantially cylindrical, because each of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) is formed to be annular by winding an EDF.
As illustrated in
The first heat insulating member 162 is an annular heat insulating material with the opening 162a formed at its center. The first heat insulating member 162 suppresses radiation of heat to be generated in the plate-shaped heating member 163 toward the case member 161.
The plate-shaped heating member 163 is a plate-shaped member that generates heat in accordance with control by the control circuit 170, and heats the fiber-bundle set 164 arranged on its upper surface. The through holes 163a that allow penetration of the respective protrusions 161a of the case member 161 therethrough are provided in the plate-shaped heating member 163.
As illustrated in
The metal plate 201 is a plate with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, for example, made of a high thermal-conductivity metal such as aluminum or copper. In the metal plate 201, the through holes 163a are provided at positions corresponding to the protrusions 161a, respectively. The metal plate 201 transfers heat generated by the heater 202 to the fiber-bundle set 164 arranged on its upper surface, so as to heat the fiber-bundle set 164. While the upper surface of the metal plate 201 may be a smooth surface, by providing convex and concave portions or a number of minute protrusions in the upper surface of the metal plate 201, it is possible to increase friction in order to prevent displacement of each of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n).
The heater 202 generates heat due to electric resistance, for example, in accordance with control by the control circuit 170. The width in a radial direction of the annular heater 202 corresponds to the width of a region of the upper surface of the metal plate 201 in which the fiber-bundle set 164 can be arranged. Further, the shape of the heater 202 may be identical to those of the first heat insulating member 162 and the second heat insulating member 165. That is, the heater 202 may be annular to surround the protrusions 161a. This configuration enables the protrusions 161a to prevent displacement of the heater 202.
The temperature measuring element 203 is placed at the center of the lower surface of the metal plate 201 to be in contact therewith, and measures the temperature of the metal plate 201. The temperature measured by the temperature measuring element 203 is notified to the control circuit 170, and the control circuit 170 controls the heater 202. In this manner, the temperature of the metal plate 201 can be adjusted.
The metal plate 201 is made of a high thermal-conductivity metal, and thus the center of the metal plate 201 that is not in direct contact with the heater 202 has approximately the same temperature as a portion that is in direct contact with the heater 202. Further, because the heater 202 is formed to be annular and is attached to the lower surface of the metal plate 201, it is possible to place the temperature measuring element 203 at the center of the lower surface of the metal plate 201, so that any component that interferes with the fiber-bundle set 164 is not arranged on the upper surface of the metal plate 201.
The fiber-bundle set 164 is formed by the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) for different routes. That is, the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are formed by winding a plurality of EDFs for different routes to have different winding radii, respectively, and the fiber-bundle set 164 is formed by arranging the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) having the different winding radii concentrically without causing them to overlap on each other. The fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) arranged concentrically are placed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped heating member 163 and are heated. The EDF of each of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) amplifies an optical signal by using excitation light input from the WDM coupler 150 and outputs the amplified optical signal to the isolator 131.
All the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are in direct contact with the upper surface of the plate-shaped heating member 163 because the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) included in the fiber-bundle set 164 are concentrically arranged without overlapping on each other. As a result, all the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are uniformly heated, and property deterioration in EDFs caused by insufficient heating does not occur. In other words, optical amplification can be performed stably in all the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n). Further, because it is possible to retain the temperature of the fiber-bundle set 164 stably, wasteful power consumption can be prevented, and low power consumption can be realized.
When the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) are arranged concentrically, the winding radii of the EDFs may be determined depending on the lengths of the EDFs for different routes. That is, by forming a fiber bundle to have a larger winding radius as an EDF is longer, the number of windings of the EDF is uniform in the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n), so that the cross-sectional sizes of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) can be made approximately the same. As a result, it is possible to uniformly heat the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) respectively formed by a plurality of EDFs with different lengths. Further, if the cross-sectional sizes of the fiber bundles are different from each other, by setting the cross-sectional size of a fiber bundle arranged on an outer concentric circle larger than the cross-sectional size of a fiber bundle arranged on an inner concentric circle, it becomes possible for the fiber bundle arranged on the outer concentric circle to confine heat to the inside thereof, so that the temperature decrease caused by heat radiation to the side can be suppressed.
The second heat insulating member 165 is an annular heat insulating material with an opening formed at its center, similarly to the first heat insulating member 162. The second heat insulating member 165 suppresses radiation of heat generated in the plate-shaped heating member 163 toward the cover member 166. Further, the plate-shaped heating member 163 and the fiber-bundle set 164 are sandwiched between the first heat insulating member 162 and the second heat insulating member 165. This configuration can improve heat-insulating effect. Further, as the second heat insulating member 165 presses the fiber-bundle set 164 from above, it is possible to prevent the fiber-bundle set 164 from lifting from the upper surface of the plate-shaped heating member 163, thereby realizing stable heating of the fiber-bundle set 164.
The cover member 166 is a member that serves as a lid to cover a top of the accommodating portion of the case member 161. That is, the first heat insulating member 162, the plate-shaped heating member 163, the fiber-bundle set 164, and the second heat insulating member 165 are accommodated in a space between the cover member 166 and the case member 161. The cover member 166 may be locked by the case member 161 to be fixed thereto, or may be fixed to the case member 161 by a fixing member such as a screw.
Further, because the heater 202 is annular, the temperature measuring element 203 can be placed at the center of the lower surface of the metal plate 201, so that it is possible to perform temperature control without causing any interference between the fiber-bundle set 164 and other components on the upper surface of the metal plate 201. Further, when a new fiber bundle is added to the fiber-bundle set 164 or replacement of a fiber bundle is to be performed, because fiber bundles are arranged without overlapping on each other, it is possible to easily arrange the new fiber bundle or perform replacement.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of fiber bundles for different routes are arranged concentrically without overlapping on each other on one surface of a plate-shaped heating member to configure a temperature retaining structure. Therefore, all the fiber bundles are in direct contact with the plate-shaped heating member and are uniformly heated, so that property deterioration in EDFs that configure the fiber bundles due to insufficient heating does not occur. As a result, stable optical amplification can be realized in all the fiber bundles.
Although it has been described that the fiber-bundle set 164 is arranged on an upper surface of the plate-shaped heating member 163 in the embodiment descried above, the fiber-bundle set 164 may be sandwiched between two plate-shaped heating members from above and below. This configuration can realize quicker heating of the fiber-bundle set 164, and can shorten the starting time of the temperature retaining structure 160.
Further, an accommodating portion formed by the case member 161 and the cover member 166 may be filled with a resin, for example, while the first heat insulating member 162, the plate-shaped heating member 163, the fiber-bundle set 164, and the second heat insulating member 165 are accommodated in the accommodating portion. With this configuration, displacement of the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) can be surely prevented, and the fiber bundles 164(1) to 164(n) can be heated more uniformly.
According to an aspect of the transmission device and the optical amplifier disclosed in the preset application, there is an effect where stable optical amplification can be realized.
All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-184508 | Sep 2018 | JP | national |