U.S. patent application number 17/557424 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for systems and methods for building, operating and controlling multiple regenerators and transceivers using shared common components.
The applicant listed for this patent is LyteLoop Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Dipayan Datta Choudhary, Daniel Damaghi, Ohad Harlev, Paul Francis McManamon, Armand Vedadi-Comte, Alan Eli Willner.
Application Number | 20220113472 17/557424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006041970 |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220113472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Willner; Alan Eli ; et
al. |
April 14, 2022 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUILDING, OPERATING AND CONTROLLING
MULTIPLE REGENERATORS AND TRANSCEIVERS USING SHARED COMMON
COMPONENTS
Abstract
A system comprising a recirculating loop configured to store an
electromagnetic wave signal, the recirculating loop comprising a
transmission medium and a plurality of transceivers configured to
introduce the electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission
medium and retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal from the
transmission medium, and a signal conditioning system comprising a
plurality of signal conditioners coupled to the transmission
medium, the plurality of signal conditioners configured to amplify
or regenerate the electromagnetic wave signal traveling in the
transmission medium, one or more pump laser sources, wherein at
least one of the one or more pump laser sources is configured to
provide a pump laser beam to at least two of the plurality of
signal conditioners, and one or more control circuits for
controlling the plurality of signal conditioners, wherein at least
one of the one or more control circuits is configured to control
and monitor at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners,
is disclosed.
Inventors: |
Willner; Alan Eli; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Damaghi; Daniel; (Great Neck, NY)
; Harlev; Ohad; (Closter, NJ) ; McManamon; Paul
Francis; (Dayton, OH) ; Vedadi-Comte; Armand;
(Port Washington, NY) ; Choudhary; Dipayan Datta;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LyteLoop Technologies, LLC |
Great Neck |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006041970 |
Appl. No.: |
17/557424 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16672221 |
Nov 1, 2019 |
11243355 |
|
|
17557424 |
|
|
|
|
62755631 |
Nov 5, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/2861 20130101;
H01S 3/302 20130101; H01S 3/094026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/28 20060101
G02B006/28; H01S 3/094 20060101 H01S003/094; H01S 3/30 20060101
H01S003/30 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a recirculating loop configured to store an
electromagnetic wave signal, the recirculating loop comprising a
transmission medium; a plurality of signal conditioners coupled to
the transmission medium, the plurality of signal conditioners
configured to amplify or regenerate an electromagnetic wave signal
traveling in the transmission medium; and one or more pump laser
sources, wherein at least one of the one or more pump laser sources
is configured to provide a pump laser beam to at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission medium comprises
at least one of a waveguide, an optical fiber, or free space.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal
conditioners comprise amplifiers, regenerators, or a combination of
amplifiers and regenerators.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein: each of the amplifiers comprises
a fiber amplifier doped with a gain medium; and the gain medium
comprises at least one of a fluorescent element, a rare-earth
element, or erbium.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coupler configured
to combine the pump laser beam with the electromagnetic wave signal
and send the combined beam/signal to a corresponding one of the
plurality of signal conditioners.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more control
circuits for controlling the plurality of signal conditioners,
wherein at least one of the one or more control circuits is
configured to control at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners; wherein the at least one of the one or more control
circuits comprises: a photodetector configured to measure input and
output optical powers of each of the at least two of the plurality
of signal conditioners; and a processor configured to compare the
measured input and output optical powers and adjust an input pump
laser power for the each of the at least two of the plurality of
signal conditioners.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a variable attenuator
coupled to the at least one of the one or more pump laser sources
and to the at least one of the one or more control circuits,
wherein the variable attenuator is configured to control the pump
laser beam to be sent to a corresponding one of the plurality of
signal conditioners based on the adjusted input pump laser power
determined by the processor in the at least one of the one or more
control circuits.
8. The system of claim 3, wherein the regenerators are configured
to re-amplify, re-shape, or re-time the electromagnetic wave signal
traveling in the transmission medium.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising one or more clock
sources, wherein at least one of the one or more clock sources is
configured to provide a clock signal to at least two of the
regenerators for re-timing the electromagnetic wave signal.
10. The system of claim 3, wherein: the regenerators comprise
crystals or optical fibers; and the crystals or the optical fibers
are doped with at least one of a fluorescent element, a rare-earth
element, or erbium.
11. The system of claim 3, wherein the regenerators comprise at
least one of all-optical regenerators; at least one amplifier and
at least one absorber; at least one amplifier configured to operate
in a saturation regime; or at least one nonlinear filter.
12. A method for storing an electromagnetic wave signal in a
transmission medium, the method comprising: amplifying or
regenerating, using a plurality of signal conditioners coupled to
the transmission medium, an electromagnetic signal traveling in the
transmission medium; and providing, from one or more pump laser
sources, pump laser beams to the plurality of signal conditioners,
wherein at least one of the one or more pump laser sources provides
a pump laser beam to at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmission medium
comprises at least one of a waveguide, an optical fiber, or free
space.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of signal
conditioners comprises amplifiers, regenerators, or a combination
of amplifiers and regenerators.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein: each of the amplifiers
comprises a fiber amplifier doped with a gain medium; and the gain
medium comprises at least one of a fluorescent element, a
rare-earth element, or erbium.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising combining, using a
coupler, the pump laser beam with the electromagnetic wave signal
and sending, using the coupler, the combined beam/signal to a
corresponding one of the plurality of signal conditioners.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: controlling, using
one or more control circuits, the plurality of signal conditioners,
wherein at least one of the one or more control circuits controls
at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners; wherein: the
at least one of the one or more control circuits comprises a
photodetector and a processor; and the controlling step comprises:
measuring, using the photodetector, input and output optical powers
of each of the at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners; and comparing, using the processor, the measured
input and output optical powers to adjust an input pump laser power
for the each of the at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling, using a
variable attenuator coupled to the at least one of the one or more
pump laser sources and to the at least one of the one or more
control circuits, the pump laser beam to be sent to a corresponding
one of the plurality of signal conditioners based on the adjusted
input pump laser power determined by the comparing step.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein the regenerating step comprises
re-amplifying, re-shaping, or re-timing, using the regenerators,
the electromagnetic wave signal traveling in the transmission
medium.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the re-timing step comprises
providing, using one or more clock sources, clock signals to the
regenerators, wherein at least one of the one or more clock sources
provides a clock signal to at least two of the regenerators.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the regenerating step is
performed all optically in an optical domain.
22. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of one
or more multiplexers, wherein at least one of the one or more
multiplexers is communicably coupled to at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners, or one or more demultiplexers,
wherein at least one of the one or more demultiplexers is
communicably coupled to at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners.
23. The method of claim 12, wherein the amplifying or regenerating
step comprises at least one of using one or more multiplexers,
wherein at least one of the one or more multiplexers is
communicably coupled to at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners, or using one or more demultiplexers, wherein at least
one of the one or more demultiplexers is communicably coupled to at
least two of the plurality of signal conditioners.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present U.S. non-provisional patent application is a
continuation application and claims the benefit of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 16/672,221, filed on Nov. 1, 2019,
which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/755,631, filed Nov. 5, 2018, the entire contents
of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
building, operating and controlling multiple amplifiers,
regenerators and/or transceivers using shared common components.
The present invention also relates to using such systems and
methods in conjunction with a recirculating loop for storing data
in motion or other devices and systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The expansion of data centers, broadband communications and
computationally intensive signal processing is driving the demand
for high capacity data storage that potentially consumes less power
and has higher security. Modern data centers also often require
rapid access to the same data stored on a common drive to perform,
for example, high performance computing (HPC). In addition, there
is an increasing interest among many actors within the information
technology (IT) storage industry (e.g., end customers, data
centers, in system programmers (ISP), in circuit programmers (ICP))
in being able to erase sensitive data (e.g., government data,
military data) definitively and completely in an immediate
manner.
[0004] Currently, solid state drives (SSDs), such as non-volatile
NAND flash memory based drives, and hard disk drives (HDDs) are
examples of storage devices used to store data in data centers.
Conventional data centers based on those solid-state based storage
devices have a variety of drawbacks. For example, data storage
using those conventional storage devices consumes a large amount of
power and requires expensive maintenance. In addition, data storage
involving many of those conventional storage devices generates a
large amount of heat, necessitating cooling systems, which in turn
require additional cost and energy consumption. Moreover, the
throughput at which data can be read from or written to those
conventional storage devices is limited by the speed of electronics
to, for example, a few Gbit/s. Additionally, when data is erased
from a conventional non-volatile solid-state memory, an imprint of
the erased data typically remains and one could recover the erased
data with proper skills and technology. Furthermore, to scale
storage in the data center using those conventional storage
devices, it is necessary to either buy more of the storage devices
or replace the current storage devices with better performing ones.
Accordingly, constructing and upgrading data centers using the
conventional storage devices is a costly and time-consuming
process.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need for a data storage apparatus and
method that overcomes one or more of the above and other
deficiencies of data storage using conventional storage devices. In
addition, there is a need for a more cost-effective and efficient
design for building, operating and controlling multiple amplifiers,
regenerators and/or transceivers that may be used in conjunction
with data storage devices or systems, or in conjunction with other
devices or systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It has now been found that the above and related objects of
the present invention are obtained in the form of several related
aspects, including systems and methods for building, operating and
controlling multiple amplifiers, regenerators and/or transceivers
using shared common components.
[0007] More particularly, the present invention relates to a system
comprising a recirculating loop configured to store an
electromagnetic wave (e.g., optical wave) signal, the recirculating
loop comprising a transmission medium (e.g., free space, outer
space, vacuum, underwater, crystals, nonlinear media, waveguides,
optical fibers, to name a few) and a plurality of transceivers
configured to introduce the electromagnetic wave signal into the
transmission medium and retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal
from the transmission medium, and a signal conditioning system
comprising a plurality of signal conditioners coupled to the
transmission medium, the plurality of signal conditioners
configured to amplify or regenerate the electromagnetic wave signal
traveling in the transmission medium, one or more pump laser
sources, wherein at least one of the one or more pump laser sources
is configured to provide a pump laser beam to at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners, and one or more control circuits
for controlling the plurality of signal conditioners, wherein at
least one of the one or more control circuits is configured to
control at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners.
[0008] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises a waveguide.
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the waveguide comprises an
optical fiber.
[0010] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises free space.
[0011] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of signal
conditioners comprises amplifiers, regenerators, or a combination
of amplifiers and regenerators.
[0012] In at least one embodiment, the amplifiers comprise at least
one phase sensitive amplifier.
[0013] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise at
least one phase sensitive parametric amplifier.
[0014] In at least one embodiment, each of the amplifiers comprises
a fiber amplifier doped with a gain medium.
[0015] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises a
fluorescent element.
[0016] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises a
rare-earth element.
[0017] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises
erbium.
[0018] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a
coupler configured to combine the pump laser beam with the
electromagnetic wave signal and send the combined beam/signal to a
corresponding one of the plurality of signal conditioners.
[0019] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more control circuits comprises a photodetector configured to
measure input and output optical powers of each of the at least two
of the plurality of signal conditioners and a processor configured
to compare the measured input and output optical powers and adjust
an input pump laser power for the each of the at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners.
[0020] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a
variable attenuator coupled to the at least one of the one or more
pump laser sources and to the at least one of the one or more
control circuits, wherein the variable attenuator is configured to
control the pump laser beam to be sent to a corresponding one of
the plurality of signal conditioners based on the adjusted input
pump laser power determined by the processor in the at least one of
the one or more control circuits.
[0021] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators are configured
to re-amplify, re-shape, or re-time the electromagnetic wave signal
traveling in the transmission medium.
[0022] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more clock sources, wherein at least one of the one or more
clock sources is configured to provide a clock signal to at least
two of the regenerators for re-timing the electromagnetic wave
signal.
[0023] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise
crystals or optical fibers.
[0024] In at least one embodiment, the crystals or the optical
fibers are doped with a fluorescent element.
[0025] In at least one embodiment, the crystals or the optical
fibers are doped with a rare-earth element.
[0026] In at least one embodiment, the crystals or the optical
fibers are doped with erbium.
[0027] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise
all-optical regenerators.
[0028] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise at
least one amplifier and at least one absorber.
[0029] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise at
least one amplifier configured to operate in a saturation
regime.
[0030] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise at
least one nonlinear filter.
[0031] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more laser sources, wherein at least one of the one or more
laser sources is configured to provide a laser beam to at least two
of the plurality of transceivers.
[0032] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more laser sources, wherein each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, and at least one of the one or more laser sources is
configured to provide a laser beam to at least one of the one or
more transmitters in one of the plurality of transceivers and to at
least one of the one or more receivers in the other one of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0033] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more laser sources, wherein each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, and at least one of the one or more laser sources is
configured to provide a laser beam to at least one of the one or
more transmitters in one of the plurality of transceivers and to at
least one of the one or more receivers in the same one of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0034] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a
single clock source configured to provide a clock signal to at
least two of the plurality of transceivers.
[0035] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more laser sources provides the laser beam to a modulator in the at
least one of the one or more transmitters in the one of the
plurality of transceivers and to a mixer in the at least one of the
one or more receivers in the other one of the plurality of
transceivers.
[0036] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more laser sources provides the laser beam to a modulator in the at
least one of the one or more transmitters in the one of the
plurality of transceivers and to a mixer in the at least one of the
one or more receivers in the same one of the plurality of
transceivers.
[0037] In at least one embodiment, the single clock source provides
the clock signal to an integrated circuit (IC) in each of the at
least two of the plurality of transceivers.
[0038] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of transceivers is
substantially co-located.
[0039] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of signal
conditioners is substantially co-located.
[0040] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more multiplexers, wherein at least one of the one or more
multiplexers is communicably coupled to at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners.
[0041] In at least one embodiment, the at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners comprise at least two
regenerators.
[0042] In at least one embodiment, the at least two regenerators
comprise at least two phase sensitive parametric amplifiers.
[0043] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises one
or more demultiplexers, wherein at least one of the one or more
demultiplexers is communicably coupled to at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners.
[0044] In at least one embodiment, the at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners comprise at least two
regenerators.
[0045] In at least one embodiment, the at least two regenerators
comprise at least two phase sensitive parametric amplifiers.
[0046] The present invention further relates to a system comprising
a transmission medium, a plurality of transceivers configured to
introduce the electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission
medium and retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal from the
transmission medium, and one or more laser sources, wherein at
least one of the one or more laser sources is configured to provide
a laser beam to at least two of the plurality of transceivers.
[0047] In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, and the at least one of the one or more laser sources
provides the laser beam to at least one of the one or more
transmitters in one of the at least two of the plurality of
transceivers and to at least one of the one or more receivers in
the other one of the at least two of the plurality of
transceivers.
[0048] In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, and at least one of the one or more laser sources is
configured to provide a laser beam to at least one of the one or
more transmitters in one of the plurality of transceivers and to at
least one of the one or more receivers in the same one of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0049] In at least one embodiment, the system further comprises a
single clock source configured to provide a clock signal to at
least two of the plurality of transceivers.
[0050] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more laser sources provides the laser beam to a modulator in the at
least one of the one or more transmitters in the one of the at
least two of the plurality of transceivers and to a mixer in the at
least one of the one or more receivers in the other one of the at
least two of the plurality of transceivers.
[0051] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more laser sources provides the laser beam to a modulator in the at
least one of the one or more transmitters in the one of the
plurality of transceivers and to a mixer in the at least one of the
one or more receivers in the same one of the plurality of
transceivers.
[0052] In at least one embodiment, the single clock source provides
the clock signal to an IC in each of the at least two of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0053] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises a waveguide.
[0054] In at least one embodiment, the waveguide comprises an
optical fiber.
[0055] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises free space.
[0056] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium is
configured to store an electromagnetic wave signal.
[0057] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of transceivers is
substantially co-located.
[0058] In addition, the present invention also relates to a method
for storing an electromagnetic wave signal in a transmission
medium, the method comprising amplifying or regenerating, using a
plurality of signal conditioners coupled to the transmission
medium, an electromagnetic signal traveling in the transmission
medium, providing, from one or more pump laser sources, pump laser
beams to the plurality of signal conditioners, wherein at least one
of the one or more pump laser sources provides a pump laser beam to
at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners, and
controlling, using one or more control circuits, the plurality of
signal conditioners, wherein at least one of the one or more
control circuits controls at least two of the plurality of signal
conditioners.
[0059] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises a waveguide.
[0060] In at least one embodiment, the waveguide comprises an
optical fiber.
[0061] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises free space.
[0062] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of signal
conditioners comprises amplifiers, regenerators, or a combination
of amplifiers and regenerators.
[0063] In at least one embodiment, the amplifiers comprise at least
one phase sensitive amplifier.
[0064] In at least one embodiment, the regenerators comprise at
least one phase sensitive parametric amplifier.
[0065] In at least one embodiment, each of the amplifiers comprises
a fiber amplifier doped with a gain medium.
[0066] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises a
fluorescent element.
[0067] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises a
rare-earth element.
[0068] In at least one embodiment, the gain medium comprises
erbium.
[0069] In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises
combining, using a coupler, the pump laser beam with the
electromagnetic wave signal and sending, using the coupler, the
combined beam/signal to a corresponding one of the plurality of
signal conditioners.
[0070] In at least one embodiment, the at least one of the one or
more control circuits comprises a photodetector and a processor,
and the controlling step comprises measuring, using the
photodetector, input and output optical powers of each of the at
least two of the plurality of signal conditioners, and comparing,
using the processor, the measured input and output optical powers
to adjust an input pump laser power for the each of the at least
two of the plurality of signal conditioners.
[0071] In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises
controlling, using a variable attenuator coupled to the at least
one of the one or more pump laser sources and to the at least one
of the one or more control circuits, the pump laser beam to be sent
to a corresponding one of the plurality of signal conditioners
based on the adjusted input pump laser power determined by the
comparing step.
[0072] In at least one embodiment, the regenerating step comprises
re-amplifying, re-shaping, or re-timing, using the regenerators,
the electromagnetic wave signal traveling in the transmission
medium.
[0073] In at least one embodiment, the re-timing step comprises
providing, using one or more clock sources, clock signals to the
regenerators, wherein at least one of the one or more clock sources
provides a clock signal to at least two of the regenerators.
[0074] In at least one embodiment, the regenerating step is
performed all optically in an optical domain.
[0075] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of signal
conditioners is substantially co-located.
[0076] In at least one embodiment, the amplifying or regenerating
step comprises using one or more multiplexers, wherein at least one
of the one or more multiplexers is communicably coupled to at least
two of the plurality of signal conditioners.
[0077] In at least one embodiment, the at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners comprise at least two
regenerators.
[0078] In at least one embodiment, the at least two regenerators
comprise at least two phase sensitive parametric amplifiers.
[0079] In at least one embodiment, the amplifying or regenerating
step comprises using one or more demultiplexers, wherein at least
one of the one or more demultiplexers is communicably coupled to at
least two of the plurality of signal conditioners.
[0080] In at least one embodiment, the at least two of the
plurality of signal conditioners comprise at least two
regenerators.
[0081] In at least one embodiment, the at least two regenerators
comprise at least two phase sensitive parametric amplifiers.
[0082] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method
of using a plurality of transceivers connected to a transmission
medium, the method comprising inputting, using the plurality of
transceivers, an electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission
medium, outputting, using the plurality of transceivers, the
electromagnetic wave signal from the transmission medium, and
providing, from a single laser source, a laser beam to at least two
of the plurality of transceivers.
[0083] In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, and the single laser source provides the laser beam to
at least one of the one or more transmitters in one of the at least
two of the plurality of transceivers and to at least one of the one
or more receivers in the other one of the at least two of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0084] In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of
transceivers comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, the method further comprising the step of providing,
from the single laser source, a laser beam to at least one of the
one or more transmitters in one of the plurality of transceivers
and to at least one of the one or more receivers in the same one of
the plurality of transceivers.
[0085] In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises
providing, from a single clock source, a clock signal to at least
two of the one or more transceivers.
[0086] In at least one embodiment, the single laser source provides
the laser beam to a modulator in the at least one of the one or
more transmitters in the one of the at least two of the plurality
of transceivers and to a mixer in the at least one of the one or
more receivers in the other one of the at least two of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0087] In at least one embodiment, the single laser source provides
the laser beam to a modulator in the at least one of the one or
more transmitters in the one of the plurality of transceivers and
to a mixer in the at least one of the one or more receivers in the
same one of the plurality of transceivers.
[0088] In at least one embodiment, the single clock source provides
the clock signal to an IC in each of the at least two of the
plurality of transceivers.
[0089] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises a waveguide.
[0090] In at least one embodiment, the waveguide comprises an
optical fiber.
[0091] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium
comprises free space.
[0092] In at least one embodiment, the transmission medium is
configured to store an electromagnetic wave signal.
[0093] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of transceivers is
substantially co-located.
[0094] Although specific features, capabilities and advantages have
been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none,
or all of the enumerated features, capabilities and advantages.
These and other technical features, capabilities and advantages of
the disclosed subject matter, along with the invention itself, will
be more fully understood after a review of the following figures,
detailed descriptions and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0095] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described with references to the accompanying figures, wherein:
[0096] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of multiple amplifiers sharing
components in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0097] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of multiple regenerators
sharing components n accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0098] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of multiple transceivers
sharing components in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0099] Information or any kind of data can be stored as
electromagnetic waves (e.g., coherent (i.e., laser) or non-coherent
optical beams, radio frequency (RF) signals, and other types of
electromagnetic wave signals, to name a few), which can be
transmitted and/or reflected between structures or within
structures in various transmission media (e.g., free space, outer
space, vacuum, underwater, crystals, nonlinear media, waveguides,
optical fibers, to name a few). For example, a recirculating loop
may be used to store "data in motion" by keeping electromagnetic
wave signals, which may carry data, in a continuous motion,
transmitted and/or reflected between or within structures and
regenerated (e.g., by signal amplification) as needed. The
recirculating loop may comprise a transmission medium (e.g., free
space, waveguide, optical fiber, cavity under a vacuum condition,
to name a few) through which an electromagnetic wave signal can
travel, and one or more transceivers configured to introduce the
electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission medium and
retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal from the transmission
medium. For example, the recirculating loop may be formed by
satellites and/or other vessels that reflect or otherwise
retransmit the data in free space. In another example, the
recirculating loop may comprise a waveguide, such as an optical
fiber. Various systems and methods of storing data in motion in a
recirculating loop are described in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/465,356, which has been published as US 2017/0280211 A1 and
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0100] In one example, a satellite-based laser, a land or
on/under-water based laser or optical beam, or any other
electromagnetic radiation may be used to transmit and store data.
The terms "electromagnetic wave signal" and "electromagnetic wave
beam" are used herein interchangeably. Electromagnetic radiation or
electromagnetic beam as used herein may include any kind of
electromagnetic signal, including a laser beam or signal, a maser
beam or signal, an optical beam or signal, or any type of wired or
wireless signal, including acoustic waves, radio waves, IR
radiation, UV radiation, microwave-band transmission, or any
combination of more than one of the foregoing. While referred to
herein sometimes simply as a laser beam or signal, other types of
optical signals and other types of electromagnetic radiation
transmissions, including radio waves, microwaves, IR, UV and
combinations of bandwidths of wavelengths of electromagnetic
radiation, whether guided, shaped, phased, or none of the
foregoing, are also intended to be included.
[0101] In embodiments, systems for storing electromagnetic wave
signals in a recirculating loop may be configured to extinguish or
"turn off" the electromagnetic wave signals stored therein. When
the electromagnetic wave signals are extinguished, data stored
therein is definitively and instantly lost and cannot be recovered,
unlike the data erased from a solid-state memory.
[0102] Disclosed are systems and methods for building, operating
and/or controlling multiple signal conditioners (e.g., amplifiers,
regenerators, a combination of amplifiers and regenerators, to name
a few) and/or transceivers using shared common components to
achieve a more efficient and/or cost-effective design. Such systems
and methods may be used in conjunction with a recirculating loop
for storing data in motion, or with other devices or systems of the
similar architecture.
[0103] For example, multiple signal conditioners, such as
amplifiers, regenerators, or a combination of amplifiers and
regenerators, may be placed along the path of an electromagnetic
wave signal to restore the passing electromagnetic wave signal to
its original or previous state and/or to compensate for any
degradation.
[0104] An amplifier may be any device configured to amplify an
electromagnetic wave signal. In embodiments, an amplifier may
comprise crystals or optical fibers. In embodiments, the crystals
and optical fibers may be doped with a gain medium comprising, for
example, a fluorescent element or a rare-earth element, such as
erbium. In embodiments, the optical fiber used in the amplifier may
include additional devices at the input to inject the
electromagnetic wave signal into the optical fiber, and other
devices at the output to restore the electromagnetic wave beam to
its original shape and size.
[0105] Each amplifier may require many, various components. For
example, an amplifier may be used in conjunction with a pump laser
source, which is configured to provide a pump laser beam to the
amplifier. In another example, an amplifier may be used in
conjunction with a control circuit, which is configured to control
the operation of the amplifier.
[0106] Amplifiers, such as erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs),
are typically used to periodically amplify electromagnetic wave
signals in an optical fiber communication link that extends over a
long distance. Such periodic gains provided by the amplifiers along
the fiber communication link offset the signal power loss due to
the transmission optical fiber. In a conventional system,
amplifiers are placed apart from each other (e.g., placed at
intervals of 50 to 100 kilometers) such that each amplifier is
likely isolated from the other amplifiers and cannot readily
"share" components with the other amplifiers. Each amplifier
comprises many components. For example, each EDFA used in such a
conventional system may comprise erbium doped fiber, pump laser
source, optical isolator, optical coupler and control circuit.
[0107] By contrast, a system, such as a system for storing data in
motion using a recirculating loop, can be configured such that
multiple amplifiers can be placed at the same location, or
substantially co-located, i.e., located in the vicinity of each
other (e.g., near or substantially adjacent to each other,
physically located in the same room or space, etc.). In such a
system, it is possible for multiple amplifiers such as EDFAs to
share one or more common components in order to achieve a more
efficient and cost-effective design.
[0108] In addition, systems and methods for building, operating
and/or controlling multiple signal conditioners (e.g., amplifiers,
regenerators, a combination of amplifiers and regenerators, to name
a few) and/or transceivers using shared common components may also
be used in conjunction with other types of architectures wherein
transmission equipment are placed at the same location, or
substantially co-located, i.e., located in the vicinity of each
other (e.g., near or substantially adjacent to each other,
physically located in the same room or space, etc.). Examples of
these types of architectures may include, but are not limited to,
data centers where information may be sent and received within the
same facility, and sensing equipment, such as RADAR and LIDAR,
which send and receive data to and from the same location.
[0109] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 comprising at
least two substantially co-located EDFAs sharing common components,
such as a pump laser source 103 and/or a control circuit 104, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In embodiments, the substantially co-located EDFAs may be coupled
to each other by a transmission medium, such as a transmission
fiber 123. FIG. 1 shows an electromagnetic wave signal 101 entering
a first EDFA 121, 122. The amplified signal then passes through a
transmission fiber 123. The signal then enters a second EDFA 124,
125 and exits the second EDFA as an amplified signal 102.
[0110] A single pump laser source 103 having sufficient output
power may be used to provide a pump laser beam to two or more
multiple EDFAs. As shown in FIG. 1, the output power of the pump
laser source 103 may be split and sent to variable attenuators 111,
112, each of which may be coupled to the corresponding one of the
multiple EDFAs. The variable attenuator 111, 112 may be configured
to control the specific pump laser power needed for the
corresponding EDFA. The pump laser beam may then be sent from the
variable attenuators 111, 112 to erbium-doped fibers 122, 125
through the corresponding couplers 121, 124. Each of the couplers
121, 124 may be configured to combine the pump laser beam from the
pump laser source 103 (via variable attenuators 111, 112) with the
electromagnetic wave signal and send the combined pump laser beam
and electromagnetic wave signal to the corresponding erbium-doped
fiber 122, 125 to achieve amplification of the electromagnetic wave
signal.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 1, at least two of the multiple EDFAs may
be used in conjunction with a shared control circuit 104, which may
be configured to control the operation of the EDFAs, such as the
gain of the amplifiers. For example, the input power to and output
power from the erbium-doped fiber 122, 125 may be measured by
using, for example, a photodetector in the control circuit 104. The
measured input and output powers may then be compared by using, for
example, a processor comprising electronic circuitry in the control
circuit 104 to determine the amplifier characteristics, such as
gain. As a result of the comparison, the pump laser power input to
the coupler 121, 124 can be adjusted accordingly. In embodiments,
this adjustment of the pump laser power input may be performed by
the pump laser source 103 and/or variable attenuator 111, 112 based
on control signals from the control circuit 104, as shown in FIG.
1.
[0112] In embodiments, the shared control circuit 104 may be much
faster than the changes that might occur to the amplifier gain. As
such, by using many couplers and taking optical/electronic
measurements sequentially from different multiple erbium-doped
fibers, many EDFAs can share a single control circuit.
[0113] In embodiments, the pump laser source 103 and the control
circuit 104 may account for a large fraction of the cost of the
multiple EDFAs in the system 100. As such, sharing of the pump
laser source and/or the control circuit by multiple EDFAs can
provide the benefit of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
[0114] As another example, phase sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) may be
configured such that substantially co-located multiple PSAs can
share one or more common components, such as a pump laser source,
control circuit, and/or clock signal.
[0115] In long distance communication systems, wave distortion and
relative time delay deviation may be accumulated even when
amplifiers for regenerating signal amplitudes are used. This
problem may require periodic regeneration by one or more
regenerators to regenerate the original/previous waveform and
synchronization of signals. For example, regenerators may be used
for communication systems involving a distance of greater than 100
kilometers. A full signal regeneration, which is typically called a
"3R" process, involves signal retiming, reshaping, and
reamplification (or amplification) of the electromagnetic wave
signal. A regenerator may be configured to conduct full
electromagnetic wave signal regeneration. Alternatively, a
regenerator may be configured to restore only some aspects of the
electromagnetic wave signal by re-timing and/or re-shaping and/or
re-amplification of the electromagnetic wave signal in part. In
embodiments, the regenerator may also be configured to implement
error correction to restore lost information or correct errors
introduced into the data in motion. In embodiments, the regenerator
may be used in conjunction with Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(WDM), which enables the regenerator to improve the signal quality
on different wavelength channels.
[0116] Any apparatus configured to re-amplify, re-shape, and/or
re-time the electromagnetic wave signal in full or in part may be
used to build regenerators. Regenerators can be implemented in
various ways. In embodiments, the regenerator may be an all-optical
or optoelectronic regenerator, wherein the all-optical regenerator
is configured to regenerate the electromagnetic wave signal all
optically in the optical domain, while the optoelectronic
regenerator is configured to convert the electromagnetic wave
signal to a corresponding electrical signal in the electrical
domain, regenerate the converted electrical signal electrically and
convert the regenerated electrical signal to a corresponding
electromagnetic wave signal in the optical domain. In embodiments,
the regenerator may comprise at least one amplifier and at least
one absorber. In embodiments, the regenerator may comprise at least
one amplifier configured to operate in a saturation regime. In
embodiments, the regenerator may comprise a nonlinear filter
configured to provide gain stabilization and/or reduce noise in the
electromagnetic wave signal. In embodiments, the regenerator may
comprise crystals or optical fibers. In embodiments, the
regenerator may comprise crystals or optical fibers doped by a
fluorescent element or a rare-earth element, such as erbium. In
embodiments, the optical fiber used in the regenerator may comprise
additional devices at the input to inject the electromagnetic wave
signal into the optical fiber, and other devices at the output to
restore the electromagnetic wave beam to its original shape and
size. In embodiments, the regenerator may comprise at least one
phase sensitive parametric amplifier.
[0117] In a system (e.g., a system for storing data in motion using
a recirculating loop) where multiple regenerators can be
substantially co-located, it is possible for multiple regenerators
to share one or more common components in order to achieve a more
efficient and cost-effective design.
[0118] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system 200 comprising at
least two substantially co-located regenerators 232, 235 sharing
common components, such as a pump laser source 203, a control
circuit 204, and/or a clock source 205, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In embodiments, the
substantially co-located regenerators 232, 235 may be coupled to
each other by a transmission medium, such as a transmission fiber
233. FIG. 2 shows an electromagnetic wave signal 201 entering a
first regenerator 232 through the corresponding coupler 231. The
regenerated signal then passes through a transmission fiber 233.
The signal then enters a second regenerator 235 through the
corresponding coupler 234 and exits the second regenerator as a
regenerated signal 202.
[0119] A single pump laser source 203 having sufficient output
power may be used to provide a pump laser beam to two or more
multiple regenerators 232, 235. As shown in FIG. 2, the output
power of the pump laser source 203 may be split and sent to
variable attenuators 211, 212, each of which may be coupled to the
corresponding one of the multiple regenerators 232, 235. The
variable attenuator 211, 212 may be configured to control the
specific pump laser power needed for the corresponding regenerator.
The pump laser beam may then be sent from the variable attenuators
211, 212 to the regenerators 232, 235 through the corresponding
couplers 231, 234. Each of the couplers 231, 234 may be configured
to combine the pump laser beam from the pump laser source 203 (via
variable attenuators 211, 212) with the electromagnetic wave signal
and to send the combined pump laser beam and electromagnetic wave
signal to the corresponding regenerator 232, 235 to achieve full or
partial regeneration of the electromagnetic wave signal.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 2, at least two of the multiple
regenerators 232, 235 may be used in conjunction with a shared
control circuit 204, which may be configured to control the
operation of the regenerators, such as the gain of the
regenerators. For example, the input power to and output power from
the regenerator 232, 235 may be measured by using, for example, a
photodetector in the control circuit 204. The measured input and
output powers may then be compared by using, for example, a
processor comprising electronic circuitry in the control circuit
204 to determine the regenerator characteristics, such as gain. As
a result of the comparison, the pump laser power input to the
coupler 231, 234 can be adjusted accordingly. In embodiments, this
adjustment of the pump laser power input may be performed by the
pump laser source 203 and/or variable attenuator 211, 212 based on
control signals from the control circuit 204, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0121] In embodiments, the shared control circuit 204 may be much
faster than the changes that might occur to the regenerator gain.
As such, by using many couplers and taking optical/electronic
measurements sequentially from different multiple regenerators,
many regenerators can share a single control circuit.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 2, at least two of the substantially
co-located multiple regenerators 232, 235 may use a shared clock
source 205, which may be configured to provide a clock signal to
each of at least two of the multiple regenerators 232, 235 for
re-timing the electromagnetic wave signal.
[0123] In embodiments, the system 200 may further comprise one or
more multiplexers (not shown in FIG. 2), wherein at least one of
the one or more multiplexers is communicably coupled to and shared
by the two substantially co-located regenerators 232, 235.
Additionally or alternatively, the system 200 may further comprise
one or more demultiplexers (not shown in FIG. 2), wherein at least
one of the one or more demultiplexers is communicably coupled to
and shared by the two substantially co-located regenerators 232,
235. In embodiments, the two regenerators 232, 235 sharing at least
one of the one or more multiplexers and/or at least one of the one
or more demultiplexers comprise phase sensitive parametric
amplifiers.
[0124] In embodiments, the pump laser source 203, the control
circuit 204, the clock source 205 and/or
multiplexers/demultiplexers may account for a large fraction of the
cost of the multiple regenerators in the system 200. As such,
sharing of one or more common components, such as pump laser
source, control circuit, clock source and/or
multiplexers/demultiplexers, by multiple regenerators can provide
the benefit of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and overall reduction
in power consumption of the regenerators.
[0125] Transceivers may be used to transmit and receive
electromagnetic wave signals through a transmission medium, such as
free space, waveguide, optical fiber, to name a few. In
embodiments, a transceiver may comprise one or more transmitters
and one or more receivers. In embodiments, a transceiver may
comprise many components, such as input/output interfaces,
modulators, mixers, amplifiers, active optic cables, and/or
integrated circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC)) comprising, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP),
an optical transport network (OTN) framer/deframer, an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and/or a digital-to-analog
converter. (DAC).
[0126] In a system (e.g., a system for storing data in motion using
a recirculating loop) where multiple transceivers can be
substantially co-located, it is possible for multiple transceivers
to share one or more common components in order to achieve a more
efficient and cost-effective design.
[0127] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system 300 comprising at
least two substantially co-located transceivers 305, 306 sharing
common components, such as a laser source 303 and/or a clock source
304, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In embodiments, the substantially co-located
transceivers 305, 306 may be coupled to each other by a
transmission medium, such as a transmission fiber 307, as shown in
FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an electromagnetic wave signal 301 traveling
in to or out of a first transceiver 305 through a first
input/output interface 311, and the corresponding electromagnetic
wave signal 302 traveling in to or out of a second transceiver 306
through a second input/output interface 318. For example, the
electromagnetic wave signal 301 enters the first transceiver 305
through the first input/output interface 311 and then passes
through a first integrated circuit (IC) 312, a first
modulator/mixer 313 and a first amplifier 314 of the first
transceiver 305. The signal is then transmitted through the
transmission fiber 307, and then passes through a second amplifier
315, a second modulator/mixer 316 and a second integrated circuit
317 of the second transceiver 306. The second transceiver 306
outputs the corresponding electromagnetic wave signal 302 through
the second input/output interface 318. In alternative embodiments,
the electromagnetic wave signal 302 may travel in the reverse
direction such that the first transceiver 305 outputs the
corresponding electromagnetic wave signal 301 through the first
input/output interface 311.
[0128] At least two of the substantially co-located multiple
transceivers 305, 306 may use a shared laser source 303. As shown
in FIG. 3, the laser source 303 may be configured to provide a
laser beam to the first transceiver 305 and to the second
transceiver 306. In embodiments, if the first transceiver 305 is a
transmit side and the second transceiver 306 is a receive side and
each transceiver comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, the laser source 303 may provide a laser beam to at
least one of the one or more transmitters in the first transceiver
305 and to at least one of one or more receivers in the second
transceiver 306. In embodiments, if the first transceiver 305 is a
transmit side and the second transceiver 306 is a receive side and
each transceiver comprises one or more transmitters and one or more
receivers, the laser source 303 may provide a laser beam to a
modulator 313 in at least one of the one or more transmitters in
the first transceiver 305 and to a mixer 316 in at least one of one
or more receivers in the second transceiver 306, as shown in FIG.
3. It should be noted that the pairs of transceivers that are
sharing the laser sources will often transmit and receive light on
the same wavelength.
[0129] In further embodiments, the laser source 303 may be
configured to provide a laser beam to at least one of the one or
more transmitters in at least one of the multiple transceivers 305,
306 and to at least one of the one or more receivers in the same
one of the multiple transceivers 305, 306. In further embodiments,
the laser source 303 may be configured to provide a laser beam to a
modulator in at least one of the one or more transmitters in at
least one of the multiple transceivers 305, 306 and to a mixer in
at least one of the one or more receivers in the same one of the
multiple transceivers 305, 306.
[0130] At least two of the substantially co-located multiple
transceivers may use a shared clock source, which may be configured
to provide a clock signal to each of at least two of the multiple
transceivers. In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, a clock source
304 may be configured to provide a clock signal to the first IC 312
in the first transceiver 305 and to the second IC 317 in the second
transceiver 306.
[0131] The use of shared components, such as laser sources and/or
clock sources, by multiple transceivers leads to an efficient and
cost-effective design by, for example, reducing the number of
components used, decreasing the amount of digital signal processing
used, reducing power consumption and lowering the capital and
operating cost of manufacturing and maintaining the transceivers
without affecting the performance of transmission.
[0132] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
exemplary embodiments outlined above and illustrated in the
drawings, it is evident that the principles of the present
invention may be implemented using any number of techniques,
whether currently known or not, and many alternatives,
modifications and variations in form and detail will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Modifications, additions, or omissions
may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described
herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be
integrated or separated. Furthermore, the operations of the systems
and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer,
or other components and the methods described may include more,
fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any
suitable order.
[0133] As defined herein, electromagnetic waves include acoustic
waves. Accordingly, storage in motion of information or any kind of
data can also be implemented using acoustic (i.e., sound) waves.
Representative values for the speed of sound include about 1,500
m/sec in water, about 330 m/sec in air, and about 6,000 m/sec in
steel. (There are a range of velocities for each case.) In terms of
frequency, sound waves can be in the region of tens of MHz. For
example, some medical ultrasound devices operate in the regions of
tens of MHz. Usually, lower frequency sound also has less
attenuation over distance.
[0134] A benefit of using acoustic waves for storage in motion is
the relatively slower speed of sound. In this regard, if the wave
signal carrying information or any kind of data in motion is an
acoustic wave, the much lower speed of sound (as compared to the
speed of light) enables one to store a greater amount of data in
motion in a cavity without requiring a higher data rate at which
the data is introduced into the cavity.
[0135] Acoustic waves require some medium in order to propagate.
Information or any kind of data can be transmitted and/or reflected
between structures or within structures using acoustic waves in
various transmission media (e.g., air and steel, to name a few).
Embodiments of storage in motion using acoustic waves could be
constructed using such media. For steel, railroad tracks could be a
long-distance medium. Acoustic waves can be generated using various
sources of vibration, including crystal transducers and speakers,
to name a few. Microphones detect acoustic waves. There is a
significant base of acoustic technology in sound systems, in
systems to eliminate vibration, and in systems to measure
vibration. This device technology can be utilized in developing
storage in motion systems using acoustic waves in accordance with
the principles employed in the embodiments disclosed in the present
application.
[0136] Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as
set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, and
the spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed
broadly and limited only by the appended claims, and not by the
foregoing specification.
[0137] In addition, unless otherwise specifically noted, articles
depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
* * * * *