CN114067550A

CN114067550A - Bidirectional IR infrared command transmission over optical fiber using laser diodes, VCSELs or WDM

Info

Publication number: CN114067550A
Application number: CN202011623051.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·扎内蒂; S·菲奥拉万蒂
Original assignee: S Feiaolawandi; L Zhaneidi
Current assignee: S Feiaolawandi; L Zhaneidi
Priority date: 2020-07-29
Filing date: 2020-12-31
Publication date: 2022-02-18
Also published as: CN215265079U

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method of injecting IR infrared remote control or similar serial control into an optical fiber using a laser diode, VCSEL and wavelength division multiplexing methods using a single fiber or multiple fibers.

Description

Bidirectional IR infrared command transmission over optical fiber using laser diodes, VCSELs or WDM

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method of injecting IR infrared remote control or similar serial control into an optical fiber using laser diodes, VCSELs and wavelength division multiplexing methods.

Background

Currently, multimedia signals need to be developed to 4K, 8K, 10K and higher resolutions of up to 120 frames per second or higher. The internet speed is high.

Furthermore, the video signal is required to be uncompressed, unprocessed, with zero lag, up to 48 gigabits per second or higher bandwidth, to carry the original unaltered HDR10+ or higher quality signal.

These new video formats with very high bandwidth cannot be propagated over classical cat-8 copper cables, but require one or more optical fibers carrying the required bandwidth.

Thus, new buildings, both commercial and residential, are more often using optical fibers.

This also helps to save time and money on a building level, and helps to avoid clutter of the duct due to the small size of the optical fibers.

Optical fibers are of plastic material and therefore, unlike copper cables, are also not damaged by lightning strikes in storm conditions.

For these reasons, current builders tend to use optical fiber as the most desirable AV cable.

Multimedia devices, such as 4K, 8K, 10K televisions, AV receivers, are controlled by infrared remote controls.

Pulling a cable in a wall or duct for the specific purpose of transmitting infrared rays may cause confusion in the wall or duct.

Therefore, there is a need for remote transmission of standard optical fiber via infrared remote control commands.

There is also a need for a cost-effective consumer solution to reach and meet the consumer market of home users.

In addition to this, cable boxes or technical type equipment are often located in a limited space, such as a cabinet or technical room away from the television or source or destination to be controlled.

The IR sensor has a small range of action. Thus, there is a need for a solution to transmit infrared remote control commands efficiently and with zero delay over optical fibers and over long distances in buildings.

If the source and destination are in different rooms or are not visible, a solution is needed to transmit infrared remote control commands efficiently and with zero delay over optical fibers to different rooms in a building.

The scope of the invention is to inject IR infrared remote control or serial control into the fiber by using VCSEL or WDM (DWDM, CWDM, TWDM, TDM, etc.) to transmit the remote control alone (using VCSEL) or multiplexed with 4k, 8k, 10k or higher video uncompressed raw signals (using multiplexing systems such as DWDM, CWDM, TWDM, TDM, etc.) without delay or compression, with perfect quality and real-time responsiveness of the remote control, without adding expensive circuitry to the system, keeping the cost of the consumer and everyone friendly.

The IR infrared radiation may be emitted by any heat source. The IR sensor may receive all IR radiation available in the environment, not just the required commands.

Therefore, there is a need for a filter to transmit only the desired signal or command through an optical fiber to eliminate unwanted ambient noise.

If the remote control is used remote from the IR photoreceptor, the remote control may give a very low level signal. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the signal and bring it to a sufficient level for efficient transmission over the optical fiber.

Since the distance over the fiber we want to cover can be large, we also need to give our IR signal the appropriate power.

To this end, the input field of the present invention uses an IC to power and filter the signal before sending it to the laser diode, VCSEL or WDM.

This method ensures that IR commands are given at the source (e.g. a TV remote control) to destinations located in different rooms or floors of a building or to AV receivers or cable receivers without any loss.

But a remote control that does not work perfectly and has zero delay is the worst case. Unlike the prior art, the present invention does not transform, convert or modify the original signal. It is also very fast and accurate because the signal does not transform but remains as original as possible.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention therefore relates to a method for extracting, fiber-preparing and injecting perfect infrared or serial commands from a source and transmitting them into an optical fiber.

Another object of the invention relates to a method of receiving and transmitting perfect infrared or serial commands from an optical fiber.

It is another object of the invention to have at the source a transmitting circuit that transmits IR into the fiber and a receiving circuit that receives IR from the fiber that can switch functions to have bi-directional capability.

It is another object of the present invention to use single fiber cables and multi-fiber cables to transmit IR.

It is another object of the invention to use laser diodes or Vcsel or any WDM system for the second field of the circuit to fit single or multiple fibers.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the principles of the present invention and, together with the description, further enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a common shape of an IR photoreceptor photodiode.

Fig. 2 shows different types of remote control bit streams.

Fig. 3 shows the input field of the transmitter of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows an inventive transmitter according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the input circuit diagram of fig. 3 is added with a transmission diode or Vcsel.

Fig. 5 shows the circuit diagram of fig. 4 with an HDMI or other signal added to the output and then transmitted over a single fiber according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates the receiver of fig. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows the receiver of fig. 5 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows a transmitter and a receiver according to fig. 4 and 6 working together.

Fig. 9 shows a different embodiment of fig. 8, where the input 701 and output 702 are simple cables instead of the

IR photoreceptors

301 and 502, since the IR photoreceptors are already integrated into a home device such as a television.

Fig. 10 shows a transmitter and a receiver according to fig. 5 and 7 working together.

Fig. 10A is a different embodiment of fig. 10, in which the signals are bi-directional.

Fig. 10B is a different embodiment of fig. 8, where the signals are bi-directional.

Fig. 11 shows a different embodiment of fig. 9, where the input 701 and output 702 are simple cables instead of the

IR photoreceptors

Fig. 12 is an example of how the invention according to fig. 11 can be added to an HDMI consumer connector.

Detailed Description

The subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. The subject matter may, however, be embodied in various different forms and, thus, it is intended that the covered or claimed subject matter be construed as not limited to any exemplary embodiment set forth herein; the exemplary embodiments are provided for illustration only. Also, a reasonably broad range of claimed or covered subject matter is desired. For example, the present subject matter may be embodied as, among other things, apparatuses and methods for use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term "embodiments of the invention" does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best mode(s) presently contemplated for carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the claims of any eventual patent as allowed.

The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject invention. Furthermore, the drawings may not be to scale.

Reference is now made to fig. 1, which is a sample of an IR photoreceptor (IR eye) commonly found on the market. The IR-sensors may be as shown in fig. 1 or may be integrated directly into the appliance, for example present in each television. The IR infrared remote control signal is generated from an IR remote control such as these general televisions. These IR remote control signals are captured by using a photodiode also called an IR photoreceptor (infrared photoreceptor). The IR photoreceptor photodiode converts signal data from the hand-held remote control infrared invisible light pulses to a current bit stream.

Fig. 2 shows 3 examples of different kinds of bit streams 201, 202, 203. The remote control "bit stream" can also be custom shaped based on different shape bits in the time domain, so the scope of the invention is also to create an "unprocessed/unchanged/zero delay" IR remote control solution transmitted over optical fiber that is cost effective and compatible with any remote control to transmit the same bit stream present at the source at the destination.

Fig. 3 shows an input field of the invention, in which the IR photoreceptor is connected to an IC. The IC has a fundamental role in the present invention because it performs several different and important functions. In fact, because IR infrared radiation can be emitted by any heat source, the IR photoreceptor sensor can receive all IR radiation available in the environment, not just the required commands. The IC is a filter that removes unwanted ambient noise. In addition, if the remote control is used remotely from the IR photoreceptor, the remote control can give a very low level signal. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the signal and bring it to a sufficient level for efficient transmission over the optical fiber. Finally, since the length of fiber we want to cover can be large, we also need to give our IR signal the appropriate power. The IC circuit providing the required power must be selected according to a selected diode data table from the selected diode manufacturer.

FIG. 4 shows an emitter of the present invention with an Ir photoreceptor or sensor 301; an IC 302; a laser transmission diode 401 and an optical fiber 402. The IR photoreceptor signal is powered by the IC, but then directly connected to a VCSEL laser transmission diode dedicated to this IR transmission over fiber. Since the IR photoreceptor data is directly converted to VCSEL laser signals through fiber optics, no delays, lags, variations are introduced, and therefore the present invention does not disrupt the original shape and function of the IR remote control commands.

In the case of serial remote control, the photodiode is replaced by a suitable electrical connector to connect these electrical serial remote control signals, see item 701 of fig. 9. Any connector and associated IC driver for the connector may be used if desired.

Fig. 5 shows how the signals from fig. 4 can be transmitted in parallel on a single fiber along with other different signals such as HDMI video. To this end, the circuit of fig. 4 may also be connected to WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) 501 or DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) or CWDM or VCSEL-based CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing) or TDM time division multiplexing sufficiently fast, or TWDM, time division and wavelength division multiplexing, or similar fiber circuits, to "share" the same fiber so that different wavelengths of light can propagate together and independently through the same fiber without changing the scope and results of the invention, as the IR photoreceptor data is not electrically multiplexed with any other signal, which could potentially disrupt its timing and integrity, reducing IR command compatibility and receptivity. WDM is a "parallel data lightwave on the same fiber" approach in which each data is kept propagating "separately" on its "optical frequency" through the same fiber. The present invention makes it possible to realize an HDMI AOC active optical cable with IR infrared remote control by a single optical fiber, using a VCSEL-based CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing). The present invention may be connected to a single optical fiber or multiple optical fibers without departing from the scope of the present invention. A plurality of optical fibers can be added to carry more signals, and an IR infrared or serial remote controller is added to the obtained HDMI 4K 8K AOC active optical cable or the detachable HDMI connector.

Fig. 6 shows a receiver 600 of the present invention. In order to receive and output IR infrared remote control or serial remote control at the transmitter side of the optical cable, a mirror circuit is required, using a fiber optic receiver diode 601; an IC circuit 602 for stabilizing signals; the IR transmitter 502 replays the transmitted IR or serial command to the local appliance or device. The photodiode 601 receives an IR infrared remote control in light wave format or a serial remote control from a fiber optic cable and sends it to the output IR infrared transmitter photodiode 502, which will replay IR infrared commands to the local device. The IC connection circuitry 602 follows a specification data sheet from the selected photodiode manufacturer. In the case of electrical serial remote control, the transmitter photodiode 502 is replaced with a suitable electrical connector to connect these electrical serial remote control signals. See item 702 in fig. 9.

Fig. 7 shows a mirror receiving circuit of the transmitter according to fig. 5. The receiver circuit of fig. 5 may also be connected to 700 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 700 may be WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) or DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) or CWDM or VCSEL-based CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing), or TDM time division multiplexing sufficiently fast, or TWDM, time division and wavelength division multiplexing, or similar fiber optic circuitry, to "share" the same fiber so that different wavelengths of light may propagate together and independently through the same fiber without changing the scope and results of the invention, as the IR data is not electrically multiplexed with any other signals, which could potentially disrupt its timing and integrity, reducing IR command compatibility and reception. WDM is a "parallel data lightwave on the same fiber" approach in which each data is kept propagating "separately" on its "optical frequency" through the same fiber. 701 is then connected to the receiving circuit of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows the transmitter and receiver of the invention according to fig. 4 and 6 connected together.

Fig. 9 shows the transmitter and receiver of the invention according to fig. 5 and 7 connected together. In this figure, a complete embodiment of the invention for IR infrared remote control is directed through VCSEL fiber with zero lag without electrical multiplexing compression or processing, with WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) or DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) or CWDM or VCSEL-based CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing), or TDM time division multiplexing sufficiently fast, or TWDM, time division and wavelength division multiplexing, or similar fiber optic circuitry, to "share" the same fiber so that different wavelengths of light can propagate together and independently through the same fiber without changing the scope and results of the invention, since the IR photoreceptor data is not electrically multiplexed with any other signal, which could potentially disrupt its timing and integrity, reducing IR command compatibility and reception. WDM is a "parallel data lightwave on the same fiber" approach in which each data is kept propagating "separately" on its "optical frequency" through the same fiber.

Fig. 10A is a bidirectional circuit according to another embodiment of the invention, which can be implemented by adding two opposing mirror circuits, or WDM or TDM technology to share one fiber in both directions. Two optical fibers may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 10B shows a bi-directional circuit that can be implemented by adding two fibers and two opposing mirror circuits.

Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention. It is similar to fig. 9, but it differs from fig. 9 in that instead of the IR photoreceptor 301 there is an electrical connection 701 and instead of the IR emitter 502 there is an electrical connection 702. In this fig. 12, the complete implementation is to replace the IR infrared photodiode with an electrical connection, through the VCSEL fiber, with WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) or DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) or CWDM or VCSEL-based CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing), or TDM time division multiplexing fast enough, or TWDM, time division and wavelength division multiplexing, or similar fiber circuits, to "share" the same fiber so that different wavelengths of light can propagate together and independently through the same fiber without changing the scope and results of the invention, since the IR photoreceptor data is not electrically multiplexed with any other signal, which could potentially destroy its timing and integrity, reducing IR command compatibility and reception. WDM is a "parallel data lightwave on the same fiber" approach in which each data is kept propagating "separately" on its "optical frequency" through the same fiber. This example is connected to AV receivers and commercial televisions where the photodiode is already integrated into the device or not needed since the IR remote control is purely electrical.

Fig. 12 illustrates an HDMI patch cord with added infrared according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the circuit of fig. 9 may be included in an HDMI plug housing. The present invention allows HDMI 4K, 8K, 10K 18Gbps or 48Gbps or higher HDMI AOC cables to be produced using MPO or similar patch cords, with IR infrared remote control or serial remote control added to the MPO patch cords as well as sc lc or similar patch cords.

Claims

1. An electronic circuit capable of transmitting an infrared data signal through an optical fiber and a circuit for receiving an infrared data signal through an optical fiber.

2. An electronic circuit for transmitting IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one photodiode or IR photoreceptor;

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one laser transmission diode.

3. An electronic circuit for transmitting IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one photodiode or IR photoreceptor;

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one Vcsel.

4. An electronic circuit for transmitting IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one photodiode or IR photoreceptor;

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one WDM (WDM or DWDM, or CWDM, or vcsel-based CWDM, or TWDM).

5. An electronic circuit for receiving IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one laser receiving diode;

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one photodiode or IR emitter.

6. An electronic circuit for receiving IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one Vcsel receiver;

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one photodiode or IR emitter.

7. An electronic circuit for receiving IR through an optical fiber, comprising:

at least one WDM receiver (WDM or DWDM, or CWDM, or cscsel-based CWDM, or TWDM);

at least one IC connected to the photodiode;

at least one photodiode or IR emitter.

8. The electronic circuit of claims 1-7, wherein the photodiode IR photoreceptor and the photodiode emitter are electrically connected.

9. An electronic circuit according to claims 4 and 7, wherein the transmission is over a single optical fibre.

10. The electronic circuit of claims 2, 3, 5, and 6, wherein the signal is bidirectional over a plurality of optical fibers.

11. An electronic circuit according to claims 4 and 7, wherein the signal is bidirectional on a single optical fiber.