JP2015136086A - Optical communication module, and transmission and reception system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical communication module capable of reducing a load of an information processing device to transmit and receive information on an optical communication module, and a transmission and reception system using the same.SOLUTION: A transmission and reception system 1 connects a transmitter 2 connected to a host 10 with a receiver 3 connected to a host 11 by means of an optical communication line 4. The transmitter 2 includes a modulation processing unit 101 for generating a superposition signal 25 obtained by superimposing a second data signal including status information of the transmitter 2 as a low-speed electric signal 32 on a high-speed electric signal 21 obtained by modulating a first data signal 20a to be transmitted from the host 10 to the host 11, and an electrooptical conversion unit 150 for converting the superposition signal 25 generated by the modulation processing unit 101 into an optical signal 60 to output the optical signal to the optical communication line 4. The receiver 3 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 250 for converting the optical signal received via the optical communication line 4 into a high-speed electric signal 40, and a demodulation processing unit 201 for extracting a first data signal 20b and a second data signal 30b from the high-speed electric signal 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical communication module that transmits and receives an optical signal via an optical transmission line and a transmission and reception system using the same.

  Conventionally, in a transmission / reception system having a transmitter (optical communication module) and a receiver (optical communication module), not only a data signal (main signal) but also a signal (sub signal) related to each other's state information and control information is transmitted and received. Yes. The sub signal includes information related to the optical communication module. Since the data signal is a high-speed electrical signal, and the signals related to each other's state information and control information are low-speed electrical signals, in the transmission / reception system, for example, the high-speed electrical signal is transmitted / received through an optical communication line such as an optical fiber. May be transmitted and received over a telecommunication line.

  Here, in recent years, as a technique for transmitting and receiving a high-speed electrical signal and a low-speed electrical signal using only an optical communication line, an optical transmission device that transmits and receives a low-speed electrical signal superimposed on a high-speed electrical signal has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this Patent Document 1, a low frequency signal is superimposed on a data signal and applied to an optical modulator, and a frequency component twice that of the low frequency signal is detected from output light output from the modulator. An optical transmission device that determines whether or not is transmitted is disclosed.

JP 2004-56187 A

  The optical transmission device disclosed in Patent Document 1 superimposes a low-frequency signal on a data signal and applies it to an optical modulator to self-diagnose whether the optical transmission device is transmitting a data signal. For this reason, in the optical transmission apparatus, no consideration is given to the extraction of the low frequency signal on the reception apparatus side. Also, information related to the optical communication module is normally transmitted to the partner optical communication module under the control of an information processing apparatus such as a host to which the optical communication module is connected.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication module capable of transmitting and receiving information on the optical communication module while reducing the burden on the information processing apparatus, and a transmission / reception system using the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a high-speed optical signal transmission module that is connected to a partner optical communication module via an optical transmission line and that modulates a first data signal to be transmitted to the partner optical communication module. A modulation processing unit that generates a superimposed signal by superimposing a second data signal including status information of the optical communication module on the electrical signal as a low-speed electrical signal, and converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit into an optical signal Then, an optical communication module provided with an electro-optic conversion unit that outputs to the optical transmission line is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first optical communication module connected to the first information processing apparatus and a second optical communication module connected to the second information processing apparatus. In the transmission / reception system connected by a transmission line, the first optical communication module converts the first data signal to be transmitted from the first information processing device to the second information processing device into a high-speed electrical signal that has been modulated. A modulation processing unit that generates a superimposed signal in which a second data signal including status information of one optical communication module is superimposed as a low-speed electrical signal, and converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit into an optical signal, The second optical communication module includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that converts an optical signal received via the optical transmission path into an electrical signal; and a photoelectric conversion unit that outputs the optical signal to the optical transmission path. And a demodulation processing unit for extracting the first data signal and the second data signal from the converted electric signals Ri, provides a transmission and reception system.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to reduce the burden of information processing apparatus, and to transmit / receive the information regarding an optical communication module.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a transmission / reception system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the transmission / reception system. 3A and 3B show signal waveforms in the transmitter, where FIG. 3A shows a high-speed electric signal, FIG. 3B shows a low-speed electric signal after applying a bias voltage, and FIG. 3C shows a waveform of a superimposed signal. 4A and 4B show signal waveforms in the receiver, in which FIG. 4A shows the high-speed electric signal, FIG. 4B shows the low-speed electric signal, and FIG. 4C shows the waveform of the second data signal. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic signal flow in the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic signal flow in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a transmission / reception system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a transmission / reception system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The transmission / reception system 1 is detachably attached to a transmitter 2 that is detachably attached to a motherboard 10a of a host 10 as a first information processing apparatus, and a motherboard 11a of a host 11 that is a second information processing apparatus. And a receiver 3. The transmitter 2 and the receiver 3 are connected by an optical communication line 4. Here, the transmitter 2 and the receiver 3 are examples of an optical communication module. The optical communication line 4 is an example of an optical transmission line.

  The motherboard 10a of the host 10 is configured with a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown), and includes a plurality of slots. The transmitter 2 is attached to one of the plurality of slots. The CPU of the motherboard 10 a converts the first data signal 20 a to be transmitted to the host 11 into the optical signal 60 by the transmitter 2 and transmits it to the receiver 3 via the optical communication line 4.

  The motherboard 11a of the host 11 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown) and includes a plurality of slots. The receiver 3 is attached to one of the plurality of slots. The CPU of the mother board 11 a receives the optical signal 60 transmitted from the transmitter 2 by the receiver 3 and acquires the first data signal 20 b from the receiver 3.

  The optical communication line 4 is, for example, an optical fiber cable. One end of the optical fiber cable is connected to the transmitter 2 via the transmission side connector, and the other end of the optical fiber cable is connected to the receiver 3 via the reception side connector. Is done.

  The transmitter 2 generates a superimposed signal 25 by superimposing a second data signal 30a including information related to the transmitter 2 such as status information of the transmitter 2 on the first data signal 20a from the host 10; And an electro-optic conversion unit 150 that converts the superimposed signal 25 into an optical signal 60 and transmits it to the receiver 3 via the optical communication line 4.

  The receiver 3 photoelectrically converts the optical signal 60 transmitted from the transmitter 2 via the optical communication line 4, and the first data signal from the high-speed electrical signal 40 photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric converter 250. And a demodulation processing unit 201 that extracts the 20b and the second data signal 30b and outputs the first data signal 20b to the host 11.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the transmission / reception system 1. 3A and 3B show signal waveforms in the transmitter 2, wherein FIG. 3A shows the high-speed electric signal 21, FIG. 3B shows the low-speed electric signal 32 after applying the bias voltage, and FIG. 3C shows the waveform of the superimposed signal 25. It is. 4A and 4B show signal waveforms in the receiver 3, wherein FIG. 4A shows the waveform of the high-speed electric signal 40, FIG. 4B shows the low-speed electric signal 41, and FIG. 4C shows the waveform of the second data signal 30b.

(Configuration of transmitter 2)
The transmitter 2 includes the modulation processing unit 101 and the electro-optic conversion unit 150 as described above. The modulation processing unit 101 includes a high-speed signal generation unit 110, a superimposition unit 115, a low-speed signal generation unit 120, a bias applying unit 130, and a control unit 140.

  The high-speed signal generation unit 110 converts the first data signal 20a from the host 10 into a high-speed electric signal 21 as shown in FIG. 3A of the Gbps order (for example, 1 Gbps or more or 10 Gbps or more) and generates the high-speed electric signal. The signal 21 is output to the superimposing unit 115. The high-speed signal generation unit 110 includes, for example, an amplifier that amplifies the first data signal 20a, an oscillation circuit that generates a pulse signal, an 8B10B conversion circuit, and the like.

  The low-speed signal generation unit 120 receives a second data signal 30a including status information read from a memory (not shown) of the control unit 140, and receives the second data signal 30a on the order of kHz or MHz (for example, 1 MHz or less or 10 MHz or less). ), For example, to generate a low-speed electric signal 31 composed of a pulse train of voltage Vs, and output the low-speed electric signal 31 to the bias applying unit 130. The low-speed signal generation unit 120 includes, for example, an amplifier that amplifies the second data signal 30a, an oscillation circuit that generates a pulse current, and the like.

  Here, the second data signal 30a is used to detect an abnormality in addition to the status information of the optical communication module (in this embodiment, the transmitter 2) such as whether the connector of the optical communication line 4 is disconnected and the state of the control unit 140. Communication module for temperature information, voltage fluctuation information, firmware version information, serial number information, product number information, equalizer setting value information for waveform correction, emphasis setting value information, etc. Information may be included. Further, the second data signal 30a may include information related to the control of the first data signal 20a.

  The bias applying unit 130 superimposes the low-speed electric signal 32 as shown in FIG. 3B in which the bias voltage Vb for driving the electro-optic conversion unit 150 is applied to the low-speed electric signal 31 generated by the low-speed signal generating unit 120. Output to the unit 115. The bias applying unit 130 includes, for example, a bias circuit.

  The superimposing unit 115 superimposes the low-speed electric signal 32 to which the bias voltage Vb is applied by the bias applying unit 130 on the high-speed electric signal 21 generated by the high-speed signal generating unit 110 to superimpose the signal as shown in FIG. 25 is generated and output to the electro-optic conversion unit 150. The superimposing unit 115 includes, for example, a drive circuit.

  The control unit 140 is configured to include a CPU, a memory, and the like, and controls each functional unit constituting the transmitter 2 and uses various information such as status information stored in the memory as a second data signal 30a as a low-speed signal. The data is output to the generation unit 120.

  The electro-optic conversion unit 150 electro-optically converts the superimposed signal 25 generated by the superimposing unit 115 into an optical signal 60 and outputs the optical signal 60 to the receiver 3 via the optical communication line 4. The electro-optic conversion unit 150 includes, for example, a light emitting element such as a laser diode or a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser).

(Configuration of receiver 3)
As described above, the receiver 3 includes the photoelectric conversion unit 250 and the demodulation processing unit 201. The demodulation processing unit 201 includes a low-speed signal extraction unit 210, a second data signal extraction unit 220, a control unit 240, and a signal conversion unit 50.

  The photoelectric conversion unit 250 converts the optical signal 60 output from the transmitter 2 into a high-speed electric signal 40 as shown in FIG. 4A and sends it to the low-speed signal extraction unit 210 and the signal conversion unit 50 of the demodulation processing unit 201. Output. The photoelectric conversion unit 250 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode, for example. The high-speed electrical signal 40 includes a bias voltage component and a low-speed electrical signal component.

  The low-speed signal extraction unit 210 cuts the high-frequency component of the high-speed electric signal 40, detects the low-frequency component, and extracts the low-speed electric signal 41 as shown in FIG. The low-speed electrical signal 41 includes a bias voltage component. The low-speed signal extraction unit 210 includes, for example, various filters (such as a low-pass filter or a band-pass filter). The low-speed signal extraction unit 210 photoelectrically converts a part of the optical signal 60 branched by an optical branching unit (not shown) and a part of the optical signal 60 that is leaked light, and inputs the average of the optical signal 60. The intensity may be detected.

  The second data signal extraction unit 220 extracts the second data signal 30b as shown in FIG. 4C from the low-speed electrical signal 41 extracted by the low-speed signal extraction unit 210, and outputs the second data signal 30b to the control unit 240. For example, the second data signal extraction unit 220 compares the low-speed electrical signal 41 with the threshold voltage Vc and detects a voltage equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vc as the second data signal 30b. The second data signal extraction unit 220 includes, for example, various filters and a peak detector.

  The control unit 240 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and controls each functional unit constituting the receiver 3 and also includes a status included in the second data signal 30b output from the second data signal extraction unit 220. Information is stored in the memory.

  The signal conversion unit 50 converts the high-speed electrical signal 40 output from the photoelectric conversion unit 250 into the first data signal 20b by performing predetermined processing such as removal of bias voltage components and 10B8B conversion, and converts the first data signal 20b to the first data signal 20b. Output to the host 11.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the second data signal 30a including the status information is superimposed on the high-speed electrical signal 21 and transmitted to the receiver 3 as the optical signal 60, the first data signal 20a Two types of signals, the second data signal 30a, can be transmitted.
(2) Since various types of information such as status information necessary for the transmitter 2 and the receiver 3 are transmitted and received between the transmitter 2 and the receiver 3, the burden on the hosts 10 and 11 can be reduced.
(3) For example, compared with a case where a single high-speed electrical signal is variably attenuated by a low-speed electrical signal and transmitted by one optical communication line 4, and the low-speed electrical signal is demodulated based on the attenuation amount, the influence on the high-speed electrical signal is increased. It is possible to transmit and receive low-speed electrical signals while suppressing the above.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the status information is superimposed on the high-speed signal as a low-speed signal and transmitted from the transmitter 2 to the receiver 3. In this embodiment, however, the clock signal is also transmitted from the transmitter 2 to the receiver. 3 is transmitted. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  The transmission / reception system 1A of the present embodiment includes a transmitter 2A and a receiver 3A. The transmitter 2A and the receiver 3A are connected by two optical communication lines 4 and 5. Here, the transmitter 2A and the receiver 3A are examples of an optical communication module. The optical communication lines 4 and 5 are an example of an optical transmission path.

(Configuration of transmitter 2A)
The transmitter 2 </ b> A includes a modulation processing unit 101 </ b> A, an electro-optic conversion unit 150, and a clock electro-optic conversion unit 151. Similar to the first embodiment, the modulation processing unit 101A includes a high-speed signal generation unit 110, a superimposition unit 115, a low-speed signal generation unit 120, a bias applying unit 130, and a control unit 140, and further includes a clock signal generation unit 160 and A clock bias applying unit 170.

  The clock signal generation unit 160 generates the clock signal 70 and outputs it to the clock bias applying unit 170. The clock signal generation unit 160 includes, for example, an oscillation circuit.

  The clock bias applying unit 170 outputs a clock signal 71 obtained by applying a bias voltage to the clock signal 70 output from the clock signal generating unit 160 to the clock electro-optic conversion unit 151. The clock bias applying unit 170 includes, for example, a bias circuit.

  The clock electro-optic conversion unit 151 electro-optically converts the clock signal 71 to which the bias voltage is applied by the clock bias applying unit 170 into the clock optical signal 65 and transmits the clock optical signal 65 to the receiver 3 through the optical communication line 5. To do. The clock electro-optic conversion unit 151 includes a light emitting element such as a laser diode or a VCSEL.

(Configuration of receiver 3A)
The receiver 3A includes a photoelectric conversion unit 250, a clock photoelectric conversion unit 251, and a demodulation processing unit 201A. Similarly to the first embodiment, the demodulation processing unit 201A includes a low-speed signal extraction unit 210, a signal conversion unit 50, and a control unit 240, and further includes a second data signal extraction unit 270.

  The clock photoelectric conversion unit 251 converts the clock optical signal 65 output from the clock electro-optical conversion unit 151 of the transmitter 2 </ b> A into an electrical signal clock signal 80 and outputs it to the second data signal extraction unit 270. The clock photoelectric conversion unit 251 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode, for example.

  The second data signal extraction unit 270 extracts the second data signal 30b from the low-speed electrical signal 41 extracted by the low-speed signal extraction unit 210 in synchronization with the clock signal 80 photoelectrically converted by the clock photoelectric conversion unit 251. Output to the controller 240. That is, the second data signal extraction unit 220 compares the low-speed electrical signal 41 with the threshold voltage Vc in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal 80, and extracts a voltage equal to or higher than the threshold voltage Vc as the second data signal 30b. The second data signal extraction unit 270 includes, for example, various filters, a peak detector, and the like.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the present embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the second data signal extraction unit 270 extracts the second data signal 30b in synchronization with the clock signal 80 from the low-speed electrical signal 41, for example, compared with a case where an optical signal is transmitted and received on a single channel, The second data signal 30b can be extracted with higher accuracy.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic signal flow in the third embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the second data signal 30b including the status information is superimposed on the high-speed signal as a low-speed signal, and the superimposed signal 25 is transmitted from the transmitter 2 to the receiver 3. However, in the present embodiment, The superimposed signal 25 is transmitted from the transmitter 2 to the receiver 3 as a differential signal. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  The transmission / reception system 1B according to the present embodiment includes a transmitter 2B and a receiver 3B. The transmitter 2B and the receiver 3B are connected by the first optical communication line 4a and the second optical communication line 4b. Here, the transmitter 2B and the receiver 3B are examples of an optical communication module. The first optical communication line 4a and the second optical communication line 4b are an example of an optical transmission line such as an optical fiber.

(Configuration of transmitter 2B)
The transmitter 2B includes a modulation processing unit 101B, a first electro-optic conversion unit 150a, and a second electro-optic conversion unit 150b. Similar to the first embodiment, the modulation processing unit 101B includes a high-speed signal generation unit 110, a first superimposition unit 115a, a low-speed signal generation unit 120, a first bias applying unit 130a, and a control unit 140. A bias applying unit 130b and a second superimposing unit 115b are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the high-speed signal generation unit 110 outputs the high-speed electrical signal 21 to the first superimposing unit 115a and the second superimposing unit 115b. In addition, the low speed signal generation unit 120 outputs the low speed electrical signal 31 to the first bias applying unit 130a and the second bias applying unit 130b.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first bias applying unit 130a applies a positive bias voltage for driving the first electro-optic conversion unit 150a to the low-speed electric signal 31, like the bias applying unit 130 of the first embodiment. Such a low-speed electrical signal 32a is output to the first superimposing unit 115a.

  The second bias applying unit 130b outputs a low-speed electric signal 32b as shown in FIG. 7 in which an inverted bias voltage for driving the second electro-optic conversion unit 150b is applied to the low-speed electric signal 31 to the second superimposing unit 115b. .

  The first superimposing unit 115a is applied with a positive bias voltage by the first bias applying unit 130a to the high-speed electrical signal 21 generated by the high-speed signal generating unit 110, similarly to the superimposing unit 115 of the first embodiment. The first superimposed signal 25a is generated by superimposing the low-speed electrical signal 32a, and the first superimposed signal 25a is output to the first electro-optic conversion unit 150a.

  The second superimposing unit 115b superimposes the low-speed electric signal 32b, to which the bias voltage inverted by the second bias applying unit 130b is applied, on the high-speed electric signal 21 generated by the high-speed signal generating unit 110 to generate the second superimposed signal 25b. The second superimposed signal 25b is generated and output to the second electro-optic conversion unit 150b.

  The first electro-optic conversion unit 150a transmits the first optical signal 60a obtained by electro-optic conversion of the first superimposed signal 25a generated by the first superimposing unit 115a to the receiver 3 via the first optical communication line 4a. To do.

  The second electro-optical conversion unit 150b transmits the second optical signal 60b obtained by electro-optical conversion of the second superimposed signal 25b generated by the second superimposing unit 115b to the receiver 3 via the second optical communication line 4b. To do.

(Configuration of receiver 3B)
The receiver 3B includes a first photoelectric conversion unit 250a, a second photoelectric conversion unit 250b, and a demodulation processing unit 201B. Similarly to the first embodiment, the demodulation processing unit 201B includes a first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a, a second data signal extraction unit 220, a control unit 240, and a signal conversion unit 50, and further includes a second low-speed signal extraction unit. 210b and a differential low-speed signal generation unit 225.

  The first photoelectric conversion unit 250a converts the first optical signal 60a transmitted from the first electro-optical conversion unit 150a of the transmitter 2B into a high-speed electric signal 40a, and converts the high-speed electric signal 40a into the signal conversion unit 50 and the first low-speed signal. The data is output to the extraction unit 210a.

  The second photoelectric converter 250b converts the second optical signal 60b transmitted from the second electro-optic converter 150b of the transmitter 2B into a high-speed electrical signal 40b, and converts the high-speed electrical signal 40b into the signal converter 50 and the second low-speed signal. The data is output to the extraction unit 210b.

  The signal converter 50 performs high-speed electrical signals 40a and 40b output from the first photoelectric converter 250a and the second photoelectric converter 250b on the first data signal by performing predetermined processing such as bias voltage component removal and 10B8B conversion. The first data signal 20 b is output to the host 11.

  As in the first embodiment, the first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a detects the average intensity of the high-speed electric signal 40a, extracts the low-speed electric signal 41a as shown in FIG. 7, and extracts the low-speed electric signal 41a. Output to the differential low-speed signal generation unit 225. The first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a is configured to include various filters, for example. The first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a photoelectrically converts and inputs a part of the optical signal 60a branched by an optical branching unit (not shown) or a part of the optical signal 60a that is leakage light, and receives the optical signal 60a. You may detect the average intensity of.

  The second low-speed signal extraction unit 210b detects the average intensity of the high-speed electrical signal 40b, extracts the low-speed electrical signal 41b as shown in FIG. 7, and outputs the low-speed electrical signal 41b to the differential low-speed signal generation unit 225.

  The differential low-speed signal generation unit 225 performs a differential process between the first low-speed electric signal 41a extracted by the first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a and the second low-speed electric signal 41b extracted by the second low-speed signal extraction unit 210b. A differential low speed signal 59 as shown in FIG. 7 is generated, and the differential low speed signal 59 is output to the second data signal extraction unit 220.

  The second data signal extraction unit 220 extracts the second data signal 30 b from the differential low speed signal 59 and outputs it to the control unit 240.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the present embodiment described above, optical signals are transmitted and received by two channels, and high-speed electrical signals are transmitted using differential signals, so that the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained, Compared with the first embodiment, the influence of noise is reduced, and further double signal amplification can be obtained, so that the second data signal can be extracted with high accuracy.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission / reception system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic signal flow in the fourth embodiment. In the third embodiment, a high-speed signal is transmitted using a differential signal, but in this embodiment, a clock signal is transmitted using a differential signal in addition thereto. In the following, a description will be given centering on differences from the third embodiment.

  The transmission / reception system 1C according to the present embodiment includes a transmitter 2C and a receiver 3C. The transmitter 2C and the receiver 3C are connected by a first optical communication line 4a, a second optical communication line 4b, a third optical communication line 5a, and a fourth optical communication line 5b. Here, the transmitter 2C and the receiver 3C are examples of an optical communication module. The first optical communication line 4a, the second optical communication line 4b, the third optical communication line 5a, and the fourth optical communication line 5b are examples of optical transmission paths.

(Configuration of transmitter 2C)
The transmitter 2C includes a first electro-optic conversion unit 150a, a second electro-optic conversion unit 150b, a modulation processing unit 101C, a first clock electro-optic conversion unit 151a, and a second clock electro-optic conversion unit 151b. Similar to the third embodiment, the modulation processing unit 101C includes a high-speed signal generating unit 110, a first superimposing unit 115a, a second superimposing unit 115b, a low-speed signal generating unit 120, a first bias applying unit 130a, and a second bias. It includes a provision unit 130b and a control unit 140, and further includes a clock signal generation unit 160, a first clock bias provision unit 170a, and a second clock bias provision unit 170b.

  The clock signal generation unit 160 generates the clock signal 70 and outputs it to the first clock bias applying unit 170a and the second clock bias applying unit 170b.

  The first clock bias applying unit 170a applies a positive bias voltage to the clock signal 70 output from the clock signal generating unit 160 to drive the first clock electro-optic conversion unit 151a as shown in FIG. Is output to the first clock electro-optic converter 151a.

  The second clock bias applying unit 170b provides a clock signal 71b as shown in FIG. 9 in which an inverted bias voltage is applied to the clock signal 70 output from the clock signal generating unit 160 in order to drive the second clock electro-optic conversion unit 151b. Is output to the second clock electro-optic converter 151b.

  The first clock electro-optic conversion unit 151a converts the clock signal 71a to which the positive bias voltage is applied to the first clock optical signal 65a and transmits the first clock optical signal 65a to the receiver 3C via the third optical communication line 5a.

  The second clock electro-optic converter 151b converts the clock signal 71b to which the inverted bias voltage is applied into the second clock optical signal 65b and transmits the second clock optical signal 65b to the receiver 3C via the fourth optical communication line 5b.

(Configuration of receiver 3C)
The receiver 3C includes a first photoelectric conversion unit 250a, a second photoelectric conversion unit 250b, a first clock photoelectric conversion unit 251a, a second clock photoelectric conversion unit 251b, and a demodulation processing unit 201C. As in the third embodiment, the demodulation processing unit 201C includes a first low-speed signal extraction unit 210a, a second low-speed signal extraction unit 210b, a differential low-speed signal generation unit 225, a control unit 240, and a signal conversion unit 50. Further, a second data signal extraction unit 270 and a differential clock signal generation unit 285 are provided.

  The first clock photoelectric conversion unit 251a converts the first clock optical signal 65a transmitted from the first clock light / optical conversion unit 151a of the transmitter 2C into the first clock signal 80a, and generates the first clock signal 80a as a differential clock signal. To the unit 285.

  The second clock photoelectric conversion unit 251b converts the second clock optical signal 65b output from the second clock photoelectric conversion unit 151b of the transmitter 2C into a second clock signal 80b and outputs the second clock signal 80b to the differential clock signal generation unit 285.

  The differential clock signal generation unit 285 receives the first clock signal 80a to which the positive bias voltage output from the first clock photoelectric conversion unit 251a is applied and the inverted bias voltage output from the second clock photoelectric conversion unit 251b. The difference processing with the second clock signal 80 b is performed to generate a difference clock signal 85 as shown in FIG. 9, and the difference clock signal 85 is output to the second data signal extraction unit 220.

  The second data signal extraction unit 270 extracts the second data signal 30b from the differential low-speed signal 59 in synchronization with the differential clock signal 85 output from the differential clock signal generation unit 285, as shown in FIG. The data signal 30b is output to the control unit 240. That is, the second data signal extraction unit 270 compares the differential low-speed signal 59 with the threshold voltage in synchronization with the rising edge of the differential clock signal 85, and extracts a voltage equal to or higher than the threshold voltage as the second data signal 30b.

(Effect of the fourth embodiment)
According to the present embodiment described above, optical signals are transmitted and received through four channels, and a high-speed electrical signal and a clock signal are transmitted using differential signals, so that the effects of the third embodiment can be obtained. The low-speed electrical signal can be extracted with higher accuracy than in the third embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a transmission / reception system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the transmitter 2 is provided on the host 10 side and the receiver 3 is provided on the host 11 side. However, in this embodiment, a transceiver 2D having a transmission / reception function is provided on the host 10 side. A transceiver 3D having a transmission / reception function is provided on the host 11 side.

  The transmission / reception system 1D according to the present embodiment includes a transceiver 2D that is detachably attached to the motherboard 10a of the host 10 and a transceiver 3D that is detachably attached to the motherboard 11a of the host 11. . The transceiver 2D and the transceiver 3D are connected by two optical communication lines 4. Here, the transceiver 2D and the transceiver 3D are examples of an optical communication module. The two optical communication lines 4 are an example of an optical transmission line.

  The transceiver 2D and the transceiver 3D are configured so as to be able to transmit and receive optical signals to and from each other. That is, the transmitter / receiver 2D adds the configuration of the receiver 3 to the transmitter 2 described in the first embodiment, and the transmitter / receiver 3D transmits the transmitter 2 to the receiver 3 described in the first embodiment. Is added.

  More specifically, the transceiver 2D includes a modulation processing unit 101 and an electro-optic conversion unit 150 on the transmission side, and includes a photoelectric conversion unit 250 and a demodulation processing unit 201 on the reception side. The transceiver 3D includes a photoelectric conversion unit 250 and a demodulation processing unit 201 on the reception side, and includes a modulation processing unit 101 and an electro-optic conversion unit 150 on the transmission side.

  According to the present embodiment, the second data signal 30a including the status information can be superimposed on the high-speed electrical signal 21 and can be transmitted and received as the optical signal 60, which is necessary for the transceiver 2D and the transceiver 3D. By transmitting and receiving various types of information such as status information between the transmitter / receiver 2D and the transmitter / receiver 3D, the influence on the data communication between the hosts 10 and 11 can be suppressed, and the burden on the hosts 10 and 11 is reduced. Can be reduced.

(Summary of embodiment)
Next, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment described above will be described with reference to the reference numerals in the embodiment. However, the reference numerals and the like in the following description are not intended to limit the constituent elements in the claims to the members and the like specifically shown in the embodiments.

[1] In an optical communication module connected to a partner optical communication module via an optical transmission path, status information of the own optical communication module is converted into a high-speed electrical signal obtained by modulating the first data signal to be transmitted to the partner optical communication module. A modulation processing unit that generates a superimposed signal obtained by superimposing a second data signal including a low-speed electrical signal, and electro-optic conversion that converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the optical transmission line And an optical communication module.

[2] A first optical communication module (2) connected to the first information processing device (10) and a second optical communication module (3) connected to the second information processing device (11). In the transmission / reception system (1) connected by the optical transmission line (4), the first optical communication module (2) is transferred from the first information processing device (10) to the second information processing device (11). A modulation processing unit that generates a superimposed signal by superimposing a second data signal including status information of the first optical communication module (2) as a low-speed electrical signal on a high-speed electrical signal obtained by modulating the first data signal to be transmitted. 101) and an electro-optic conversion unit (105) that converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit (101) into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the optical transmission line (4), and the second optical communication The module (3) includes the optical transmission line ( The photoelectric conversion unit (250) that converts an optical signal received via the photoelectric conversion unit into an electrical signal, and the first data signal and the second data signal are extracted from the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit (250). A transmission / reception system comprising a demodulation processing unit (201).

[3] The modulation processing unit (101) of the first optical communication module (2) applies the low-speed electric signal as a bias voltage to the high-speed electric signal to generate the superimposed signal, [2] The transmission / reception system described in 1.

[4] The demodulation processing unit (201) of the second optical communication module (3) is converted by the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit (250) or by the photoelectric conversion unit (250). The transmission / reception system according to [2] or [3], wherein the second data signal is extracted based on an average intensity of the previous optical signal.

[5] The first optical communication module (2) transmits the optical signal as a differential signal to the second optical communication module (3) via the optical transmission line (4). ] The transmission / reception system according to any one of [4].

[6] The modulation processing (101) processing unit of the first optical communication module (2) generates a clock signal, and the electro-optic conversion unit (105) converts the clock signal into a clock optical signal. The signal is transmitted to the second optical communication module (3) via the optical transmission line (4), and the photoelectric conversion unit (250) of the second optical communication module (3) is connected to the optical transmission line (4). ) Is converted into a clock signal, and the demodulation processing unit (201) synchronizes with the clock signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit (250) from the electrical signal. The transmission / reception system according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein one data signal and the second data signal are extracted.

[7] The first optical communication module (2) transmits the clock optical signal as a differential signal to the second optical communication module (3) via the optical transmission line (4). [6].

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

1, 1A-1D ... transmission / reception system,
2, 2A-2D ... transmitter,
3, 3A-3D ... receiver,
4, 4a, 4b, 5, 5a, 5b ... optical communication line,
10 ... Host,
10a ... Motherboard,
11 ... Host,
11a ... Motherboard,
20a, 20b ... first data signal,
21 ... High-speed electrical signal,
25, 25a, 25b ... superimposed signal,
30a, 30b ... second data signal,
31 ... Low-speed electric signal before applying bias voltage,
32, 32a, 32b ... low-speed electrical signal after applying a bias voltage,
40, 40a, 40b ... high-speed electrical signal,
41, 41a, 41b ... low-speed electric signal,
50: Signal converter,
59 ... Differential low speed signal,
60, 60a, 60b ... optical signal,
65, 65a, 65b ... clock optical signal,
70: Clock signal before applying a bias voltage,
71, 71a, 71b ... clock signal after applying a bias voltage,
80, 80a, 80b ... clock signal,
85 ... Differential clock signal,
101, 101A to 101C ... modulation processing unit,
110 ... a high-speed signal generator,
115 ... superimposition part,
115a ... 1st superimposition part,
115b ... the second superimposition unit,
120... Low speed signal generator,
130: Bias applying unit,
130a ... 1st bias provision part,
130b ... second bias applying unit,
140 ... control unit,
150 ... electro-optic conversion unit,
150a ... 1st electro-optic conversion part,
150b ... the second electro-optic conversion unit,
151... Clock electro-optic conversion unit,
151a... First clock electro-optic conversion unit,
151b ... the second clock electro-optic conversion unit,
160: a clock signal generator,
170 ... clock bias applying unit,
170a ... first clock bias applying unit,
170b ... second clock bias applying unit,
201, 201A to 201C ... demodulation processing unit,
210 ... a low-speed signal extraction unit,
210a ... 1st low-speed signal extraction part,
210b ... second low-speed signal extraction unit,
220 ... second data signal extraction unit,
225 ... the differential low-speed signal generator,
240 ... control unit,
250 ... photoelectric conversion part,
250a ... 1st photoelectric conversion part,
250b ... 2nd photoelectric conversion part,
251... Clock photoelectric conversion unit,
251a: first clock photoelectric conversion unit,
251b ... second clock photoelectric conversion unit,
270 ... second data signal extraction unit,
285 ... Differential clock signal generator,
Vb: bias voltage,
Vc: threshold voltage,
Vs ... pulse voltage

Claims (7)

In the optical communication module connected to the partner optical communication module by the optical transmission path,
Modulation processing for generating a superimposed signal by superimposing a second data signal including status information of its own optical communication module as a low-speed electric signal on a high-speed electric signal obtained by modulating the first data signal to be transmitted to the counterpart optical communication module And
An electro-optic conversion unit that converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the optical transmission line;
Optical communication module with In a transmission / reception system in which a first optical communication module connected to a first information processing apparatus and a second optical communication module connected to a second information processing apparatus are connected by an optical transmission path,
The first optical communication module adds status information of the first optical communication module to a high-speed electric signal obtained by modulating a first data signal to be transmitted from the first information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus. A modulation processing unit that generates a superimposed signal by superimposing a second data signal including the low-speed electric signal, and an electro-optical conversion unit that converts the superimposed signal generated by the modulation processing unit into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the optical transmission line And
The second optical communication module includes a photoelectric conversion unit that converts an optical signal received via the optical transmission path into an electrical signal, and the first data signal and the first signal from the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit. A demodulation processing unit for extracting two data signals;
Transmission / reception system. The modulation processing unit of the first optical communication module generates the superimposed signal by applying the low-speed electrical signal as a bias voltage to the high-speed electrical signal.
The transmission / reception system according to claim 2. The demodulation processing unit of the second optical communication module includes the second data based on the electrical signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit or an average intensity of the optical signal before being converted by the photoelectric conversion unit. Extract the signal,
The transmission / reception system according to claim 2 or 3.   5. The transmission / reception system according to claim 2, wherein the first optical communication module transmits the optical signal as a differential signal to the second optical communication module via the optical transmission path. 6. . The modulation processing unit of the first optical communication module generates a clock signal, and the electro-optic conversion unit converts the clock signal into a clock optical signal and transmits the second optical communication via the optical transmission line. To the module,
The photoelectric conversion unit of the second optical communication module converts the clock optical signal transmitted via the optical transmission path into a clock signal, and the demodulation processing unit converts the clock converted by the photoelectric conversion unit. Extracting the first data signal and the second data signal from the electrical signal in synchronization with a signal;
The transmission / reception system of any one of Claim 2 to 5. The first optical communication module transmits the clock optical signal as a differential signal to the second optical communication module via the optical transmission path.
The transmission / reception system according to claim 6.

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