Infinera’s patent describes a method for digitally generating sub-carriers to enhance bandwidth allocation between uplink and downlink traffic over optical fiber links. The technology enables bidirectional communication using a single transmitter laser and includes a photodiode circuit for processing optical signals and back-reflected light. GlobalData’s report on Infinera gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Infinera, Data center optical networking was a key innovation area identified from patents. Infinera's grant share as of July 2024 was 62%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Dynamic bandwidth allocation using digitally generated optical sub-carriers

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Infinera Corp

The patent US12063105B2 describes an advanced apparatus designed for optical signal processing, particularly in fiber optic communication systems. Central to this apparatus is a photodiode circuit that incorporates at least one photodiode, which is tasked with receiving optical mixing products derived from a local oscillator signal and multiple optical subcarriers transmitted from a remote transmitter. This circuit is also capable of capturing back-reflected light from the optical fiber, generating electrical signals that represent both the optical mixing products and the back-reflected light. The apparatus further includes an analog-to-digital conversion circuit that transforms these analog signals into digital outputs. A digital signal processor (DSP) then processes these outputs to produce internal signals that reflect the data carried by the optical carriers and the back-reflected light, with the capability to cancel out the latter to yield clean output data.

Additional features of the apparatus include the potential for multiple optical subcarriers, an optical transmitter for supplying these subcarriers, and an optical hybrid circuit that facilitates the mixing of the local oscillator signal with the optical subcarriers. The DSP may also incorporate a fast Fourier transform circuit to analyze frequency domain data, alongside a series of switches and memories that assist in selectively managing the data to effectively cancel the back-reflected signals. The inclusion of multiplier circuits further enhances the cancellation process by allowing the DSP to nullify the second internal signals. Overall, this patent outlines a sophisticated system aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of optical signal processing in communication networks.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.