Infinera has been granted a patent for a system that utilizes an out-of-band communication channel in sub-carrier-based optical communication. The technology involves a laser, digital signal processing, and modulation techniques to transmit user data and control information via optical subcarriers. GlobalData’s report on Infinera gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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 June 2024 was 62%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Out-of-band communication for optical sub-carrier systems

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

The patent US12047163B2 describes an advanced optical communication apparatus that integrates multiple components to enhance data transmission capabilities. Central to the apparatus is a laser that generates an optical signal, which is processed by a digital signal processor to produce digital signals. These signals are converted into analog signals through digital to analog circuitry, which then drives a modulator. The modulator is responsible for creating a series of optical subcarriers, each assigned a unique frequency. Notably, the apparatus is designed to carry control information, including recipient identification for user data, through amplitude modulation at a designated frequency, while user data is transmitted at a higher frequency.

Further claims detail the apparatus's capabilities, including the use of Nyquist subcarriers and the inclusion of operational, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) information within the control data. The design allows for the reception of additional optical subcarriers modulated at different frequencies, enhancing its versatility. The packets of information transmitted can include structured components such as preambles, headers, and payloads, with the potential for multiple control information channels. The modulator may utilize a Mach-Zehnder configuration and can manage polarization components for each subcarrier. The patent also specifies frequency ranges for the modulation, indicating a focus on efficient data handling within specified bandwidths. Overall, this patent outlines a sophisticated system aimed at improving optical communication through innovative modulation techniques and signal processing.

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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.