Design and Research of Laser Power Converter (LPC) for Passive Optical Fiber Audio Transmission System Terminal

Abstract

In environments like coal mines and oil wells, electrical equipment carries the risk of disasters such as underground fires and methane gas explosions. However, communication equipment is essential for work. Our team has developed a long-range (approximately 25 km) audio transmission system that operates without the need for terminal power sources, thereby eliminating the risk of electrical sparks. This system leverages the reliability of optical fiber and employs a 1550 nm laser for analog audio transmission. After traveling through 25 km of optical fiber, the signal is converted back into electrical energy using a custom-designed Laser Power Converter (LPC). The optical fiber’s carrying capacity imposes limits on the light signal intensity, which, in turn, affects the signal transmission distance. To enable long-distance transmission, we have carefully chosen the optical wavelength with minimal loss. We observed that different LPC structures operating within the same wavelength band have an impact on the audio quality at the terminal. By comparing their characteristics, we have identified the key factors influencing audio output. The optimal LPC allows audio transmission over 25 km, with an output exceeding 12 mVrms.