Optical space communication device and optical space communication system

Abstract

To provide an optical space communication device capable of reducing an installation area.SOLUTION: An optical space communication device according to the present disclosure includes a first diffusion light emitter capable of emitting first diffusion light, and a first communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with a counterpart device and capable of receiving second communication light emitted from the counterpart device. And a plurality of first optical communication terminals each including a first imaging unit that generates a captured image and a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts an emission direction of the first communication light on the basis of the captured image, the plurality of first optical communication terminals being stacked in a vertical direction and coupled at a coupling portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a free space optical communications device and a free space optical communications system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an optical communication system including a first optical space communication device and a second optical space communication device, each of which has a diffused light emitting unit configured to be able to emit diffused light, a communication unit configured to be able to emit communication light and to be able to receive communication light emitted from the other optical space communication device, a direction adjustment unit, an imaging unit, and a control unit.

[0003] In the optical communication system of Patent Document 1, in adjusting the optical axis for optical space communication between a first optical space communication device and a second optical space communication device, the control unit identifies the emission state of the other diffused light using an image captured by the imaging unit, and adjusts the emission direction of the communication light using the direction adjustment unit based on the identified emission state of the other diffused light, and controls the emission state of the diffused light by the diffused light emitting unit according to the reception state of the other communication light by the communication unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-068492 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, optical free space communications are established between a first optical free space communications device and a second optical free space communications device in one-to-one correspondence. In an optical communications system using multiple optical free space communications devices and multiple optical free space communications devices that communicate with each other, it is conceivable to install the optical free space communications devices side by side to establish optical free space communications between corresponding optical free space communications devices and prevent interference from other optical free space communications devices. In this case, a problem arises in that a large amount of space must be secured for installation of the optical free space communications devices. This problem becomes more pronounced as the number of optical free space communications devices installed increases.

[0006] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide an optical space communications device and an optical space communications system that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The optical space communication device of the present disclosure has a plurality of first optical communication terminals that are stacked vertically and connected by a connecting portion, each of which includes a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light, a first communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with a partner device and receiving second communication light emitted from the partner device, a first imaging unit that captures second diffused light of the partner device that corresponds to the first diffused light and generates a captured image, and a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the captured image.

[0008] An optical free space communication system according to the present disclosure includes a first optical free space communication device and a second optical free space communication device, wherein the first optical free space communication device includes a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light, a first communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with the second optical free space communication device and receiving second communication light emitted from the second optical free space communication device, a first imaging unit that captures second diffused light of the second optical free space communication device corresponding to the first diffused light and generates a first captured image, and a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the first captured image, The second optical space communications device has a plurality of first optical communication terminals that are stacked vertically and connected by first connecting portions, and the second optical space communications device has a second optical communication terminal that includes a second diffused light emitting unit that can emit second diffused light, a second communication unit that can emit first communication light used for communication with the first optical space communications device and can receive the first communication light emitted from the first optical space communications device, a second imaging unit that captures the first diffused light of the first optical space communications device that corresponds to the second diffused light and generates a second captured image, and a second direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the second communication light based on the second captured image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide an optical space communications device and an optical space communications system that can reduce the installation area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical space communications device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical free space communication system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical communication terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of a portion of an optical space communications device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is an enlarged view of a portion of an optical communication terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top view of the interior of the movable cable portion of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are simplified, and the technical scope of the embodiments should not be interpreted narrowly based on the description in the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] In the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements (including numbers, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc.), unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number and may be more or less than the specific number.

[0013] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the components (including operational steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the components, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or approximate to the shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly not essential in principle. The same applies to the above numbers, etc. (including numbers, numerical values, amounts, ranges, etc.).

[0014] <Embodiment 1> (Configuration example of optical space communications device 10) An example of the configuration of an optical free space communications device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an optical free space communications device 10 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical free space communications device 10 includes a plurality of stacked optical communication terminals 100. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, N optical communication terminals 100-1 to 100-N (N is an integer of 2 or greater) are vertically connected on a fixed unit 101. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the optical communication terminals 100-1 to 100-N, they will be referred to as "optical communication terminals 100." An optical free space communications device 10 including a plurality of optical communication terminals 100 connected in this manner can also be referred to as a tower-type optical free space communications device. Note that in FIG. 1, the optical communication terminals 100 are surrounded by a frame to make each optical communication terminal 100 easier to understand. The configuration of the optical free space communications device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0015] Each optical communication terminal 100 performs optical space communication with a different optical space communication terminal. For example, consider a case where the optical space communication device 10 performs optical space communication with a second tower-type optical space communication device equipped with multiple optical space communication terminals. The optical communication terminal 100-1 on the top row of the optical space communication device 10 can communicate with one optical space communication terminal included in the second tower-type optical space communication device. Furthermore, the optical communication terminal 100-2 in the optical space communication device 10 can communicate with one optical space communication terminal included in the second tower-type optical space communication device that is different from the optical space communication terminal that communicates with the optical communication terminal 100-1.

[0016] The optical communication terminal 100-3 in the optical space communications device 10 may communicate with one optical space communications terminal included in a third optical space communications device that is further different from the second tower-type optical space communications device. Also, the counterpart device of the optical communication terminal 100-4 of the optical space communications device 10 may not be an optical space communications terminal included in a tower-type optical space communications device, but may be an optical space communications terminal of an optical space communications device that includes only one optical space communications terminal.

[0017] (Configuration example of optical space communication system 1) Here, an optical free space communication system 1 including a tower-type optical free space communication device 10 and an optical free space communication device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the optical free space communication system 1 according to the present disclosure. To simplify the drawing, Fig. 2 shows only one optical communication terminal 100 and one optical communication terminal 200 that perform optical free space communication with each other. Each optical communication terminal 100 included in the optical free space communication device 10 and each optical communication terminal 200 included in the optical free space communication device 20 can perform optical free space communication by performing similar operations.

[0018] Since the optical space communications device 10 and the optical space communications device 20 have the same configuration, the optical communication terminal 100 will be described as a representative. In FIG. 2, the components of the optical space communications device 10 correspond to the components of the optical space communications device 20, respectively.

[0019] The optical free space communication system 1 can adjust the optical axis for optical free space communication between the optical communication terminal 100 and the optical communication terminal 200 without using a communication line, thereby suppressing increases in costs. Here, the communication line is a communication means that differs from optical free space communication and uses at least one of wired communication using a cable for optical signals or electrical signals and wireless communication using wireless signals.

[0020] 2 shows a power supply terminal 110, a control terminal 120, and an optical space communication terminal 130 connected to the optical space communication device 10, in addition to the optical space communication device 10. The power supply terminal 110 supplies power to the optical space communication device 10. The control terminal 120 performs overall control of the optical space communication device 10. The optical space communication terminal 130 passes information to be transmitted from the optical communication terminal 100 to the optical communication terminal 200, and receives information transmitted from the optical communication terminal 200 to the optical communication terminal 100. Note that the tower-type optical space communication device 10 may include a plurality of optical space communication terminals 130-1 to 130-N, as shown in FIG. 1. The optical space communication terminals 130-1 to 130-N are provided corresponding to the plurality of optical communication terminals 100-1 to 100-N, respectively.

[0021] (Configuration example of optical communication terminal 100)

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the optical space communications device 10 includes a fixed part 101 that is fixed to the ground or the like, and an optical communications terminal 100 that is connected to the fixed part 101.

[0023] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical communication terminal 100 of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical communication terminal 100 includes a main body 102, a direction adjustment unit 104, a first light-emitting unit 105, a second light-emitting unit 106, an imaging unit 107, a communication unit 108, and a control unit 109.

[0024] The main body 102 is provided with a direction adjustment unit 104. The direction adjustment unit 104 is made up of a first direction adjustment unit 104a and a second direction adjustment unit 104b. The first direction adjustment unit 104a is configured to be able to rotate the main body 102 along a vertical plane, with the horizontal direction (any direction on a horizontal plane) as its rotation axis. The second direction adjustment unit 104b is configured to be able to rotate the main body 102 along a horizontal plane, with the vertical direction as its rotation axis.

[0025] Note that the direction adjustment unit 104 is not limited to the configuration and attachment method shown in Figures 1 and 2 as long as it can rotate the main body unit 102 along the vertical and horizontal planes. The configuration of the direction adjustment unit 104 will be described in detail later using Figures 5 and 6, but in this embodiment, the first direction adjustment unit 104a is provided on the second direction adjustment unit 104b and is supported by the first support unit 103.

[0026] The main body 102 is provided with a first light-emitting unit (diffuse light-emitting unit) 105, a second light-emitting unit (directional light-emitting unit) 106, an imaging unit 107, and a communication unit 108. The first light-emitting unit 105, the second light-emitting unit 106 (106a and 106b), the imaging unit 107, and the communication unit 108 are all linked to the movement of the main body 102 by the direction adjustment unit 104. The fixed unit 101 is provided with a control unit 109. The control unit 109 may be provided in the main body 102.

[0027] The first light-emitting unit 105 is attached to the upper part of the main body 102, for example, to improve visibility. The first light-emitting unit 105 is configured to be able to emit diffused light (first diffused light) L11 to improve visibility. As shown in FIG. 1, the first light-emitting unit 105 is provided on the uppermost optical communication terminal 100-1 among the multiple stacked optical communication terminals 100. In other words, the first light-emitting unit 105 is shared by the multiple optical communication terminals 100. In other words, the multiple optical communication terminals 100 each use the first light-emitting unit 105 during the optical axis adjustment operation described below.

[0028] The communication unit 108 is attached to, for example, a side surface of the main body unit 102. The communication unit 108 emits laser light LB1 (communication light) used for optical space communication with the optical communication terminal 200, which is a partner device, and receives laser light LB2 (communication light) emitted from the optical communication terminal 200. The laser light LB1 and LB2 are coherent lights with the same phase. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which laser light is used in optical space communication between the optical communication terminals 100 and 200, but the present invention is not limited to this, and coherent light other than laser light may also be used.

[0029] 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the communication unit 108 of the present disclosure. The communication unit 108 includes, for example, a signal transmission unit 1081, a signal reception unit 1082, a light intensity detection unit 1083, a divider (coupler) 1084, a circulator 1085, a fiber optic tube 1086, and a lens 1087. During signal transmission, laser light LB1, which is a signal generated by the signal transmission unit 1081, is output to the outside via the circulator 1085, the fiber optic tube 1086, and the lens 1087. During signal reception, laser light LB2 from the outside is received (received) by the signal reception unit 1082 via the lens 1087, the fiber optic tube 1086, the circulator 1085, and the divider 1084. The laser light LB2 from the outside is also separated by the divider 1084 and received (received) by the light intensity detection unit 1083. The light amount detector 1083 detects the received light level of the laser beam LB2.

[0030] The second light-emitting unit 106 is attached to, for example, a side surface of the main body unit 102 together with the communication unit 108. As described above, the second light-emitting unit 106 is configured to work in conjunction with the communication unit 108 and to be able to emit light (directional light) L12 having strong directivity in the emission direction of the laser light LB1 emitted from the communication unit 108. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the second light-emitting unit 106 is configured by two light-emitting units 106a and 106b that emit light L12a and L12b, respectively, but is not limited to this.

[0031] The imaging unit 107 is attached to, for example, the side surface of the main body 102. The imaging unit 107 is configured to be able to capture an image of an area including at least the optical communication terminal 200, which is the other device. By analyzing the image captured by the imaging unit 107, it is possible to obtain information transmitted from the optical communication terminal 200, for example, during optical axis adjustment before optical space communication.

[0032] The control unit 109 is connected to the power supply terminal 110, the control terminal 120, and the optical free space communication terminal 130 via a connection I / F (interface) 119. The control unit 109 controls the processing of each component in response to, for example, instructions from the control terminal 120. For example, the control unit 109 identifies the emission state of the diffused light L21 emitted by the first light-emitting unit 205 of the counterpart device from the captured image of the imaging unit 107, and acquires information transmitted from the counterpart device based on the identified emission state of the diffused light L21 (information regarding the order of processing during optical axis adjustment, information regarding the reception state of the laser light LB1 received by the counterpart device, etc.). Based on the acquired information, the control unit 109 adjusts the optical axis in a specified order of processing and adjusts the emission direction of the laser light LB1 using the direction adjustment unit 104.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 109 notifies the other device of information such as whether or not the light L22 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 206 of the other device has been identified from the image captured by the imaging unit 107, and information regarding the light reception level of the laser light LB2 detected by the light amount detection unit 1083, by controlling the light emission state of the diffused light L11 emitted by the first light-emitting unit 105. For example, the control unit 109 determines whether or not the light L22 emitted from the second light-emitting unit 206 of the other device has been identified based on whether or not there is an image portion in the image captured by the imaging unit 107 whose brightness is higher than a predetermined threshold value.

[0034] (Explanation of the optical axis adjustment method of the optical space communication system 1) Next, a method for adjusting the optical axis of the optical free space communications system 1 will be described. The method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-068492 can be used as the optical axis adjustment method for the optical free space communication system 1. Specifically, the optical axis adjustment method according to the embodiment may include the following processes. (1) Determining the order of processing for optical axis adjustment (2) First optical axis adjustment process (coarse adjustment) (The first optical axis adjustment process includes processes for determining the maximum upward rotation angle θ1, the maximum downward rotation angle φ1, the maximum vertical rotation angle ψ1, the maximum rightward rotation angle α1, the maximum leftward rotation angle β1, and the maximum horizontal rotation angle γ1 of the main body 102 of the optical communication terminal 100. Similar processes are also performed for the optical communication terminal 200.) (3) Second optical axis adjustment process (fine adjustment) (The second optical axis adjustment process includes processes for determining the maximum upward rotation angle θ1′, the maximum downward rotation angle φ1′, the maximum leftward rotation angle β1′, and the maximum horizontal rotation angle γ1′ of the main body 102 of the optical communication terminal 100. Similar processes are also performed for the optical communication terminal 200.)

[0035] In the optical free space communication system according to the embodiment, in optical axis adjustment for performing optical free space communication between the optical communication terminal 100 and the optical communication terminal 200, one optical free space communication terminal notifies the reception state of the laser light emitted from the other device by controlling the emission of diffused light by the diffused light emitting unit, and the other optical free space communication terminal identifies the emission state of the diffused light by the diffused light emitting unit of the other device from the image captured by the imaging unit, thereby grasping the reception state of the laser light received by the other device and adjusting the emission direction of the laser light. As a result, the optical free space communication system according to the embodiment can perform optical axis adjustment without using a communication line, thereby suppressing increases in costs.

[0036] Of the optical communication terminals 100 and 200, the optical communication terminal 100 may perform the respective processes for optical axis adjustment first, or the optical communication terminal 200 may perform the respective processes for optical axis adjustment first.

[0037] In the embodiment, the case where the first optical axis adjustment process, which is a coarse adjustment of the optical axis, is performed and then the second optical axis adjustment process, which is a fine adjustment of the optical axis, is performed has been described as an example, but this is not limiting, and for example, the first optical axis adjustment process, which is a coarse adjustment, may be omitted. In this case, the second light-emitting units (directional light-emitting units) 106 and 206 are not necessary.

[0038] (Hardware configuration of optical axis adjustment function in optical space communication system 1) The optical axis adjustment process performed by the optical free space communication system 1 can be realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer system. The computer includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory), none of which are shown. The computer further includes an IF (Interface) that is an interface with the outside, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is an example of a non-volatile storage device, none of which are shown.

[0039] The HDD stores an operating system (OS) and an optical axis adjustment program. The optical axis adjustment program is a computer program that implements the optical axis adjustment process in the optical free space communication system 1 of the present disclosure.

[0040] The CPU controls various processes in the computer, access to the RAM, ROM, IF, and HDD, etc. The computer loads and executes the OS and optical axis adjustment program stored in the HDD. In this way, the computer realizes the optical axis adjustment function in the optical free space communication system 1.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also be realized by having a CPU execute a computer program to perform the optical axis adjustment process in the optical free space communication system 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the above-described program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include RAM, ROM, flash memory, SSD (Solid-State Drive) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0043] (Connection configuration of optical communication terminal 100) Next, the connection configuration of the optical communication terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section of a portion of the optical space communications device 10 of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, the top optical communication terminal 100-1 is shown on the left, and the bottom optical communication terminal 100-N is shown on the right. The optical space communications device 10 is an N-stage tower-type optical space communications device in which N optical communication terminals 100 are connected at connection sections. Note that when it is not necessary to distinguish between components of each optical communication terminal 100, the notation "-1, . . . , -N" attached to the reference numerals is omitted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the optical communication terminal 100 of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a top view of the interior of the movable cable section 115 of the present disclosure.

[0044] 5, each optical communication terminal 100 includes the above-mentioned main body 102, first support 103, direction adjustment unit 104 (first direction adjustment unit 104a and second direction adjustment unit 104b), second light emitting unit 106 (106a and 106b), imaging unit 107, and communication unit 108. The optical communication terminal 100 further includes a tube 111, an upper coupling unit 112, a lower coupling unit 113, a second support unit 114, a movable cable unit 115, a tray 116, a cable 117, and a connector 118.

[0045] The tubular portion 111 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. An upper connecting portion 112 is formed at the vertical upper portion of the tubular portion 111. A lower connecting portion 113 is formed at the vertical lower portion of the tubular portion 111. A spiral screw groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper connecting portion 112. Furthermore, a spiral thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower connecting portion 113.

[0046] The cylindrical portions 111 of the optical communication terminals 100 are connected to each other so as to form a continuous hollow portion between the fixed portion 101 and the first light-emitting portion 105. For example, the lower connecting portion 113-1 of the cylindrical portion 111-1 is connected to the upper connecting portion (112-2) of the cylindrical portion (111-2) located below it, which is not shown in FIG.

[0047] 5, a connecting member 300 is disposed between the lower connecting portion 113-1 and the upper connecting portion (112-2). The connecting member 300 connects two adjacent tubular portions 111. The connecting member 300 is a cylindrical member having a hollow portion extending vertically and shorter in length than the tubular portions 111. The hollow portion of the tubular portion 111-1 communicates with the hollow portion of the tubular portion (111-2) below it via the hollow portion of the connecting member 300.

[0048] The upper part of the connecting member 300 is provided with an expanded diameter section 301 having a larger diameter than the lower part. A thread groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the expanded diameter section 301 to threadably engage with the lower connecting section 113-1 of the tubular section 111-1. A thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the connecting member 300 to threadably engage with the upper connecting section (112-2) of the tubular section (111-2). Note that if the lower connecting section 113-1 and the upper connecting section (112-2) can be directly threaded together, the connecting member 300 is not necessary.

[0049] As described above, one first light-emitting unit 105 is provided for the N connected optical communication terminals 100. The first light-emitting unit 105 is attached to the top of the uppermost optical communication terminal 100-1. Specifically, a screw thread is formed on the bottom of the first light-emitting unit 105, and the first light-emitting unit 105 screws into the screw groove of the upper connecting unit 112-1.

[0050] Furthermore, the lower coupling part 113-N of the lowest optical communication terminal 100-N is attached to the fixed part 101. Specifically, a screw groove is formed on the upper part of the fixed part 101, and the lower coupling part 113-N screws into the screw groove of the fixed part 101. In this way, the coupling parts between adjacent optical communication terminals 100 or between an optical communication terminal 100 and the fixed part 101 are referred to as "coupling parts."

[0051] In each optical communication terminal 100, a first support unit 103, a second direction adjustment unit 104b, a second support unit 114, and a movable cable unit 115 are provided around a cylindrical unit 111 in this order from the top. The first direction adjustment unit 104a is supported by the first support unit 103 and is disposed inside the cylindrical unit 111. The first support unit 103, the second direction adjustment unit 104b, the second support unit 114, and the movable cable unit 115 are configured to surround the cylindrical unit 111.

[0052] For ease of explanation, Fig. 5 shows a state in which the first support portion 103 and the second direction adjustment portion 104b are separated from each other. As indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, the first support portion 103 is fixed to the upper surface of the second direction adjustment portion 104b with a fixing member such as a screw. Fig. 5 also shows a state in which the second support portion 114 and the movable cable portion 115 are separated from each other. As indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, the second support portion 114 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable cable portion 115 with a fixing member such as a screw.

[0053] The second support portion 114 supports the second direction adjustment portion 104b. A recess is formed in the second support portion 114 to surround the periphery of the cylindrical portion 111. The second direction adjustment portion 104b is disposed in the recess of the second support portion 114.

[0054] The first support part 103 is fixed to the upper surface of the second direction adjustment part 104b disposed in the recess of the second support part 114. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the second direction adjustment part 104b includes a rotating plate 14a and a hollow motor 14b. Note that FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rotating plate 14a and the hollow motor 14b are separated from each other. The rotating plate 14a and the hollow motor 14b are fixed together by fixing members such as screws (not shown).

[0055] A first support part 103 is fixed to the upper surface of the rotating plate 14a. The first support part 103 is a bracket that supports the first direction adjustment part 104a. When the hollow motor 14b rotates the rotating plate 14a, the rotating plate 14a, the first support part 103, and the first direction adjustment part 104a rotate integrally along a horizontal plane.

[0056] The multiple cables 117 respectively connect the first light-emitting unit 105 and the control unit 109, and the second light-emitting unit 106, the imaging unit 107, and the communication unit 108 of each optical communication terminal 100 to the control unit 109. Hereinafter, the second light-emitting unit 106, the imaging unit 107, and the communication unit 108 of each optical communication terminal 100 may be collectively referred to as the optical element. The cable 117 connecting the optical element of each optical communication terminal 100 to the control unit 109 corresponds to the "first cable." The cable 117 connecting the first light-emitting unit 105 and the control unit 109 corresponds to the "second cable."

[0057] The plurality of cables 117 includes power supply lines that supply power necessary for the operation of the optical elements. The plurality of cables 117 also includes signal transmission lines that transmit various signals, including control signals for controlling the operation of each optical element and information signals exchanged with communication partners. Each cable 117 is connected to each optical element via a connector 118.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the components indicated by diagonal lines and grid-like hatching are movable parts that rotate along a horizontal plane by the second direction adjustment unit 104b. The movable parts include the cable 117 described above. Note that the components indicated by grid-like hatching can further rotate along a vertical plane by the first direction adjustment unit 104a. In addition, the second support unit 114 and the movable cable unit 115 are fixed to the tube unit 111.

[0059] When the movable part rotates in this manner, a load is applied to the cables 117, particularly the connectors 118, which connect the optical elements to the control part 109, and this may result in the cables 117 coming loose or the connectors 118 being damaged. In particular, if the length of the cables 117 is short, there is not enough room for the cables 117 to move in the rotation direction, and this problem becomes more pronounced. On the other hand, if the length of the cables 117 is too long, the cables 117 may become tangled with each other or get in the way of other components.

[0060] Therefore, in the embodiment, a movable cable part 115 is provided near the coupling part. The movable cable part 115 accommodates the cable 117 in accordance with the operation of the direction adjustment part 104. As shown in FIG. 6 , the movable cable part 115 includes a storage container having an upper surface 151, a lower surface 152, an outer peripheral wall 153, and an inner peripheral wall 154. The storage container is formed in a hollow donut shape. The upper surface 151 and the lower surface 152 are disk-shaped members with a hole in the center. In other words, the upper surface 151 and the lower surface 152 are donut-shaped. The upper surface 151 and the lower surface 152 are arranged, for example, parallel to a horizontal plane.

[0061] The outer peripheral wall 153 is a cylindrical member extending vertically from the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface 152. The outer peripheral wall 153 connects the outer peripheral edges of the upper surface 151 and the lower surface 152. The inner peripheral wall 154 is a cylindrical member extending vertically from the inner peripheral edge of the lower surface 152. The inner peripheral wall 154 connects the inner peripheral edges of the upper surface 151 and the lower surface 152. A portion of the cable 117 is accommodated in an internal space of the accommodation container (hereinafter referred to as accommodation space) surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 154, the upper surface 151, the lower surface 152, the outer peripheral wall 153, and the inner peripheral wall 154. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the inner peripheral wall 154 constitutes a portion of the cylindrical portion 111. That is, when multiple optical communication terminals 100 are connected, the spaces inside the inner peripheral walls 154 communicate with each other.

[0062] An outer opening 153a is formed in the outer peripheral wall 153. Cables 117 extending from each optical element pass through the outer opening 153a and enter the movable cable portion 115. A portion of the cable 117 extending from each optical element is fixed, for example, by a fixing portion 156 to the upper surface of the rotating plate 14a. In other words, the length of the cable 117 from each optical element to the fixing portion 156 does not change.

[0063] An inner opening 154a is formed in the inner peripheral wall 154. The cable 117 in the movable cable portion 115 passes through the inner opening 154a and enters the hollow portion of the tubular portion 111. The cable 117 extends from the inner opening 154a through the hollow portion of the tubular portion 111 to the control unit 109. The portion of the cable 117 extending vertically downward from the inner opening 154a to the control unit 109 can be said to be a "connection portion."

[0064] A fixing portion 155 is provided near the inner opening 154a. The fixing portion 155 fixes a portion of the cable 117 to the lower surface 152. Note that the fixing location of the cable 117 is not limited to the lower surface 152. For example, the cable 117 may be fixed to the inner circumferential wall 154. The cable 117 extends vertically downward from the fixing portion 155 through the space inside the inner circumferential wall 154, i.e., through the hollow portion inside the tubular portion 111.

[0065] The length of the cable 117 extending from the fixed part 155 through the hollow part of the tube part 111 to the control part 109 can be adjusted depending on the position where the optical communication terminal 100 is installed. In other words, the length from each fixed part 155 to the control part 109 varies depending on the stage on the tower-type optical space communications device 10 where the optical communication terminal 100 is located.

[0066] For example, the length of the cable 117 passing through the hollow part of the tubular part 111 corresponds to the vertical height from the control part 109 to the fixed part 155. Therefore, the length of the cable 117 extending from the fixed part (155-1) of the uppermost optical communication terminal 100-1 to the control part 109 is longer than the length of the cable 117 extending from the fixed part (155-2) of the second optical communication terminal (100-2) to the control part 109. This makes it possible to prevent the cables of the optical communication terminals 100 from becoming tangled in the hollow part of the tubular part 111.

[0067] A portion of cable 117 passes through outer opening 153a and is removably inserted into movable cable unit 115. In other words, outer opening 153a can also be considered a "holding portion" that slidably holds a portion of cable 117. As a result, when cable 117 is pulled by the operation of direction adjustment unit 104 described above, cable 117 inside movable cable unit 115 is pulled outward, and the length of cable 117 from outer opening 153a to connector 118 increases. The portion of cable 117 that can be inserted into or removed from the housing space through outer opening 153a in accordance with the operation of direction adjustment unit 104 can be considered an "intermediate portion." In other words, cable 117 includes a "connection portion" and an "intermediate portion."

[0068] The length of cable 117 from fixed portion 156 to fixed portion 155 is long enough even when second direction adjustment unit 104b rotates and fixed portion 156 and fixed portion 155 are positioned at their farthest distance. When fixed portion 156 and fixed portion 155 are positioned at their farthest distance, cable 117 in movable cable portion 115 is stretched. As the distance between fixed portion 156 and fixed portion 155 decreases, cable 117 in movable cable portion 115 becomes wound up.

[0069] A tray 116 is provided on the outer periphery of the movable cable part 115 so as to surround the outer periphery wall 153. A wall part 116a is provided on the outer periphery of the tray 116, standing vertically upward. A guide mechanism such as an energy chain (manufactured by IGUS) is provided between the outer periphery wall 153 and the wall part 116a. A bundle of multiple cables 117 is held by the energy chain. The energy chain guides the cables 117 within itself, allowing them to move smoothly and limiting the range of movement of the cables 117. The cables 117 held by the energy chain move inside and outside the movable cable part 115 together with the energy chain.

[0070] Cable 117 extending from each optical element abuts against receptacle 116. When the movable portion rotates along the horizontal plane and the position where cable 117 abuts against receptacle 116 changes, the length of cable 117 from that position to outer opening 153a changes. This change in the length of cable 117 is absorbed by movement of cable 117 within the accommodation space of movable cable portion 115. That is, the length of cable 117 accommodated within the accommodation space increases. As shown in FIG. 7 , the middle portion of cable 117 accommodated within the accommodation space is wound up along the wall surface of outer peripheral wall 153 or inner peripheral wall 154. Note that movable cable portion 115 may include a biasing portion that biases cable 117 in the winding direction. The biasing portion may be, for example, a spring that biases cable 117 in a direction to remove slack from cable 117 within the accommodation space.

[0071] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the cable 117 (second cable) connected to the first light-emitting unit 105 is housed in the movable cable part 115-1 together with the cable 117 (first cable) connected to the optical element of the uppermost optical communication terminal 100, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the cable 117 connected to the first light-emitting unit 105 may extend linearly downward in the vertical direction through the inside of the tube part 111 to the control part 109.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0073] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0074] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix A1) a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light; a first communication unit capable of emitting a first communication light used for communication with a partner device and receiving a second communication light emitted from the partner device; a first imaging unit that captures a second diffused light of the counterpart device corresponding to the first diffused light and generates a captured image; a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the captured image; a plurality of first optical communication terminals each including the first optical communication terminals, the first optical communication terminals being stacked in a vertical direction and connected to each other at connecting portions; having Optical space communication device. (Appendix A2) Each first optical communication terminal a cable for transferring power or a signal to at least one of the first communication unit, the first imaging unit, and the first direction adjustment unit; a movable cable portion provided near the connecting portion and configured to accommodate the cable in response to an operation of the first direction adjustment portion; 2. The optical space communications device according to claim 1, (Appendix A3) The movable cable portion is A donut-shaped lower surface parallel to the horizontal plane; a cylindrical inner peripheral wall extending vertically from an inner peripheral edge of the lower surface; a cylindrical outer wall extending vertically from the outer circumferential edge of the lower surface; a container having a portion of the cable is fixed to a fixing portion provided near the inner circumferential wall; Another part of the cable is slidably held by a holding portion provided on the outer peripheral wall. 1. An optical space communications device as described in Appendix A2. (Appendix A4) the plurality of first optical communication terminals are connected so that spaces inside the inner circumferential walls are in communication with each other; The cable a connection portion extending vertically downward from the fixed portion through a space inside the inner circumferential wall; an intermediate portion that moves from the holding portion into and out of an accommodation space surrounded by the lower surface, the inner peripheral wall, and the outer peripheral wall in response to an operation of the first direction adjustment portion; Including, An optical space communications device as described in Appendix A3. (Appendix A5) The intermediate portion accommodated in the accommodation space is wound up along the wall surface of the inner circumferential wall or the outer circumferential wall. An optical space communications device as described in Appendix A4. (Appendix A6) The movable cable portion further includes a biasing portion that biases the cable in a winding direction. An optical space communications device as described in Appendix A5. (Appendix A7) a second cable for transmitting or receiving power or a signal to the first diffused light emitting unit; the first diffused light emitting unit is connected to an upper side of the first optical communication terminals, the second cable extends vertically downward through a space inside the inner circumferential wall that communicates with a plurality of first optical communication terminals; An optical space communications terminal as described in Appendix A2. (Appendix A8) the first direction adjustment unit is configured to be able to rotate the emission direction of the first communication light along a horizontal plane and to rotate the emission direction of the first communication light along a vertical plane. 1. An optical space communications device according to claim A1.

[0075] (Appendix B1) a first optical space communications device; a second optical space communications device; Equipped with The first optical space communications device is a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light; a first communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with the second optical space communications device and receiving second communication light emitted from the second optical space communications device; a first imaging unit that captures a second diffused light of the second optical space communications device corresponding to the first diffused light and generates a first captured image; a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the first captured image; a plurality of first optical communication terminals each including and The second optical space communications device is a second diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting second diffused light; a second communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with the first optical space communications device and receiving the first communication light emitted from the first optical space communications device; a second imaging unit that captures a first diffused light of the first optical space communications device corresponding to the second diffused light and generates a second captured image; a second direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the second communication light based on the second captured image; a second optical communication terminal including: having Optical space communication system. (Appendix B2) a plurality of the second optical communication terminals connected in a stacked manner in the vertical direction; 1. An optical free space communications system as described in Appendix B1.

[0076] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Appendix A2 to Appendix A8 that are subordinate to Appendix A1 (optical space communications device) may also be subordinate to Appendix B1 (optical space communications system) in the same subordinate relationship as Appendix A2 to Appendix A8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Optical space communication system 10 Optical space communication equipment 14a Rotating board 14b Hollow motor 20 Optical space communication equipment 100 Optical communication terminal 200 Optical communication terminal 101 Fixed part 102 Main body 103 1st support part 104 Direction adjustment section 104a 1st direction adjustment section 104b Second direction adjustment section 105 First light-emitting part 106 Second light-emitting part 106a, 106b second light-emitting unit 107 Imaging unit 108 Communications Department 109 Control Unit 110 Power terminal 120 Control Terminal 130 Optical Space Communication Terminal 1081 Signal transmitter 1082 signal receiving unit 1083 Light quantity detection unit 1084 Divider 1085 Circulator 1086 Fiber Tube 1087 Lens 111 Cylinder part 112 Upper connection part 113 Lower connection part 114 Second support part 115 Movable cable section 116 saucer 116a Wall section 117 Cable 118 Connector 119 Connect I / F 151 above 152 Below 153 Outer wall 154 Inner peripheral wall 153a Outer opening 154a Inner opening 155 Fixing part 156 Fixing part 300 Connecting Components 301 Diameter Section

Claims

1. a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light; a first communication unit capable of emitting a first communication light used for communication with a partner device and receiving a second communication light emitted from the partner device; a first imaging unit that captures a second diffused light of the counterpart device corresponding to the first diffused light and generates a captured image; a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the captured image; a plurality of first optical communication terminals each including the first optical communication terminals, the first optical communication terminals being stacked in a vertical direction and connected to each other at connecting portions; having Optical space communication device.

2. Each first optical communication terminal a cable for transferring power or a signal to at least one of the first communication unit, the first imaging unit, and the first direction adjustment unit; a movable cable portion provided near the connecting portion and configured to accommodate the cable in response to an operation of the first direction adjustment portion; The optical space communications device according to claim 1 ,

3. The movable cable portion is A donut-shaped lower surface parallel to the horizontal plane; a cylindrical inner peripheral wall extending vertically from an inner peripheral edge of the lower surface; a cylindrical outer wall extending vertically from the outer circumferential edge of the lower surface; a container having a portion of the cable is fixed to a fixing portion provided near the inner circumferential wall; Another part of the cable is slidably held by a holding portion provided on the outer peripheral wall. The optical space communications device according to claim 2 .

4. the plurality of first optical communication terminals are connected to each other so that spaces inside the inner circumferential walls are in communication with each other; The cable a connection portion extending vertically downward from the fixed portion through a space inside the inner circumferential wall; an intermediate portion that moves from the holding portion into and out of an accommodation space surrounded by the lower surface, the inner peripheral wall, and the outer peripheral wall in response to an operation of the first direction adjustment portion; Including, The optical space communications device according to claim 3 .

5. The intermediate portion accommodated in the accommodation space is wound up along the wall surface of the inner circumferential wall or the outer circumferential wall. The optical space communications device according to claim 4.

6. The movable cable portion further includes a biasing portion that biases the cable in a winding direction. The optical space communications device according to claim 5 .

7. a second cable for transmitting or receiving power or a signal to the first diffused light emitting unit; the first diffused light emitting unit is connected to an upper side of the plurality of first optical communication terminals, the second cable extends vertically downward through a space inside the inner circumferential wall that communicates with a plurality of first optical communication terminals; The optical space communications device according to claim 3 .

8. the first direction adjustment unit is configured to be able to rotate the emission direction of the first communication light along a horizontal plane and to rotate the emission direction of the first communication light along a vertical plane. The optical space communications device according to claim 1 .

9. a first optical space communications device; a second optical space communications device; Equipped with The first optical space communications device is a first diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting first diffused light; a first communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with the second optical space communications device and receiving second communication light emitted from the second optical space communications device; a first imaging unit that captures second diffused light of the second optical space communications device corresponding to the first diffused light and generates a first captured image; a first direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the first communication light based on the first captured image; a plurality of first optical communication terminals each including and The second optical space communications device is a second diffused light emitting unit capable of emitting second diffused light; a second communication unit capable of emitting first communication light used for communication with the first optical space communications device and receiving the first communication light emitted from the first optical space communications device; a second imaging unit that captures a first diffused light of the first optical space communications device corresponding to the second diffused light and generates a second captured image; a second direction adjustment unit that adjusts the emission direction of the second communication light based on the second captured image; a second optical communication terminal including: having Optical space communication system.

10. a plurality of the second optical communication terminals connected to one another in a stacked manner in the vertical direction; The optical free space communication system according to claim 9.

Images