Optical communication equipment

Abstract

To provide an optical communication device that can suppress the deterioration of communication quality of optical communication caused by condensation.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An optical communication device 1 for underwater optical communication includes a transparent enclosure 2, one or more optical communication units 10 arranged in the transparent enclosure 2 to perform optical communication with an external device via an inner surface 2a of the transparent enclosure 2, and a water pipe 31 having a pipe body portion 31a arranged inside the transparent enclosure 2 and an opening end portion 31c through which water flows in from outside the transparent enclosure 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical communication device for performing underwater optical communication. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical communication systems that use light (especially visible light) as a transmission medium for underwater communication are known. Because light has high directivity, conventional optical communication systems generally communicate by placing the transmitter and receiver facing each other, with the transmitter and receiver optical communication devices fixed in place. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-103232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A possible configuration of an optical communication device that performs underwater optical communication is one in which the optical communication unit is disposed in a highly watertight transparent housing, and the optical communication unit performs optical communication with an external device via the inner surface of the transparent housing.

[0005] However, an optical communication device with such a configuration may become cold in water and cause condensation on the transparent housing. Specifically, condensation may cause water vapor in the air inside the transparent housing to condense, causing fogging on the inner surface of the transparent housing. In this case, the fogging on the inner surface of the transparent housing may cause a problem of deterioration in the communication quality of optical communication.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication device that can suppress deterioration of communication quality of optical communication caused by condensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An optical communication device according to one embodiment is a device for performing underwater optical communication, and includes a transparent housing, one or more optical communication units disposed within the transparent housing for performing optical communication with an external device via the inner surface of the transparent housing, and a water pipe disposed within the transparent housing and having a tubular portion and an open end through which water flows in from outside the transparent housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical communication device that can suppress deterioration of communication quality of optical communication caused by condensation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an optical communication system including an optical communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical communication device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of an optical communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a frame of the optical communication device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external configuration of an optical communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an optical communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a frame of an optical communication device according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an optical communication device according to a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of an optical communication device according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external configuration of an optical communication device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An optical communication device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an optical communication system including an optical communication device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The optical communication system according to the embodiment is a system that performs underwater optical communication between optical communication devices 1. That is, each optical communication device 1 is an underwater optical communication device. In the embodiment, underwater optical communication is mainly assumed to be undersea optical communication, but underwater optical communication may also be optical communication in a lake or a river. Furthermore, the optical communication system according to the embodiment is a system that performs optical communication using visible light as an example of light. However, the optical communication system may also be a system that performs optical communication using light other than visible light, for example, infrared light.

[0013] The illustrated example shows an operation of transmitting an optical signal from one optical communication device 1 (1a) to another optical communication device 1 (1b). The one optical communication device 1 (1a) transmits and receives optical signals by directing its optical axis toward the other optical communication device 1 (1b). Similarly, the other optical communication device 1 (1b) transmits and receives optical signals by directing its optical axis toward the one optical communication device 1 (1a).

[0014] For example, the one optical communication device 1 (1a) is a terminal device, and the other optical communication device 1 (1b) is a base station device. The base station device 1b is located near the water surface. For example, the base station device 1b may be fixed to a buoy via a frame. The base station device 1b may be connected to a network via a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be a wireless line or a wired line. In order to efficiently secure a communication area underwater, the base station device 1b may be installed a predetermined distance away from other adjacent base station devices. The base station device 1b may be installed temporarily, for example, during the period when underwater surveys are conducted using the terminal device 1a.

[0015] The terminal device 1a may be configured to be movable underwater. The terminal device 1a performs underwater optical communication with the base station device 1b. That is, the base station device 1b is a serving base station for each terminal device 1a. The terminal device 1a may include a sensor such as an image sensor (including a camera) and generate sensor data. For example, the terminal device 1a may transmit uplink data including the sensor data to the base station device 1b by optical communication. The terminal device 1a may receive downlink (DL) data including instruction data from the base station device 1b by optical communication. The terminal device 1a may move and perform a sensing operation (such as taking a photograph) based on the instruction data.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0017] The optical communication device 1 has a configuration in which a plurality of optical communication units 10 (optical communication units 10a, 10b, ...) are arranged in a highly watertight transparent housing 2, and the optical communication units 10 perform optical communication with an external device (e.g., another optical communication device) via the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. In the embodiment, the transparent housing 2 has a spherical shape. However, as will be described in detail later, the transparent housing 2 may also have a hemispherical, rod-like, or polyhedral shape. The transparent housing 2 is formed from a light-transmitting member, such as glass or acrylic resin. These members correspond to a first member having a lower thermal conductivity than metal.

[0018] The multiple optical communication units 10 are arranged in an array along the curved inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. The optical axes of the multiple optical communication units 10 are oriented in different directions. In the embodiment, the optical axis of each optical communication unit 10 is oriented in the normal direction to the curved outer surface 2b of the transparent housing 2. Light has high directionality, and this configuration makes it possible to perform optical communication in various directions. Note that there is a gap between each optical communication unit 10 and the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. In other words, the optical communication units 10 are configured separately from the transparent housing 2. Therefore, for example, if one of the optical communication units 10 breaks down, it is easy to replace the optical communication unit 10.

[0019] When the optical communication device 1 cools in water, condensation may occur on the transparent housing 2. Specifically, condensation may cause water vapor in the air inside the transparent housing 2 to condense, causing fogging on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. In this case, the fogging on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2 may deteriorate the communication quality of the optical communication. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, a water pipe is provided inside the transparent housing 2, and condensation occurs in the water pipe, reducing the amount of water vapor in the air inside the transparent housing 2. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration of the optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0021] The optical communication device 1 has a plurality of optical communication units 10 (10a, 10b, ...), a transmitting / receiving unit 13, and a control unit 14. The optical communication device 1 may have a battery for supplying power necessary for the operation of the optical communication device 1. The optical communication device 1 may also have communication means for performing communication other than optical communication (for example, wired communication or sonic communication).

[0022] Each optical communication unit 10 includes at least one light-emitting element 11 used for transmitting an optical signal and at least one light-receiving element 12 used for receiving an optical signal. In the illustrated example, the optical communication unit 10a includes a light-emitting element 11a and a light-receiving element 12a, the optical communication unit 10b includes a light-emitting element 11b and a light-receiving element 12b, and the optical communication unit 10c includes a light-emitting element 11c and a light-receiving element 12c.

[0023] Each light-emitting element 11 may be a laser diode (LD) or a light-emitting diode (LED). Each light-emitting element 11 converts an electrical signal (transmission signal) output by the transmitter / receiver 13 for optical communication into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal. The multiple light-emitting elements 11 each have an optical axis oriented in a different direction. That is, the multiple light-emitting elements 11 each have directivity (transmission directivity) in a different direction.

[0024] Each light receiving element 12 may be a photodiode (PD). Each light receiving element 12 receives an optical signal, converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal (received signal), and outputs the received signal to the transmitter / receiver 13. In the embodiment, the light receiving element 12 is provided in a set with the light emitting element 11. Specifically, the light receiving element 12 has directivity (receiving directivity) in the same direction as the corresponding light emitting element 11. That is, multiple sets of the light emitting element 11 and the light receiving element 12 (i.e., multiple optical communication units 10) transmit optical signals in different directions and receive optical signals from different directions.

[0025] The transceiver 13 may be configured with an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or an SoC (System-on-a-chip). The transceiver 13 performs signal processing on the transmission signal output by the control unit 14, converts the processed signal, and outputs it to the light-emitting element 11 used for optical communication. The transceiver 13 also converts the reception signal output by the light-receiving element 12, performs signal processing on the converted reception signal, and outputs it to the control unit 14. The transceivers 13 may be provided in a distributed manner in multiple optical communication units 10.

[0026] The control unit 14 controls the overall operation of the optical communication device 1. For example, the control unit 14 controls the multiple optical communication units 10 via the transceiver unit 13. The control unit 14 includes at least one processor 14a and at least one memory 14b. The memory 14b stores programs executed by the processor 14a and information used in processing by the processor 14a. The processor 14a may include a digital signal processor and a CPU. The digital signal processor performs modulation / demodulation and encoding / decoding of digital signals. The CPU executes programs stored in the memory 14b to perform various processes.

[0027] 4 is a perspective view (specifically, a perspective view of the frame 3 viewed from diagonally above) showing an example of the configuration of the frame 3 of the optical communication device 1 according to the embodiment. In the embodiment, the frame 3 is made of metal, for example, aluminum or stainless steel. These members correspond to the second member having a higher thermal conductivity than the first member forming the transparent housing 2. Components and / or boards of the optical communication device 1 may be attached to the frame 3.

[0028] The frame 3 has a water pipe 31, a plurality of water trays 32 (32a to 32d), and an uneven portion 33. The water pipe 31, the water tray 32, and the uneven portion 33 may be integrally formed from metal. In the embodiment, an example is described in which the frame 3 has four water trays 32a to 32d, but the number of water trays 32 is not limited to four, and there may be only one water tray 32 (for example, only the water tray 32d at the bottom). Furthermore, the frame 3 does not have to have the uneven portion 33.

[0029] The water pipe 31 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vertical direction. However, the water pipe 31 is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The water pipe 31 has a tubular portion 31a, an upper open end portion 31b, and a lower open end portion 31c (not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 6).

[0030] A plurality of water trays 32 are arranged on the water pipe 31 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each water tray 32 surrounds the periphery of the tubular body 31a. Each water tray 32 has a substantially disc-like shape to match the shape of the transparent housing 2. In the illustrated example, the uppermost water tray 32a of the water trays 32a to 32d has a smaller diameter than the other water trays 32b to 32d. Each water tray 32 has a disc-shaped bottom 321 and a peripheral portion 322 that rises upward from the bottom 321.

[0031] The uneven portion 33 is formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion 31a. The uneven portion 33 is formed in stripes in the vertical direction. The uneven portion 33 increases the surface area of ​​the outer surface of the tubular portion 31a, making it easier for condensation to form on the tubular portion 31a.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the external configuration of the optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0033] The transparent housing 2 accommodates a plurality of optical communication units 10, a transceiver unit 13, and a control unit 14. The plurality of optical communication units 10 are arranged in an array along the curved inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2.

[0034] The transparent housing 2 has an upper dome portion 21 and a lower dome portion 22. The spherical transparent housing 2 is formed by joining the open end (flange portion 21a) of the upper dome portion 21 and the open end (flange portion 22a) of the lower dome portion 22. An opening (hole) is formed at the upper end of the transparent housing 2 (upper dome portion 21) through which the upper end of the frame 3 (specifically, the water pipe 31) is inserted and joined. In addition, an opening is formed at the lower end of the transparent housing 2 (lower dome portion 22) that is joined to the frame 3 (specifically, the peripheral portion 322 of the water tray 32d).

[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of an optical communication device according to the embodiment.

[0036] The water pipe 31 has a tubular portion 31a disposed inside the transparent housing 2 and an open end 31c into which water flows in from outside the transparent housing 2. When the tubular portion 31a is cooled by the water flowing in from the open end 31c, condensation occurs on the outer surface (uneven portion 33) of the tubular portion 31a. This reduces the amount of water vapor in the air inside the transparent housing 2, thereby preventing condensation from forming on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. As a result, the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2 is less likely to become cloudy, and deterioration of the communication quality of optical communications can be prevented.

[0037] The transparent housing 2 is formed of a first member (for example, a transparent resin). On the other hand, the water pipe 31 is formed of a second member (in this embodiment, a metal) that has a higher thermal conductivity than the first member. As a result, when the optical communication device 1 is underwater, the water pipe 31 cools down before the transparent housing 2, and therefore, the water pipe 31 can be rapidly cooled to cause condensation before condensation (i.e., fogging) occurs on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2.

[0038] In the embodiment, the water pipe 31 constitutes a part of the frame 3 (see FIG. 4) made of metal. This makes it possible to use the frame 3 of the optical communication device 1 to prevent fogging on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. Furthermore, the water pipe 31 constituting the frame 3 can improve the strength of the optical communication device 1, particularly the strength in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

[0039] Open end 31b of water pipe 31 is located on the upper end side of transparent housing 2 and is exposed below transparent housing 2. Open end 31c of water pipe 31 is located on the lower end side of transparent housing 2 and is exposed above transparent housing 2. Water flowing in from lower open end 31c is superheated inside water pipe 31 and flows toward upper open end 31b, creating a water flow from bottom to top. This promotes the flow of water inside water pipe 31 and can enhance the cooling effect of water pipe 31.

[0040] In this embodiment, the water pipe 31 has an uneven portion 33 formed on the outer surface (outer periphery) of the tubular portion 31a. This increases the surface area of ​​the tubular portion 31a of the water pipe 31, making it easier for condensation to occur on the tubular portion 31a.

[0041] The frame 3 is disposed on the water pipe 31 and has a water tray 32 surrounding the tubular portion 31a. This allows water (water droplets) that has adhered to the tubular portion 31a due to condensation to be collected in the water tray 32. Moreover, since the water tray 32 is also made of metal, it is also cooled by the water flowing through the water pipe 31. Therefore, condensation can occur not only on the water pipe 31 but also in the water tray 32.

[0042] In the illustrated example, the second water tray 32b from the top is provided with a lid 34 that covers the top of the water tray 32b. The lid 34 has a donut shape, and the tubular portion 31a passes through a hole in its center. The lid 34 has the same diameter as the water tray 32b. The diameter of the hole in the lid 34 is larger than the diameter of the tubular portion 31a including the uneven portion 33. The lid 34 may be formed of metal or a material other than metal (e.g., resin). Electronic components and / or a circuit board 35 are disposed on the upper surface of the lid 34. The electronic components and / or a circuit board 35 may be electrically connected to each optical communication unit 10 inside the upper dome portion 21. Such a lid 34 prevents water stored in the water tray 32b from spilling out of the water tray 32b. Furthermore, the lid portion 34 makes it easy to arrange the electronic components and / or the board 35 in a state where water does not adhere to the electronic components and / or the board 35.

[0043] Similarly, the third water tray 32c from the top is provided with a lid 34 that covers the top of the water tray 32c. Electronic components and / or boards 35 are disposed on the upper surface of the lid 34. These electronic components and / or boards 35 may be electrically connected to the optical communication units 10 inside the lower dome portion 22.

[0044] In this embodiment, multiple water trays 32 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. As a result, water that has formed on the underside of one water tray 32 due to condensation flows downward along the outer surface of the water pipe 31 (tubular body portion 31a) and can be collected in another water tray 32 below.

[0045] As described above, the optical communication device 1 according to the embodiment includes a transparent housing 2, a plurality of optical communication units 10 disposed within the transparent housing 2 and performing optical communication with an external device via the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2, and a water pipe 31 having a tubular portion 31a disposed within the transparent housing 2 and an open end 31c through which water flows in from outside the transparent housing 2. This allows the frame 3 to be cooled and condensed first, thereby reducing the occurrence of fogging on the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration in communication quality of optical communication.

[0046] (First modified example) Next, the optical communication device 1 according to the first modified example will be described, focusing on the differences from the optical communication device 1 according to the above-described embodiment.

[0047] As described above, the frame 3 including the water tray 32 is made of metal. This increases the thermal conductivity of the frame 3 and improves the cooling effect of the frame 3 surface, i.e., the effect of suppressing fogging of the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2. However, the metal frame 3 is glossy and tends to reflect light. Therefore, sunlight and other light are reflected from the top surface of the water tray 32, which may cause noise in optical communications.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the frame 3 of the optical communication device 1 according to the first modified example.

[0049] In this modified example, the frame 3 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal, and the upper surface 321a of each water tray 32 is subjected to anti-reflection treatment. This prevents deterioration of the communication quality of optical communication due to reflection of sunlight, etc. Specifically, the bottom 321 of each water tray 32 has an upper surface 321a and a lower surface 321b, and the anti-reflection treatment is applied to the upper surface 321a. In the illustrated example, the anti-reflection treatment is also applied to the inner surface of the peripheral portion 322 that stands upright.

[0050] On the other hand, no anti-reflection treatment is applied to the underside 321b of the bottom 321 of each water tray 32. When each water tray 32 is cooled by water flowing in from the open end 31c, condensation occurs on the underside 321b of each water tray 32 except for water tray 32d. This allows the anti-reflection range and the condensation range on the frame 3 (water tray 32) to be separated, thereby achieving both anti-reflection and anti-fogging.

[0051] The anti-reflection treatment applied to upper surface 321a of bottom 321 of each water tray 32 may be a matte finish (frosted finish).The anti-reflection treatment may be a dark-colored coating applied to upper surface 321a of bottom 321 of each water tray 32.

[0052] However, when the lid portion 34 is provided as in the above-described embodiment, the water tray 32 (for example, the water tray 32b and the water tray 32c) on which the lid portion 34 is provided may not require anti-reflection treatment on the upper surface 321a.

[0053] (Second modified example) Next, the optical communication device 1 according to the second modified example will be described, focusing on the differences from the optical communication device 1 according to the above-described embodiment. This modified example may be implemented in combination with the above-described first modified example.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the optical communication device 1 according to the second modified example (specifically, a perspective view of the optical communication device 1 viewed obliquely from above).

[0055] As described above, the transparent housing 2 has the upper dome portion 21 and the lower dome portion 22. In this modified example, the frame 3 further has a large water tray 32e with a peripheral portion 322 provided at the joint between the upper dome portion 21 and the lower dome portion 22. That is, a disk portion (water tray 32e) of the same size as the outer shape of the device is provided at the dome joint (i.e., the equator portion of the transparent housing 2).

[0056] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the optical communication device 1 according to the second modified example.

[0057] The flange portion 21a of the upper dome portion 21 is attached to the upper surface of the water tray 32e (peripheral portion 322), and the flange portion 22a of the lower dome portion 22 is attached to the underside of the water tray 32e (peripheral portion 322). By providing such a large water tray 32e, light from above is blocked and the surface area of ​​the frame 3 is increased, so that cooling by the water pipes 31 inside the frame 3 prevents fogging of the inner surface 2a of the transparent housing 2 and improves the effect of suppressing temperature increases inside the device. Attaching the upper dome portion 21 and the lower dome portion 22 to the large water tray 32e (disk portion) also improves strength, particularly horizontal strength.

[0058] In the illustrated example, electronic components and / or substrates 35 are disposed on the underside of the second water tray 32b from the top. Similarly, electronic components and / or substrates 35 are disposed on the underside of the third water tray 32c from the top.

[0059] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the optical communication device 1 has multiple optical communication units 10. However, in a system in which the optical communication device 1 on the transmitting side and the optical communication device 1 on the receiving side are fixed and the transmitting side and the receiving side communicate with each other, the optical communication device 1 may have only one optical communication unit 10.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example in which the water pipe 31 extends linearly (in an I-shape) has been described. However, the water pipe 31 may be formed in a branched shape, such as a Y-shape or an inverted Y-shape. The water pipe 31 may be at least partially curved. Furthermore, a plurality of water pipes 31 may be provided in the optical communication device 1.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the frame 3 is made of metal. However, the frame 3 may be made of any material as long as it has a higher thermal conductivity than the transparent housing 2, and is not limited to metal.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the transparent housing 2 has a spherical shape has been described. However, the spherical shape is not limited to a perfect sphere. FIG. 10 is a perspective view (specifically, a perspective view of the optical communication device 1 viewed from diagonally below) showing an example of the external configuration of an optical communication device 1 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the transparent housing 2 may be a polyhedron. An optical communication unit 10 is provided on each face of the polyhedron. Such a polyhedron is also included in the spherical transparent housing 2. Alternatively, the transparent housing 2 may be rod-shaped, for example, cylindrical. A plurality of optical communication units 10 may be arranged in an array along the curved inner surface of the cylinder. Alternatively, the transparent housing 2 may be prismatic. In this case, an optical communication unit 10 is provided on each side of the prismatic pillar.

[0063] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the optical communication device 1. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0064] As used in this disclosure, the terms "based on" and "depending on / in response to" do not mean "based only on" or "depending only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on." Similarly, the term "depending on" means both "depending only on" and "depending at least in part on." The terms "include," "comprise," and variations thereof do not mean including only the listed items, but may mean including only the listed items or including additional items in addition to the listed items. Additionally, the term "or," as used in this disclosure, is not intended to mean an exclusive or. Furthermore, any reference to elements using designations such as "first," "second," etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way. In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles shall include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0065] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0066] (Addendum) Additional notes will be given regarding the features of the above-described embodiment.

[0067] (Appendix 1) An optical communication device for underwater optical communication, A transparent housing and one or more optical communication units disposed within the transparent housing and performing optical communication with an external device via an inner surface of the transparent housing; a water pipe having a tubular body portion disposed within the transparent housing and an open end portion through which water flows in from outside the transparent housing; Optical communication equipment.

[0068] (Appendix 2) When the tubular body is cooled by the water flowing in from the open end, condensation occurs on the outer surface of the tubular body. 2. The optical communication device of claim 1.

[0069] (Appendix 3) the transparent housing is formed by a first member, The water pipe is formed of a second member having a higher thermal conductivity than the first member. 3. The optical communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0070] (Appendix 4) A frame formed of metal, The second member is made of metal, and the water pipe constitutes at least a part of the frame. 4. The optical communication device of claim 3.

[0071] (Appendix 5) Each of the one or more optical communication units has a gap between itself and the inner surface of the transparent housing. 5. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0072] (Appendix 6) the opening end is a first opening end located on a lower end side of the transparent housing, the water pipe further has a second open end exposed on an upper end side of the transparent housing; The water flowing in from the first open end is superheated in the water pipe and flows toward the second open end. 6. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0073] (Appendix 7) The water pipe further has an uneven portion formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion. 7. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0074] (Appendix 8) The water supply system further includes one or more water trays disposed in the water pipe and surrounding the tubular body. 8. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0075] (Appendix 9) A frame formed of metal, The one or more water trays form part of the frame. 9. The optical communication device of claim 8.

[0076] (Appendix 10) a lid portion provided on at least one of the one or more water trays and covering the top of the water tray; 10. The optical communication device according to claim 8 or 9.

[0077] (Appendix 11) The one or more water trays are a plurality of water trays arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. 11. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

[0078] (Appendix 12) the one or more water trays are formed of metal; At least one upper surface of the one or more water trays is treated to reduce reflected light. 12. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

[0079] (Appendix 13) The bottom surface of each of the one or more water trays is not subjected to a treatment to suppress reflected light, When the water tray is cooled by the water flowing in from the open end, condensation occurs on the bottom surface of at least one of the one or more water trays. 13. The optical communication device of claim 12.

[0080] (Appendix 14) the transparent housing has an upper dome portion and a lower dome portion, The one or more water trays include a water tray having a rim at a joint between the upper dome portion and the lower dome portion. 14. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

[0081] (Appendix 15) the one or more optical communication units are a plurality of optical communication units arranged in an array along the inner surface of the transparent housing, The optical axes of the plurality of optical communication units are oriented in different directions. 15. An optical communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: Optical communication equipment 1a: Terminal device 1b:Base station equipment 2: Transparent housing 2a :Inner surface 2b :Outer surface 3: Frame 10: Optical communication section 11: Light emitting element 12: Light receiving element 13: Transmitter / receiver 14: Control section 14a: Processor 14b: Memory 21: Upper dome 21a: Flange part 22: Lower dome 22a: Flange part 31: Water pipe 31a: body part 31b: Open end 31c: Open end 32: Water tray 33: Uneven part 34: Lid part 35: Components and / or boards 321: Bottom 321a:Top surface 321b: Bottom surface 322: Periphery

Claims

1. An optical communication device for underwater optical communication, A transparent housing and one or more optical communication units disposed within the transparent housing and configured to perform optical communication with an external device via an inner surface of the transparent housing; a water pipe having a tubular body portion disposed within the transparent housing and an open end portion through which water flows in from outside the transparent housing; Optical communication equipment.

2. When the tubular body is cooled by the water flowing in from the open end, condensation occurs on the outer surface of the tubular body.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

3. the transparent housing is formed by a first member, The water pipe is formed of a second member having a higher thermal conductivity than the first member.

3. The optical communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A frame formed of metal, The second member is made of metal, and the water pipe constitutes at least a part of the frame.

4. The optical communication device according to claim 3.

5. Each of the one or more optical communication units has a gap between itself and the inner surface of the transparent housing.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

6. the opening end is a first opening end located on a lower end side of the transparent housing, the water pipe further has a second open end exposed below the transparent housing; The water flowing in from the first open end is superheated in the water pipe and flows toward the second open end.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

7. The water pipe further has an uneven portion formed on the outer surface of the tubular portion.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

8. The water supply system further includes one or more water trays disposed in the water pipe and surrounding the tubular body.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

9. A frame formed of metal, The one or more water trays form part of the frame.

9. The optical communication device according to claim 8.

10. The water supply system further includes a lid portion provided on at least one of the one or more water trays and covering the top of the water tray.

9. The optical communication device according to claim 8.

11. The one or more water trays are a plurality of water trays arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

9. The optical communication device according to claim 8.

12. the one or more water trays are formed of metal; At least one upper surface of the one or more water trays is treated to reduce reflected light.

9. The optical communication device according to claim 8.

13. The bottom surface of each of the one or more water trays is not subjected to a treatment to suppress reflected light, When the water tray is cooled by the water flowing in from the open end, condensation occurs on the bottom surface of at least one of the one or more water trays.

13. The optical communication device according to claim 12.

14. the transparent housing has an upper dome portion and a lower dome portion, The one or more water trays include a water tray having a periphery at a joint between the upper dome portion and the lower dome portion.

9. The optical communication device according to claim 8.

15. the one or more optical communication units are a plurality of optical communication units arranged in an array along an inner surface of the transparent housing, The optical axes of the plurality of optical communication units are oriented in different directions.

2. The optical communication device according to claim 1.

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