Beam-to-Color Optical Mapping for Single-Fiber AoA Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in distinguishing the angle of arrival (AoA) of radio-frequency (RF) waves using multiple optical channels, as they require multiple channels to carry information from different directions, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an optical processor that encodes different RF-wave directions onto different optical wavelengths within a single optical channel, such as an optical fiber, allowing for the combination and transmission of RF waves with distinct angles of arrival using a beam-to-color transformer, where each AoA corresponds to a specific wavelength, enabling the use of a single optical channel to carry information from multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical channels are used to carry information from different directions, then the angle of arrival can be distinguished, but the infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical channels carrying different angle-of-arrival information into a single optical channel by multiplexing signals with different optical wavelengths. The beam-to-color transformer maps spatial information (different AoAs) to wavelength information, allowing multiple directional signals to coexist in one channel without interference, thus reducing the quantity of optical channels needed while maintaining AoA discrimination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the problem from a spatial dimension solution (using multiple separate optical channels) to a spectral dimension solution (using different wavelengths within a single channel). The beam-to-color transformer performs this dimensional transformation by encoding angular information into wavelength variations, allowing the system to distinguish AoA through wavelength differentiation rather than spatial separation
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical channels are used to transmit RF wave information, then directionality is preserved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by merging the management of multiple optical channels into a single channel system. The beam-to-color transformer consolidates what would require multiple separate transmission paths into one unified channel, simplifying the optical network architecture, reducing the number of optical fibers needed, and lowering the complexity of channel management while preserving directional information through wavelength encoding
3Quantity of substance
If a single optical channel is used to carry multiple directions, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but the ability to distinguish angles of arrival becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the AoA discrimination challenge in a single channel by transitioning from spatial separation to spectral separation. The beam-to-color transformer encodes angular information into the wavelength domain, creating distinct wavelength signatures for different AoAs. This allows the receiver to distinguish directions by analyzing wavelength composition rather than spatial position, maintaining measurement precision while using only one optical channel
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter used for signal differentiation from spatial position to optical wavelength. By mapping AoA information to wavelength variations through the beam-to-color transformer, the system creates distinguishable wavelength parameters for different directions, enabling precise angle discrimination within a single optical channel through spectral analysis rather than spatial filtering
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient discrimination and transmission of RF waves with different angles of arrival using a single optical channel, reducing infrastructure costs and increasing wireless network capacity by encoding AoAs onto different wavelengths, which can be decoded at the receiving end.
Implementation Method 1
a modulation sideband corresponding to an RF wave (emitted by an RF source and captured by an antenna array) having a particular angle of arrival ('AoA') is mapped to different spatial positions in the optical processor, which allows combining sidebands corresponding to different RF waves having different AoAs to a single output
Implementation Method 2
encode different directions on different optical wavelengths of the optical carrier... RF wave arriving from upper left direction may be mapped to a modulation sideband of an optical carrier with wavelength A1 whereas the RF wave arriving from the upper right direction may be mapped to a modulation sideband of an optical carrier with wavelength λ2
Data Source
AI summary
A system architecture is described that allows mapping of different RF-wave directions (e.g., Angles of Arrival or “AoA-s”) to different optical-carrier wavelengths. Such mapping enables the transmission of all information captured by a phased array, including spatial information of the incoming RF waves, using a single optical fiber.