Beam Steering Apparatus Using Phase Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam steering technologies face limitations in efficiently controlling the direction of a light beam for spatial information acquisition, particularly in achieving precise and rapid beam steering with existing mechanical and non-mechanical methods.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering apparatus comprising a light source, a steering array, and a driver that utilizes a power supply and a controller to generate and apply voltages to the steering array, adjusting refractive indices to control the beam direction through a phase shift principle, allowing for high-speed and precise beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a mechanical beam steering method is used to control beam direction, then the beam direction can be controlled, but the steering speed is limited and mechanical wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam steering system with a non-mechanical phase modulation system. Instead of using motors to physically rotate mirrors or deflectors, the invention uses phase modulators to change the phase of light in different regions of the beam, achieving beam direction control through wave interference principles. This eliminates mechanical moving parts, thereby increasing steering speed and eliminating mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the phase parameter of the light wave dynamically to control beam direction. By applying different phase shifts to different regions of the beam using phase modulators, the system can rapidly steer the beam without physical movement. The phase parameter is adjusted electronically, enabling high-speed beam steering while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a non-mechanical beam steering method using MEMS mirror is used, then mechanical wear is reduced, but the steering precision and speed are still limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam into multiple regions and applies independent phase modulation to each region. By segmenting the beam and controlling the phase of each segment separately, the system achieves precise beam direction control through constructive and destructive interference. This segmentation approach enables higher steering precision compared to single-mirror MEMS systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the phase parameter of light waves in different beam regions to achieve precise steering. By electronically adjusting phase values with high resolution, the system achieves superior beam direction precision without the mechanical limitations of MEMS mirrors.
3Speed
If phase modulation is used for beam steering, then steering speed is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a phase modulator system that can steer beams in multiple directions and perform multiple functions (steering, focusing, shaping) through a single device. The phase modulators can be programmed to achieve different beam patterns and directions, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high steering speed.
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
The apparatus enables efficient and precise control of beam direction, enhancing spatial information acquisition by rapidly adjusting the beam's angle of diffraction, thereby improving the speed and accuracy of beam steering.
Implementation Method 1
A beam steering apparatus comprising a light source, a steering array, and a driver that utilizes a power supply and a controller to generate and apply voltages to the steering array, adjusting refractive indices to control the beam direction through a phase shift principle
Data Source
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AI summary
A beam steering apparatus, a method of driving the beam steering apparatus, and a spatial information acquisition apparatus using the beam steering apparatus, are provided. The beam steering apparatus includes a light source, and a steering array including elements having refractive indexes varying with a voltage driving the steering array, the elements being configured to control a direction of a beam from the light source and incident on the steering array. The beam steering apparatus further includes a driver configured to generate the voltage, based on an intermediate value of at least two voltages, and drive the steering array, based on the generated voltage.