Optical Beam Steering via Phase Modulation and Fault Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam steering technologies face performance degradation due to faults in the modulation region and require phase uniformity compensation between channels, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering device with waveguides and modulators on a substrate, where modulators change the refractive index of light to steer beams, and a driving circuit independently controls each modulator to maintain phase consistency and compensate for faults, using CMOS circuits and a cladding layer to enhance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor is used to steer the beam, then the beam can be steered to a desired location, but the volume and price of the steering system increase and noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motor-based beam steering system with an optical array method using waveguides and modulators. Instead of physically rotating components, the invention uses phase modulation of light in multiple waveguide channels to achieve beam steering, thereby eliminating motors and their associated noise, volume, and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from mechanical rotation angles to optical phase differences. By modulating the phase of light in different waveguide channels through voltage control of modulators, the beam direction is changed without mechanical movement, reducing system complexity and enabling precise control.
2Reliability
If a MEMS mirror is used to steer the beam, then the beam can be steered to a desired location, but a narrow viewing angle is generated and light-transmitting distance is shortened due to stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam steering function into multiple independent waveguide channels, each with its own modulator. Instead of using a single MEMS mirror that suffers from stress and narrow viewing angle, the invention segments the optical path into multiple parallel waveguides, allowing broader beam coverage and eliminating stress-related limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical MEMS mirror system with an all-optical waveguide-based phase modulation system. This substitution eliminates the mechanical stress and narrow viewing angle problems inherent in MEMS mirrors by using stationary waveguides with electrically controlled modulators.
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
Prevents performance decreases due to faults and ensures consistent beam steering by independently driving modulators, allowing for spare modulators to maintain phase change, thus improving reliability and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
modulators arranged along the waveguides and configured to change, according to electrical signals, a phase of the light by changing a refractive index of the light which passes through the waveguides
Data Source
AI summary
A beam steering device and a system employing the same are provided. The beam steering device includes: waveguides provided on a substrate to form channels through which light is transmitted; a modulators provided on the waveguides and configured to change, according to electrical signals, a phase of the light by changing a refractive index of the light which passes through the waveguides; and a driving circuit configured to provide the electrical signals to the modulators to drive the modulators.