Curved Optical Phased Array for Wide-Angle Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical beam steering technologies face limitations in size, weight, power consumption, and speed, particularly in applications like UAVs, with traditional mechanical approaches being constrained and electronic beam steering methods offering limited angular resolution and steering range.
Innovation Solution
An optical system featuring a monolithic silica body with a 3D hemispherical curved surface and optical waveguides, coupled with optical devices like VCSELs and photodiodes, and a controller for selective operation to generate optical beams, enabling high-speed beam steering over an extended range with low beam divergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical beam steering (rotating mirror or lens) is used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but device size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beam steering systems (rotating mirrors or lenses) with an optical phased array system that uses electronic phase control of multiple VCSEL emitters. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts, significantly reducing device weight, size, and power consumption while maintaining beam steering capability through constructive interference control of light from multiple sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single mechanical steering element to a two-dimensional array of VCSEL emitters arranged in a curved focal plane. This dimensional expansion allows electronic beam steering in multiple directions simultaneously through phase control, achieving comprehensive angular coverage without mechanical movement
2Volume of moving object
If optical phased array technology is used with close emitter spacing, then device size is reduced, but steering range is limited to approximately +10 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the VCSEL emitters along a curved focal plane rather than a flat array. This curvature allows the optical paths from emitters at different positions to converge properly at large angles, enabling a steering range exceeding ±90 degrees while maintaining compact device size and close emitter spacing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the emitter array from a flat configuration to a curved configuration. This parameter change fundamentally alters the phase relationships between emitters, enabling wide-angle beam steering by compensating for path length differences in a compact form factor
3Measurement precision
If a large number of optical emitters are used in the focal plane, then beam steering resolution is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple VCSEL emitters, waveguides, and optical components into a single monolithic substrate. This merging of components into one unified structure achieves high angular resolution through multiple emitters while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting, alignment, and control systems for individual components
4Measurement precision
If mechanical actuators are used for beam steering, then beam direction control is achieved, but operating speed is limited to millisecond timeframes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical actuators with electronic phase control of VCSEL emitters. This substitution enables beam steering speeds in the microsecond or nanosecond range, as electronic phase modulation and emitter switching occur much faster than mechanical actuation, while maintaining precise beam direction control through phase interference patterns
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 system achieves high-speed, wide-angle beam steering with low beam divergence and small size, offering a field of view approaching 180°, surpassing traditional phased array approaches in resolution and range, while maintaining low size, weight, and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical waveguides extending within the optical body between respective optical devices and an imaginary curved surface
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical system is provided which may include an optical body, and a plurality of optical devices carried by the optical body. Furthermore, a plurality of optical waveguides may extend within the optical body between respective optical devices and an imaginary curved surface within the optical body, and an optical element may be coupled to the optical body and be optically aligned with the plurality of optical waveguides. A controller may be configured to selectively operate the plurality of optical devices to generate at least one optical beam.