Dispersive Component for FSO Beam Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Free space optical communication terminals face optical losses due to the use of circulators or beam splitters for separating transmit and receive beams, which can be avoided by employing a dispersive optical component that laterally separates beams based on wavelength differences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a dispersive optical component along the optical paths of both transmit and receive beams, which utilizes wavelength dependence to laterally separate the beams at the focal plane, eliminating the need for circulators or beam splitters and reducing optical losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circulators or beam splitters are used to separate transmit and receive beams, then beam separation is achieved, but optical losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of wavelength to achieve beam separation. By using a dispersive optical component that exploits wavelength dependence, the system separates transmit and receive beams based on their different wavelengths, eliminating the need for circulators or beam splitters and associated optical losses.
2Reliability
If circulators or beam splitters are used for beam separation, then transmit and receive paths are separated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the circulator or beam splitter from the optical path. By using a dispersive optical component that inherently separates beams based on wavelength, the system eliminates the need for these additional components, simplifying the terminal design while maintaining beam separation functionality.
3Loss of energy
If wavelength-dependent dispersion is used to separate beams, then optical losses are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes wavelength as a parameter to achieve automatic beam separation. The dispersive optical component exploits the inherent wavelength difference between transmit and receive beams to separate them automatically, reducing the need for precise mechanical alignment and lowering manufacturing precision requirements compared to traditional circulator-based systems.
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 reduces optical losses, simplifies the terminal design, and enhances communication efficiency by avoiding the use of loss-inducing components, while allowing for communication at various wavelengths, thus improving the terminal's reliability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
the dispersive optical component has a wavelength dependence, the dispersive optical component laterally separates the Rx spot and the Tx spot at the focal plane when the Rx and Tx optical beams are propagating along opposite directions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a local free space optical (FSO) terminal that transmits and receives optical beams. The FSO terminal includes a fore optic and a dispersive optical component. A receive (Rx) optical beam from a remote FSO terminal is received and focused by the fore optic to a Rx spot at a focal plane of the fore optic. A transmit (Tx) optical beam with a different wavelength forms a Tx spot at the focal plane and is collimated and projected by the fore optic to the remote FSO terminal. The dispersive optical component is positioned along optical paths of both the Rx beam and the Tx beam. Among other advantages, a wavelength dependence of the dispersive optical component laterally separates the Rx spot and the Tx spot at the focal plane.