Electro-Optic Beam Steering With Resistive Electrode Phase Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam steering systems suffer from mechanical limitations such as high manufacturing complexity, reliability issues, limited steering capability, and inefficiencies due to mechanical failures and fringing fields, particularly in systems without mechanical parts.

Innovation Solution

A beam steering system utilizing a high-side electrode layer with alternating discrete electrodes and resistors, a low-side electrode layer, and an electro-optic layer with active material, employing a half-wave voltage profile to achieve efficient beam steering without mechanical motion, capable of steering angles up to +/-60 degrees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical beam steering systems are used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical beam steering systems with an electro-optic system that uses electric fields to modulate the refractive index of an electro-optic material, thereby steering the beam without any moving parts. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while achieving the same beam steering capability through electrical control of optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the electro-optic material by applying different voltages to the electrode layers. This parameter change enables beam steering by creating phase gradients across the optical beam, allowing dynamic control of beam direction without mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical beam steering systems are used, then beam steering is achieved, but reliability decreases due to mechanical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steeringVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical components by using an all-electronic electro-optic beam steering mechanism. This substitution removes sources of mechanical failure such as wear, friction, and mechanical fatigue, thereby significantly improving system reliability while maintaining full beam steering functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If non-mechanical beam steering systems are used, then mechanical complexity is reduced, but fringing field losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical complexityVSAvoidfringing field losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ground electrode layer as an intermediary between the first and second electrode layers. This ground layer acts as a field shield that confines the electric fields between adjacent electrode pairs, preventing fringing fields from extending into regions where they would cause energy losses, while still allowing the electro-optic material to be effectively modulated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If non-mechanical beam steering systems are used, then reliability is improved, but steering capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidsteering capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a third dimension to the electrode structure by introducing a ground electrode layer perpendicular to the other two layers. This three-dimensional electrode configuration enables independent control of electric fields in multiple directions, expanding the steering capability beyond what planar electrode arrangements can achieve, while maintaining the reliability benefits of a non-mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides efficient beam steering with reduced mechanical complexity, improved reliability, and enhanced steering capabilities, minimizing fringing field losses and fly-back effects, while maintaining high steering efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an electro-optic layer with active material positioned between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS12601950B2System, method and apparatus for non-mechanical optical and photonic beam steering

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 EXCITING TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

An example system includes a high-side electrode layer having a first number of electrical members alternated with, and electrically coupled to adjacent ones of a second number of electrical members, where either the first number of electrical members or the second number of electrical members are discrete electrodes, and the other one of the first or second number of electrical members are resistors. Accordingly, the high-side electrode layer is formed from alternating discrete electrodes and resistors. The example system further includes a low-side electrode layer, and an electro-optic (EO) layer having an EO active material at least partially positioned between the high-side electrode layer and the low-side electrode layer, thereby forming a number of active cells of the EO layer.