Flexible Optical Backbone with Dual-Beam Alignment for Repositionable APs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical wireless communication systems face challenges in deploying a flexible backbone infrastructure that supports high-speed connections between access points and switch nodes, particularly when these points are frequently repositioned, leading to high overhead and latency in beam alignment.
Innovation Solution
A local switch with dual optical front ends (OFEs) is employed, featuring a narrow beam angle for high-speed communication and a 360-degree beam angle for acquisition and coarse alignment, allowing dynamic adjustment and fast pairing with access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a narrow beam angle is used for high-speed optical wireless communication, then data rate is improved, but beam alignment time and overhead increase when APs are repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The optical front end is segmented into two distinct types: a first type OFE with narrow beam angle for high-speed communication, and a second type OFE with wide beam angle for acquisition and alignment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between data rate and alignment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The second type OFE acts as an intermediary that facilitates the alignment process between the first type OFE and the remote AP. The wide beam angle OFE enables initial connection and coarse alignment, making the subsequent narrow beam alignment faster and more efficient.
2Productivity
If a narrow beam angle is used for high-speed communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but system flexibility and ease of repositioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical front end into two specialized components, the system gains adaptability for different operational phases: the narrow beam OFE for efficient communication and the wide beam OFE for flexible acquisition and repositioning scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The local switch is equipped with dual-type OFEs that provide multi-functionality: the second type OFE handles acquisition, coarse alignment, and repositioning scenarios, while the first type OFE handles high-speed communication, making the system universally applicable to various operational requirements.
3Productivity
If beam alignment overhead is reduced, then system efficiency is improved, but alignment precision and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment process is segmented into two stages: coarse alignment using the wide beam angle OFE to quickly establish connection, and fine alignment using the narrow beam angle OFE to achieve precise alignment. This segmentation maintains reliability while improving overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second type OFE performs preliminary action by establishing initial connection and coarse alignment before the first type OFE performs fine alignment. This preliminary action reduces the search space for the narrow beam OFE, ensuring reliable precision alignment while minimizing total overhead.
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
Enables flexible and efficient alignment between access points and switch nodes, reducing latency and overhead in beam alignment, thereby supporting a reconfigurable optical wireless network.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first type optical front end, OFE, configured to transmit and/or receive with a beam angle not larger than 60 degrees
Implementation Method 2
a second type OFE configured to transmit and/or receive with a 360-degree beam angle on the rotation plane of the first type OFE
Data Source
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AI summary
A backbone network (100) for use in an optical wireless communication system comprises one or more local switches (200) and one or more optical access points (300), APs, wherein local switches (200) are configured to provide to optical APs (300) connections to an external network. Each local switch (200) comprises a first type optical front end (210), OFE, having a rotatable orientation and a beam angle not larger than 60 degrees, and a second type OFE (230) having a 360-degree beam angle on the rotation plane of the first type OFE. Each optical AP comprises an OFE (310) having a rotatable orientation and a beam angle not larger than 60 degrees. The pairing and beam alignment between the first type OFE of a local switch and the OFE of an optical AP is achieved via the assist of the second type OFE of the local switch.