Frequency Gradient Metasurface for Rapid Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately transmitting and controlling the direction of signal beams, particularly in systems utilizing pencil beams, which require rapid beam steering and alignment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a frequency gradient metasurface in a transmitter device, which generates a pulsed laser signal and uses a phase shifter to control the incident angle, creating a virtual antenna array that synthesizes a 4D beam with a direction that changes over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a phase shifter is used to control beam direction, then beam steering capability is improved, but device complexity and resource loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam steering speedVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from phase modulation to frequency modulation for beam steering. By using a frequency gradient metasurface where different frequency components are directed to different angles according to the grating equation sin(θ) = nλ/d, the system achieves rapid beam steering without complex phase shifters. The beam direction is controlled by changing the frequency parameter of the pulsed laser signal rather than adjusting phase across multiple elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the phase shifter component from the beam steering system. By using direct frequency modulation of the pulsed laser signal and the natural frequency-angle mapping property of the frequency gradient metasurface, the system removes the need for complex phase shifting hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining beam steering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple beams are transmitted to ensure coverage, then coverage area is improved, but resource loss and delay increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidresource loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam steering by rapidly switching the frequency parameter of the pulsed laser signal to track and follow the mobile terminal's movement. Instead of transmitting multiple simultaneous beams to cover an area, the system dynamically adjusts the beam direction in real-time, maintaining precise targeting and energy efficiency while ensuring continuous coverage through rapid repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary beam direction calculation based on predicted terminal movement patterns. By anticipating the terminal's next position and pre-adjusting the beam direction accordingly, the system ensures continuous coverage without needing to transmit multiple redundant beams, thereby reducing resource loss while maintaining effective coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If beam width is reduced for precision, then direction control precision is improved, but signal loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection control precisionVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic pulsed laser signals with precise frequency modulation. By transmitting energy in concentrated pulses rather than continuous waves, the system achieves high directional precision during each pulse while minimizing overall energy loss. The periodic nature allows for efficient energy delivery at the exact moment and direction needed, reducing wasted signal energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 enables rapid and precise beam steering, reducing resource loss and delay associated with large numbers of beams, while maintaining a narrow beam width and overcoming the limitations of phase shifter-based methods.

Implementation Method 1

uses a phase shifter to control the incident angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifter:

Implementation Method 2

frequency gradient metasurface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency gradient:

Implementation Method 3

synthesizes a 4D beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam synthesis:

Implementation Method 4

enables rapid and precise beam steering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam steering:

Implementation Method 5

maintaining a narrow beam width

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam focusing:

Data Source

PatentUS12218789B2Frequency gradient metasurface device and method based on fast beam steering system

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present specification provides a method, performed by a device, for transmitting information about a pencil beam timing offset in a wireless optical communication system, in which a reference synchronization time is obtained, wherein the reference synchronization time is obtained on the basis of a cell-reference synchronization signal (C-RSS) received from another device, a peak energy time is obtained, the pencil beam timing offset is obtained on the basis of the reference synchronization time and the peak energy time, and information about the pencil beam timing offset is transmitted to the other device.