FSO Pointing Unit With Orthogonal Steering for Gap-Free Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free space optical communication systems face challenges in efficiently steering beams between nodes, particularly in scenarios requiring direct line of sight, and often suffer from blind spots and complex tracking mechanisms that can lead to inefficiencies and potential gaps in coverage.
Innovation Solution
A pointing unit with a pair of steering elements, each with different diameters, is used to steer beams through orthogonal planes, allowing for simplified tracking and complete coverage without gaps by using metamaterial elements like silicon metaprisms, which reduce weight and size, and a control scheme that ensures equal and opposite rotational movements of the elements to achieve smooth beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional beam steering mechanisms are used, then beam direction can be controlled, but blind spots and coverage gaps occur
Solution Approach 1:
The beam steering function is segmented into two independent pairs of steering elements (first pair and second pair), where each pair operates in orthogonal planes. This segmentation allows complete spherical coverage (4π steradians) without blind spots, as each pair handles a specific plane while together they provide omnidirectional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-plane steering to multi-plane steering by introducing two pairs of steering elements operating in orthogonal planes. The first pair steers in one plane while the second pair steers in the perpendicular plane, creating three-dimensional beam control capability that eliminates coverage gaps.
2Reliability
If multiple steering elements are used to eliminate blind spots, then coverage is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs metamaterial elements (silicon metaprisms) as steering elements, which provide high optical efficiency and precise beam control while maintaining reduced weight. These composite material elements achieve the required coverage without the excessive weight that would result from traditional mechanical steering mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If steering elements with equal diameters are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but beam steering precision and coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different diameters to different steering elements based on their specific functional requirements. The first pair of steering elements has a first diameter optimized for their plane, while the second pair has a second diameter optimized for their orthogonal plane. This local quality differentiation maximizes beam steering precision and coverage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 solution enables efficient, gap-free beam steering with improved tracking capabilities, reducing weight and size, and enhancing the field-of-regard to cover a solid angle of 4π steradians, suitable for applications in vehicles and spacecraft.
Implementation Method 1
a first pair of steering elements and a second pair of steering elements arranged along the principal axis such that a beam transmitted by the free space optical communications terminal is received by the first pair of steering elements and then by the second pair of steering elements, each pair comprising a first steering element and a second steering element, each steering elements of the first pair configured to steer a beam by a first steering angle and each steering element of the second pair configured to steer a beam by a second steering angle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A pointing unit (100) for use with a free space optical (FSO) communications terminal (105) is disclosed. The pointing unit (100) comprises an optical arrangement of a first (101) and second (102) pair of rotatable steering elements (101a,b 102a,b). The steering elements are controlled according to a control scheme (10) to steer a beam (107b) towards a target (110).