Free-Space Optical Terminals Using Remote Optical Pump Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current FSO transceivers require electrical power for optical-electrical-optical conversion, limiting their deployment in environments without power sources and increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Implementing optical pump sources at a powered base-station to transmit optical power to unpowered remote transceivers for amplification, eliminating the need for local electrical power and enabling bi-directional links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical power is provided to remote transceiver locations for optical-electrical-optical conversion, then the transceiver can operate effectively, but the complexity and cost of the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical power supply system with an optical power delivery system. Instead of using electrical cables and power converters at remote locations, the system transmits optical power through the atmosphere to directly power the transceiver components, eliminating the need for complex electrical infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical transmission medium serves dual functions: it carries both data signals and power simultaneously. The same optical channel that transmits communication data also delivers electrical power to remote transceivers through photovoltaic conversion, eliminating the need for separate power delivery infrastructure
2Reliability
If electrical power sources are installed at remote transceiver locations, then the transceiver can perform optical-electrical-optical conversion, but the deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power conversion function from the remote transceiver location and places it at the transmitting end. By using photovoltaic panels at the remote location to convert optical power back to electrical power, the system eliminates the need to transport and install complex electrical power sources at remote sites, significantly reducing deployment cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The remote transceiver location generates its own electrical power on-demand by converting received optical power through photovoltaic panels. This self-powered approach eliminates dependency on external power infrastructure and reduces the need for expensive power delivery systems to remote locations
3Length of stationary object
If optical amplification is implemented at remote locations without electrical power, then the network reach is extended, but the ability to perform optical-electrical-optical conversion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces photovoltaic panels as an intermediary energy conversion device at the remote location. These panels convert optical power transmitted through the atmosphere into electrical power, enabling the remote transceiver to perform optical-electrical-optical conversion without requiring external electrical power sources, thus maintaining signal conversion capability while extending network reach
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, low-cost, and reliable FSO networks with extended reach and adaptability to various data rates without the need for local power, reducing complexity and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
optical pump power from a transceiver located at a base-station (near-end) location is transmitted to an unpowered far-end location
Implementation Method 2
the received pump power is used to amplify data-signals present at the far-end location
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable memory for free-space optical (FSO) communications. For instance, a communications network may include FSO optical transceiver terminals located at remote electrically unpowered locations within the communications network. A remote unpowered FSO terminal located at a far-end location receives necessary optical power from a powered base station location (near-end) required for all optical amplification functions for NRZ or RZ format signals within the spectral range of 900 nm to 1480 nm as well as an Ultra Short Pulsed Laser (USPL) centered at 1560 nm at the far-end location. A transmitting node transmits an optical signal identified as a pump signal to a remote location over a free space medium, such as the atmosphere, where the remote location does not have available electrical power for operation of electro-optic components required for transmission and retransmission functions.