Hybrid Optical Phased Array Imaging System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a mobile imaging system that utilizes optical phased arrays, which are not widely implemented in various applications such as communication, beam steering, astronomy, and radar.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing device comprising N optical transmit antennas and M optical receive antennas, each with phase modulators, controlled by a controller to capture images. The arrays are orthogonal, with an optical splitter for transmitting and combining signals, and detectors to identify image points, enabling the formation of images by modulating phases and detecting reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical phased arrays are used in a mobile imaging system, then imaging capability and precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into separate transmit and receive arrays, each with independent phase modulators. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently while maintaining overall imaging precision, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs orthogonal arrangements of transmit and receive arrays in different spatial dimensions. This dimensional separation simplifies the overall system architecture by decoupling the transmit and receive paths, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving imaging precision through the orthogonal geometry.
2Measurement precision
If N transmit antennas and M receive antennas are used, then image detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmit and receive antennas into phased arrays with coordinated phase control. This merging approach achieves high image detection accuracy through collective signal processing while managing complexity through unified phase modulation control across all elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each antenna element in the arrays serves multiple functions: transmission, reception, and phase modulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If orthogonal array configuration is used, then imaging precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The orthogonal configuration places transmit and receive arrays in perpendicular spatial dimensions, creating a structured geometric relationship that simplifies signal processing and beamforming calculations. This dimensional organization improves imaging precision while providing a systematic framework that manages configuration complexity.
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 the capture and formation of images by aligning the far field Fourier Transform patterns of the transmit and receive arrays, allowing for image detection and 3D image formation with enhanced sensitivity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
N phase modulators each associated with and adapted to control a phase of a different one of the transmit antennas, M phase modulators each associated with and adapted to control a phase of a different one of the receive antennas
Implementation Method 2
an optical splitter adapted to split the received coherent optical signal into N optical signals and deliver the N optical signals to the N phase modulators
Implementation Method 3
an optical signal combiner adapted to combine M optical signals received from M receive antennas to generate a combined received optical signal
Implementation Method 4
a detector adapted to detect whether the combined received optical signal represents an image of one or more points of the object
Implementation Method 5
receiving reflection of the N optical signals off the object via M optical receive antennas forming a second array
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes, in part, N optical transmit antennas forming a first array, N phase modulators each associated with and adapted to control a phase of a different one of the transmit antennas, M optical receive antennas forming a second array, M phase modulators each associated with and adapted to control a phase of a different one of the receive antennas, and a controller adapted to control phases of the first and second plurality of phase modulators to capture an image of an object. The first and second arrays may be one-dimensional arrays positioned substantially orthogonal to one another. Optionally, the first array is a circular array of transmitters, and the second array is a one-dimensional array of receivers positioned in the same plane as that in which the circular array of the transmitters is disposed.